Attraction
Hassan II Mosque
Casablanca's great waterfront mosque, inaugurated in 1993 with a 210-metre minaret, and one of the few mosques in Morocco that non-Muslims can enter on a guided…
El Hank Lighthouse
A 51-metre lighthouse of 1920 by Albert Laprade, styled after a minaret, standing on the El Hank headland between the Hassan II Mosque and Ain Diab.
At a glance
- Type
- Lighthouse
- Area
- El Hank, Casablanca, Morocco
Good to know
- Free to view from outside
- Seafront setting
Why we recommend it
The El Hank Lighthouse is the white tower you see rising above the rocks on the headland west of the Hassan II Mosque. Built in 1920 to a design by the French architect Albert Laprade, who also laid out Parc de la Ligue Arabe, it is 51 metres tall and remains one of the tallest structures along this stretch of coast. Its slender, square form deliberately recalls the minaret of a mosque, a neat example of the protectorate habit of dressing modern infrastructure in Moroccan forms.
The lighthouse played a practical role in the growth of the city. By guiding ships safely along a coast known for its rocks and swell, it helped make the development of the Port of Casablanca possible. Its lantern has six panels and a Fresnel lens, and according to the regional tourism council its beam can be seen up to 55 kilometres away. Even now it is a familiar landmark for local residents and one of the most photographed monuments in the city.
Most visitors see the lighthouse from outside. Access to the interior is not advertised, so do not count on climbing it; treat it as a viewpoint and a photo stop. The setting is the main pleasure: waves breaking on the rocks below and wide views back towards the minaret of the Hassan II Mosque. Late afternoon and sunset are the best times, when the light softens and the seafront fills with walkers.
This is a short stop rather than a destination in itself, so allow 20 to 30 minutes, longer if you are walking the coast. It suits photographers, couples and anyone who enjoys a seafront stroll. The rocks can be slippery and the Atlantic swell is powerful here, so keep children well back from the edge and do not climb down to the water. Bring a layer, as the wind off the ocean can be cool even on sunny days.
El Hank sits between the Hassan II Mosque and the Ain Diab corniche, so it fits naturally into a walk or short taxi ride along the coast. Start at the mosque, follow the seafront west past the lighthouse, and continue to the cafés, restaurants and beach clubs of Ain Diab for the evening. The Le Cabestan restaurant is close by on the corniche if you want a meal with an ocean view.
El Hank Lighthouse FAQs
How tall is El Hank Lighthouse?
It is 51 metres tall.
When was it built?
In 1920, to a design by the French architect Albert Laprade.
Can you go inside or climb it?
Interior access is not advertised, so plan to see it from outside.
Why does it look like a minaret?
Its design deliberately echoes the form of a mosque minaret.
When is the best time to visit?
Late afternoon and sunset, when the light is softer and the seafront is lively.
Is it safe to go down to the rocks?
The rocks can be slippery and the swell is strong, so stay back from the water's edge, especially with children.
What is nearby?
The Hassan II Mosque to the east and the Ain Diab corniche to the west.