One of the must-see spots to visit in Morocco is Chefchaouen. This remote and serene city is nestled into the Rif Mountains in the country’s northwest. It’s known as the “Blue Pearl” or colloquially, “Chaouen,” for its famously blue-painted medina. Many tourists find Chefchaouen one of their favorite places in Morocco and I would totally agree. Each part of the city is like something out of a postcard.
With a limited amount of time in Morocco, one full day to explore is plenty!
Traveling To Chefchaouen:
Chefchaouen is much further north than most of Morocco’s main attractions, but is truly worth the hassle getting there.
AIRPLANE: The city does not have its own airport, but it is within driving distance from major airports in Tangier, Fes, and Rabat.
CAR: The drive is about two hours from Tangier, and four hours from Fes and Rabat. I highly suggest establishing transport with a reputable driver in advance. If you’re willing to rent a car and make the trek on your own, don’t fret.. the roads throughout Morocco are in pretty good shape.
BUS: If you are on a budget, then traveling by bus is your best option. Morocco’s public bus system, CTM, is a safe and reliable way to get around the country. Tickets can be purchased online or at a CTM office. These are coach buses that are air conditioned and offer WiFi.
Getting Around:
The best way to explore this hilly city is on foot. Although Chefchaoue is small and compact, it does require a certain level of fitness to climb all of its winding pathways and stairs. If you plan to visit any of the attractions outside of the city, such as the Rif Mountains, a taxi would be your best option.
When To Visit:
The best time to visit is during spring (April to June) or fall (September to November) as the weather will be a bit cooler and more pleasurable while you explore. Unfortunately, the summer can bring extreme heat!
Where To Eat:
Morocco’s unique food scene is influenced by Arab, Jewish, Berber, and sub-Saharan cultures. Some staple dishes include tagine, couscous, and chicken pastilla, all washed down with a mint tea.
A tagine is a wide, covered clay pot with a conical lid used to slow-cook meat and other fresh fruits. This is one of the most popular dishes in Morocco, so make sure to note the different variations during your trip! Chicken pastilla is a flaky pastry stuffed with chicken and almonds and flavored with saffron and cinnamon. Both are excellent!
Some of the best places for authentic Moroccan cuisine in Chefchaouen are:
Cafe Restaurant Sofia: make a reservation in advance at this highly rated restaurant serving traditional Moroccan dishes.
Cafe Clock: relaxed Moroccan / European atmosphere with a beautiful large roof terrace and nightly live music. The restaurant offers cooking classes if you’re looking to get your hands dirty and cook traditional Moroccan food!
Chez Aladdin: popular restaurant with rooftop seating, but tends to get mixed reviews on Tripadvisor. I personally enjoyed my lunch experience here.
Chez Hicham: multiple rooms with an outdoor terrace serving panoramic views of Chefchaouen.
Where To Stay:
Throughout Morocco, many tourists opt to stay in a “riad,” which is Arabic for “garden.” It refers to a style of house built around a private rectangular courtyard. These are traditional Moroccan homes that have been converted into guest rooms. They are incredible places to stay because they provide a genuine Moroccan living experience and are very personal, with only 5-10 rooms per property.
Some great options of places to stay include:
What To Do:
1. Explore the blue medina
As I’ve mentioned, The Blue Pearl is quite compact and really only requires one full day to explore its maze-like pathways. The highlight of coming to Chefchaouen is walking around and stumbling upon some of the cutest photo-friendly spots. Instagrammers have sparked tourism here, so it’ll be especially hard to miss where some of these great spots are in the city.
2. Shop around the souks
Fresh herbs, leather bags, body oils, ceramics, lanterns, and carpets are among some of the traditional Moroccan goods sold at the souks. Remember these tips while shopping:
- Bring cash as many stores do not take credit card
- Bargain, bargain, bargain!!
- Prices are a bit more expensive in Chefchaouen than in other bigger cities
- Shop around at multiple stores before you hone in on a particular item
3. Watch the sunset at the Spanish mosque
The walk to the Spanish Mosque averages 20 minutes from the medina, but provides an astonishing view of the city with the Rif mountains in the background. Seeing the sunset here is one of the most popular things to do in Chefchaouen, so expect a crowd and get there in advance to claim a spot.
4. Take a cooking class
One of the best ways to become immersed into the local culture when traveling is through food. I always recommend taking a cooking class and learning about the different spices and ingredients unique to various regions and countries. Cafe Clock offers daily cooking lessons or you can always find classes through AirBnb experiences. You’ll learn how to cook tagine and hopefully buy your own beautiful clay pot to bring home!
Interested in learning more about Morocco? Click here!
