Casablanca, Morocco

Casablanca is Morocco's largest city and its commercial engine, buzzing with a cosmopolitan energy all its own. Wide boulevards are lined with whitewashed Art Deco buildings, seafood restaurants look out over the Atlantic, and one of the world's most striking mosques rises right at the water's edge. Spend the morning in the markets, the afternoon by the ocean and the evening in one of its stylish dining rooms.

Mobile coverage in Casablanca

As the country's main business hub, Casablanca has some of the most dependable mobile coverage in Morocco. Maroc Telecom, Orange and inwi all have a strong presence here, and across the downtown districts, the business areas around Maarif and Anfa and the seafront at Ain Diab you can generally expect fast, steady 4G that copes comfortably with video calls, cloud documents and streaming.

The things that weaken signal in Casablanca are the usual big-city ones rather than distance from a mast. Underground car parks, the inner halls of large shopping centres and the back rooms of older concrete buildings can all be noticeably weaker, and at busy times in crowded places your connection may feel slower even when the signal looks strong. The small old medina by the port has the tight lanes and thick walls typical of Moroccan old towns, so expect indoor reception to dip there too. If you prefer to know a plan's network in advance, each plan's page shows which network it uses.

Getting around Casablanca

Casablanca Mohammed V (CMN) is Morocco's main international gateway and sits some way south of the city. A train runs from the airport into the city's main stations, which is often the simplest way in, while a taxi can take the best part of an hour when the roads are busy. Having data working as you clear arrivals helps if you need to check train times, share your hotel address or keep a business contact updated on your arrival.

Around the city, the modern tram network links many of the areas visitors use, including the centre and the seafront, and signal on board is typically reliable. Petits taxis fill the gaps for shorter trips. For onward travel, Casa-Voyageurs station is the starting point for ONCF trains across the country, including the high-speed line north through Rabat to Tangier. On the train, coverage is generally good through the towns along the coast, with only brief dips in quieter countryside.

Where you'll use data most in Casablanca

The Hassan II Mosque is the city's great landmark, standing on a platform that juts out over the ocean with a minaret visible from far along the coast. The wide esplanade around it is open to the sky, so signal for photos and messages is usually good, and guided tours of the interior run for visitors at set times. A short taxi ride west brings you to the Corniche at Ain Diab, a long seafront of beach clubs, cafes and restaurants where you will use maps and booking apps most, and where coverage is generally strong.

Back in the centre, the streets around Boulevard Mohammed V and the Central Market show off the city's elegant period architecture, and are well served for signal as you explore. The Habous quarter, a planned "new medina" with arcaded streets full of booksellers, pastry shops and craft stalls, is pleasant for a slower afternoon, with reception typically fine outdoors. If you are in town for work, hotel Wi-Fi can be busy at peak times, so many business travellers find it useful to fall back on mobile data for important calls.

Tips for staying connected in Casablanca

• Install your eSIM before your trip and switch it on once you land at Mohammed V, so you can check the airport train or confirm a pick-up straight away.
• On a business trip, your phone's hotspot can be a handy backup for your laptop if a meeting room or hotel connection is struggling.
• If you rely on roaming, bear in mind that Morocco is not part of the European roaming zone most UK plans cover, and many networks charge it at their higher worldwide rates. Check your plan's terms before you go.
• Look up tram stops and train times while you have strong signal above ground, as reception can be weaker in underground spaces and large buildings.
• Keep your phone secure in crowded markets and on busy trams, as you would in any large city.
• Add Morocco's emergency numbers to your phone before you set out: 19 (police) and 15 (ambulance and fire).

Find nationwide plans on the Morocco eSIM page, or look ahead to eSIM for Rabat, eSIM for Tangier and eSIM for Marrakech.