The Habous neighborhood: calm, colorful, religious, magical. A perfect place for those who love Moroccan authenticity. A real historical gem, not far from the majestic Royal Palace, the Habous neighborhood provides full immersion into the Casablanca of the past, rich with history and tradition. In its narrow alleys, bordered with shops and bazars, time seems to have frozen.

With its typically Moroccan architecture, the Habous neighborhood was meant to accommodate the families of traders from various regions of Morocco. Hence, the new medina as we call it, was built to fully meet the style of a traditional medina, by combining Moroccan tradition and modern, town planning rules.

Far from the noisy, bustling streets of the old medinas, the medina of the Habous provides a peaceful, calm and spiritual atmosphere. Of course, it comes from the beautiful “Mohammadi” mosque, and its many, tiny, adoul offices surrounding it. These justice representatives retranscribe all the deeds pertaining to personal status. A little farther away, you will find the street with the bookshops, with its beautiful arcades and many displays. It offers the sight of magnificent bound volumes, precious illumination work, and examples of popular calligraphy.    

Behind it is Ibn Khaldoun street. Here, you will see a true outdoor show, with all the sellers of jewelry, djellabas and babouches. You can find nice, Moroccan handicrafts pieces, traditional or revisited. The

Quartier shops, with their colorful objects piled even on the floor, look like real Ali Baba’s caves. This is the ideal place to stock up on babouches, gandoras, tunics, belts, bags… The colors are bright, the smell of leather is everywhere. Moulay Youssef square and the eponymous mosque are down the street. From there, new horizons begin. In this medina which is a real labyrinth, and its different souks of spices, olives, and its kissarias, visitors forget the craze of the city. In this beautiful neighborhood, it is a must to stop by the Bennis pastry shop, specialized in Moroccan pastries since 1930. It is nestled in a house that doesn’t have a name, and its gazelle horns, briouates and other chhiwates are famous in the whole country. Some coffee shops scattered in the Habous neighborhood allow you to take a break to sip a mint tea or have a full-bodied dark coffee, to taste these delicious treats!