The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is open to non-Muslim visitors on guided tours, and it stands on a promontory over the Atlantic Ocean with a 210 metre minaret. This Hassan II Mosque guide covers the history, what you see on the tour, tickets, tour times, the dress code and how to get there, so you can plan your visit. It is a landmark of the largest city in Morocco and fits into a 7 days in Morocco route.
Hassan II Mosque at a glance
According to Wikipedia, the Hassan II Mosque is on Boulevard Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah in Casablanca, on a promontory over the Atlantic Ocean, and the complex covers 9 hectares. The architect was Michel Pinseau, with construction by Bouygues. Wikipedia lists the building materials as cedar from the Middle Atlas, marble from Agadir and granite from Tafraout, on a reinforced concrete structure. Groundbreaking was on 12 July 1986 and the mosque was inaugurated on 30 August 1993.
A short history of the Hassan II Mosque
Wikipedia says the project goes back to the 1961 death of King Mohammed V, when Hassan II looked for designs for a mausoleum, which was finally built in Rabat. In 1980 the king said he wanted a landmark in Casablanca and wanted to build the mosque on the water, saying that God’s throne is on the water. Completion was planned for 1989, timed to his 60th birthday, but the work ran over, and the mosque opened in 1993.
The state did not have the money for it, so much of the funding came from public subscription. Wikipedia reports that twelve million people donated, each receiving a receipt and a certificate, and that the smallest gift was 5 dirhams. It puts the construction cost at about 585 million euros. For the wider picture of the city, read the guide to the largest city in Morocco, and for another royal landmark see Rabat Morocco.
What to see at the Hassan II Mosque
The minaret and the laser
The minaret is 210 metres high, and Wikipedia says it was the tallest in the world when it was completed in 1993 and is the second tallest today. At night a laser at the top points toward Mecca, with a range of 30 kilometres, according to the same article. The base is carved stone with geometric patterns, which you can see up close from the esplanade.
The prayer hall
The prayer hall has a rectangular plan of 200 by 100 metres with three naves, and Wikipedia gives the central nave a height of 40 metres. It holds 25,000 worshippers indoors, and the grounds can hold another 80,000. The roof is retractable: Wikipedia says it weighs 1,100 tons and opens in about five minutes. Inside, the floors are polished marble, the arches are carved plaster and the ceilings are wood.
The ablution hall and the hammam
Bewildered in Morocco describes an underground ablution hall with 41 lotus-shaped marble fountains and more than 600 taps. Wikipedia says there is also a large public hammam in the basement with its own entrance, and Bewildered in Morocco lists it as open from 10:00 to 23:00 with basic entry from 50 MAD. The two visitor guides describe the tour route differently, as Away With The Steiners says it has four sections (the prayer hall, the minaret, the ablution hall, and the hammam and swimming pools), so the exact route can vary and your guide will tell you what is open.
The esplanade and the ocean
Bewildered in Morocco says the esplanade and exterior can be visited free at any time, so you can see the mosque without a ticket. The photo below shows it lit up at night.
Tickets, tour times and dress code at the Hassan II Mosque
Non-Muslim visitors can enter only on a guided tour. Bewildered in Morocco and Away With The Steiners both list tours from Saturday to Thursday at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00 and 15:00. Friday is different: Bewildered in Morocco lists 9:00, 10:00 and 15:00 in its table but says usually only the afternoon tour runs, while Away With The Steiners lists 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 15:00. During Ramadan Away With The Steiners lists fewer morning tours. Treat all of these times as a guide and confirm them at the ticket office.
Both guides give 130 MAD for a foreign adult on the mosque tour, and Away With The Steiners lists 140 MAD for a combined mosque and museum ticket. Child prices differ: one guide lists 70 MAD for children and students, the other 30 MAD for children under 12, and the free age limit is given as under six in one and under four in the other, so ask at the ticket office. Away With The Steiners says tickets are sold on site and advises arriving at least 30 minutes early. The tour takes about 40 to 45 minutes according to one guide and up to an hour according to the other.
Both guides agree on the main dress rules: shoulders and knees covered and shoes off before the prayer hall. Away With The Steiners adds that shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed and that plastic bags are provided for your shoes. Women do not have to cover their hair, but a light scarf is seen as respectful. For more ideas, read what to wear in Morocco for women.
How to get to the Hassan II Mosque
Bewildered in Morocco says a petit taxi from the city center takes 10 to 15 minutes and should cost 15 to 25 MAD on the meter, and that the walk from the old medina takes 15 to 20 minutes along the coast. Away With The Steiners gives about 2 km from the Casa Port train station, a taxi fare of 15 to 20 MAD, a walk of about 30 minutes from the medina, and about 45 minutes from the airport, around 250 dirhams by taxi or private transfer. It also notes an underground car park beneath the mosque. For airport options, see airport transfers explained and train versus bus versus rental car in Morocco.
The best time to visit the Hassan II Mosque
Bewildered in Morocco recommends the 9:00 tour for the fewest crowds, and says sunrise and sunset suit photography. Our sources do not give crowd data for other times, so check locally. For weather and seasons across the country, compare Morocco in summer, Morocco in November and Morocco in winter, or the full best time to visit Morocco.
Hassan II Mosque and the rest of your trip
Casablanca is the starting point of several of our tours, so the Hassan II Mosque fits at the start or end of a trip. Our tours from Casablanca include the 7 day Casablanca grand tour, the 5 day journey from Casablanca to Fes and the 9 day Casablanca tour with Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech. Coming from the north, see the 3 day tour from Tangier to Casablanca. Continue to Fes or Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech, and see whether Marrakech is worth visiting. Plan your meals with the Moroccan food guide, and heading for the dunes? Read about a night in a Sahara desert camp. Not sure where the country sits? Read is Morocco in Africa.
Hassan II Mosque FAQ
Can non-Muslims visit the Hassan II Mosque?
Yes, on a guided tour. Both visitor guides we read say non-Muslims can enter only with the mosque’s guided tours, outside prayer times.
How much is the Hassan II Mosque tour?
Both guides list 130 MAD for a foreign adult, and one lists 140 MAD for a combined mosque and museum ticket. Child prices differ, so confirm at the ticket office.
How long is the Hassan II Mosque tour?
About 40 to 45 minutes according to Away With The Steiners and 45 minutes to an hour according to Bewildered in Morocco.
What should I wear at the Hassan II Mosque?
Cover your shoulders and knees, avoid shorts and sleeveless tops, and expect to take your shoes off. Women do not have to cover their hair.
How tall is the Hassan II Mosque minaret?
210 metres, according to Wikipedia, which calls it the second tallest minaret in the world today.
Who built the Hassan II Mosque?
Michel Pinseau was the architect and Bouygues did the construction, per Wikipedia. King Hassan II commissioned it, and it was inaugurated on 30 August 1993.
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More Navigate Morocco guides: Largest city in Morocco, Rabat Morocco, Fes Morocco, Morocco honeymoon, El Jadida Morocco.
