Casablanca

Casablanca lacks the charm of the southern medinas, but it plays another role: it is the gateway in and out of modern Morocco. Many travelers pass through for Mohammed V Airport, for business, or to connect with the rail network. It is also the showcase of contemporary Morocco: skyscrapers, a marina, 1930s Art Deco façades. If you arrive in Tangier and need to reach Casablanca for a flight or connection, the city is worth a few hours' stop rather than crossing it without a glance.

The Hassan II Mosque: the must-see monument, the world's third-largest mosque, partly built over the ocean; one of the few open to non-Muslim visitors (guided tour). The Aïn Diab corniche: a lively seafront with cafés and urban beaches. The Habous quarter: the "new medina" built under the protectorate, blending tradition and modern planning. Mohammed V Square and its Art Deco and neo-Moorish buildings. The Sacré-Cœur Cathedral, a former religious building of remarkable architecture. The marina and the modern center for shopping and nightlife.

On its own, the Hassan II Mosque justifies the stop. Completed in 1993, it is a masterpiece of Moroccan craftsmanship: zellige, carved cedar wood, marble and a 210-meter minaret, the tallest in the world. Part of it is built over the water, and its glass floor reveals the ocean below. It is one of the very few Moroccan places of worship open to non-Muslims, by guided tour at set times. Plan that slot into your day: it is the strong image one remembers of Casablanca.

As the economic capital, Casablanca offers the country's most varied dining scene. Fish and seafood on the corniche and at the central market, highly rated. Refined Moroccan cuisine in fine restaurants, but also international food, brasseries and modern cafés. French pastries inherited from the protectorate. The city stays up late and offers everything, from popular eateries to chic marina restaurants. For anyone stopping over, it is the chance for a good meal before a flight or the next leg of the trip.

From Tangier to Casablanca, allow about 340 km and 3 hours via the A1 motorway along the Atlantic. To reach Mohammed V Airport (south of the city), add about thirty minutes. A door-to-door private transfer is the safest option when catching a flight: pickup in Tangier, direct drop-off at the terminal or hotel, with no connection worries. The Al Boraq train also links Tangier to Casablanca in about 2 hours, handy if you travel light; a rail shuttle then serves the airport.

Mosque visit: check the guided-tour times (generally morning and early afternoon, outside prayer times). Airport: Mohammed V is about 30 km south of the center; allow margin for a flight. Getting around: a sprawling city with taxis and a modern tram; avoid rush hour by car. Duration: one day is enough for the essentials; Casa is more a stage than a stay destination. Budget: a metropolis, so a little pricier than the northern cities, especially in the modern districts.