MinnBeef

I only have a morning in Casablanca before catching the early afternoon bus to Chefchaouen. I'd like to purchase an advance ticket to the Hassan 2 Mosque for the 9:00 tour that day. I found what I thought was the website for the mosque but have not received a reply to two requests to purchase advance tix. Can anyone advise on the correct website for the mosque? Thank you.

DarrenHumphrys

Sallam 'lekum Minn Beef,
There's no need to pre-book a ticket...come to think of it I don't think you can, at least online anyway. Just turn up with some time to spare and you'll be fine. The walking tour through the mosque is the only avenue to see the interior, and it's available Sat–Thurs 9am, 10am, 11am, & 2pm (Sep-June)/2.30pm (July-Aug), Fri 9am & 2pm/2.30pm. The cost is 120dh per adult (cash or credit card) and the tickets are purchased from a downstairs ticket office (with clean toilets) that is located at the western end of the mosque.

I always suggest that one dresses modestly (though some particular nationalities have no such scruples) and you will be requested to take off your shoes and carry them with you while inside (plastic bag provided). The English-speaking guides (a female and a male) are informative if a little monotonous in tone. They move reasonably quickly through the mosque but you can sneakily lose yourself from the group (which can be quite large at times) and meander your way through a little slower should you wish.

It's about a 20-minute walk from the downtown city center along Boulevard Moulay Youssef, or you can hail a petit taxi (less than 10dh) or travel by local bus #56 from Boulevard Félix Houphouët Boigny.
Enjoy!
Darren

MinnBeef

Thank you Darren, although that is my challenge-I don't have much time to spare. I'll be taking a 13:30 bus to Chefchaouen that afternoon, so to avoid last minute craziness, I really want to take the first tour at 9:00 a.m. that day. But I hear you saying that if I get there at say, 8:30 that morning, that the tour will not be sold out and that I should not have any problem getting a ticket and joining that first tour. Is that correct?

DarrenHumphrys

Hi MinnBeef,
Yes, you won't have a problem getting a ticket as the tours operate without a maximum number (i.e. are never sold out). The below-ground ticket office usually only opens a short time before the 9:00am tour, so by arriving earlier you'll be able to take your time absorbing the architectural wonder from the outside. This can take some time if you want a picture of the mosque as a whole (you've got to stand wayyyyy back) and then want an up-close picture of the amazing 30ft-high zelliges (mozaics).
Darren

MinnBeef

Thank you Darren!