Wedged between the Hassan II Mosque and the port, Casablanca's Old Medina is the city's least-polished historic district and, for some travellers, its most rewarding. The lanes are narrow, the centuries-old walls still trace the original perimeter, and the daily commerce — vendors, tea stalls, small workshops, bakeries — runs without much concession to tourism. The architecture is modest compared to the great medinas of Marrakech or Fez; the draw here is the working-neighbourhood atmosphere and the proximity to most of central Casablanca's landmarks.

The contrast with the planned Habous Quarter across town is the visit's point. Where Habous is ordered and uniform, the Old Medina is irregular and lived-in: hanging textiles in one alley, a coppersmith in the next, kids playing football where four lanes meet. Most shops are aimed at residents — bread, fruit, hardware, clothes — rather than the tourist trade, which means prices are fixed and the pressure to buy is essentially absent. The few craft shops that have opened to travellers cluster near Bab Marrakech in the south.

Daytime is fine for a walk; mid-morning through late afternoon is the active window. The medina empties quickly after dark and most shops close by early evening. Normal big-city awareness applies — keep valuables out of sight — but the quarter is busy and lived-in rather than predatory. Sequence the Old Medina with Bab Marrakech, United Nations Square, La Sqala, and the Hassan II Mosque for a tight downtown loop; all four are within an easy walk and form Casablanca's most efficient half-day route.