A Complete Travel Guide of Chefchaouen

Known as the 'Blue Pearl' of Morocco, a must-see destination for a Morocco tour. Chefchaouen is located under the pristine peaks of the Rif Mountains. Compared to many other cities, Chefchaouen is much quieter. Walking through this old town covered in blue feels like entering a blue dream.

In ancient Medina, when you are walking in the bustling square in the downtown area, cats weave in and out of the steps at all levels, and locals are walking on the street wearing conical hooded cloaks. Here you can also see a Mosque full of Spanish style, the waterfall of Ras El Maa, Bouhachem Regional Nature Reserve, and a famous museum Kasbah. In addition, Chefchaouen has a good hotel infrastructure, which enables it to welcome tourists from all over the world.

Top Attractions to Visit

Medina

An exciting blue labyrinth with many colorful rugs and blankets, hand-painted ceramics, and leather goods. The old city is built on the mountain, which has a rich history with southern Spain and various waves of displacement throughout the Middle Ages. Cats are everywhere and seem to have become the protectors guarding the city.

Medina of Chefchaouen

Plaza Uta El Hammam

Step into the Medina and you'll be greeted by the cobbled square of Plaza Uta El Hammam, lined with cafés and restaurants, all serving traditional Spanish food or your familiar Western fare. Visitors will be able to find a Kasbah Museum and a Grande Mosque that attracts pilgrims who want to worship and even kiss this sacred land.

Ras El Maa Waterfall

The Ras El Maa Waterfall is set just outside the northeast gate of the Medina of Chefchaouen. This is a great place for locals to relax and socialize. It is also where people collect water for domestic use, drinking and laundry.

Kasbah Museum

The Kasbah Museum, an ethnographic museum, is located in the center of the Medina. This museum explores the city's past during the period when it served as a base to defend the region. It was founded in a fortification in the fourteenth century in 1985. It will be open from 10 am to 5 pm in the winter. The general operating hours during the non-winter months are from 9 am to 6 pm. Six sections make up the museum. Traditional weaponry, embroideries-in-model form, musical instruments, costumes of the people's region, pottery, and wooden and copper utensils are all on display. Additionally, this place has lovely silver jewelry.

Horno Bab El Ain

On the south side of Chefchaouen, near a sizable cemetery, lies one of the main entrances to the Medina. It is a wonderful structure made of earth-brown stone, and the entrance is through a relatively narrow archway. It also functions as a traditional bakery where villagers continue to deliver their bread dough and bastille, savory-sweet pies, for baking.

Grande Mosque

Its extremely unusual octagonal minaret was built by the son of the town's founder, Ali Ben Rachid, in the 15th century. It's a real beauty, but difficult to get into if you're not a Muslim, so you can see it from the outside, in the Plaza Uta El Hammam square.

The Great Mosque of Chefchaouen

Spanish Mosque

The Spanish Mosque is another mosque constructed by Ali Bin Rachid in the 15th century. It is stark white and quite noticeable. In truth, the structure has never served as a mosque. The mosque is a short walk from the Ras El Maa Waterfall, one of Chefchaouen's gates, and the building. You can see the town very clearly from here, which helps you to appreciate why it is called the 'Blue Pearl'. It is a stunning site to observe the sunset and the night vista of Chefchaouen.

Talassemtane National Park

580 square kilometers of excellent hiking trails in Talassemtane National Park not far from Chefchaouen. The towns are dispersed along the hillsides and in the valleys. There, you can travel to charming towns like El-Kelaa and spend days hiking across the countryside.

Bouhachem Regional Nature Reserve

Bouhachem is a magnificent and expansive reserve, one of two in the Rif Mountains. As you trek through the forest, you may notice a variety of oak and maritime pine trees as well as an abundance of birds, animals, and reptiles. In contrast to neighborhood Talassemtane, Bouhachem is lightly visited, hikers can hike to local villages and explore the mountains and forest. Numerous gîtes offer overnight accommodations.

Cascades d'Akchour Waterfalls

If you want to spend a total of 4-5 hours in nature while getting away from the city, this is a terrific way to do it. The journey from Chefchaouen to Akchar, where the hike begins, is the most wonderful aspect. You can see the Cascades d'Akchour waterfalls in the Rif Mountains, a natural stone bridge called 'God's Bridge'.

Top Things to Do in Chefchaouen

1. Explore Chefchaouen's Charming Traditional Souk

There are always vendors to peruse, but the souk in the Medina on Mondays and Thursdays is particularly worthwhile. You'll like the easygoing environment, which is difficult to find in major cities because it allows you to take a stroll and examine some of Chefchaouen's most well-known local leather items, ranging from jewelry to souvenir magnets. Don't forget to pack plenty of spices, wool garments, and rugs.

2. Dine at a Rooftop Restaurant

Around Chefchaouen, traditional Moroccan food is simple to get, particularly the tagine, the country's signature meal. Try some couscous and harira, a tomato soup with chickpeas, which is another common dish on the menu. You'll receive a kettle of Moroccan mint tea, which is popular throughout the nation, to accompany your meals. One side of Plaza Uta El Hammam is lined with eateries and cafés that offer views of Medina's walls and the Grand Mosque. As dusk falls, food stands open up and start selling a variety of scrumptious delicacies. Both Western cuisine and traditional Moroccan foods are served here.

Dine at a Rooftop Restaurant

3. Enjoy the Sunset View outside the Spanish Mosque

However, from the platform outside the mosque, you can see all of Chefchaouen and the scene of hundreds of lights. The Spanish Mosque, which is located at the highest point of the little town, is not accessible from the outside world. It is advised that you leave an hour before sunset in the town to see the full magical mountaintop moment and take in the fleeting beauty of 'Blue City' becoming 'Purple City'.

4. Scenic Hiking in the Rif Mountains

Most of Morocco's mountain ranges are located south of the Rif Mountains. In the vicinity of Chefchaouen, the most visited town by visitors, with its pastel blue Medina, there are some excellent treks to be experienced. These peaks tower above the Mediterranean Sea, and you can hike slowly and enjoy the town's view. The luxurious Cascades d' Akchour waterfalls and 'God's Bridge', the Talassemtane National Park trail, and the well-known Ras El Maa Waterfall, which are about 30 minutes drive from Chefchaouen, are just a few of the nearby beautiful tourist attractions where professionals organized several hiking trips starting from Chefchaouen.

Travel Tips

1. Locals in Chefchaouen set their own rules: if a flagstone road is not painted, it is acceptable to travel it. It is prohibited to go on a flagstone road that is painted white or the same light blue hue as the wall.

2. Since they believe that cameras may capture souls, locals are less open to shooting photos, especially from the front. If you wish to snap images of locals, you should first obtain permission because failing to do so might be seen as impolite.

3. Due to the country's Muslim population, visitors visiting Morocco should dress modestly to avoid offending others. Especially women should have a shawl or scarf in their handbag to cover their hair when visiting mosques and other sacred buildings.

4. Friday is a holy day in Islam, so schedule your trips accordingly since many stores and restaurants may be closed.

5. In Chefchaouen and the majority of Arabic civilizations, the left hand is perceived to be impure. Use only your right hand when eating or pointing at something.

Best Time to Visit

Visit Chefchaouen in the spring or early fall when the weather is lovely and stable throughout the day. In summer, the necessary measures should be taken to wear sunglasses during the day to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. The coldest seasons are fall and winter, especially at night, so pack a jacket and a small umbrella as it will probably rain.

Travel with Odynovo

There are several world-class attractions in Chefchaouen that are eagerly awaiting your arrival. When you use Odynovo to plan your vacation, we'll handle the booking and research for you. For you to simply enjoy your vacation, we will create a tailor-made itinerary to meet your unique travel objectives.

To ensure that you and your family have a hassle-free tour to Morocco that you won't soon forget, our team will take care of everything.