Made famous by Humphrey Bogart, Casablanca is a spellbinding city on North Africa’s Atlantic coast. It’s the beating heart of modern Morocco, attracting big businesses, start-ups and everything in-between. Beyond its thriving economy, Casablanca is strewn with Mauresque buildings that blend elegant French colonial design with traditional Moroccan architecture.

Things to do

Laid out by the French in the 1920s, the Habous Quarter is one of Casablanca’s most atmospheric districts. With its tree lined squares, elegant arcades and narrow alleyways, it’s a lovely place for a stroll. Along the way, you can peer into small souks selling Moroccan handicrafts, or enjoy a bowl of couscous and spicy tagine at a characterful restaurant.

Jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, the colossal Hassan II Mosque is Casablanca’s most iconic landmark. The flamboyant building was built to celebrate the former king’s 60th birthday and is topped by a soaring 210-metre tall minaret.

It’s not quite as impressive as the souks in Marrakech, but the Old Medina is enchanting nonetheless. It sits to the north of the city and is a maze of crooked lanes, cosy cafes and leafy courtyards.

Fringed by golden sand and luxe hotels, Ain Diab is Casablanca’s beachside suburb. Downtown Casablanca can get hot, so why not pack your swimsuit and spend the day soaking up the sun? Wind your evening down with a sunset cocktail at one of the restaurants that line the Corniche promenade.

Getting around

By far, the easiest way to get around Casablanca is by taxi. Red taxis are private, while white taxis are shared and can carry up to four passengers at a time. Casablanca is also serviced by shiny new trams that trundle across the city from east to west. From the downtown area, the drive to Casablanca Mohammed V International takes around 40 minutes.