7 Best Museums in Casablanca: Art + Culture + Design
- Malika
- Sep 26, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
From beautifully restored villas to a monumental mosque, discover 7 of the best museums in Casablanca.
As the country’s largest city, it makes sense that Casablanca is home to some of Morocco’s best museums. In fact, this pulsing metropolis boasts a wealth of cultural institutions, some linked to monumental landmarks and others tucked away in historic buildings.
Whether you’re interested in architectural craftsmanship, contemporary art or Jewish life in the city, there’s a Casablanca cultural institution that will appeal to you.
In this article, I’ll introduce 7 of the best museums in Casablanca to add to your itinerary, with options for both young and old.
For more information about things to see and do in Morocco’s biggest city, check out my Ultimate Travel Guide to Casablanca. If you're looking for accommodation inspiration, I've put together some of my top picks for Casablanca hotels, or you can browse all the best day trips from Casablanca.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best museums in Casablanca
Named after the late Moroccan businessman and art collector Abderrahman Slaoui, this cultural museum was founded in 2012 by the Abderrahman Slaoui Foundation. The museum's extensive collection is a testament to Slaoui's lifelong passion for preserving Morocco's artistic traditions, with everything from figurative paintings to ornate gold jewellery on display.
While exploring the Abderrahman Slaoui Museum, you'll discover paintings by the renowned Moroccan artist Muhammad Ben Ali Rabati and Orientalist posters that once adorned travel agencies. The latter were commissioned from some of the most celebrated painters of the time (including Jacques Majorelle) and offer a window into Morocco's allure as an "exotic" destination in the eyes of the West.
Beyond the permanent collection, the Abderrahman Slaoui Museum hosts temporary exhibitions that showcase the work of contemporary Moroccan artists, as well as artistic workshops that allow visitors to learn traditional crafts and techniques. There's a small art library with books to read and a cafe, as well as a store selling some of the vintage posters found in the collection.
Information is provided in French and Darija, with a QR code for English speakers to download an audio guide.
Opening hours of the Abderrahman Slaoui Museum: 10 am to 6 pm (closed Sundays and Mondays)
Entrance fee for the Abderrahman Slaoui Museum: 60 dh
Best museums in Casablanca
Established in 1997, this is the only museum dedicated to Judaism in the Arab world, making it a one-of-a-kind cultural institution. The museum's origins trace back to 1948 when the building first served as a Jewish orphanage that provided shelter and care for up to 160 young individuals.
Today, the building has been transformed into a carefully curated space that immerses visitors in the traditions and stories that have defined the Moroccan Jewish experience over the centuries.
Occupying three exhibition halls, the displays include paintings, photographs and sculptures that vividly capture the essence of Jewish life in Morocco. From ritual objects and historic documents to traditional costumes and jewellery, each offers a glimpse into this unique community.
One of the museum's most remarkable features is the bimah from the Beni-Issakhar Synagogue, which reflects the artistic prowess of Moroccan Jewish craftsmen. In addition to Torah scrolls, mezuzahs and Hanukkah menorahs, the Museum of Moroccan Judaism features a reconstructed jewellery-making workshop from the Jewish Amazigh community.
To learn more about the country's history of Judaism, check out my article Discovering Morocco's Jewish Cultural Heritage.
Opening hours of the Museum of Moroccan Judaism: 10 am to 3 pm Monday to Thursday and 10 am to 12 pm Fridays (closed Saturdays and Sundays)
Entrance fee for the Museum of Moroccan Judaism: 20 dh (free on Wednesdays)
Best museums in Casablanca
Occupying a 1930s Art Deco villa, this art museum is operated by the nonprofit Fondation ONA. Its small but impactful galleries stage rotating exhibitions showcasing the work of contemporary Moroccan artists, playing a vital role in promoting art and creativity to local schoolchildren and university students.
With a sister location in Rabat, this Casablanca museum's permanent collection hails primarily from Morocco. It features works by some of the country's most renowned modern artists, including the bold, abstract canvases of Ahmed Cherkaoui, the expressionistic paintings of Jilali Gharbaoui and the politically charged pieces of Mohamed Serghini, Farid Belkahia and Mohamed Chebaa.
Beyond these core holdings, the Villa des Arts also regularly mounts temporary exhibitions highlighting both established and up-and-coming Moroccan creatives. In addition to paintings and sculptures, you can expect photography and multimedia exhibits.
Complete with an auditorium, a research library and an on-site cafe, the museum has established itself as a cultural hub. Throughout the year, it hosts a calendar of events ranging from artist talks to live music performances and hands-on art workshops, so be sure to check what's happening during your visit.
Opening hours of the Villa des Arts de Casablanca: 9 am to 7 pm (closed Mondays)
Entrance fee for the Villa des Arts de Casablanca: Free
Best museums in Casablanca
Established in 2010 by the Society of Amateurs of Andalusi Music, Dar ul-Aala is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the centuries-old musical heritage of the Moorish-Andalusian tradition. Housed within a beautifully restored building in Casablanca's Habbous district, the museum boasts an impressive collection of rare and antique musical instruments, manuscripts and recordings that showcase this evocative and atmospheric style of music.
As you wander through the museum's halls, you’ll discover the haunting melodies and rhythms that characterise the music of Moorish Spain, when the Iberian Peninsula was a cultural crossroads blending Arab, Amazigh and European influences. Beyond the artefacts on display, Dar ul-Aala also serves as a hub for the preservation of this musical legacy, hosting regular concerts, workshops and scholarly discussions that engage both artists and enthusiasts alike.
Top tip: Coincide your visit with a Thursday evening when Dar ul-Aala hosts concerts accompanied by traditional mint tea.
Opening hours of Dar ul-Aala: 9 am to 6 pm or 10 pm on Thursdays (closed Saturdays and Sundays)
Entrance fee for Dar ul-Aala: Free
Best museums in Casablanca
Operating alongside the mosque itself, this fascinating museum offers a glimpse into the artistry and craftsmanship that went into the construction of the Hassan II Mosque. It serves as a complementary space that showcases traditional Moroccan art forms and architectural elements, with clear explanations and examples of each.
In addition to displays highlighting the mosque’s exquisite carved stucco and ornately painted wooden ceilings, there are examples of the zellije (Moroccan mosaic) tile walls that adorn the building. These unused design elements, which would have otherwise gone unseen by the public, are now given a dedicated platform to be appreciated in their own right.
The museum also delves deeper into the specialised techniques and materials used to create these architectural features and how they have been perfected by Moroccan artisans over the centuries.
For anyone with an interest in the cultural heritage and artistic traditions of Morocco, a visit to the Hassan II Mosque Museum provides a wonderful overview and can easily be combined with a guided tour of the mosque itself.
Opening hours of the Hassan II Mosque Museum: 9 am to 6 pm
Entrance fee for the Hassan II Mosque Museum: 30 dh
Best museums in Casablanca
Located in the iconic Liberty building (in the heart of Benjdia), this small, unassuming museum offers an insight into the artistic legacy of the Moroccan singer Abdelwaheb Doukkali. As you ascend to the top floor, the museum's modest exterior gives way to a contemplative space, where the walls are adorned with Doukkali's paintings and his melodious tunes fill the air.
The Liberty was one of the tallest skyscrapers in Africa when it was completed in 1951, based on the designs of Léonard Morandi. As you wander through the rooms, you're following in the footsteps of those who lived here over the years, including the activist Jacques Lemaigre Dubreuil and the Algerian writer Jean-Pierre Millecam.
If only these walls could talk, they would undoubtedly reveal tales of the brilliant minds and creative spirits that have left an indelible mark on the cultural fabric of Casablanca and beyond.
While somewhat of a hidden gem, the Petit Musée Abdelwahab Doukkali is a must-visit destination, not only for its celebration of Doukkali's multifaceted talents but also for the panoramic views it affords of the cityscape below.
Opening hours of the Petit Musée Abdelwahab Doukkali: 10 am to 7 pm (closed Mondays)
Entrance fee for the Petit Musée Abdelwahab Doukkali: Free
Best museums in Casablanca
If you’re visiting Casablanca with kids, then this beloved children’s museum should be high on your list, serving as an educational play park where they can let off steam. Spanning nearly 2,000 square metres across three levels, it invites youngsters ranging from 18 months to 12 years old to learn and play, all while having tremendous fun in the process.
The Amuzeum embraces the fundamental belief that children should be empowered to learn by doing, to explore and satisfy their innate curiosity through hands-on discovery. Within the Amuzeum’s stimulating walls, kids are encouraged to touch, test and try things for themselves, to bounce between different subjects and to dig deeper into areas of fascination.
As one of Casablanca’s top family-friendly attractions, the Amuzeum has been thoughtfully imagined and carefully created to appeal to kids and parents alike. There is a lovely cafe on site, ensuring that a meal or refreshment is never far away.
Opening hours of Amuzeum: 10 am to 6 pm (closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays)
Entrance fee for Amuzeum: 120 dh on weekdays and 180 dh on weekends (includes one child and one accompanying adult)
