Skip the chaotic Old Medina and head here for a cleaner, chilled-out vibe. It is essentially a 1930s-style planned neighborhood with pristine white arches and courtyards. Spend two hours exploring, but prioritize Pâtisserie Bennis—their gazelle horns sell out by midday, so arrive early. Ignore the aggressive leather hawkers and focus on the olive market instead. It is a solid stop on most half-day city tours, but you can easily DIY this walk for free.
Stepping into this planned district provides a structured alternative to the sprawling historical core, functioning as an architectural exercise from the colonial era that prioritized organized layouts over winding alleyways. The area serves as a showcase for neo-Moorish design, utilizing bright white masonry and balanced arches that feel remarkably calm compared to the dense urban noise elsewhere. While it lacks the raw, unfiltered intensity of older sectors, it succeeds as an accessible urban space where the geometry of the storefronts and the height of the walls create a deliberate, pleasant pacing for any afternoon visitor. Seeking out Pâtisserie Bennis is the primary objective here, as their selection of almond-based goods sets the standard for the entire city, requiring an early arrival to secure the freshest inventory. Navigating the neighborhood is straightforward given the clear grid, which stands in direct opposition to the frantic layout of the central districts. Most visitors dedicate about two hours to wandering the central plazas, taking time to examine the woodwork around Place des Habous before checking the olive market inventory. To avoid unnecessary friction, sidestep the leather vendors who often congregate near the entrances and instead walk toward the specialized ceramic shops further inside. Accessing the area is simple via a short taxi ride, and walking through the arches into the quiet courtyards allows for a more relaxed tempo of discovery compared to the crowded tourist hubs found elsewhere in the city. Many people fail to venture beyond the primary entry gates, missing the quiet residential streets that branch off toward the Royal Palace walls. If you have extra time, combine this walk with a late lunch at a nearby café to avoid the midday heat. Locals frequent the olive market for specific varieties not found in supermarkets, making it a functional space rather than a simple staging area for tourists. Understanding that this district was constructed as a intentional project to balance modernity with traditional aesthetics clarifies why the proportions of the structures feel so purposeful and uniform throughout every section.
Grab a petit taxi from any central location and ask for the Habous district. Taxis are plentiful and affordable, dropping you near the main entrance gates within fifteen to twenty minutes of travel.
Devote two hours here if you prioritize architecture and food over historic ruins. The district provides a compact, manageable experience that avoids the overwhelming pace of the older medinas while offering better pastry.
Arrive before midday to ensure you get the freshest gazelle horns. Inventory at this location moves quickly due to local demand, and lines often form by late morning on busy weekends or holidays.
Ignore the aggressive leather hawkers near the perimeter gates. Focus your attention and your budget on the specialized olive market or the local ceramics, which offer much higher quality and better value.
The Royal Palace is situated immediately adjacent to the district, making it an easy addition to your walk. View the exterior architecture and the main gates while circling the perimeter for photos.