Visiting Hassan II Casablanca Mosque - Everything You Need to Know

When people ask whether Casablanca is worth visiting, the honest answer is that it depends what you're after. It is a vast, frenetic, endlessly fascinating city, but it is not the Morocco of Instagram daydreams. What it does have, unambiguously and without contest, is one of the most extraordinary buildings on the planet. The Hassan II Mosque Casablanca is reason enough to visit, and then some.

We spent several days in Casablanca, exploring the city properly rather than just ticking off the mosque and moving on. It is a city that rewards patience, though it can also be genuinely overwhelming, particularly if you are driving. More on that later. First, let us tell you everything you need to know to plan your visit to the Hassan II Mosque.

Jump to:

A Brief History of Hassan II Mosque
Hassan II Mosque Facts Worth Knowing
Who Paid for the Hassan II Mosque and How Much Did It Cost?
Can Non-Muslims Visit Hassan II Mosque?
How to Buy Hassan II Mosque Casablanca Tickets
Hassan II Mosque Casablanca Ticket Prices
Hassan II Mosque Casablanca Opening Hours & Tour Times
What to Wear to Visit the Casablanca Mosque
The Hassan II Mosque Hammam
Where to Stay Near Hassan II Mosque Casablanca
Is Casablanca Safe?
Getting to the Hassan II Mosque
What to Do Near Hassan II Mosque Casablanca
Hassan II Mosque Casablanca: Frequently Asked Questions
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A Brief History of Hassan II Mosque

The idea to build the Hassan II Mosque was first conceived in 1984, with construction beginning in 1989. What followed was an extraordinary feat of ambition and craftsmanship. The mosque was completed in just six years, in 1993, a timeline that required a workforce of 10,000 of Morocco's most skilled craftsmen working in shifts around the clock for the entire duration.

Remarkably, 99.9% of the construction materials were sourced from within Morocco. The only exceptions are the 57 chandeliers, which came from Venice, and two pillars flanking the Mihrab, which are made from Italian Carrara marble.

Hassan II Mosque Facts Worth Knowing

Before you visit, here are some of the details that will genuinely stop you in your tracks once you are standing inside.

The mosque can accommodate 105,000 worshippers in total: 20,000 men inside the main hall, a balcony that holds a further 5,000 women, and space on the surrounding concourse for an additional 80,000 people.
For its era, the building was remarkably forward-thinking. The floors are electrically heated for cooler months, and instead of air conditioning, the mosque is fitted with an enormous electric sliding roof that opens in three seconds and closes in two.
One third of the structure is built directly over the Atlantic Ocean, a design choice inspired by a verse in the Quran: "the throne of God was upon the water."
The Hassan II Mosque is the largest mosque in Morocco, the largest in Africa, and the third largest in the entire world. Only the mosques in Mecca and Medina are bigger.
The money generated from tours goes directly toward the upkeep of the mosque, making it entirely self-sufficient.

Who Paid for the Hassan II Mosque and How Much Did It Cost?

These are two of the most common questions asked about the mosque, and they are worth addressing directly. No official figure has ever been confirmed, but most estimates put the total cost at around $800 million. Given that construction was completed over 30 years ago, the scale of that investment is even more striking in context.

King Hassan II reportedly contributed around a third of that from his personal fortune. The remainder was raised from the Moroccan people through a form of public subscription, which was effectively a mandatory donation. It remains a contentious topic for many Moroccans today.

Can Non-Muslims Visit Hassan II Mosque?

Yes. Non-Muslims are very much welcome to visit the Hassan II Mosque, and this is actually the only mosque in the whole of Morocco where non-Muslims are permitted to enter.

However, you cannot simply walk in and look around. All non-Muslim visitors must join a scheduled guided tour. There are no private tour options and you cannot arrange an independent guide. You join one of the fixed group tours at set times throughout the day.

How to Buy Hassan II Mosque Casablanca Tickets

This is where a little planning goes a long way. Tickets cannot be purchased online in advance directly from the mosque, which means most visitors either queue on the day or book through GetYourGuide.

The Best Option: Book Through GetYourGuide

If you are on a tight schedule, visiting Casablanca specifically for the mosque, or simply not keen on queuing in the heat, booking in advance is by far the better option.

Speaking from experience, the queues can get genuinely long. When we visited we turned up on our originally planned day, took one look at the line and came back the following morning instead. Large tour buses from across Morocco start arriving late morning and the afternoon queues to buy tickets can stretch considerably.

The second option is to purchase a skip-the-line Get Your Guide ticket. You skip the ticket queue entirely, secure your spot in advance, and still join one of the official scheduled tours. Depending on how much time you have in Casablanca and what else you want to see, you can choose between a standalone mosque visit or a tour that takes in more of the city.

Recommended Hassan II Mosque Casablanca Ticket Options

Buying Tickets On The Day

If you would rather not book in advance, your best bet is to go for the first tour of the day. The morning is noticeably quieter and the queue to buy tickets is far shorter. Once inside the ticket area you have two options: a staffed cash-only desk where most people queue, or two self-service machines that accept card payments and operate in multiple languages.

Hassan II Mosque Casablanca Ticket Prices

A standard adult ticket costs 140dh (approximately £11 / $13) and includes the guided tour, which lasts around 45 minutes to one hour.

There is also a small museum on site. We would honestly not bother with it. It is very small and does not add meaningfully to what you will already learn on the tour.

We visited with our daughter, who was two at the time. She was free entry, and the mosque was entirely manageable with a toddler in tow. We also noticed plenty of other families visiting with young children, so it is clearly a well-trodden experience for families and nothing to be daunted by.

Ticket Type	Price
Foreign Adults	140dh
Children (under 6 years)	Free
Children (over 6 years) and Moroccan Students	30dh
Moroccan Residents and Foreign Students	70dh

Prices sourced from the official Hassan II Mosque Foundation website. Always check the official site before your visit as prices are subject to change.

Hassan II Mosque Casablanca Opening Hours & Tour Times

The tour schedule varies by season, so make sure you check which applies to your visit.

September 16 to March 14
Saturday to Thursday: 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 15:00
Friday: 9:00, 10:00, 15:00

March 15 to September 15
Saturday to Thursday: 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 15:00, 16:00
Friday: 9:00, 10:00, 15:00, 16:00

During Ramadan
Saturday to Thursday: 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 14:00
Friday: 9:00, 14:15

Tour times sourced from the official Hassan II Mosque Foundation website. We recommend arriving at least 15 to 30 minutes before your chosen tour time, particularly in peak season.

What to Wear to Visit the Casablanca Mosque

The dress code is actually more relaxed than you might expect for a mosque of this significance.

The main requirement is that shoulders, torsos and knees must be covered. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not permitted. Beyond that, you are not expected to cover your hair, though you are of course welcome to do so.

You will be asked to remove your shoes on entering. Your tour guide will provide a bag to carry them in throughout the visit.

Smoking, eating and drinking are not permitted inside.

Photography: Photography is permitted inside the mosque, which is not always the case at religious sites. Video recording, however, is not allowed. Be respectful of the space and of other visitors.

Toilets: There are toilets at the end of the tour route. If you need western-style facilities, the museum next to the ticket office has clean western toilets and is worth knowing about before you head in.

The Hassan II Mosque Hammam

One of the most underrated parts of a visit to the Hassan II Mosque is what sits beneath it. The mosque houses a set of vast public hammams covering a combined area of 6,000 square metres, with completely separate and equally sized areas for men and women.

If you have never experienced a hammam before, it is a traditional steam bath found throughout the Islamic world, sometimes referred to as a Turkish bath. The hammam here is beautifully decorated and definitely worth making time for.

Inside you will find changing rooms, Moorish baths at three different temperatures ranging from warm to very hot, a scrub room, a hot sea water health bath, and a tea room to relax in afterwards.

The hammam is open seven days a week from 8am to 11pm, with last admission at 10pm. You can reserve in advance on the official hammam website.

Hammam Entry Costs (Basic)

Adults: 50dh / Children: 40dh / Additional hours: 25dh per hour

Individual Treatments (hammam entry included)

Simple Ritual, scrub: 90dh / 120 min
Scented Soap Ritual, scrub and soaping: 120dh / 120 min
Traditional Ritual, scrub, soaping and rhassoul wrap: 200dh / 150 min
Atlas, scrub, soaping and argan oil treatment: 350dh / 150 min
Middle Atlas, scrub, soaping, rhassoul wrap and toning treatment with argan oil: 400dh / 150 min
High Atlas, scrub, soaping, precious wrap and toning treatment with argan oil: 450dh / 150 min

Accessories

Kessa glove: 35dh
Shampoo: 10dh
Shower gel: 10dh
Disposable underpants: 10dh
Fouta (towel/body wrap) rental: 35dh
Accessories bag (kessa glove, shampoo, shower gel, water bottle, fouta rental): 90dh

Hammam prices are based on the official hammam website. Confirm current prices on arrival as they are subject to change.

Where to Stay Near Hassan II Mosque Casablanca

If you are looking for accommodation within easy reach of the mosque, here are three options across different budgets and styles.

Apartment | Mosquee & Sea View Casablanca

Less than a mile from the mosque, this apartment has a sea view terrace, free private parking, two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen with washing machine, a spacious living room and two bathrooms. A great option for families or couples wanting self-catered flexibility right on the doorstep.

Check photos, reviews & availability

Aparthotel | Family Aparthotel

A 20-minute walk from the mosque, this modern property offers self-contained units each with a private kitchen and bathroom, air conditioning, daily housekeeping and breakfast included. A reliable mid-range choice that works particularly well for families.

Check photos, reviews & availability

Hotel | JM Suites Hotel

About half an hour's walk from the mosque, this eco-friendly luxury hotel has spacious rooms with walk-in showers, private parking, a spa and wellness centre, an on-site restaurant and a rooftop bar. If you want to treat yourself for a night or two in Casablanca, this is the one.

Check photos, reviews & availability

Is Casablanca Safe?

Yes, Casablanca is safe. We visited as a couple with a young child and felt comfortable throughout. The Hassan II Mosque area in particular is well managed and well visited. As with any large city, basic awareness is sensible, but there is genuinely nothing to worry about when visiting the mosque or the areas covered in this guide.

Getting to the Hassan II Mosque

Casablanca is a large and busy city and, if you are driving, be prepared for the traffic to be intense. We found navigating it required considerably more concentration than most other places we visited in Morocco.

If you have the option of leaving your vehicle somewhere and using taxis or rideshares to get around, it is worth considering. We found Casablanca far more enjoyable once we stopped trying to drive everywhere.

Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive throughout the city. Getting to the mosque from most central areas should be straightforward and cheap.

If you are planning to hire a car for your wider Morocco trip, we recommend checking Discover Cars for the best rates.

Arriving in Morocco from Spain? Our guide to the Ferry From Algeciras to Tangier covers everything you need to know about making the crossing.

Travelling by campervan? There is a small car park close to the mosque where you can park overnight, which puts you in a great position to catch the first tour of the morning before the crowds arrive.

If you are planning a wider vanlife trip around Morocco, our Morocco Vanlife Handbook covers everything you need to know, and our Vanlife Morocco Beginner's Guide is a great free starting point.

Travel insurance: If you are heading to Morocco and do not yet have cover in place, we recommend Heymondo. Their policies are well suited to independent travellers visiting North Africa.

Staying connected: If you would rather avoid hunting for a local SIM on arrival, a Holafly eSIM is a straightforward option you can set up before you leave home.

What to Do Near Hassan II Mosque Casablanca

The mosque will likely be your main reason for visiting, but Casablanca is worth exploring if you have the time. We spent a few days here and found plenty to keep us occupied.

The Medina & Surrounding Market

Casablanca's medina is one of the most vibrant we visited in Morocco. Bustling and full of life, the market spills well beyond the old walls and starts just a short walk from the mosque. Fresh produce, warm bread, fish caught that morning, traditional clothing, crafts and tourist trinkets all sit side by side. If you want to see real Casablanca rather than just the polished highlights, this is the place to go.

Mohammed V Square and United Nations Square

These two adjoined squares sit at the heart of the city. United Nations Square, just outside the medina walls, is lined with shops and restaurants and leads directly into Mohammed V Square, where a large fountain is surrounded by pigeons, children and locals going about their day.

The architecture of the surrounding buildings is worth taking in: the courthouse, central post office, French consulate and Bank of Morocco all line the nearby streets. Watch out for anyone offering to sell bird feed or take your photo for a fee.

Sky 28 Rooftop Bar

Located on the top floor of the tallest building in North Africa, Sky 28 offers 360-degree views across the entire city and a great aerial perspective on the mosque itself. Good for tapas and cocktails alongside the view.

Rick’s Cafe

Worth knowing before you visit: Casablanca the film was shot almost entirely in California and not a single scene was filmed in Morocco. However, an American expat recreated the famous gin joint from the film in its real-world location in the city, complete with 1940s decor and live jazz. If you are a fan of the film, it makes for a fun evening out.

Hassan II Mosque Casablanca: Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Hassan II Mosque special?

It is the largest mosque in Morocco, the largest in Africa, and the third largest in the world. It is also the only mosque in Morocco that non-Muslims are permitted to enter.

Can tourists visit the Hassan II Mosque?

Yes. Tourists and non-Muslims are welcome to visit, but entry is only possible as part of a scheduled guided tour at fixed times throughout the day.

Is photography allowed inside the Hassan II Mosque?

Yes, photography is permitted. Video recording, however, is not allowed.

Is Casablanca safe to visit?

Yes, Casablanca is safe. We visited as a family without any concerns. Standard awareness is sensible in any large city, but there is nothing to worry about.