Chefchaouen is a small town in the Rif Mountains in northwestern Morocco. This quaint city is probably one of the most beautiful I’ve seen in Morocco, thanks to its blue streets and buildings. That is why it was nicknamed the “blue pearl of Morocco”.
It is such a popular city in Morocco that it is often added to various rankings of the best places to visit in the country. To be honest, I agree that when traveling in Morocco, you should definitely visit Chefchaouen (or Chaven). I was very impressed by this city, and not only by its color. It was the highlight of the whole trip because it was there that we met our French friends, but more on that below.
Why is Chefchaouen blue?
There are different versions of where the habit of painting house walls blue came from. Some say that shades of blue on the walls repel mosquitoes, while others believe that blue helps to keep homes cool during the warm summer months.
There are also answers to this question in the history of Scheffschauen. In the 1400s, Chefchaouen became home to Spanish Jews (Sephardim) who fled persecution by the Spanish crown in the 15th century. Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II signed the so-called Edict of Alhambra and expelled all Jews and Spanish Muslims from the Iberian Peninsula.
Some of them who crossed the Mediterranean settled in Morocco. It was they who started painting the doors blue. And the reason for this? So they say, the blue color represented the color of heaven and, therefore, a closer presence to God. And then they began to paint the walls to be even closer to the Almighty.
Whatever the real reason for the blue color, the locals still apply a fresh coat of paint to their houses about twice a year. And it turned out that their efforts were worth it – tourists come in droves to see this blue miracle, and locals make their living from it.
When is the best time to go to Chefchaouen?
In general, there are no significant restrictions for traveling to Morocco, depending on where you are planning to go. The Atlantic coast is very beautiful and quite warm even in winter. And in the desert it is very beautiful during the day (at night you will need warm blankets).
As for Chefchaouen, you can come here even in summer because the city is located in the Rif Mountains. It is much cooler here than in other parts of Morocco. But from April to October, there are a lot of tourists here – you will feel what it is like to visit a place that is very popular on Instagram.
We were in Chefchaouen at the end of May, and there were not very many people because of Ramadan. But it’s still enough. Although I don’t really like to visit super-touristy places in the high season, I have to admit that I really liked this city. In addition, Chefchaouen is a unique place and a photographer’s paradise.
How much time should I plan to spend in Chefchaouen?
The amount of time you can spend in Chefchaouen depends on what you want to see and do in and around the city. We spent 2 nights and 2 full days in Chavain – we managed to see the city and also go trekking to see the Bridge of God.
One day and one night to see only the city of Chefchaouen, visit the markets, take 1000 photos, and taste delicious dishes in its cafes and restaurants.
How to get to Chefchaouen?
There are various options for traveling around Morocco – a rented car, buses, or a day trip from the nearest cities – Tangier or Fes.
As for me car rental is the best option. Especially if you have a 7-10 day itinerary that includes most of the interesting places in Morocco.
We advise you to read: 5 most scenic roads in Morocco that you should definitely add to your itinerary
Buses are also a popular mode of transportation in Morocco. The main bus operator traveling to Chefchaouen is CTM and tickets can be purchased online on their official website. Nejme Chamal is the second best bus company. Their buses are also quite comfortable, but you can only buy a ticket at the bus station.
It takes 20-30 minutes to walk from the bus stop to the old town, the Medina Chefchaouen. You can also take a taxi from the bus station to the Medina (its main gate Bab El Ain). It will cost no more than 20 MAD, but always agree on the price in advance.
Also, if you have a tight travel schedule, you can buy a one-day trip to Chefchaouen from Tangier or Fes.
What to do and see in Chefchaouen
1. Wander through the labyrinths of the Old Town
It may seem very ordinary, but the old Medina of Schefshauen is indeed a place where you can get lost. The streets and stairs are laid out as God intended – indeed, houses were built here on the hillside, and passages appeared between them, which became streets and alleys.
Start your exploration of the Medina from the main square, Plaza Uta el Hamman . It is here that you will also find the Kasbah and the Grand Mosque. A large tree in the center of the square is a great place to meet a guide (if you need one) before exploring the Medina.
It’s also an interesting way to see how the locals live and learn a little more about their way of life. If you speak a little French, you can communicate with people, and I missed that very much.
2. See the Kasbah in Chefchaouen
If you’re tired of blue, visit the 15th-century clay-brown Kasbah. Inside, it contains a magnificent Andalusian-style garden, a former prison, a small Center for Andalusian Studies, and even a small art gallery that is open only during exhibitions. One of the 13 spires of the fortress is the Portuguese Tower, which has plaques telling the history of these places and offers magnificent views of the Medina.
3. Shopping in the oriental bazaars
Many of the small streets of Chefchaouen are lined with small markets selling local crafts, art, clothing and traditional souvenirs. Looking at all the colorful products on display on the blue walls is a treat for the eyes. You will also come across many workshops where you can see how the locals make their products.
On Mondays and Thursdays, the souk, or Moroccan market, is open in Chefchaouen. These days, the farmers of the Rif Valley descend on the streets of the old medina of Chefchaouen to sell their produce. These can be fruits and vegetables, handmade products, and mountain herbs. By the way, marijuana is grown on the outskirts of Chefchaouen, so don’t be surprised if people approach you and offer to smoke it.
4. Enjoy Moroccan cuisine in cafes and restaurants in Chefchaouen
There are many excellent restaurants in Medina Shefshaven where you can have a good and tasty meal. The main square, Plaza Uta el Hamman, has many small restaurants that are open for breakfast and dinner. Here I recommend a small but tasty restaurant called Hajji – I liked the kebab, delicious salads, and affordable prices.
But if you want to have a delicious meal in a nice place in the company of locals, go to Al Hauta Square. Here you can drink coffee in the morning – you can order it at Snack Fatima, and there is a small bakery next to it where you can buy cookies and delicious rolls. And on the opposite side of the same square, there is an unnamed cafe that serves delicious and very cheap tagine.
5. Drink orange juice in an Andalusian laundry
Ras El Maa Waterfall is located behind the northeastern gate of the Chefchaouen Medina. It is here, where the water comes from behind the mountain, that local women come to wash their clothes and carpets. They even built a traditional Spanish laundry, the Lavadero de la ciudad, a special building with a roof and stone troughs through which river water flows. The sound of water and green hills behind the Medina wall create a cozy corner of nature.
If you come to Chefchaouen in the summer, there is a cafe under the bridge over the river near the waterfall. In laundries, instead of clothes, they cool oranges, which are used to make orange juice. Plastic chairs and tables are set up on a small concrete platform under the bridge over the river and fresh orange juice is sold to visitors.
Just believe me – how much cooler is it to drink cold fresh juice during the heat of the day with your feet in cool water? It was such a great idea that we came here two days in a row. The fresh is cheap, the water is cool, the mountains and the blue city are all around – it’s unrealistically cool!
6. Visit a marijuana farm
Near Chefchaouen, especially if you decide to hike up the trails into the mountains, you can see how entire marijuana plantations are grown. Chaven is the famous hashish center of Morocco, and it is here that it is produced on an industrial scale. If you are interested in how hashish is produced, you can visit one of these farms. However, ask permission first, as not all farmers are happy to have visitors.
They are usually very friendly and will most likely show you the process of making hashish. But photography is prohibited to protect their privacy. A small tip or contribution (from 50 to 100 dirhams) will give you the opportunity to see the production process (this can be seen in November after the harvest).
7. Enjoy the sunset near the Spanish mosque
At the end of the day, I advise you to come to the Spanish Mosque – it’s the best place to enjoy the beautiful panoramic view and the sunset over Chefchaouen. This mosque is located on a hill to the east of the city and can be reached on foot in 30-45 minutes from the center of the old Medina.
The trail starts from Bab El Onsar, the eastern gate of Medina, and passes over a bridge and a river. The best time to go there is before sunset when you will have a spectacular view of the blue city and the peaks of the Rif Mountains. The mosque was built in the 1920s but has never been used. It is still closed, but the area in front of it is the perfect place to watch the sun go down behind the mountains, the lights come on over the blue city with freshly squeezed orange juice in your hand.
If you don’t feel like making the trek, you can always find a rooftop terrace (many hostels and hotels have one) from which to enjoy the sunrise or sunset over the Old Town.
8. Check into a blue hotel in Chefchaouen
Of course, there are many blue hotels in the blue city. Staying in a blue room with a view of the blue city is another feature of the Chefchaouen. We chose what seemed to me the bluest hotel at the time – the Hotel Molino Garden. Everything in it was blue: the walls, the ceilings, the bedding on the bed. Only the local cat was red, but it emphasized the blue. This hotel has its own garden with a pond with goldfish. Breakfasts are included in the price – very tasty and satisfying.
9. Take a thousand photos in the Old Medina of Schefchaouen
Walking around the Medina you will discover many charming squares, doors and dead ends that are very photogenic. And they are all blue in different shades – lots of places for good photos.
Tip: go to photograph the Blue Medina as soon as the sun rises. At six in the morning there was no one there, but in the afternoon there may even be lines to take pictures of the beautiful alleyway with blue walls and flower pots.
I even made notes for those who want to see all the photo zones as soon as possible.
10. Go on a short hike near Akchour to see God’s bridge and waterfalls
If you are staying in Chefchaouen for two days, I highly recommend planning the second day or at least half of it to visit Akchour. It is here that the God’s Bridge is located, to which a very picturesque trail with elements of canyoning and hiking leads.
We traveled to Akchur by car, but you can take a collective taxi near the central outskirts of Schefshauen, near Medina. The car was left in the parking lot here – 35°14’20.1 “N 5°10’52.6 “W.
There are two routes in Akchour, and you can do both if you have a whole day for this walk.
On one trail there are small waterfalls, and further up the trail, there is a large waterfall, also known as the Great Cascade. They are quite close and the trail there is very easy – you can walk, see the waterfalls, and even swim in the cool water in summer.
Trail to the God’s Bridge
And on the second trail is the God’s Bridge, a picturesque natural bridge that rises above the river a few hundred meters below. At the beginning of the route, it’s an easy trail that leads over the river. But then you will have to climb over large stones, walk on water – for this I advise you to wear sneakers or sandals that will hold your foot well.
At the end of the route, you will see an amazing rock – it really looks like a natural bridge connecting the edges of a huge canyon through which the river flows. Akchour is about a 45-minute drive away. A walk to the God’s Bridge takes 45 minutes to an hour one way. The river is cold, so the best time of year to swim is in high summer.
I will remember this hike for the rest of my life. It was here that we met our future friends – two brothers from France who were hitchhiking in Morocco with absolutely no money. We gave them a ride to Akchur, spent grate time together. And then went to visit them in France the following year. Unforgettable times and emotions when you meet wonderful people along the way.
Useful articles and links:
- 8 things to do in Essaouira, Morocco
- 5 most picturesque roads in Morocco that you should definitely add to your itinerary
- Where to live and what to see in Morocco
- The perfect route in Morocco
Booking of hotels and apartments – Booking.com
Rent a car with Rentalcars.com – you can compare the best offers of the rental companies
