Guide 07 of 07

The Cities

Each one is a different country

Marrakech mosques, Casablanca's Art Deco, Agadir's earthquake, Rabat as capital, and Taghazout's surf coast.

5 observations

01

Can you go inside the Koutoubia mosque?

No.

Non-Muslims cannot enter the Koutoubia, or virtually any mosque in Morocco. The restriction dates to the French protectorate era and has remained in place since. Two exceptions: the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca (guided tours daily) and the Tinmel Mosque in the High Atlas.

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03

Is Casablanca worth visiting?

The Hassan II Mosque and the Art Deco district.

The Hassan II Mosque is one of two Moroccan mosques open to non-Muslims — third-largest in the world, built on a platform over the Atlantic, with a retractable roof and a 210-metre minaret. The 1930s Art Deco district along Boulevard Mohammed V is among the finest in Africa. Beyond that, Casablanca is Morocco's economic capital, not a tourist city. Rick's Café was built in 2004 as a tribute to the film — the movie *Casablanca* was not filmed in Morocco.

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04

Is Rabat the capital?

Yes, since 1912.

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05

Is Taghazout still a surf village?

The village and surf culture remain. The coastline south has transformed.

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