I was in Casablanca on a 7-hour stopover from the Gambia to London. So I had a very short amount of time to see what the most quotable city had to offer.

1. Here's looking at you, kid.

Hassan II mosque is magnificent. If you never go to another mosque or only plan on visiting one, make it this one. It's the largest one in Africa and third largest in the world.

It opens at 11am and cost an eye-watering 140D to get in, but it's worth it.

From the moment you step in, clutching your shoe bag, you know you're somewhere special. Beautifully handcrafted marble walls and retractable roof pale compared the baroque, Islamic, art nouveau decor in this 200,000 capacity mosque. 

Walking up the road, punctuated by the art deco lighthouse, you're not short of places to eat and drink... or go to the gym, but I know what I prefer.

Just off from the corniche is the oldest district, Anfa. It's where the city's glitterati lives - filled with impressive villas, horse tracks and a golf course.

2. Round up the usual suspects

A visit to Morocco wouldn't be complete without a trip to the Old Medina. Casablanca is no different.

The Medina is a treasure trove for textiles, jewellery, argan oil and lamps.

3. What is your nationality? I'm a drunkard

The beautiful, colonial French part of Casablanca is Place de Nation Unis.

It's lifted straight from Paris, this square is the central shopping, drinking and eating place for all cosmopolitan folk.

4. You wore blue

The faded 60s Middle Eastern glamour clings onto the walls of the corniche with its sun-bleached secondary colours and geometric wall patterns.

Walking up the road, punctuated by the art deco lighthouse, you're not short of places to eat and drink... or go to the gym, but I know what I prefer.

Just off from the corniche is the oldest district, Anfa. It's where the city's glitterati lives - filled with impressive villas, horse tracks and a golf course.

5. Of all the gin joints in all the world...

... Rick's Bar is this one. The most famous bar from my most favourite movie is here and looks exactly how you'd expect.

Externally, however, I was expecting William Burroughs' Tangier but it's surrounded by main roads and feels more suburban than the movie made out.

Once you've visited this 10th century BC city, founded by the Berbers and expanded by the Romans, you'll want to 'play it again, Sam' *groan*.

Originally published 2 October 2019