Hassan II Mosque Visit: Tour Times, Tickets and Dress Code in Casablanca
Non-Muslim visitors can enter the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca only on an official guided tour of about 45 minutes to 1 hour, held several times a day outside prayer hours (with fewer slots on Fridays). Tickets cost approximately 140 MAD per adult at the time of writing and are bought at the ticket office beside the mosque or online; wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees, and arrive 20-30 minutes before your slot.
Why is the Hassan II Mosque worth visiting?
Completed in 1993 after around six years of construction, the Hassan II Mosque is the largest mosque in Morocco and one of the largest in the world. Its minaret rises to about 210 m, among the tallest ever built, and at night a laser beam from its top points towards Mecca. Part of the building stands on a platform over the Atlantic, so waves break just below the esplanade.
It is also one of very few active mosques in Morocco that non-Muslims are allowed to enter. The visit is an unusual chance to see Moroccan craftsmanship on a monumental scale: carved cedar ceilings, hand-cut zellige mosaics, sculpted plaster (gebs), marble and granite, much of it sourced from within the country and produced by thousands of artisans.
Key facts at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Completed | 1993 |
| Architect | Michel Pinseau |
| Minaret height | approximately 210 m |
| Capacity | around 25,000 worshippers inside, tens of thousands more on the esplanade |
| Special features | retractable roof, heated floor, glass floor panels over the ocean |
| Tour length | about 45-60 minutes |
What are the tour times?
Guided tours run most days at set times in the morning and early afternoon - typically around 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00 and 14:00 or 15:00, from Saturday to Thursday. On Fridays, the day of congregational prayer, morning tours are usually suspended and only afternoon visits run. Schedules change during Ramadan, on religious holidays and for official events, and the mosque can close to visitors at short notice. Always confirm the current timetable on the official mosque website or at the ticket office before planning your day.
Tours are offered in several languages, commonly English, French, Spanish, German and Arabic. Groups can be large in high season, so arriving early at the ticket office gives you the best chance of joining the slot you want.
How much does a ticket cost?
At the time of writing, a standard adult ticket costs approximately 140 MAD, with reduced prices for students and children. Some tickets also include the museum and the lower-level ablution rooms and hammam. Prices have increased in recent years, so check before you travel. Cards are accepted at the office, but carry some cash as a backup.
What should you wear?
- Cover shoulders and knees: long trousers or skirt, and sleeves at least to the elbow.
- Women are not required to cover their hair on the tour, but carrying a light scarf is respectful and useful.
- You will remove your shoes in the prayer hall; staff hand out plastic bags so you can carry them. Socks are a good idea on the cold marble.
- Avoid see-through fabrics and very tight clothing.
What do you see on the tour?
- The prayer hall - a vast space of arches and columns under a carved cedar ceiling, with a retractable section of roof that can open to the sky.
- The women's galleries - mezzanines overlooking the hall, decorated with painted wood.
- The ablution rooms - a lower level with lotus-shaped marble fountains.
- The hammam - a large traditional bathhouse built into the complex, shown on the tour.
Photography is generally allowed inside for personal use. Be discreet and respectful if worshippers are present.
How to get there and how long to allow
The mosque sits on the seafront at the western edge of the old medina, about 3 km from the Casa-Voyageurs railway station (roughly 10-15 minutes by petit taxi) and around 45-60 minutes from Mohammed V Airport by road. Allow 2 hours in total: time to buy tickets, the tour itself and a walk around the ocean-front esplanade.
If you are travelling from elsewhere, Casablanca is roughly 240 km or 2.5-3 hours by motorway from Marrakech, and about 1 hour from Rabat by train. Many travellers arriving by plane start their trip here before heading to the imperial cities.
Tips for the best experience
- Go early. The first morning tour is usually the least crowded and the light on the ocean side of the esplanade is softer for photos.
- Come back at sunset. Even without a tour, the esplanade is open and free to walk; at dusk the minaret and the Atlantic make one of the best views in the country.
- Respect prayer times. The call to prayer can pause activity on the esplanade; step aside and keep noise down.
- Keep your ticket. Staff may check it at several points inside.
- Allow for traffic. Casablanca's rush hours can double taxi times, so leave a margin if you have a train to catch.
What else to see in Casablanca on the same day
- The Corniche and Ain Diab - the Atlantic promenade with beach clubs and the El Hank lighthouse.
- The Habous quarter - a 1930s "new medina" with olive stalls, bookshops and pastry shops.
- Mohammed V Square and the Art Deco centre - Mauresque civic buildings and Protectorate-era facades.
- The old medina and Rick's Café area - near the port, a short walk from the mosque.
For comparisons with other historic centres, our Fes el-Bali medina guide covers Morocco's oldest living medina, while our guide to the best things to do in Marrakech helps if you are continuing south. If you want to relax after a day of sightseeing, read our guide to the Moroccan hammam experience. For arrival tips and neighbourhoods, see our Casablanca travel guide.
Book it with a local operator
A private guide times your visit around the mosque's schedule and shows you the rest of the city in one morning. Our private Casablanca city tour with a Hassan II Mosque visit starts from €35 per person, with pickup from your hotel, the train station or the cruise port (mosque ticket paid on site). Browse all our Morocco city tours, reserve now and pay later, or message us on WhatsApp at +212 606 957 514.
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