El Hank Lighthouse rises 51 metres above the Atlantic on the western edge of Casablanca, which makes it the tallest lighthouse in Morocco. It has guided ships toward the city’s harbour since 1920, and it still works today. Its minaret-shaped tower has become one of the most recognisable landmarks on the Casablanca coast.
This guide covers what the lighthouse is, its history, whether you can visit, and what to see nearby. You will also find practical notes on timing, transport, and where to stay.
It is an easy stop to fold into a Casablanca itinerary. Here is what to know before you go.
What Is El Hank Lighthouse?
El Hank Lighthouse is a historic, still-active lighthouse on the Atlantic coast of Casablanca, Morocco. Built between 1916 and 1920, it stands 51 metres tall and remains in daily operation, guiding vessels toward the port. The French architect Albert Laprade designed it with a shape that echoes a Moroccan minaret.
Where is El Hank Lighthouse located?
The tower sits in the El Hank district, on a rocky point on the western side of Casablanca where the city meets the Atlantic. It lies roughly 1.5 kilometres from the Hassan II Mosque, so the two are easy to pair on the same outing.
The surrounding neighbourhood gave the lighthouse its name and sits just off the city’s corniche. That places it within a short drive of central Casablanca.
How tall is it and is it still in operation?
At 51 metres, this lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Morocco, and yes, it is still fully active. Its light reaches about 55 kilometres out to sea, flashing three times every fifteen seconds to guide passing ships.
Reaching the top means climbing 256 steps to the upper platform. From there, the view stretches along the Atlantic coastline and back over the city.
What Is the History of El Hank Lighthouse?
El Hank Lighthouse was built between 1916 and 1920 to make Casablanca’s growing port safer to approach. Before it existed, the rocky coast here was a genuine hazard for ships.
When was El Hank Lighthouse built?
Construction ran from 1916 to 1920, during the French protectorate, a period when Casablanca was expanding fast. The lighthouse came into service in 1920 and has operated ever since.
Its designer, Albert Laprade, was the same architect behind the Palais de la Porte Dorée in Paris. He gave the tower a minaret-inspired profile that ties it to Moroccan architecture rather than standard European lighthouse design.
Its role in protecting Casablanca’s harbour
The coast around El Hank was long considered dangerous, which held back the port’s growth. Once the lighthouse was lit, ships could approach Casablanca far more safely, and the harbour grew into one of the busiest on the Atlantic coast of Africa.
That practical job has not changed in over a century. This lighthouse still marks the harbour approach for vessels arriving day and night.
Can You Visit El Hank Lighthouse?
You can reach El Hank Lighthouse and admire it up close from the outside, but interior access is limited because it remains an active navigational station. Getting inside is not guaranteed and usually depends on the keeper’s goodwill rather than fixed opening hours.
What to expect at the site
Most visitors come to see the tower from the base, walk the rocky shoreline around it, and take photos against the Atlantic. The area is open and free to approach, with no ticket office or formal entrance.
If the keeper is around and willing, some travellers have managed to climb the 256 steps for the view, though this is informal and not something to count on. We suggest being polite, going during daylight, and treating any access inside as a bonus rather than a plan.
What Is There to See and Do Around El Hank Lighthouse?
Beyond the tower itself, El Hank Lighthouse sits within easy reach of the corniche, sunset viewpoints, and Casablanca’s biggest sights. A short visit can easily stretch into a half-day along the coast. Here is what is close by:
- Walking the El Hank district and the seafront corniche
- Catching sunset over the Atlantic
- Visiting the Hassan II Mosque, about 1.5 kilometres away
The El Hank district and the corniche
The neighbourhood around the lighthouse is residential and low-key, with local cafes and a working feel rather than a tourist strip. From here the Ain Diab corniche runs west, lined with restaurants, beach clubs, and a long seafront promenade.
It is a good area for a relaxed walk before or after seeing lighthouse. Grab a mint tea at one of the cafes and watch the waves roll in.
Sunset views and photography
The west-facing coast makes this one of the better sunset spots in Casablanca, with the tower set against the sky. Photographers do well here in the golden hour, when the light softens and the Atlantic takes on warm tones.
Here is something worth knowing: El Hank Lighthouse looks especially striking at dusk, when its beam begins to sweep the water. Bring a wide lens to fit the full 51-metre tower into your frame.
Nearby attractions, including the Hassan II Mosque
The Hassan II Mosque is the obvious pairing, sitting just 1.5 kilometres east along the coast. It is one of the largest mosques in the world and the only one in Casablanca open to non-Muslim visitors on guided tours.
From there you are within reach of the old medina, the Habous quarter, and the city centre. El Hank Lighthouse works best as one stop on a coastal loop rather than a destination on its own.
When Is the Best Time to Visit El Hank Lighthouse?
The best time to visit El Hank Lighthouse is late afternoon, when the light is soft and the sunset lines up over the Atlantic. Spring and autumn bring the most comfortable weather, while summer stays warm and busy along the coast.
Best time of day and weather to plan around
Aim for the last couple of hours before sunset, when the heat eases and the tower photographs at its best. Mornings work too if you prefer fewer people and calmer light.
Casablanca’s coast can get windy, so a light jacket helps even on warm days. Winters stay mild but wetter, which can make the rocky shoreline slippery underfoot.
How Do You Get to El Hank Lighthouse?
El Hank Lighthouse sits on the western coast of Casablanca, about 15 to 20 minutes by car from the city centre. Taxis are the simplest way to arrive, though the tram plus a short walk also works.
Getting there within Casablanca
A petit taxi from downtown or the Hassan II Mosque is quick and cheap, and most drivers know the lighthouse by name. From Casablanca’s main train stations, the ride takes well under half an hour outside rush hour.
If you are flying in, Mohammed V Airport sits about 35 kilometres away, roughly 40 minutes by car or a train-and-taxi combination. Renting a car makes sense if you also plan to drive the corniche.
Where to Stay Near El Hank Lighthouse
Most visitors base themselves in central Casablanca or along the Ain Diab corniche, both within a short drive of El Hank Lighthouse. The corniche keeps you near the beach clubs and seafood restaurants, while the centre puts you close to the train stations and the old medina.
Some travellers, though, prefer to stay in Rabat and treat Casablanca as a day trip, drawn by the capital’s calmer pace, its monuments, and the quick coastal road linking the two cities. The drive runs about 90 kilometres and takes close to an ho ur, which is easy to fit into a single day. For a comfortable base on that side, the oceanfront STORY Le Carrousel in Rabat is a strong choice before or after exploring the Casablanca coast.
The Last Light on Casablanca’s Coast
To wrap up, for a landmark that still does its day job, this tower gives you a surprising amount. You get the tallest lighthouse in Morocco, a minaret-shaped profile with real history behind it, an open stretch of Atlantic shoreline, and one of the best sunset spots in the city. It asks very little of your time and rewards you with views and photos that feel a world away from Casablanca’s traffic and crowds.
The trick is to treat it as part of a coastal loop rather than a stop on its own. Walk a stretch of the corniche, find a cafe for a mint tea, and time your visit for the golden hour when the light turns soft and the beam starts to sweep the water. Whether you stay along the corniche or make it a day trip from a base in Rabat, a slow afternoon by the sea is reason enough to put El Hank Lighthouse on your Casablanca itinerary.
