Quartier Habous Casablanca, also called the New Medina, is a neighbourhood built between 1918 and 1955 to accommodate migrants arriving from across Morocco. Its covered arcades, souks and historic architecture make it a place to browse Moroccan crafts and see a distinctive blend of traditional design and modern urban planning.
- Location: Casablanca; about 7.3 km from Hotel Bellerive, a three-star hotel where you can book a room.
- Also known as: the New Medina.
- What to see: covered arcades, the Grande Place des Habous, the Mohammed V Mosque and Mahkama du Pacha.
- Shopping: souks and the Kissaria craft market sell Moroccan handicrafts.
Where Quartier Habous is and how to arrive
Quartier Habous is a Casablanca neighbourhood marked on the city’s official transport network map. Tram line T3 runs between Casa-Port and Hay Al Wahda, and the map marks Habous on the network.
For a practical plan, use the official Casatramway and Casabusway network maps, line and timetable information, or journey-planning app to work out your route. Check the official site before you go. The quarter also fits into a wider guide to Casablanca city centre.
Arcades, squares and neighbourhood architecture
Quartier Habous combines traditional Moroccan architectural styles with modern urban planning. French architects designed the New Medina using modern planning standards while respecting Moroccan styles and practices.
Start with the Grande Place des Habous, a central square surrounded by historic buildings and shops. From there, the quarter’s covered arcades and narrow streets lead past places including the Mohammed V Mosque and the Mahkama du Pacha. The latter is a traditional Moroccan courthouse noted for its arches and detailed decoration.
The neighbourhood also includes hammams, several souks and the Kissaria craft market, so the architecture and shopping streets are woven together rather than separated into distinct areas.
Habous souks and shopping
The Habous souks are known for Moroccan handicrafts sold from shops and stalls beneath covered arcades and along narrow streets. You can browse rugs, hammered copper, ceramics, carved wood, leather goods and traditional clothing.
The Kissaria is the quarter’s craft market, while the surrounding souks add more lanes of shops and stalls to explore. Take the streets at an unhurried pace, keeping an eye out for the different materials and crafts as you move between the arcades.
Planning a walk through the quarter
A simple walk through Quartier Habous can link the central square, the arcades and the souks. Begin at the Grande Place des Habous, then follow the narrow streets through the shopping lanes toward the Kissaria and the quarter’s mosque and courthouse.
There is no published recommended visit duration for the quarter, so you can shape the walk around how much time you want to spend browsing.
The Casablanca tourism itinerary identifies the Mahkama du Pacha and the square as architectural and historic highlights; treat the building as a landmark rather than assuming a visitor timetable. This walk can also form part of a one-day Casablanca itinerary.
FAQs
What is Quartier Habous also called?
It is also known as the New Medina. It was built between 1918 and 1955 to accommodate migrants from across Morocco.
What can you buy in the Habous souks?
Shops and stalls sell Moroccan handicrafts such as rugs, hammered copper, ceramics, carved wood, leather goods and traditional clothing.
Is there a recommended visit duration?
No recommended duration is published for Quartier Habous. You can plan your walk around the square, arcades and souks, allowing time to browse.
What is the Mahkama du Pacha?
It is a traditional Moroccan courthouse and an architectural landmark, known for its arches and detailed decoration.