In this guide, we’ll share the best things to do in Chefchaouen, which often times is referred to locally as ‘Chaouen.’ While small, the town is a wonderful escape from the busier cities of the country, perfectly tucked away in the Rif mountains of Morocco.
Said to have been founded in 1471 as a defense base against Portuguese invaders, the humble beginnings of Chaouen were focused on establishing a fortress for Moroccans to fight for their land – if needed. As threats of invasions receded, a town neighboring the fortress, or the Kasbah, formed.
Why is Chefchaouen predominately blue you may ask? This comes centuries later, when Jewish communities began painting their homes blue as an ode to the sky (and by extension to heaven). Regardless of the history, the town continues this tradition to this day. If you’re lucky, you can catch glimpses of locals painting the stairs and homes of the town a beautiful blue making it an unmissable Moroccan destination for all.
How to get to the Blue City of Chefchaouen?
Easy. There are plenty of ways to reach Chefchaouen, the easiest transport being from Tangier only 2.5 hours away which you can do by private car, public bus or hop on a tour! You can check the schedules and book either bus tickets or shared minivans online here.
Your next best option, if you’re only spending a day in the Blue City is a tour. Here is the one that we recommend if you are traveling from Fes and here is the best option for those coming from Tangier.
Where to stay in Chefchaouen
Perhaps you’re planning a day trip, or possibly considering staying a few nights. When booking your accommodations do a bit of research and read those comments. Afterall, you are visiting a town within a mountain, which means hundreds of steep and narrow alleyways and many many stairs. We decided on Dar Zambra, as it was the closest to our drop off area. Other terrific options are Dar Cherifa if you are looking for more Riad vibes and the luxurious Lina Riad and Spa.
What to do in Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is a very small town, 600 meters above sea level, and has a population of 46,000 people. One of the best things to do in Chefchaouen, and generally in smaller cities, is to wander around and explore the serenity of the place. Of course there are highlights, but the best advice we can give is get lost and you’ll be able to see everything the Blue City has to offer quite easily.
Start your journey in the main Plaza of the Medina, Uta el-Hammam square. The square is lined with restaurants, shops, and is hugged by the ancient walls of the Kasbah.
The Kasbah
Naturally the next place to visit will be the fortress in the main square. This was one of our favorite visits as it really gives you a sense of what this town used to be. Built in the 15th century, the majestic Kasbah towers over the town, with small gardens, patio and even a jail for intruders! Make sure to climb to the top for great panoramic shots of the mountains.
The Spanish Mosque
Overlooking Chaouen’s medina is a small mosque built in 1920, while the structure is a bit underwhelming the climb and the views are not. There are several pathways to get to the Spanish Mosque, the first is through the medina on a trail that wraps around the falls. The other is by car through the modern side of the city, which will require a 20-25 minutes hike. The view from the mosque is perhaps the most stunning viewpoint of the blue-painted town.
Ras el-Maa Waterfall
In the heart of the medina is the Ras El Maa waterfall which runs through the mountains and eventually empties out into the Mediterranean Sea. If you’re an early riser, head to the falls in the morning and you’ll get a glimpse of locals washing their rugs in the water and leaving them out to dry throughout the day.
Place El Haouta
While not as busy as the main square, this little area is wrapped with unique architecture and is quite charming. The fountain in the middle offers locals with fresh drinking water, only emphasizing the communal feeling of the town. There are several little cafes in the square that make for great resting spots while enjoying Moroccan mint tea.
Street Markets
The entire town is lined with street shops – most of which leading to the main square of the Medina. There is quite a variety of goods, from trinkets that are specific to Chefchaouen but also souvenirs from all over Morocco like rugs, soaps, oils and spices. Remember to haggle a bit as shop owners are always willing to get the prices down just a bit.
Where to Take Pictures in Chefchaouen
The true answer is absolutely everywhere. But with the recent hype on social media, many tourists flock for specific photo opportunities notably of the alleys and blue stairs winding into the neighborhoods. Give special attention the unique Moroccan doors, as they often overlooked but are intricately beautiful.
Ask around for Derb El Assri, which will lead you to the most famous photo spot the Alley of Colored Pots. There is also the orange juice shop, which has a little setup with hanging oranges and Moroccan tapestry for another great photo.
Where to Eat in Chefchaouen
Let’s just say we had the best meal in Morocco at Chez Hicham, a local restaurants serving the best Harira soup you can possibly devour. Another favorite was Triana, although a bit western they still serve Moroccan dishes and in the evenings will have a local band playing folklore music. The views in Triana are not to be missed! Clock Café is also quite popular, despite being a chain, the Chefchaouen location is perfectly atop a 3-story building giving you wonderful views of the Kasbah.
What we’ve found through our Morocco travels, is that each city and town has a different flare. We highly recommend to check our detailed guides to visiting major cities like Casablanca and the stunning Marrakesh.
