Central Market of Casablanca | Casablanca

The Central Market of Casablanca (in French, Marché Central) is one of the city’s most historic and vibrant marketplaces. Located in the heart of downtown Casablanca, it offers a colorful, sensory-rich experience where locals and visitors alike come to shop, eat, and explore.

Here is a detailed look at it:

1. Location and Accessibility: The Central Market is situated on Mohammed V Boulevard, right in the colonial-era center of Casablanca. It is easily accessible by foot from many central hotels and landmarks, and it also has a tram stop ("Marché Central") directly outside, making it one of the most convenient spots to visit.

2. History and Architecture: Built in the early 20th century during the French Protectorate, the market was part of Casablanca’s modernization. It was designed in the Moorish Revival style, blending traditional Moroccan architectural elements with colonial urban planning.

Features include:

A large arched entrance adorned with tiles and geometric decorations

A symmetrical layout of covered market stalls

A spacious, airy interior to accommodate Casablanca’s growing population and commerce in the early 1900s

3. What You’ll Find Inside: The Central Market is a traditional souk-style market, though more organized and enclosed than an open-air bazaar. It includes:

Fresh seafood: One of the market’s specialties. You’ll find a wide variety of fish, octopus, shrimp, shellfish, and more—some of it still alive. Many locals buy seafood here and take it to nearby restaurants to have it cooked on the spot.

Meat and poultry: Butcher stalls offer fresh cuts, including halal meats.

Fruits and vegetables: Seasonal produce, herbs, olives, dates, and dried fruits are sold in colorful abundance.

Spices and condiments: Rows of vendors sell saffron, cumin, ras el hanout, preserved lemons, and harissa.

Flowers: A section of the market is dedicated to florists selling fresh bouquets.

Souvenirs and crafts: Small stalls sell traditional items like ceramics, woven baskets, jewelry, teapots, and leather goods.

Street food and cafés: Around the market, small restaurants serve quick meals—especially freshly grilled seafood, tagines, sandwiches, and Moroccan mint tea.

4. Cultural Experience: The market is a great way to see daily Casablanca life. It’s less touristy than the markets in Fes or Marrakech but still welcoming to foreigners. Vendors are used to international visitors and may speak some French or English. The market is lively, with the sounds of bargaining, the smells of spices and seafood, and the buzz of urban Moroccan life.

5. Best Times to Visit:

Morning: For the freshest produce and seafood

Midday: To enjoy a seafood lunch at the surrounding cafés

Weekdays: Generally less crowded than weekends

It’s closed or very quiet on major religious holidays

6. Practical Tips:

Bargaining is common, especially for souvenirs and non-food items

Bring cash, as most vendors don’t accept cards

Be prepared for a sensory-rich environment (strong smells, especially in the seafood section)

If you're interested in photography, be respectful and ask permission before taking close-up photos of people

7. Nearby Attractions:

Place Mohammed V (the main administrative square)

Art Deco buildings on Mohammed V and Hassan II boulevards

Villa des Arts, just a short tram ride away

The Old Medina is also within walking distance

In summary, the Central Market is not just a place to shop—it’s an immersive slice of Casablanca’s daily life and a blend of the city's colonial past with its vibrant Moroccan identity.