Discover Casablanca and the surrounding area over two days

The white city has an original characteristic: it has two medinas, an old one and a more recent one called the "Habous district". The latter, located in the southern part of the city, just behind the Palais Royal, was created between 1918 and 1955 by General Lyautey to house people on modest incomes.

In the 1920s, Casablanca began a period of rapid economic development, attracting a large workforce in search of affordable housing. French architects were called in to build the district, which is why you'll see a mix of modern urban planning and traditional Moroccan style. Wind your way through the narrow streets and squares, which are full of stalls selling handicrafts, leather goods, carpets and traditional clothes.

Then walk past the Royal Palace, located at 19 Rue de Rome. You'll be impressed by its superb Arab-Muslim architecture. This work of art, built in a setting of gold leaf, is characterised by its perfectly executed geometric motifs and its finely sculpted stone arch. This architectural jewel is unfortunately not open to visitors, as it is the king's secondary residence. At the heart of the palace is a vast courtyard surrounded by arcades and embellished by a series of Mediterranean-style gardens.

Right next to the Palais Royal, you'll see the old Mahkama du Pacha, one of Casablanca's legendary monuments. Although this charming building was erected in the heart of the Habous district between 1930 and 1952, it was built using traditional methods, brick by brick. The complex is characterised by traditional Moorish-Andalusian architectural features, including zeleej (a style of mosaic tiling), stucco, carved cedar wood and green tiled roofs.

Nearby, you'll notice an abundance of small bookshops, reflecting the cultural richness of the area. Take the opportunity to stop in one of them and browse through the specialist Arabic books, many of whose covers are veritable works of art. A little further on, the Murdoch Garden (or Parc Isesco) awaits you. Here you can take a pleasant stroll along palm tree lanes populated by parakeets. Since its redevelopment in 2006, the garden has been given a new lease of life. Its 4 hectares have been restored to their former glory.

If a day of walking, shopping and strolling through the narrow streets has whetted your appetite, stop off at the Zayna restaurant, 44 Rue Ibnou Khaldoun. This unpretentious establishment serves tasty Moroccan dishes at very affordable prices. The evening entertainment is very friendly. The menu offers a wide choice of Moroccan specialities and two menus: The first costs 190dhs (17 euros) and consists of a salad of your choice, a main course of your choice, a dessert of your choice, and a soft drink as well as coffee or tea and Moroccan pastries. The second menu is a vegetarian version of the classic menu and costs 170dhs (15 euros). Daily specials cost 90dhs (8 euros) and are available from Monday to Saturday. The restaurant is open every day until 10.30pm.

Formerly known as Fedala, Mohammedia was one of the largest oil ports in West Africa in the 1950s. Located just half an hour by motorway from Casablanca, Mohammedia is of prime importance as Morocco's second-largest port complex. With its beautiful beach stretching for 3 km, the town attracts many tourists who want to enjoy seaside activities and water sports.

To start your day in the city, we recommend you visit the Kasbah, in the heart of the city. Built in 1773 by Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah, it is a very old part of Mohammedia. A kasbah or tighremt or agadir is a citadel, which were originally military fortifications. By extension, the word also refers to the historic heart - fortified or not - of a North African town.

As you enter the kasbah through the main gate built of red bricks, you will pass through the fondouks, places designed to shelter travellers. Generally built in a square around a large courtyard, the fondouk is used to store goods, shelter pack animals and mounts, and accommodate merchants and travellers. Today, you'll find fruit, vegetables and clothes spread out in profusion, while the clamour of the vendors and the crowds buzzes in your ears. Café terraces abound, with regulars sipping black coffees. In the centre of the kasbah, you can also take advantage of the fish market, which is also home to a number of gargotières where you can sample fresh seafood, grilled or fried fish, accompanied by a spicy tomato sauce, olives and mint tea.

Finish your walk by passing the El Atiq Mosque, also known as the "White Mosque" because of its immaculate whiteness. You will be struck by the simplicity and minimalism of this building. Stop for a moment to contemplate the ornamentation of a frieze painted green, a sacred colour in Muslim tradition. The inner courtyard, paved with zellij, inspires serenity. From the central fountain, the harmonious lapping of clear running water intensifies the feeling of tranquillity.

In the evening, to make the most of all the city has to offer, head to the Restaurant du Port in Central Park, which serves the city's finest seafood, caught on the day. The finest seafood is displayed daily in the dining room on a fish trolley. A team of 18 people are busy concocting delicious dishes: "Fisherman's salad marinated in olive oil and lemon", "Paëlla Valenciana", "Grilled Mansouria sea bass in a salt crust", "Grilled turbot" or even lobster and langoustines. As for cooked fish, you'll also find something to suit your taste with "Filet de Saint-pierre rôti au balsamique et à l'orange confite", "Médaillons de lotte rôtis aux cèpes" (monkfish medallions roasted with porcini mushrooms) or "Espadon tranché rôti en persillade à l'huile d'olive et légumes bio" (sliced swordfish roasted in parsley with olive oil and organic vegetables).