EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE HEADING TO THE BLUE CITY OF MOROCCO

Chefchaouen is a small city located in the North of Morocco. This charming city in the Rif Mountains was originally built as a fortress in the 15th century. It’s also known by the name of ”The Blue City ” or “The Blue Peal of Morocco”. It’s a true gem that deserves a spot in anyone’s Morocco itinerary. Architecture enthusiasts will marvel at the Jewish-inspired blue-tinted buildings, octagonal mosque and Spanish ruins.

Visiting Chefchaouen is like stepping back in time, the atmosphere in this city feels more relaxed than what you’ll likely experience in Marrakech or Fes . As I mentioned earlier, it’s small so a day trip to Chefchaouen is enough to explore the main attractions. But you can extend your stay by hiking in the nearby Mountains, the trails are amazing!

Having lived in Tangier for several years -which is only 2 hours away-, I visited Chefchaouen several times, so I can tell you what are the top things to do and see, where to stay in Chefchaouen and how to get there.

1. TOP THINGS TO DO IN CHEFCHAOUEN

Outta Hamam :

It’s the main square in the heart of the city. You’ll find a range of restaurants and cafés where you can sip mint tea on one of the many rooftops there. Morning, noon or night, this place has a unique feel with each, but what makes it so special in the evening is the musicians playing their music, you’ll be singing along with the crowd and dancing before you know it.

The Kasbah :

Also located in the middle of the Medina in the main square. Inside of the Kasbah, there is a lovely courtyard with a beautiful garden as well as the Ethnographic Museum of Chefchaouen. The small museum has some historic artifacts on display as well as some artwork, but the downside is that the displays are limited, and it lacks English explanations. The main highlight of visiting the Kasbah is climbing up the towers to get a fantastic panoramic view of Chefchaouen’s rooftops and surrounding countryside. The entry fee is 60dh for tourists and 10dh for locals.

Ras el Maa Spring:

Ras El Maa is a tiny waterfall located in one of the entrances of Chefchaouen. It’s fed by streams from high up in the mountains, and you’ll find a quaint riverside café where you can pause to enjoy another cup of tea or a fresh orange juice that only cost 10dh. You may even catch a glimpse of local women washing their clothes in the water, it’s a place to see the every-days routine of locals!

The Spanish mosque:

This abandoned mosque sits alone on a hill overlooking Chefchaouen. This is by far the best viewpoint of the blue city for sunset or sunrise. Exit the medina at the eastern gate near Ras El Maa and follow the path up the hill for half an hour walking to reach the white Spanish Mosque. From this vantage point, you can savor a picturesque view over the town as the sun sets behind the mountains. This is a very special location to us as Craig proposed to here.

Pose in the famous blue house of Chefchaouen :

This house entrance is so famous that it became one of Chefchaouen city’s iconic places. It’s actually someone’s house and you need to pay 5dh to get a picture there, totally worth it. Click here to know more about Instagram spots in Chefchaouen

Get lost in Chefchaouen old Medina :

The Chefchaouen old medina is an endless maze of narrow blue winding alleys that lead you to cute little spots around the town. Just spend a few hours exploring at your own pace, discover hidden corners, because getting lost is all part of the fun. It’s better to walk early in the morning to avoid crowds. You’ll find beautiful places to take pictures at every turn, from colorful flower pots to beautiful blue doors.

Go for shopping :

Venture to nearby leather, carpentry, souvenir, spice and textile shops. The prices here are slightly cheaper and the sellers are more relaxed than in big cities like Marrakech or Fes, they don’t pressure you to buy.

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2. THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN CHEFCHAOUEN :

For a better authentic experience, the best places to stay in Chefchaouen are Riads. If you don’t know what is a Riad, it’s a home with multiple stories that centers around an open-air courtyard. It’s a Moroccan home of hundreds of years old that was converted to a sort of a hotel.

 

 DAR ANTONIO  :Dar Antonio is a small affordable guesthouse, located in the heart of the Medina, nothing fancy, it’s very simple but you’ll be satisfied if all you are looking for is a clean traditional Moroccan old house with a clean bed and a good service.

Click here to check DAR ANTONIO availability and prices .

Price range: $  
Location : Rue andalous36 ganata Hay andalous 36

LA PETITE CHEFCHAOUEN  :

If you are looking for a modern elegant yet charming Riad, this is the address! As a plus, they have a rooftop with breathtaking views of the blue city.

Click here to check LA PETITE CHEFCHAOUEN availability and prices.

Price range: $$
Location : 169 Avenue Hassan 1er, rif andalouss

DAR CHAOUEN :

If you prefer to stay in a hotel, this is a great option, located a little bit far from the city center, it’s the perfect place to relax, each room is decorated in a traditional Moroccan style and they have a swimming pool with an amazing view .

Click here to check DAR CHAOUEN availability and prices .

PRICE RANGE : $$
LOCATION : Route Ras El Maa, quartier El Onsar 19000

3. THE BEST PLACES TO EAT IN CHEFCHAOUEN :

Restaurants in Chefchaouen:

Are you craving a Tajine or are you missing Pizza ?

In this article, we selected for you the best 6 restaurants in Chefchaouen for the typical Moroccan traditional food and also international food when you feel culinary less adventurous .

4. HOW TO GET TO CHEFCHAOUEN  ?

You got it now! Chefchaouen is located in the middle of the mountains and there’s no airport and no train line that runs there so it can only be reached by road. You will need to fly into the cities of Tangier, Fes, Marrakech or Rabat and then hit the road. You have several options:

• Grab a big taxi from the main taxi station in Tangier or Fes or even from Marrakesh to reach the blue city.
• Rent a car and drive up to the Rif Mountains, but driving can be quite challenging in Morocco so be prepared. From Tangier, it’s 2 hours drive, Fes 3h30 min, Rabat 3h50 min, and Casablanca 4h40 min.
• Take the bus through CTM, from Tangier 2h40 min for 55dh, Fes 4h10 min for 90dh, 7h45 min for 170dh, Casablanca 7h30 min for 185dh. We think that CTM is the most convenient and comfortable way to reach Chefchaouen, but we suggest you first stop in either Tangier or Fes (you can get there by train) and then use the CTM bus .
• Book a private transfer, which will cost more but may be worth doing it if you’re traveling in a group.

4. HOW MANY DAYS IN CHEFCHAOUEN ?

Honestly, you can easily visit the main attractions in one day trip, but whichever city you are coming, from it’s quite a long road and you might need to take a good rest because in Chefchaouen you do walk a lot. Also, the city vibes with the blue calming colors will just make you want to relax and chill, so no need to be in a rush when visiting the blue city of Morocco. We suggest you stay no more than 2 nights, but if you do extend your stay you can fill your days with hiking trails near Chefchaouen and enjoy the nature that the Rif Mountains have to offer.

5. HOW IS THE WEATHER IN CHEFCHAOUEN  ?

You’re probably wondering when to visit Chefchaouen? The best times to visit Chefchaouen are during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October). In these months not only give nicer temperatures, but you’ll enjoy less of a crowd. Chefchaouen is in the middle of the mountains, so if you are coming during the winter it will likely get chilly at night rain is very possible, so bring your warm socks with you.

6. WHY CHEFCHAOUEN IS BLUE ?

Several theories attempt to explain why the city is painted in blue, the most famous one is about the Jewish people who fled to Chefchaouen to escape the Spanish Inquisition in the 15th century. Jewish believe that the color blue represents the sky, which reminds them of heaven and God. As such, there is a strong tradition among Jewish communities of painting things blue and using blue dye to color fabrics, houses, etc …

Some locals claim that the blue helps keep their homes cool in the warmer months, while others believe that the blue color symbolizes the importance of the city’s Ras el-Maa Waterfall where they get their drinking water.

It also could be just because the color blue looks attractive and has a calming effect, but regardless of the real reason behind it, the practice continues up to this day because this is what made the city one of the most popular tourist attractions in Morocco.

7. HIKING IN CHEFCHAOUEN :

This is us Hiking in Akchour in 2020

There are many options for scenic hikes and walks in the Rif Mountains that surround Chefchaouen. Our favorite ones are:

Akchour:

You can go by taxi or car from Chefchaouen to the starting point of the hiking trail. You have the choice between hiking along the river to the Cascades d’Akchour waterfall, or the rock arch known as “The Bridge of God’’.

This hiking trail requires at least half a day to make. The start of the hike begins in Akchour village which is a 45-minute drive from Chefchaouen. The cheapest way to get there is to take a Grand Taxi that you share with 4-6 people, the cost is 25DH. The other option is to take a private taxi which will obviously come at a higher cost, somewhere around 200DH.

The hike is not very challenging and the trail is easy to follow, so don’t worry about getting lost. The scenery is beautiful along the way with plenty of smaller waterfalls and rock pools which are great for swimming. The water is so clean and refreshing. It’s better to go during a week day because there are fewer people.

Jebel el-Kelaä :

It’s one of the highest summits in the area at 1616m and it will take a whole day to complete as it’s 20km and mostly uphill. The views are rewarding from the top! We suggest you take a local guide with you that will cost you no more than 200dh.

8. WHERE TO FIND ALCOHOL IN CHEFCHAOUEN  ?

You should be aware that parties and nightlife in Chefchaouen are almost non-existent. The people in this region are pretty conservative and are not big consumers of alcoholic drinks. However, there are a few options if you are thirsty for a drink:

Oum Rabi: It’s actually the only restaurant that is not located in a hotel that serves alcoholic drinks, it’s not far from the center and the beer prices start at 20dh.

Hotel Porador: They have a nice poolside in the back of the terrace with chairs where you can sit and enjoy a couple of beers or a glass of wine, and it’s only a 2 minute walk from the main square Outa Hammam.

Hotel Atlas Chaouen: They serve alcohol too but be prepared to earn your beer as it’s located on the top of a hill, so be ready for some hiking.