Morocco’s religious buildings are among the most beautiful things in the country, and also one of the places where visitors are most often unsure what is allowed. Can you go inside a mosque? Why are some medersas full of tourists while the mosque next door is closed to them? What should you wear, and when is it better not to visit at all? This guide explains the general rules, the main places non-Muslim visitors can enter, and the etiquette that keeps a visit respectful.
Opening hours, ticket prices and restoration work change often, so treat the details here as a starting point and check locally before you go.
The general rule: most active mosques are closed to non-Muslims
In most of Morocco, mosques that are in use for prayer are open to Muslims only. This is a long-standing practice, not a sign of hostility, and it is very consistently applied. You will see beautiful doorways, minarets and courtyards from the street, and in many cases you can look through an open door. Stepping inside is a different matter, so do not try, even if the door is open and nobody seems to be watching.
The same goes for most zawiyas (Sufi lodges) and shrines of local saints. These are living places of devotion, often busy on Fridays and during religious festivals.
The good news is that Morocco has several remarkable religious and religious-educational buildings that visitors can enter, and they show the same craftsmanship you would see inside a mosque: carved cedar, stucco, zellige tilework and calm courtyards.
Places visitors can usually enter
Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca
This is the main exception to the general rule. The huge mosque on the Casablanca seafront offers guided tours for non-Muslim visitors at set times, in several languages. Tours do not run during prayer times, and the schedule is reduced on Fridays and on religious holidays. Buy your ticket at the visitor entrance and check the day’s tour times on arrival or on the mosque’s official channels. Dress modestly (see below); you will remove your shoes inside and carry them in a bag.
Medersas (Qur’anic schools)
Medersas were residential colleges where students studied religion, law and other subjects. Many are no longer used for teaching and are open as monuments. They are often the best way to see Marinid and Saadian decoration up close.
- Ben Youssef Medersa, Marrakech: one of the largest in North Africa, with a central pool, carved stucco and small student rooms upstairs. It reopened after a long restoration. Read more in our free Marrakech guide.
- Bou Inania Medersa, Fes: a richly decorated Marinid building. Part of it still functions as a mosque, so the prayer hall is closed to non-Muslims while the courtyard is open at visiting times.
- Al-Attarine Medersa, Fes: small, very fine, and right in the heart of the medina near the Qarawiyyin. Our free Fes guide explains how to find it in the maze of lanes.
Royal mausoleums and tombs
- Saadian Tombs, Marrakech: burial chambers of the Saadian dynasty, with carved marble and cedar. Queues build in the middle of the day, so go early.
- Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Rabat: open to visitors, with royal guards at the entrance, next to the unfinished Hassan Tower. Respectful dress and quiet behaviour are expected.
Tin Mal Mosque, High Atlas
This 12th-century mosque in the Atlas mountains was historically one of the few mosques in Morocco that non-Muslims could visit, because it is no longer used for regular prayer. It was badly damaged in the September 2023 earthquake and has been under restoration. Check the current situation locally before planning a trip around it.
What to wear
Rules are similar for all religious sites, whether you are entering or just walking past:
- Shoulders and knees covered for everyone. Loose trousers or a long skirt and a top with sleeves work well.
- A scarf is useful for women. It is required at some sites (including for the Hassan II Mosque tour, depending on current rules) and is a polite choice anywhere near a mosque.
- Shoes you can slip off easily, and socks if you prefer not to walk barefoot on cold floors.
Our guide to what to wear in Morocco covers clothing by city and season in more detail.
Etiquette inside and around religious sites
- Keep your voice low, and silence your phone.
- Ask before photographing people. Buildings are usually fine to photograph where visitors are allowed; people praying are not.
- Do not walk in front of someone praying, including on pavements and in courtyards outside mosques at prayer time.
- No public displays of affection, and no eating or drinking inside.
- Do not climb on fountains, ledges or tombs for a photo.
- Follow signs and guardians. If a door is roped off or a guardian waves you back, that area is not for visitors.
Timing your visits
Prayer times: the five daily prayers shift with the sun. Around midday prayer and especially Friday midday prayer, lanes near large mosques fill up quickly. This is a good time to be elsewhere or simply to step aside and watch respectfully from a distance.
Fridays: some monuments close for part of Friday or open later. Plan medersas and tombs for the morning on other days of the week.
Ramadan: visiting hours of monuments often change during the holy month, and religious sites are busier in the evening. Our Ramadan travel guide explains what to expect.
Religious holidays: on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, many monuments close or keep short hours. Check before travelling across the country to see a specific site.
Guides at religious sites
At popular monuments you may be approached by people offering to show you around. Licensed guides carry an official badge and can add a lot of history to a visit. Unofficial guides may lead you to a shop afterwards. If you would like a guide, ask your accommodation to book a licensed one in advance, agree on the price and length of the tour before you start, and be clear if you do not want shopping stops.
A quick planning checklist
- Check opening hours and ticket prices on the day; they change with seasons, holidays and restoration work.
- Avoid Friday midday for visits in busy medinas.
- Pack a scarf and a light layer that covers shoulders.
- Bring small change for tickets; card payment is not always available.
- Carry a bag for your shoes at the Hassan II Mosque.
- Go early to medersas and tombs to avoid queues and heat.
FAQs
Can non-Muslims enter any mosque in Morocco?
Generally only the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, on a guided tour, plus mosques no longer used for prayer such as Tin Mal (subject to restoration). Most other mosques are open to Muslims only.
Is it rude to look through an open mosque door?
A brief, quiet look from the doorway is usually tolerated. Do not step over the threshold, block the entrance, or photograph people inside.
Do I need to cover my hair?
Women may be asked to cover their hair for the Hassan II Mosque tour, so carry a scarf just in case. At medersas and tombs it is not normally required, but covered shoulders and knees are expected.
For more on the cities mentioned here, start from our free Morocco guides.
