Only a handful of places in the world are on the list of the most beautiful blue cities to visit. And Chefchaouen is definitely on that list. Want to find out how to spend a day in  Chefchaouen? Then read on.

Chefchaouen is called “the Blue pearl” of Morocco and has an interesting history. Many of the Moors and Sephardi Jews were expelled from Spain after the Reconquista settled here and this city was strictly off limits to people from other religions for a long time.  Originally built as a fortress in the 15^th century, the incredible Rif Mountains surround this Moroccan city. The fortress was initially built to safeguard the city from Portuguese invaders. Early 20^th century, the city came under Spanish Control and even today Spain’s influence can be seen in many places.

This place is so popular on all social media platforms, we are sure that you must have seen tons of pictures of this blue city in your research about a trip to Morocco. And that is why Chefchaouen was first on our itinerary and we headed directly to this magical place directly from Casablanca.

How far from major cities?

The distance between Casablanca and Chefchaouen is roughly 300km and takes a 5-hour drive by car. If you are reaching from Fes, it takes 3 n half an hour to cover the 200 km distance.

How many days to spend in Chefchaouen?

If you want to cover just the highlights and the most important places, then 24 hours would be fine. If you want to laze around and even hike in the surrounding Rif mountains, then a maximum of 4 days would be sufficient. But the ideal time that we recommend spending is 2 days.

Where to stay in Chefchaouen?

We spent a total of 2 nights in Chefchaouen since we traveled all the way from Casablanca. Once we arrived, we first checked into our hotel, We stayed in this hotel outside the medina on the side of the hill and it offers one of the best panoramic views of the city below. The hotel has a lot of greenery and has one of the best sunrise/sunset views.

To find more about the hotel we stayed at, click here.

What to see and do in Chefchaouen in a day?

Ras Elma waterfall

We couldn’t wait to see what held within the medina walls and explore the blue streets of the city. We entered the medina from the north-eastern gate and we were in for a surprise. There is a beautiful waterfall close to this entrance called Ras Elma. You won’t be disappointed! We loved how different it felt and how slowly life moves there. The little waterfalls are beautiful, and the locals just enjoy their culture around their primary supply of water. There are a lot of cafes on both sides of the waterfall and you could be seated where the water flows downstream. So can feel the water in your legs, while you wait for your coffee/tea to arrive in the cafes. People frequently sing and dance to traditional music around the waterfall.

 

The medina is simply magical and gives you this relaxed vibe. It is totally car-free and you can walk through the maze of blue alleys stopping at several photo-worthy spots until you reach the main square Plaza Uta El-Hammam. Chefchaouen is a great location for street photographers because of its colorful buildings and surrounding mountains, but also because of the large number of people dressed in traditional clothing, particularly during the local market.

Hunt for the famous Instagrammable spots in the Medina

Chefchaouen is a photographer’s paradise. Every corner, every street & every door is Instagram-worthy.  On the most famous ones like the picture below, you may have to pay a small fee to take pictures. For example, this spot is privately owned and they demanded a 5 AED fee to click pictures here.

Chefchaouen Instagram famous photospot 

Plaza Uta el-Hammam

One may find everything and everything at the Blue City’s main plaza in Chefchaouen’s bustling marketplace filled with coffee shops, terrace restaurants, and vendors selling anything from paintings to scarves and trousers to fragrances and colors. As so many of the city’s little blue lanes come together in this plaza, it’s difficult to miss the constant hum of visitors and residents conversing in the outdoor dining areas and perusing the stores.

If you’re looking for a more laid-back souvenir buying experience, Chefchaouen is the place to go. If you don’t know how to negotiate, the sellers are less aggressive and most things have a predetermined price. Shop for handcrafted carpets and blankets in Chefchaouen, Morocco.

Rif mountains hold a little secret and are the epicenter of hash production in the country. So, don’t be surprised if some stranger comes up to you to offer marijuana. Though strictly illegal, the clandestine trade continues to operate from here.

Find the history behind Chefchaouen at The Kasbah Museum

Small yet lovely, the Kasbah, a historic Moroccan fort, stands in the middle of the town square. During the 15th century, this little Andalusian-Maghrebian kasbah was built in this beautiful blue city. Chefchaouen’s founder, Moulay Ali Ben Moussa Ben Rached El Alami,, ordered its construction .He erected this beige and ochre tower.

 

It was constructed as a defense against the Portuguese and Spanish forces. The goal was to protect the nascent community from Portuguese and Spanish invasions. Later, the city of Chefchaouen was built around this kasbah’s fortifications. In addition to the 11 towers, the building includes multiple parapets, beautiful arches, and a beautiful cathedral-style dome.

 

There is a jail with chains fixed on the walls that were used as shackles for prisoners. Inside, you’ll also find stunning Spanish-style gardens with orange trees that offer a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of the nearby cityscape. There are numerous items, costumes, instruments, and crafts on exhibit that tell the narrative of this region’s interesting history and culture. The fort’s tower may be climbed during sunset or to get a bird’s eye view of the city from the top.

Watch Sunrise or sunset from Spanish Mosque

Chefchaouen’s Spanish Mosque is a short walk from the medina. There is a simple way to get out of the medina: exit through the Eastern Gate. You can see it sitting on a hill as you leave the Medina through Bab Al Ansar. This mosque can only be reached by foot. To get to the summit, you’ll need approximately an hour and a half to go up and back down, although there are lots of areas to rest and snap photographs along the route. It will take you around 30 minutes to get to the top.

 

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Spanish built this white-colored mosque. Being far from the town’s primary religious center, it was unable to draw in local devotees. Regardless of the time of day, a short walk up to the Spanish Mosque is a must-see. At both sunrise and dusk, the vistas are breathtaking.

Trails leading to adjacent settlements are well-maintained. Aside from a few modest dwellings and some unique vegetation, you’ll also come across a few cattle. It provided a glimpse into the daily routines of the people who call these mountains home.

We booked our Morocco tour with Fez Morocco guide. They took us to all the beautiful destinations in Fes, Meknes, Casablanca, Marrakesh, Quarzazate, and finally the sahara desert in Morocco. We highly recommend this company. If you have any more queries regarding your Morocco trip, reach us here.