Indeed, a good case can be made that the reason a Casablanca holiday is now a viable proposition for many, stems from the fact that the city has invested the wealth it has made, from business trade and industry, wisely. Casablanca is very cosmopolitan, and is arguably the least ‘Moroccan’ city in the country. Undeniably, the general feel of the place, due to its architecture, shops and general environment, make it feel less like an African city, and more like southern European one. This aura is indicative of a city that is willing to embrace change and happy to make visitors feel welcome and at home. The city is a place of stark contrasts too. For all the westernisation and wealth; there exists, particularly in the southern parts of the suburbs, great poverty. Indeed, many comparisons with cities like Rio de Janeiro bear scrutiny, with some of the wealthiest and ostentatious trappings of riches and fortune sat so uncomfortably close to a large swathe of humanity who literally have nothing. Despite this, the tourist areas of the city are welcoming and friendly. Casablanca is one of the most westernised cities in Morocco in terms of more than just atmosphere and decor. Men and women freely mingle in the pubs and bars around the city; a sight not too common in many other places in North Africa. The city centre is a particularly wonderful place, boasting art deco and modernist architecture and of course, the imposing King Hassan II Mosque. In recent years the city has reinvented itself as a holiday destination and now Casablanca tours are becoming increasingly popular as visitors flock to the city to see the many artistic, historic and beautiful attractions it has to offer.

One of the major attractions in Casablanca is the King Hassan II Mosque. There are several tours that run throughout the day around this vast building. The mosque is the fifth largest in the world (and the largest in Morocco), and one of two mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims. Medina, the old town in the north of the city, is another attraction well worth visiting. It retains an old-style feel and is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to experience what life would have been like in the city many years ago. If you cannot do without western luxuries then it is best to head to the Corniche. This neighbourhood sits next to the Atlantic Ocean and is home to many of Casablanca’s most westernised attractions, including shops, cafes, hotels and restaurants. Those seeking some peace and quiet can head to the Parc de la Ligue Arabe, a large public park situated next to Casablanca Cathedral.  Another place of solitude and reflection is the Marabout de Sidi Abderrahmane, a small rocky outcrop off the coast, which can only be reached at low tide. Situated on this outcrop is the tomb of Sidi Abderrhamane Thaalibi, the founder of Algiers and a figure who the people of Morocco regard as saintly. Unlike most Sub-Saharan Africa, Casablanca’s climate is chilled considerably by the cooling winds blowing in off the Atlantic Ocean. As such, the city enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate. Temperatures rarely get above 27 degrees C in summer while in winter the average temperature in January is around 12 degrees C. As a result of this, Casablanca is a good place to visit from May through to October, when it receives the best weather and the least amount of rainfall.