Visiting Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca must be on your list of things to see in Morocco’s largest city. Not only is it the largest mosque in Morocco and Africa but one of the largest in the world!
It is an incredible experience to visit. And a great opportunity to learn about Moroccan and Islamic history and culture.
The following is everything you need to know to plan a great visit to Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca.
- About Hassan II Mosque
- History
- Facts
- How to visit
- Tour options
- Tickets
- Scheduled tours
- What to wear
- FAQ
- Getting there
- Parking
- Accommodation in Casablanca
About Hassan II Mosque
Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca is famous for the exquisite and intricate Islamic architecture style. The mosque is one of the largest in the world and can accommodate up to 105,000 worshippers at a time.
It is stunning to witness from the outside, set on an outcrop jutting out over the ocean with a towering 210m minaret that is a spectacular landmark on the city skyline.
The interior of the mosque is equally magnificent with marble walls, roofs and pillars surround by exquisitely carved pattens. The ground marble is shining and the pattern is very delicate.
The main prayer hall accommodates 25,000 worshippers with space for up to 80,000 worshippers in the outdoor courtyard.
Except for the imported white granite columns and glass chandeliers (from Murano near Venice), almost all of the materials in the Hassan II Mosque come from Morocco. The beautiful rich-coloured cedar comes from the Middle Atlas, and the granite from Tafraoute.
History of Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca
In 1980, the Moroccan kind (King Hassan II) declared that a Grand Mosque for Casablanca was to be commissioned in his name to give the city a unique monument.
Plans for the build and design of Hassan II Mosque began in 1984. Construction started in 1989 and incredibly, the mosque build was finished just six years in 1993.
The mosque was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau. But the build itself was completed with a workforce of 10,000 Moroccans working in shifts for 24 hours a day.
Only two of the design features of the mosque are not from Morocco. The two marble pillars on either side of the Mihrab and the 57 chandeliers came from Murano (near Venice, Italy).
Facts about Hassan II Mosque
- The Mosque was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau.
- Almost all of the building materials come from Morocco.
- The mosque is built jutting out over the Atlantic Ocean. This reflects a verse in the Qur’an which says, ‘God’s throne was built on the water’.
- It has the tallest minaret in the world at 210 metres (the equivalent of 60 stories high!) and features a laser light at the top which is pointing towards Mecca.
- The centrally heated prayer hall floor is made partially of glass so worshippers can see down into the water below.
- The roof is retractable and can be opened to see the stars at night.
- The mosque holds 25,000 worshippers in the main hall and a further 80,000 in the outside.
Our guide for the tour said the two most frequently asked questions are:
- “Who paid for the mosque?”; and
- “How much did it cost to build?”
The exact cost hasn’t been officially disclosed but most estimates put the figure at around $800 million USD. (Incredible to think this was 30 years ago!).
It is reported that King Hassan II paid for 1/3 of the build and the rest of the money was raised by way of ‘public subscription’ or mandated donations from the Moroccan people. The remainder was funded by donations from Western and Arab countries.
Can you visit Hassan II Mosque as a non-Muslim?
Yes, you can. It is one of the only mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims.
However, tourists can only visit with a guided tour and during specific hours outside of prayer times. No tourist entrance is allowed during prayer times.
Influence, design and details
The mosque is an impressive representation of Moroccan and Islamic artisanship with unique Moorish influences. It is a great experience as a visitor to learn more about both Moroccan and Islamic history and culture.
The design of the mosque separates the main prayer hall for men and a separate women’s prayer area to the right. The separate areas are beautifully carved out of dark Cedar wood.
Above, the roof includes a huge, automated sunroof (opened only on special occasions) so that worshippers can look to the sky as per Hassan’s wishes.
The ablution areas of the mosque are on the level below the prayer hall. And even these ablution spaces are decorated with the same grandeur of the mosque above.
- Tip: The entire mosque is very photogenic inside and outside and especially at sunset!
How to visit Hassan II Mosque
A guided tour is the only way for non-Muslims to visit inside Hassan II Mosque.
There are two options to visit Casablanca mosque on a guided tour:
- mosque-run guided tour
- external prearranged tour (through Get Your Guide or similar)
You can buy tickets on-site at the mosque for a mosque-run tour that day. Tickets are not available online. (See further details below about buying tickets).
- Tip: Note that tours through Get Your Guide can be purchased online. However the tickets are not for a private tour. They are for the same guided mosque-run tours. The benefit however is that this is the only way to pre-book a tour online.
Mosque-run tours are organised on-site and run several times a day in English, Arabic, French, German and Spanish.
Guided Tour to Hassan II Mosque
The mosque-run tour is divided in four sections.
On the tour you will see:
- Prayer Hall
- Minaret
- Ablution Hall
- Hammam and swimming pools.
Cost of tickets for Hassan II Mosque
A standard ticket for Hassan II Mosque for a foreign adult is 130 MAD ($13 USD / 12 EUR).
- Foreign adults: 130 MAD
- Children under 12 and Moroccan students: 30 MAD
- Children under 4 years (accompanied by their parents): free entry
- Moroccan residents and foreign students: 60 MAD
Combined tickets – Casablanca Mosque and museum admission
There is a museum onsite attached to the main ticket office.
We only bought tickets for entry to the mosque although did pass through the museum to use the *toilets. The museum is very small and not sure we would recommend it as a necessary part of the visit.
Entry to the museum costs 30 MAD for foreign adults and 5 MAD for children under 12 years. Museum entry for Moroccan residents and Foreign Students is 15 MAD.
- Foreign adults: 140 MAD
- Children under 12 and Moroccan students: 30 MAD
- Children under 6 years (accompanied by their parents): Free
- Moroccan residents and Foreign students: 70 MAD
How long is the guided tour?
The mosque-run guided tour takes around 40 to 45 minutes.
It is well worth allowing further time to wander around the exterior limits of the mosque after your tour and take in views of the mosque from the corniche boardwalk.
Buying tickets
Tickets for a tour to visit Hassan II Mosque are bought onsite. You cannot pre-buy these tickets online, so arrive with plenty of time before a tour.
We actually turned up on our first day in Casablanca ready to visit the mosque and the queues were out the door. The wait time was over an hour and so we decided to come back for the 9am tour the next morning. in attempt to beat the crowds and visit the mosque before the tour buses arrive late-morning.
- Tip: Queues can be very long! We recommend the morning tour and definitely suggest arriving at least 30 minutes before.
Once inside the main ticket office there is the option to pay in person for tickets (most people were queued here) in cash. Or there are two ticket machines that accept payment for tickets by card.
Scheduled tour times
Current tour times to visit Hassan II Mosque (2024) are:
- Saturday to Thursday: 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 3pm
- Friday: 9am, 10am, 11am, 3pm
We recommend arriving 30 minutes early to buy your ticket.
Scheduled tours during Ramadan
During Ramadan in Morocco guided tours are open only in the morning:
- Saturday – Thursday: 9AM, 10 AM, 11 AM,
- Friday: 9AM
But if like us you are visiting Hassan II Mosque in your motorhome and parked just outside (see below) you will be in a great position to experience Taraweeh evening prayers (around 9pm).
Even with the huge capacity of worshippers at Hassan II Mosque the courtyard is overflowing with men praying. It’s incredible to witness.
- Read our guide to travel in Morocco during Ramadan.
What to wear to visit Hassan II Mosque
Modest dress is expected to visit Hassan II Mosque. Men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and chest and that is long enough to cover their knees.
Shorts, sleeveless tops and crop-tops are prohibited. It is also forbidden to smoke, eat, or drink while visiting the mosque.
- Tip: Women don’t have to cover their hair to visit Hassan II Mosque. However it is respectful and appreciated if you do (and I did).
Shoes need to be removed before entering the mosque. You will be provided with a plastic bag for your footwear which you can carry with you inside (as you exit the mosque from a different point than you entered).
Hassan II Mosque Hammam
The hammams at Hassan II Mosque are blissfully grand. We can personally vouch that they might just be the best hammam we’ve tried in Morocco. (And we’ve tried a LOT!).
There is a range of treatment packages available for the hammam and treatments can be purchased as part of a combined ticket with entry to the mosque and museum included too.
- Entry (male): 40 MAD
- Entry (female): 50 MAD
- Simple Ritual: 100 MAD
- Scented Soap Ritual: 150 MAD
- Traditional Ritual: 200 MAD
- Atlas Ritual: 350 MAD
- Middle Atlas Ritual: 450 MAD
- The High Atlas Ritual: 450 MAD
All treatments have entry to the hammam included in the price.
- Read all about Hassan II Mosque Hammam (and whether it just might be the best hammam in Morocco).
FAQs about Hassan II Mosque
- Can you take photos inside Hassan II Mosque? Yes. Photos are allowed inside the mosque however video recording is prohibited.
- Are there toilets in the mosque? Yes. At the end of the tour you find clean squat toilets. In the museum next to the ticket office you will find amazingly clean western toilets (personally recommended!).
Location
Hassan II Mosque is located right on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The minaret is an iconic part of the city skyline and can be seen from across the city.
The address on Google maps:
- Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca
Cnr. Boulevard Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah and Boulevard de la Corniche, Casablanca
Getting to Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca
The mosque is 2KM from Casa Port train station in Casablanca along Boulevard Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah. A petit taxi (small red taxi) or shared taxi shouldn’t cost more than 15 – 20 MAD (2 EUR) for the short ride.
From the medina to the mosque is a 30-minute walk through the old city. And if you are walking from the train station it is safe and easy to walk along the corniche.
Casablanca International Airport is located about 30 kilometres away from Hassan II Mosque. From the airport you can easily take a taxi or a private transfer. It takes 45 minutes and should cost you around 250 Dh (25 EUR).
Getting to Casablanca
Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city and is easily accessible by public transport with bus, train, or taxi.
- Tangier to Casablanca: 3 hr 33 min (338.0 km) via A5
- Rabat to Casablanca: 1 hr 1 min (87.2 km) via A1
- Marrakech to Casablanca: 2 hr 44 min (244.8 km) via A3
Where to stay in Casablanca
Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca is located near the old medina. There is a good choice and range of accommodation in the medina area. From backpacking hostels to affordable traditional riads and luxury hotels. And staying in this area is a great location to explore the city’s history and it is in close proximity to the the mosque.
- Budget: Hotel Maamoura
Great location in the heart of old Casablanca. Hotel Maamoura is an 8-minute walk from the mosque. - Budget: Hotel Casablanca
Casablanca Hotel is an elegant and cosy choice, centrally located just a 5-minute walk from the corniche and a 10-minute walk to the mosque, Casablanca. - Mid-range: Seven Hotel
4-star Art Deco hotel in the city centre 2km from the central market and 3.5km from Casablanca mosque. - Traditonal Riad: Ryad 91
Priced well for Casablanca, close to main attractions and centre of town and close to public transport.
Parking
There is a large underground carpark beneath the mosque. If you are visiting by motorhome there is a designated parking area next to the main entry of the mosque.
The underground carpark has a ticket booth and barrier arm on entry with fixed prices displayed. For parking outside the main entry, see the man in the high-vis vest for parking charges.
- Tip: Overnight parking in a motorhome costs 50 Dh (5 EUR).
LOCATION: Unnamed Road; near Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca
Type: Guarded parking
Park4Night: #72053
Cost: 30Dh
Facilities: No facilities
About: Basic guarded parking but friendly guardians and a safe spot to stay overnight and visit the mosque, Casablanca and the old city.
Plan your visit to Hassan II Mosque Casablanca
Hassan II Mosque is one of the most beautiful religious buildings in the world and a true masterpiece of Arab and Islamic architecture.
While Morocco’s largest city doesn’t have quite the same allure and history as the other imperial Moroccan cities. Any trip to Casablanca is not complete without a visit to Hassan II Mosque. We are very happy we visited!
Planning travel to Morocco – more information
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- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. There is a great selection of budget accommodation and be sure to check the filters and cancellation flexibility that we love!
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- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world.
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- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance before traveling to Morocco!
