Perhaps most famous as the setting for the 1942 movie starring Humphrey Bogart, Casablanca in western Morocco, is the country’s largest city and chief centre for business and commerce. Proximity to the ocean also sees Casablanca operating the country’s busiest Atlantic seaport with both passenger and cargo ships docking daily throughout the year.

The town’s lively history has had significant influence in shaping it into what it is today with the legacies of Berber, Portuguese and French settlers evident to some degree or other in structural and cultural particulars. To visitors, this essentially means that there’s no shortage of interesting sights on offer and those fond of taking the camera out will find a myriad of fascinating sights to shoot.

An old town and a new town comprise a united region that is Casablanca and each district possesses its own unique charm and characteristics. The Old Medina (old town) is rich with the sights, smells and sounds of traditional Casablanca and is akin to what you might expect to see in a Hollywood movie. The New Medina (new town) meanwhile is a bustling business district with modern amenities set in new but classically designed buildings.

After you’ve visited the popular sights of the city such as the Hassan II Mosque and the Royal Palace, it’s possible to visit some of Morocco’s other popular cities such as Marrakesh, Fez and Rabat. Each of these cities is different from the next and possesses it own charm and list of interesting sights.

Casablanca is well used to receiving visitors and offers a well developed tourist infrastructure which includes a good selection of accommodation options. Budget and mid-price hotels are available while those who prefer to put their faith in the reputation of international hotel chains, will find the Sheraton Casablanca Hotel and Towers, Hyatt Regency Casablanca and Best Western Hotel Toubkal, on hand. Regardless of whether you are enjoying a family vacation or a romantic getaway, there will be accommodation to suit.

Casablanca is easily reached via its own international airport (Mohammed V International) which maintains connections with domestic and international destinations. Alternatively access is available by sea from Spain and by land from Algeria.

First settled by Berber fishermen in the 7th century, the region now known as Casablanca was later home to a small kingdom known as Anfa that established itself as an entity independent of the Arab rule that the remainder of the kingdom fell under. Anfa survived independently only until 1068 however, when it was conquered by the Almoravids.

In the 14th century, Anfa once again became a place of importance as its proximity to the sea was exploited and its port brought development and prosperity and a state of independence again. By the 15th century, pirates and privateers used the port as a place of refuge and this brought it to the attention of the Portuguese who destroyed it in 1468. In the following century, the Portuguese went on to establish a military post on the site of the old town and it was around the fortress that was central to the post, that a new town called ‘Casablanca’ (Portuguese for ‘White House’) began to develop. An earthquake in the mid-18th century destroyed most of the town and the Portuguese subsequently abandoned the area. Reconstruction of the town was finally undertaken by sultan Sidi Mohammed who named it Dar el Beida, which also meant white house but in Arabic.

During the 19th century, Casablanca prospered off the back of its wool industry and its value as a port town was once again realised. The French were the next to make their mark on the town, with the 20th century seeing a period of colonisation following initial resistance from the locals. French control of Casablanca was made official in 1910 but once again, the locals were ill at ease with the situation and anti-French sentiment peaked in the 1940s and 50s, manifesting itself in a wave of rioting with the Christmas Day bombing of 1953 among the most notorious attacks.

The country eventually shook itself free of French control, officially declaring itself independent on 2 March, 1956. Since then it has seen considerable development and has gained a reputation as a city with a solid tourist infrastructure as well as being the country’s business and economic capital.

Casablanca’s climate is predominantly Mediterranean in character with typically hot summers and winters that are mild to cool with the majority of rain falling between November and April. The summer season runs from June through till September with the month of July and August experiencing the hottest temperatures (highs of 25/26°C). As these are not excessively high temperatures, it’s perfectly feasible to plan a trip to Casablanca during this period and if it’s a beach holiday that you are seeking then this would probably be the ideal time.

If you are aiming more for a sightseeing holiday then you are more likely to appreciate cooler weather hence May to June or September to October would be more appropriate times. Winters are mild with average daily highs of 17.5°C, making Casablanca the ideal city to visit if you are looking to escape a cold European winter. It can get a little chilly of an evening however, so it’s wise to pack a jacket and a few sweaters if planning a holiday at this time.