Made famous by the classic Humphrey Bogart war film of the same name, Casablanca is so much more than a destination for movie buffs. As Morocco's biggest city, it offers the perfect introduction to travellers who have not yet set foot on African soil, with the escape offered by a sunny beach just a few minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the centuries-old markets and mosques.

Despite its size, Morocco has yet to benefit from cheap flights from the UK, while just one direct service leaves London on a daily basis. Once there, however, tourists are well catered for, with hundreds of cheap hotels and authentic restaurants competing for custom.

Culture and Traditions in Casablanca

Since being founded by the Berbers in the seventh century, Casablanca has been under the control of Spain, Portugal and France before finally achieving independence in 1956. This gives it an almost unparalleled cultural richness, with all of these imperial influences in evidence in one part of the city or another. For example, on a stroll through the city centre, a visitor can take in the majestic Boulevard de Paris before ducking into the Arabic markets of the Old Medina and the towering Hassan II Mosque and then on to check out the ruins of the Portuguese Anfa fortress. This heritage is also reflected in the cafes and bars of the city, which are always bursting with natives drinking the local speciality, gunpowder tea, and eating traditional Moroccon dishes such as couscous and lamb tagine.

To the south, however, Casablanca is a thriving cosmopolitan city, boasting some fine skyscrapers and Art Deco architecture, while the modern shaded streets and quiet squares offer a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the old town.

Recommended in Casablanca

The Hassan II Mosque is not just a highlight of the city of Casablanca but of the whole Muslim world as well. Easily capable of holding St Paul's Cathedral inside and boasting the world's tallest minaret, it is also the only mosque in this vast city to allow non-Muslims inside, making it a must for tourists. Also of note is the now-disused Sacre Coeur Cathedral, which represents a perfect example of French-Moroccan architecture.

Though not as popular as those in the cities of Fes and Marrakech, the medina is nevertheless worth a visit, if only due to the fact that the market-sellers are not as pushy as their peers elsewhere in the country. The National Artisans Exposition in the new town also offers authentic local crafts but without the need for haggling.

At night, the only place to head is Rick's Café, located just north of the Medina, which has been constructed to recreate the bar in the famous film right down to the very last detail, with visitors able to sip gin while the piano player plays 'As Time Goes By' in the corner.

Weather in Casablanca

As befits a desert country, Morocco is hot, with long and mainly dry summers. However, Casablanca benefits from being by the coast and so visitors can rely on the onshore breezes to keep them cool. In the evenings, the temperatures can drop significantly, while between November and April, the temperature can fall below five degrees C.

Destination Checklist for Casablanca

Casablanca is a city of some 3.2 million people.

While visitors will need to brush up on their Arabic or even French language skills and change their money into Moroccan Dirhams, they needn't worry about any time difference. The international dialling code for Morocco is +212.