Long Read
spray paint and mint tea in casablanca
i've been wandering these medina alleys for three days now with paint-stained fingers and a head full of half-baked murals that probably look like crap.
Quick Answers
Q: Is this place worth visiting?
A: Yeah, if you like cities that feel like a beautiful mess - old medina chaos mixed with french colonial architecture and endless mint tea invitations.
Q: Is it expensive?
A: Depends what you're doing - hostels from $12, street food under $3, but tourist restaurants will bleed you dry.
Q: Who would hate it here?
A: People who need everything perfectly organized - the traffic alone will break their spirit.
Q: Best time to visit?
A: Spring or fall when temps hang around 18-22°C like they are now - perfect for walking without dying.
The air feels like 17.7°C today which is that weird sweet spot where you're never quite warm enough but not cold either. Humidity's 44% so the paint on my hands isn't drying properly and i keep smudging everything.
Someone told me the pressure at sea level hits 1014 hPa here which explains why my ears keep popping when i take the tram.
I heard from a local that this city gets maybe 2.5 million visitors annually but feels way more crowded because everyone's crammed into the same three neighborhoods.
A local warned me not to carry my camera around too obviously in certain areas - safety vibe is generally fine downtown but edgier after dark.
the wall that wouldn't stay painted
Found this perfect spot near the old medina yesterday, cracked concrete wall catching afternoon light just right. Started sketching this geometric pattern inspired by zellige tilework, and this old dude in a djellaba comes over, points at my work, says something in arabic i don't catch, then hands me what i think was a compliment and a cup of that crazy sweet mint tea everyone drinks here.
The temperature's been holding steady around 18.6°C for the past week according to some app on my phone. Perfect painting weather except the wind keeps blowing dust onto my pieces.
A local artist mentioned rent for a decent apartment in the city center runs about $300-400 monthly which isn't terrible compared to european standards.
[MAP]
[IMAGES]
The weather pattern here seems consistent - temp_min and temp_max both sitting at 18.64°C suggests stable conditions, which means my paint won't expand and crack like it does in more variable climates.
I heard from another traveler that bus tickets to nearby Rabat cost less than $5 and the train to Marrakech runs frequent for under $15 if you want day trips.
Someone told me the humidity level of 44% is actually pretty comfortable for this region - i was expecting the crushing stickiness you get further south.
"This city breathes art" - literally what some french expat said to me at a cafe, right before spilling his espresso on my sketchbook.lockquote>
The pressure readings at ground level of 970 hPa might explain why i keep feeling lightheaded when i climb to rooftops to get better perspectives for my murals.
I heard rental bikes are available downtown for about $8/day which seems reasonable for exploring beyond the medina maze.
Check out what other travelers say:
- TripAdvisor Morocco reviews
- Yelp Casablanca food spots
- Reddit Morocco travel
- Lonely Planet forums
- Culture Trip guides
The sea_level pressure reading of 1014 suggests stable weather patterns that street artists secretly love - no sudden storms ruining works-in-progress.tonight's plan
Heading back to that wall spot after iftar when the crowds thin out. gonna finish what i started and maybe grab dinner at one of those local spots away from tourist row where meals run $2-4 instead of the $15 tourist traps charge.
A local warned me that friday prayers mean everything shuts down midday, so i've learned to plan mural sessions around that rhythm.
The feels_like temperature of 17.71°C is exactly what i'd call hoodie weather - not quite jacket territory but cool enough that warm beverages hit different.
Someone else mentioned that january through march brings more rain which i should probably avoid for outdoor work.
My budget for this leg is running about $25/day and surprisingly that's covering hostel, food, and art supplies without too much stress.
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