For all the history and atmosphere that revolve around Marrakech and Fes, Casablanca is decidedly modern. As the largest city in Morocco, Casablanca is the country's commercial heart, where business booms and the scene on the streets is eclectic, cosmopolitan and still authentically Moroccan.
Despite Casablanca's Western-leaning atmosphere, you'll still find traces of its African ancestry. The Islamic-Moroccan–style Hassan II Mosque, which sits at the edge of the Atlantic, remains one of the largest mosques in Africa, and you can see its towering minaret for miles around. Art deco architecture is another unique Casablanca draw: you'll find the style blends seamlessly with more Moorish architectural influences in the city centre and Quartier Habous neighbourhood.
For a taste of modern Casablanca, pop inside the Morocco Mall. At 190,000 square metres, it's one of the largest shopping malls in Africa, home to international boutiques, a Moroccan-themed souk, a food court and an aquarium where you can take a guided scuba dive. Even the medina is fairly new, featuring 20th-century architecture and a host of restaurants serving everything from classic Moroccan to Indian, Japanese, Mexican and beyond. Don't miss Rick's Café – an homage to the bar from the classic 1940s film starring Humphrey Bogart. Alternatively, do as the locals do and take a stroll along the La Corniche promenade that separates the city from the beach.