Casablanca

Casablanca can be visited year-round thanks to its temperate oceanic climate. Average temperatures: 18°C in winter, 25°C in summer. Mild but humid winters (rain in December-January), pleasant summers (rarely more than 28°C thanks to the ocean breeze). The most pleasant period is May-October. The advantage: no really low season to visit. The drawback: it's a business city, hotel prices high on weekdays, lower on weekends.

One night is enough to see the essentials: Hassan II mosque, Corniche, old medina, Habous district. Many travelers don't stop in Casablanca at all, they simply transit through Mohammed V airport to Marrakech or Fez. If you really want to discover the city, two days allow adding the Abderrahman Slaoui museum, the villa des Arts, the Art Deco district downtown. Beyond that, there isn't much for tourists.

Hassan II Mosque: the 3rd largest mosque in the world, completed in 1993. 210 m minaret. The only mosque in Morocco open to non-Muslims on guided tours. Entrance 130 dirhams, tours in 4 languages at 9am, 10am, 11am, noon, 2pm, 3pm (except Friday morning). Book online. Ain Diab Corniche: 5 km of seafront, restaurants, cafés. Lively in the evening, frequented by Casablancans. Habous district (New Medina): built in the 1930s, blending traditional Moroccan architecture and French urbanism. Quieter souks than those of Marrakech. Old medina: modest compared to other Moroccan medinas. Quickly visitable, popular atmosphere. Art Deco center: Mohammed V boulevard and United Nations square. Heritage facades from the 1920s-1940s. Rick's Café: not the real one (the film was not shot in Morocco) but an honest replica. Setting from the novel.

Ain Diab beach: developed beaches, beach clubs. Cool Atlantic water. Modern Maarif district: international shopping, upscale restaurants. Central market: fresh fish, local products. Open early. Tram: efficient transport to cross the city. 6-8 dirhams the ticket. Nightlife: Casablanca is the city where Moroccan nightlife is freest. Bars, clubs, restaurants open late. Abderrahman Slaoui Museum: Moroccan art and crafts in a renovated riad. 50 dirhams, closed Tuesdays.

Atlantic fish: Casablanca has one of the country's best fish cuisines. Sardines, sea bream, grouper, lobster. Restaurants at the port or Corniche. Seafood tagine: coastal variant. French pastries: legacy of the protectorate. Excellent bakeries downtown. International cuisine: Casablanca is the most cosmopolitan city in Morocco. Sushi, Italian pizza, Lebanese, Indian, Brazilian. Moroccan wine: available in most restaurants, unlike other cities. The Doukkala-Abda region around Casablanca produces wine. Rooftop bar: several downtown hotels have terrace bars with ocean or mosque views.

Tangier Med - Casablanca: 350 km, 3h30 by A1 motorway (tolls: 130 dirhams). By train: Al Boraq TGV Tangier-Casablanca, 2h10, 200 dirhams in 2nd class. The fastest. Get off at Casa-Voyageurs station (downtown). By CTM bus: 4h30, 130 dirhams. For those arriving by plane, Mohammed V airport is 30 km south of the city (direct train to Casa-Voyageurs in 35 minutes, 50 dirhams). Casablanca is often the first stop for those coming by plane rather than ferry. Avoid driving in Casablanca: heavy traffic, scarce parking.

Districts: prefer the center, Maarif, Bourgogne or Anfa to sleep. Avoid eccentric working-class districts. Safety: Casablanca is generally safe but it's the big city with the most petty crime (pickpockets). Stay alert in transport. Taxis: red taxis (small) for the city, max 3 people, meter required. Refuse drivers who refuse the meter. Hotels: much more expensive than Fez or Marrakech for equivalent quality. Prefer the airport if you're just transiting. Dress code: Western urban clothing accepted. Casablanca is the least traditional of major Moroccan cities. Money: ATMs everywhere, international banks. Language: French very predominant, many speak English, Arabic and darija (Moroccan dialect). Spanish less common than in Tangier.