Question 1

Does Rabat have beaches and nightlife?

Accepted Answer

Both, in capital-city moderation: Rabat beach sits right below the Oudayas kasbah with surfers on its breaks, better sands stretch toward Skhirat and Témara, and the Ville Nouvelle and marina hold a civilised scene of cafés, restaurants and hotel bars rather than clubs. It is the calm counterpoint to Casablanca an hour south.

Question 2

What is the Hassan II Mosque made of?

Accepted Answer

Almost entirely of Morocco itself: granite and marble from Agadir and Tafraout, cedar from the Middle Atlas for the carved ceilings, zellij cut by thousands of maalems — with Murano glass chandeliers as the famous exception. Built 1986–1993 by some 10,000 craftsmen, its prayer hall floats half over the Atlantic on reclaimed land, with a retractable roof and a 210 m minaret.

Question 3

What time does the Hassan II Mosque open for visits?

Accepted Answer

Non-Muslim visitors enter on guided tours at fixed time slots outside prayer hours — historically several slots each morning and early afternoon, reduced on Fridays and adjusted during Ramadan. Slots shift with the religious calendar, so the golden rule is to check that day's schedule (or ask us the day before — we confirm locally). The exterior esplanade is open at all hours and free.

Question 4

What is the Hassan II Mosque known for?

Accepted Answer

Superlatives with substance: one of the world's largest mosques, its 210-metre minaret long the world's tallest, its prayer hall built half over the Atlantic with a retractable roof — and, most importantly for travellers, one of the very few working mosques in Morocco that non-Muslims can enter, on guided tours. It compresses every Moroccan craft — zellij, carved cedar, stucco — at cathedral scale.

Question 5

Is Casablanca worth visiting, honestly?

Accepted Answer

As a working metropolis it is not a postcard — but the Hassan II Mosque alone justifies the stop, and the art-deco centre and corniche reward a curious half-day. Most of our routes give it exactly that: arrival, the mosque, one good dinner.

Question 6

Can non-Muslims visit the Hassan II Mosque?

Accepted Answer

Yes — it is the great exception: guided visits run most mornings, taking you inside a prayer hall built for 25,000 with the Atlantic breaking beneath the glass floor sections. Book with your tour; dress modestly and expect shoe bags.

Question 7

What is Rabat like compared to Casablanca?

Accepted Answer

Calmer, greener and more graceful: the Kasbah of the Oudayas above the river, the Hassan Tower and Mohammed V mausoleum, a clean-swept medina and ocean walls. As capitals go it is underrated — our 9-day route sleeps there on purpose.

Question 8

How much time does Rabat need?

Accepted Answer

A half-day covers the Oudayas, the tower and the mausoleum; a full day adds the Chellah necropolis, storks included, and the new Mohammed VI modern-art museum. It slots naturally between Casablanca and the north road.

Question 9

Is the famous Rick's Café real?

Accepted Answer

The film was shot in Hollywood, but a lovingly built Rick's Café now stands near the old medina and serves the fantasy with a straight face — a fun last-night dinner, and our 16-day grand tour ends with exactly that nostalgic stop.

Question 10

Which airport should I use for these cities?

Accepted Answer

Casablanca's Mohammed V (CMN) is Morocco's main hub and the natural gateway for north-start circuits; Rabat–Salé (RBA) is small but handy for tailor-made starts. Transfers from either are included on our tours.

Casablanca & Rabat

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35. Casablanca & Rabat