Casablanca: Sightseeing and Monuments
Hassan II Mosque
The Hassan II Mosque is the biggest monument in Morocco, and the 3rd biggest in the whole world. No mosque can be bigger than those in Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia. However, the minaret can, and so the minaret of the great mosque in Casablanca is the highest in the world, reaching 200 m! It may not seem so high when you approach it, because it is massive. The Hassan II mosque was built over 4-5 years, and thousands and thousands of best Moroccan craftsman worked day and night to complete it. This is the only mosque in Morocco which can be visited by non-muslims.
Opening hours: Important: the mosque can only be visited with official guides, found inside the mosque complex. When you approach the mosque, go through the outer arches and to the left. You'll see a big flight of stairs there. Descend and you'll find yourself in the area where tickets are bought. Guides are available for major European languages: English, German, Italian and Spanish. The Hassan II mosque can be visited only between the prayers, with official guides, at 10am, 11am and 2pm. Miss any of those periods and you aren't going to be able to enter the mosque.
Entrance fee: 100 Dh per person.
City centre architecture
The 1920s/1930s architecture found in central Casablanca, from the French colonial period is a beautiful example of completely conserved buildings, dating from the first half of the 20th century. You have to walk around to see all their beauty — you will be surprised how magnificent these edifices look.
Notable buildings in the Casablanca centre are the main post office (renovated a couple of years ago), the Palace of Justice (Palais de Justice), and the Prefecture/Wilaya building. All three are situated on the Mohammed V square. Beware: taking pictures of official buildings is not advised in Morocco.
The new medina
The new medina in Casablanca was built at the beginning of the 20th century and has a certain charm. Worth a walk. There is the The new medina definitely looks better then the old one in Casablanca, which is perhaps the least beautiful in Morocco and quite uninteresting.