Morocco's Atlantic Capital of Style and Commerce
Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco, an Atlantic port and commercial capital best known for the monumental Hassan II Mosque and for a downtown full of Art Deco and Mauresque architecture. Its name means white house in Spanish, a nod to the pale buildings that once marked the harbour. The city grew rapidly through the twentieth century and today feels confident, cosmopolitan and busy, with broad boulevards, tram lines and a restaurant scene that mixes Moroccan, French and Mediterranean influences. Visitors who arrive expecting only a transit stop often stay longer once they see the light on the ocean front.
The Hassan II Mosque, completed in 1993, stands on a promontory over the sea and has one of the tallest minarets in the world, at about 200 metres. Its hall, carved cedar ceilings and glass floor panels over the water make it one of the most photographed religious buildings in Africa, and guided visits are open to non-Muslims. Nearby, the old medina, the Habous quarter and the Place Mohammed V show the city's layered history. Within Morocco, Morocco as a whole is an easy next chapter, while the wider Mediterranean is linked through Spain and Malaga.
Art Deco Boulevards and the Ain Diab Corniche
Casablanca's streets reward a slow walk. The city holds one of the richest collections of Art Deco and Mauresque buildings in Africa, with striking facades around Boulevard Mohammed V, Place des Nations Unies and the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, a white 1930s landmark now used for cultural events. The Habous quarter, built in the 1930s, offers arcaded lanes, bookshops and pastry stalls selling almond sweets. Cafes spill onto pavements, and the city's mix of old Maghreb and French influence gives each neighbourhood its own tempo.
The Corniche at Ain Diab is the seafront playground, with beach clubs, seafood restaurants and cafes along the Atlantic. Grilled sardines, calamari, prawns and fresh fish are the local specialities, usually followed by mint tea. The film Casablanca made the name famous worldwide, and a recreated Rick's Cafe has become an evening favourite. A hotel group can find plenty to work with here, from business-led city stays to resort-style rooms along the coast, all within a short taxi ride of one another.
Read the full Casablanca guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitCasablanca.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.