Do you know Chefchaouen, the pearl of the Moroccan Rif? This little blue town enchanted us with its colorful alleyways, hilly medina and soothing atmosphere. We were won over by this unique setting, with its azure walls and waterfalls right in the middle of town.
Find all our ideas for what to do in Chefchaouen, as well as photos and useful tips.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is Chefchaouen worth a visit?
Absolutely! We think Chefchaouen is well worth a visit. This little blue Rif town seduced us with its village charm and colorful alleyways. We enjoyed discovering the colorful frescoes on every street corner and observing the waterfalls with the mountains in the background. A sight as beautiful as a canvas!
In our opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful cities in Morocco.
Even if you don’t have a car, you can still discover the region on an organized tour from Tetouan, Fez or Tangier.
1. Get lost in the blue streets of the medina
To stroll through the medina is to enter a blue-and-white universe that you won’t see anywhere else. Every alleyway, colorful doorway and flower-filled staircase was transformed into a postcard setting during our visit. Did you know that painting walls blue keeps insects away and protects homes from the heat of the mountains? We discovered murals painted by numerous artists that adorn the streets. Look up to see every nook and cranny; sometimes a little cul-de-sac hides artistic wonders or flowery arrangements.
- Bring good shoes with non-slip soles
- Cobbled and sometimes steep streets, many staircases
- Best light for photographers: early morning or late afternoon
- Stroll around during the day to better discern the nuances of color and frescoes.
A LITTLE MORE PATIENCE
All the photos, maps, information and addresses you need to make your stay at Maroc a success will soon be available in a single ebook!
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2. Discover Place El Haouta, the heart of the city
The city’s nerve center, this large, lively square concentrates cafés, restaurants and stores around a beautiful tree. The atmosphere on this esplanade is convivial. You can also admire the Kasbah and the Great Mosque that line the square. It’s the ideal place for a coffee break or lunch on the terrace, while enjoying the lively medina. Take a guided tour of the city and you won’t miss a thing!
- Located in the center of the medina
- Free public toilets on the right of the Kasbah from the square
- Pedestrian and paved area
- A few benches to sit on
3. Visit the Kasbah and its museum
Once in the square, push open the doors of the Kasbah and step back in time. This 15th-century fortress tells the story of Chefchaouen and the Rif. There’s a small ethnographic museum, an Andalusian garden and, above all, a superb view of the medina from the ramparts. The museum displays traditional objects and testimonies of Rif culture. You’ll appreciate the richness of the collections, in proportion to the size of the town.
- Rates: foreign adults 60 dhs (MAD), Moroccan adults 10 dhs (MAD)
- Free admission for children under 12
- Kasbah open daily from 9am to 5:30pm, museum open until 6:30pm
- Visit time: 30min to 1h depending on your level of interest
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Maroc
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Adapt your choice of vehicle to your itinerary!
- For more choice, book early.
Read our tips (coming soon)
4. Admire the Andalucia Mosque
After a short 10-minute walk from the square, we reached the Rif Al-Andalous Mosque. Built in the 16th century by Andalucia refugees, we were intrigued by its hexagonal minaret. We learned that it’s one of the oldest local mosques! Visible from the square, it dominates the city’s ancient medina. Chefchaouen is indeed famous for its many mosques in different styles, such as the Grande Mosquée and the Bouzafar Mosque perched high on a hill above the city.
- Visible from the outside
- Place of worship still in use
- Accessible indoors to Muslims only
5. Pass through the Bab Al Ain Gate along the city walls
Along the medina walls, you’ll discover one of the city’s best-preserved gates. Built during the reign of Sultan Moulay Ali Ben Rachid in the 16th century, the founder of Chefchaouen, it bears witness to the defensive architecture of the period. We admired the stonework and distinguished the architectural details. You can walk along the ramparts and admire this beautiful historic gateway. If you go all the way around, you’ll see 7 of them.
- Free access along the walls
- Beware of slippery pavement in wet weather
WHERE TO STAY IN Tetouan
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Our selection is coming soon Hotel 1 – See prices, photos and availability
Our selection is coming soon Hotel 1 – See prices, photos and availability
Our selection is coming soon Hotel 1 – See prices, photos and availability
6. Stroll through the markets
Chefchaouen’s souks feature hand-woven carpets, colorful blankets, pottery and jewelry. If you take a tour, it’s also an opportunity to chat with the artisans and take home a souvenir. We were charmed by the authenticity of the local crafts, including Rifa carpets, spices and natural cosmetics made from pure ingredients. You’ll find markets both in the medina and at Place Bir Anzarane in the new town.
- Mainly open in the morning
- Favoring small boutiques run by local artisans
7. Taste Chefchaouen’s culinary specialties
On the menu: tagines, couscous, kefta, pastilla and fresh goat’s cheese. Chefchaouen’s specialty is pastilla, minced meat or chicken with almonds wrapped in puff pastry. Did you know that it’s also one of the starters traditionally served at wedding celebrations in Maroc? We savored this generous cuisine at the table of Restaurant El Cielo, found at the bend of an alleyway in the medina. After passing through a verdant garden with a charming watering hole, we sat down at this restaurant, where the cuisine is gourmet, generous and unpretentious. On Place Haouta el-Hammam, you’ll also find plenty of choice, such as Restaurant Morisco, which serves excellent local cuisine on a lovely upstairs terrace.
8. Recharge your batteries at the Ras El Ma spring
Head northeast of town to observe this natural spring. It flows at the eastern edge of the medina, and it’s quite surprising to see a waterfall in the middle of town. We loved this shady spot, which adds a little freshness and greenery to your walk. The Claire water contrasts sharply with the heat of the medina.
- Within walking distance of the medina (approx. 10min)
- Free and always open
- Shady spot
- Bring good walking shoes
9. Observe the small waterfalls of Chefchaouen
Below my Ras El Ma spring, small waterfalls cross the town. A picturesque place, animated by traditional mills and wash-houses, we were charmed by this harmony between nature and city life. These waterfalls promise a permanent natural spectacle in the heart of the little blue town of the Rif, with the minarets and roofs of the blue houses in the background on one side, and the mountains and their green mantle on the other.
- 5min walk from Ras El Ma spring
- Free, open all year round
- Lively atmosphere, especially at the end of the day
10. Spend a night in the medina
Sleeping in Chefchaouen allows you to enjoy the blue charm after the day-trippers have left. The riads and guesthouses, often decorated with zelliges and flower-filled patios, offer an intimate and authentic experience, especially if you stay in the medina. We recommend this type of immersion to prolong the experience away from the crowds. Note that crowds are almost constant in this city, with visitors all year round, and rising sharply during the high season. Book in advance for a wide choice!
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Other attractions in and around Chefchaouen
We discovered other wonders around this little blue Rif town that deserve further exploration.
Talassemtane Park
This natural park invites you to try your hand at hiking in the Rif mountains, with their unspoilt flora and fauna. Choose a walk with a local guide.
Akchour waterfalls
These spectacular waterfalls are less than 1 hour’s drive from Chefchaouen. Here you can take a short hike, swim in the cascades and have lunch in one of the small shops. We recommend that you include them in a guided tour, as the mountain road is quite narrow. See the options
City of Tetouan
Nicknamed the “white dove”, Tétouan seduced us with its UNESCO World Heritage medina, unique in Morocco in its white and green tones. This former capital of the Spanish protectorate, just 1h15min from Chefchaouen, has preserved its strong Andalucia architecture and lively craft tradition. Spend a day in Tetouan with a local guide – see prices, availability and book now!
How to get to Chefchaouen + parking
Where is Chefchaouen
- In the Rif mountains of northern Morocco
- From Tétouan: 1h15min drive
- From Fez: 3h45min drive
- From Casablanca: 5h drive
- From Tangier: 2h15min drive
- Here’s a map to help you locate the town:
How to get there
- By car: from Tetouan, the 4-lane national highway crosses the Rif mountains and offers some superb scenery. Allow around 1h15min on a clear day. The last 20 km are on a narrower 2-lane road, with many twists and turns. From Tangier, allow around 2h15min for the mountain road (narrow and with poor visibility).
- By public transport: Chefchaouen is linked by bus to the main cities of Morocco: Tangiers, Tetouan, Fez, Rabat, Casablanca… CTM and other operators offer regular, comfortable bus services. From Tangier or Tetouan, the journey takes around 2 hours, and from Fez around 4 hours.
- Organized tours: several local agencies offer day trips to Chefchaouen from Tangier, Tetouan or Fez. This is a practical option if you want to discover the Blue City without having to worry about transport and driving, all with a local guide. see options
Parking in Chefchaouen
Please note that the old town is not accessible by car. Use the paid outdoor parking lots in the new town, and bring some change for the parking meters or car attendants. There are several parking lots in the city, which you’ll come across as soon as you arrive.
Useful tips for visiting Chefchaouen
How long and when?
Plan to spend a full day exploring the medina and surrounding area at your own pace, or two days with an overnight stay to take full advantage of the atmosphere. Especially when the day-trippers have left. Avoid high season (June to September), as it’s less crowded. Spring and autumn offer ideal weather. Even when it rains, the city is easy to visit and temperatures remain mild.
Tour directions, map and difficulty
Start at Place El Haouta, then explore the various blue alleyways, stopping to admire the work of local artists. The medina is hilly, with narrow uphill streets and lots of stairs. Make sure you bring good shoes, as the cobbled floor becomes slippery when it rains. The medina is not fully accessible to wheelchair users, and only certain steep streets without steps and the Place El Haouta make it easier to get around. If you’re visiting with small children, it’s best to use a baby carrier rather than a stroller.
Finally, there are free public toilets on the right-hand side of the Kasbah when you arrive from the square.
Visiting with children
The visit can be culturally interesting for children, but not necessarily easy with small children. The narrow, uphill streets with their many staircases require a certain amount of vigilance. They will undoubtedly be seduced by the waterfalls and the Ras El Ma spring, not forgetting the beautiful colors of the frescoes, walls and flowery alleys in the old medina.
Restaurants
Place El Haouta El Hammam is home to several cafés and terraces. We particularly recommend Restaurant Morisco, which serves traditional Moroccan cuisine on a beautiful upstairs terrace overlooking the Kasbah. In the narrow streets of the medina, you’ll find many tourist restaurants. Take the time to choose wisely, because eating well at your destination is an integral part of your trip! Our favorite: Restaurant El Cielo, nestled in a verdant garden, where we enjoyed delicious brochettes of meat and vegetables from the market. Time to eat!
Visiting Chefchaouen in winter
Why not try Chefchaouen in winter? In a more exclusive atmosphere with fewer tourists, you’ll enjoy the freshness of the Rif mountains and the more authentic atmosphere with average daytime temperatures around 15°C (59°F). Bring warm clothes for the evenings, which can be chilly at altitude, and we recommend a chauffeur-driven trip to avoid driving on mountain roads in winter.
Other tips
- Islam is the official state religion, so you’ll hear the 5 daily calls to prayer echoing from the minarets of mosques across Maroc.
- Note a particularity of the weekly rhythm: on Friday, the Muslim prayer day, some shops adapt their opening hours or close. But this is not an official holiday.
- On weekends (Saturday and Sunday), some stores close on Saturday, notably those serving the Jewish community, and others on Sunday.
- Maroc remains a modern Muslim country, economically liberal, open to the world, which cultivates a balance between traditions and international dynamics.
Read all our tips for visiting Maroc in our dedicated article – coming soon.
