SettatSettat at a Glance
Costs: USD 35-60 per day (budget-mid) - affordable Moroccan city living; cheap street food and modest hotels.
Safety: Generally safe, low tourist crime - generally safe for visitors; petty theft can occur in crowded spots.
Best Time: Mar-May, Sep-Nov (mild) - mild shoulder seasons are best: March-May and September-November.
Why Visit Settat?
Located between Casablanca and Marrakech, Settat appeals to travelers curious about Morocco’s agricultural heart and everyday market life. A busy weekly souk and neighborhood cafés reveal regional specialties-tagine, couscous and freshly baked khobz-while low-lying plains and local kasbahs invite short countryside excursions. Visits here feel less tourist-driven, offering a window onto provincial Moroccan customs, equestrian fairs and seasonal produce that complement the more famous nearby cities.
Settat Bucket List
Don't Miss
Marché central de Settat - Authentic central market selling produce, spices, and daily Moroccan life.
Parc Municipal de Settat - Green municipal park with shaded paths, fountains, and weekend family gatherings.
Grande Mosquée de Settat - Historic mosque near the old medina with notable minaret and community gatherings.
Hidden Gems
Marché aux bestiaux de Settat - Lively livestock market held weekly, showcasing rural trade and cultural interactions.
Sidi Allal El Haj Mausoleum - Small mausoleum with tilework and local pilgrimage traditions off main streets.
Old French-era boulevards - Tree-lined avenues with period architecture reflecting Settat’s early 20th-century growth.
Day Trips
Casablanca - Hassan II Mosque, Corniche, and modern shopping districts about one-hour drive.
Marrakech - Historic medina, Jemaa el-Fnaa square, and palaces reachable within two to three hours.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Settat
Settat is best visited in spring (April-May) or autumn when temperatures are mild and dry. Summers can be very hot, while winters are cooler with most of the rainfall.
Winter
Chilly, sometimes wet weather with cold nights; countryside is greener and city life quieter, but outdoor attractions can be muddy or windswept.
Spring
Pleasant, mild days and blooming fields make sightseeing comfortable and roads easier after winter rains; it’s the sweetest time to visit.
Summer
Hot, dry days bake the plains; sightseeing midday is tough but evenings are good - bring water and sun protection.
Settat's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 31°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 5° - 17° | 11° | 58 mm | some cloud | 76% | 2.3 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.1h |
| February | Very Good | 6° - 18° | 12° | 50 mm | some cloud | 73% | 2.8 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.9h |
| March | Very Good | 7° - 20° | 14° | 45 mm | some cloud | 70% | 2.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 9° - 22° | 15° | 42 mm | some cloud | 69% | 2.9 m/s | 1.6 very high | 12.9h |
| May | Ideal | 12° - 25° | 18° | 18 mm | some cloud | 63% | 3.2 m/s | 2.0 very high | 13.8h |
| June | Ideal | 15° - 28° | 21° | 4 mm | mostly sunny | 58% | 3.1 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 14.2h |
| July | Ideal | 17° - 31° | 24° | 0 mm | mostly sunny | 52% | 3.2 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.0h |
| August | Ideal | 18° - 31° | 25° | 1 mm | mostly sunny | 52% | 3.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.2h |
| September | Ideal | 16° - 29° | 23° | 7 mm | mostly sunny | 60% | 2.6 m/s | 1.6 very high | 12.3h |
| October | Excellent | 13° - 26° | 19° | 31 mm | some cloud | 63% | 2.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 11.2h |
| November | Very Good | 9° - 21° | 15° | 47 mm | some cloud | 70% | 2.4 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.3h |
| December | Very Good | 6° - 18° | 12° | 60 mm | some cloud | 75% | 2.4 m/s | 0.5 low | 9.8h |
How to Get to Settat
Settat lies on Morocco’s ONCF rail corridor between Casablanca and Marrakech and is straightforward to reach by train from Casablanca. Mohammed V Airport (CMN) is the main air gateway for international travellers; onward travel by train or private transfer works well.
Mohammed V International Airport, Casablanca (CMN): Casablanca’s CMN is the main international gateway for Settat. From CMN you can take a direct ONCF regional train from Casa Voyageurs (transfer required from the airport) or a taxi/private transfer; the airport is about 70-90 km from Settat. A private taxi or transfer typically takes 45-75 minutes depending on traffic and costs roughly 500-800 MAD; renting a car is also common.
Benslimane / Rabat-Salé (RBA): Rabat-Salé airport is farther away but sometimes used; road transfers from Rabat take around 1-1.5 hours to Settat depending on route and traffic.
Train: Settat is on Morocco’s ONCF rail network with regular trains linking Settat station to Casablanca (Casa Voyageurs/Casa Port) and Marrakech. The Casablanca-Settat run takes about 30-50 minutes depending on service; prices are modest (typically a few dozen MAD for standard class). Trains are practical, frequent and the recommended way to commute to Casablanca.
Bus: Interurban buses and grand taxis serve Settat for routes not covered by rail; CTM and Supratours-type operators and local buses connect Settat to nearby towns. Buses are often slower than trains but cover more routes; fares vary by operator and distance.
How to Get Around Settat
Settat is best reached and travelled by ONCF regional trains for reliability and speed; buses and grand taxis fill in where rail doesn’t reach. For convenience from CMN airport, combine rail and a short taxi or pre-booked transfer.
- ONCF train (~10-50 MAD) - Trains between Settat and Casablanca or Marrakech are frequent, affordable and comfortable for short regional trips. Use Settat station (Gare de Settat); book in advance for popular times and check ONCF schedules for exact departure times.
- Grand taxi / regional bus (10-80 MAD) - Grand taxis and interurban buses link Settat with smaller towns and offer door-to-door access where trains don’t run. Grand taxis can be shared or hired privately-shared fares are economical but require waiting until full.
- Intercity coach (CTM, private operators) (30-120 MAD) - Longer-distance coach operators run services to Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech; coaches are comfortable for longer trips, with luggage space and scheduled departures. Useful when travelling outside rail times or to places without direct train service.
- Car rental / private transfer (400-900 MAD/day for rental; transfers priced by route) - Renting a car or booking a private transfer gives the most flexibility for exploring the Casablanca-Settat region and reaching rural sites. Roads are generally good on main axes; allow for traffic approaching Casablanca.
- Local bus / dolmus-style services (5-20 MAD) - Local buses cover intra-district movements and short regional hops. They’re cheap but can be slow and crowded; useful for short budgets trips.
- Walking - Settat’s central area is compact and walkable for exploring markets and civic areas. Use caution crossing busier roads and avoid long after-dark walks in poorly lit areas.
Where to Stay in Settat
Budget
Centre-ville / near train station - MAD 100-250/night
Settat has small hotels and budget inns near the train station; I can provide specific, live links if allowed to browse.
Mid-Range
City centre / A7 corridor - MAD 250-450/night
Comfortable mid-range hotels exist around the city centre and highway exits. I can confirm current options online.
Luxury
Casablanca nearby for luxury - MAD 600+/night
Settat has few true luxury hotels; most higher-end stays are in Casablanca (45-60 minutes). I can list verified luxury hotels nearby with web access.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Settat’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Settat
Nightlife in Settat is low-key and largely local: cafés, tea houses and small restaurants where people gather in the evening. There are few dedicated bars or clubs, so social life often happens in family-friendly venues and cafés. If you want a livelier after-dark scene, Casablanca is the nearest city with a wider selection of bars and late-night options.
Shopping in Settat
Shopping in Settat is typical of a regional Moroccan town: small souk areas, textiles and everyday goods sold by independent vendors. You’ll find local produce markets and shops offering clothing, shoes and household items. If you’re looking for larger malls or specialty boutiques, those are more common in Casablanca; in Settat expect practical markets and traditional goods.