Casablanca

Casablanca is Morocco's largest city, built around a huge artificial harbour on the Atlantic coast. The Hassan II Mosque, whose minaret is the tallest religious structure in Africa, sits on a platform extending over the ocean and is the first thing you see from the ship. Non-Muslims can visit the interior on guided tours that run several times a day. The city centre is a short taxi or shuttle ride from the port and mixes Art Deco buildings from the French colonial period with modern high-rises. The Habous Quarter, sometimes called the New Medina, has a more orderly layout than a traditional medina and is a good place to buy argan oil, leather goods and spices without much haggling pressure. The Central Market sells fresh produce and seafood. For food, tagines and pastilla are on most restaurant menus, and street stalls serve msemen flatbread and mint tea. The Corniche at Ain Diab, a beachfront strip west of the centre, has cafés with ocean views. The dirham is the local currency and cannot be exported, so spend what you take out.