Casablanca is a dense, busy city, but it has more green space than its reputation suggests. In the centre there is the Parc de la Ligue Arabe, reopened in 2021 after a long renovation, and a few older gardens nearby. On the site of the old Anfa airport there is Anfa Park, opened in 2020. On the coast you have the Hassan II Mosque esplanade and the seafront, and south of the city the Bouskoura forest. This guide covers what each place is like, what has changed recently, and what we could not confirm. For the beaches and the Ain Diab Corniche, see our Corniche and beaches guide; for family days out, see Casablanca with kids.
Where to find green space in Casablanca
Parc de la Ligue Arabe
City park. The city's best-known park, laid out from 1913 to a plan by the French architect Albert Laprade and first named Parc Lyautey (Wikipedia). Renovation began in 2016, ran years late and cost about 100 million dirhams; the park reopened to the public in May 2021 (Hespress, 13 May 2021). The work restored the gardens, joined the two halves of the park, and added a sports circuit, a play area, cafes, kiosks and public toilets, with a central basin, fountains and water channels (Casa Amenagement). In 2022 it was open 7:00 to 21:00 (Hespress, 4 Jul 2022); check current hours.
Anfa Park, on the old airport
City park. The central park of Casa Anfa, the new district built on the former Anfa airport. Its first section, about 18 hectares, opened in March 2020 with free entry, gardens, lawns, fountains, a water canal, children's play areas and a 1.5 km walking and jogging loop (Bladi, 12 Mar 2020). The full park is planned at 50 hectares; in September 2025 studies were under way for the next 10 hectares of green space (le360, 21 Sep 2025). We have not confirmed current hours or whether more of it has opened, so check before you go.
The Hermitage and Isesco gardens
City park. Two older gardens close to each other. The Parc de l'Hermitage was once the city's horticultural garden and reopened after renovation in 2011; the Parc de l'Isesco, still often called the Murdoch garden, is a smaller park of palms and flowerbeds (Le Petit Journal, 2014). In August 2025 the city listed both among its restored green spaces (Hespress, 14 Aug 2025). They are local parks rather than sights, and suit a quiet walk or a morning run.
The Velodrome park in Anfa
City park. A small urban park around the old velodrome in Anfa, reopened on 8 July 2021 after nearly two years of works, with lawns, a children's play area, a petanque ground, a snack bar and the cycle track and stand restored as they were (le360, 10 Jul 2021). Good for a short stop, not a destination in itself.
Hassan II Mosque esplanade and seafront
Seafront. The open esplanade around the mosque, on the water's edge, and the promenade beside it are among the city's most popular places to walk (Hespress, 14 Aug 2025). There is little shade here. Walking on west along the coast brings you to the Ain Diab Corniche, covered in our Corniche and beaches guide. To go inside the mosque you need a guided tour; the timetable is on the mosque foundation's site (fmh2.ma).
Sindibad at Ain Diab
Theme park. Casablanca's amusement park near Ain Diab reopened on 12 August 2015 after repeated delays, run at first by the French group Compagnie des Alpes (Bladi, 11 Aug 2015). The site is now part of the Sindibad Beach Resort development, whose website describes an amusement park, a zoo, an archaeological park and a public woodland (sindibad.ma). We could not confirm which parts are open now, their hours or their prices, so check directly before planning a visit.
Bouskoura forest
Forest. A large eucalyptus, pine and acacia forest about 15 km from the centre (Casabus), with walking and cycling paths, fitness trails, play areas and picnic tables laid out by Casa Amenagement. Its condition has been mixed: in July 2024 le360 found litter, dry ground and a run-down play area. A cleanup started in October 2024, and the forestry agency has an emergency programme for 2025-2026 that closes some zones during the works (le360, 7 Dec 2024). It is easiest by car; Casabus lists bus line L309 as the nearest.
Best time of day and summer heat
Practical. Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon. In summer the middle of the day is hot, and the open spaces, such as the mosque esplanade and the newer lawns at Anfa Park, have little shade. The older central parks, planted a century ago, have more established trees. Bring water and a hat; the Parc de la Ligue Arabe has cafes for a break.
Fridays
Practical. Friday midday is the main weekly prayer, so the Hassan II Mosque is at its busiest with worshippers then. It also runs fewer tours on Fridays: its timetable drops the 11:00 slot that day (fmh2.ma). If you want the esplanade quiet, go on another day or in the late afternoon.
Fit it into a private day
Booking. If you want to see some of these places without working out transport, we can fit them into a private guided day in Casablanca, with a driver taking you between them. Tell us which parks interest you and we plan the day around them.
Want the parks on a private day?
We can fit Casablanca's parks and gardens into a private guided day, with a driver taking you between them. Tell us your date and which places interest you.
Sources
- Casa Amenagement: Arab League Park project
- Hespress: the renovated Parc de la Ligue Arabe reopens (13 May 2021)
- Hespress: the Parc de la Ligue Arabe a year on, hours and management (4 Jul 2022)
- Wikipedia: Arab League Park
- Bladi: Anfa Park opens (12 Mar 2020)
- le360: Casa Anfa, from vision to reality (22 Apr 2025)
- le360: next stage of the Casa Anfa central park (21 Sep 2025)
- le360: the Anfa velodrome park reopens (10 Jul 2021)
- Hespress: Casablanca's new and restored green spaces (14 Aug 2025)
- Le Petit Journal: green spaces in Casablanca (2014)
- Fondation Mosquee Hassan II: visits and tour timetable
- Bladi: Sindibad park opens on 12 August (11 Aug 2015)
- Sindibad Beach Resort
- Casa Amenagement: Bouskoura-Merchich forest project
- Casabus: Bouskoura forest
- le360: Bouskoura forest, Casablanca's green lung under strain (2 Jul 2024)
- le360: works under way in Bouskoura forest (7 Dec 2024)