Hassan II Mosque

Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is a modern mosque completed in 1993, built partly over the Atlantic Ocean and known for its towering minaret and Moroccan craftsmanship. It is one of the few mosques in Morocco that non-Muslim visitors can enter, on guided tours outside prayer times, so check the current tour schedule, dress modestly and pair the visit with a walk along the oceanfront.

Most travelers pass through Casablanca quickly on the way to Marrakesh or Fez, but Hassan II Mosque is a strong reason to stop. Commissioned by King Hassan II and designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau, it brought together thousands of Moroccan artisans who worked in carved cedar, painted wood, zellige tilework, carved plaster and marble. The result is a building that is new in date but deeply rooted in traditional crafts.

This guide is about visiting: how the interior tours generally work, when to go, what to look for inside and outside, what to wear and how to fit the mosque into a Casablanca day. Tour times, ticketing and rules change, so check official information before you go.

Why was the mosque built here?

The mosque was conceived in the 1980s as a national landmark for Morocco's largest city, and its position at the edge of the ocean was a deliberate choice. Part of the platform on which it stands extends over the water, so the building appears to rise from the Atlantic. The project was funded largely through a public subscription, and construction took several years before the mosque opened in 1993.

Understanding this helps you read the building. It was designed to be seen from the sea and from across the city, which explains the height of the minaret and the openness of the esplanade, and it was built to showcase Moroccan artisans at a time when many traditional crafts were seen as worth preserving. The combination of modern engineering, such as the sliding roof, with hand-cut tiles and carved wood is the heart of its appeal.

Getting there

The mosque sits on the coast a short distance from Casablanca's old medina and the downtown area. Most visitors arrive by taxi, private car or tram followed by a short walk, and many guided Morocco tours include a stop on the day they pass through the city. Casablanca's main train station and airport connections make it easy to reach from Rabat, Marrakesh or Fez, although traffic in the city can be slow at busy times. If you are arriving on a morning flight or train, a late-morning or early-afternoon tour usually fits comfortably.

How do visits work?

The mosque is an active place of worship, and non-Muslim visitors see the interior through guided tours led by official guides in several languages. Tours run at set times on most days, but not during prayers, and the schedule is reduced or changed on Fridays, during Ramadan and on religious holidays.

Before you plan around a tour, check:

• The current tour times for your date and the languages offered.
• How tickets are sold, whether at the visitor entrance or online.
• Whether the schedule changes on Fridays, during Ramadan or on holidays, which move each year with the lunar calendar.
• Accessibility, as parts of the tour include stairs, especially to the lower level.

Arrive a little before your chosen tour time to buy tickets and pass the entrance check. If interior access does not work on your day, the exterior and the esplanade are open to everyone and well worth a visit on their own.

What does the guided tour include?

Tours typically last around an hour and cover the main prayer hall and the ablution hall below it.

The prayer hall

The prayer hall is vast, with a central section of the roof that can slide open to the sky. Look at the carved and painted cedar ceilings, the marble columns, the chandeliers and the mezzanine galleries for women. The scale is easiest to grasp if you stand near one end and look along the rows of columns toward the mihrab. Your guide will usually explain how the hall is used for daily prayers, Friday prayers and the large gatherings of Ramadan, when worshippers fill both the hall and the esplanade outside.

The ablution hall

Below the prayer hall, the ablution rooms contain lotus-shaped fountains carved from marble, arranged in a forest of columns. It is one of the most photographed spaces of the tour and a good place to see how decoration extends into every part of the building.

The hammam area

The complex also includes traditional bath facilities. Whether they form part of the tour can vary, so ask your guide.

What should you look for?

The mosque rewards attention at two scales: the monumental size of the spaces and the fine detail of the decoration.

• Zellige tilework: small hand-cut glazed tiles set into complex geometric patterns.
• Carved cedar: ceilings, doors and screens worked in Atlas cedar.
• Carved plaster: delicate stucco work around arches and windows.
• Marble and granite: used on floors, columns and fountains.
• Metal doors: large decorated doors around the exterior, worth a close look at their patterns.

Morocco's craft traditions are visible here in a single building, which makes the mosque an excellent introduction before you explore the older medinas of Fez and Marrakesh, where the same techniques appear in palaces and madrasas.

The exterior and the Atlantic setting

The setting is part of the experience. The mosque stands on a platform at the edge of the ocean, and its esplanade opens to the Atlantic horizon. The minaret, decorated with green tilework, is visible from much of the city and is lit at night.

Walk around the outside of the building to see the arcades, fountains and decorated doors, and look back from the oceanfront to see how the mosque meets the water. Late afternoon light is particularly beautiful on the stone, and sunset can be a lovely time to be on the esplanade. The wind off the Atlantic can be strong and cool even on sunny days, so bring a layer.

What should you wear?

Dress modestly for a place of worship. Cover your shoulders and knees, and women may wish to bring a scarf, although head covering requirements for tourists have varied. Shoes are removed in the prayer hall, and you may be given a bag to carry them. Choose shoes that are easy to slip off and socks you are comfortable walking in.

Inside, follow the guide, keep your voice low and stay with the group. Photography is generally allowed on tours, but follow any instructions about specific areas.

How to fit the mosque into a Casablanca day

Casablanca is a modern, busy city, and the mosque works well as the centerpiece of a short visit.

If you are passing through between cities or arriving by flight, plan the mosque tour first and fit the rest of the day around it. On a wider Morocco route, Casablanca's Atlantic setting is a useful contrast to the inland imperial cities. Note that other mosques in Morocco, such as the Koutoubia in Marrakesh, are generally closed to non-Muslims, so Hassan II Mosque is a rare chance to see a Moroccan mosque interior.

Frequently asked questions

Can non-Muslims visit Hassan II Mosque?

Yes, through guided tours at set times outside prayers. Check the current schedule for your date, as it changes on Fridays, during Ramadan and on religious holidays.

How long does a tour of Hassan II Mosque take?

Tours usually last around an hour and cover the prayer hall and the ablution hall. Allow extra time to buy tickets and to walk around the exterior and esplanade.

What should I wear to visit?

Cover your shoulders and knees, and bring a scarf in case it is needed. You will remove your shoes inside, so wear a pair that is easy to take off.

Is Hassan II Mosque old?

No. It was completed in 1993, but it draws on long-established Moroccan crafts such as zellige tilework, carved cedar and carved plaster.

Is an exterior visit worthwhile if I cannot join a tour?

Yes. The esplanade, the minaret, the decorated doors and the ocean setting are impressive on their own, and the esplanade is open to all visitors, not only those on tours.

Plan it with Nourbelle

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