What to do in Chefchaouen Morocco’s Blue City

Chefchaouen is the famous “Blue City” in Morocco, hidden in the mountains located between Tanger and Fes. A laid back, peaceful and stunning place with friendly locals, and on top of that there is no harsh selling here!! Can’t get much better than that!!

Chefchaouen was by far one of my favourite places in Morocco, my expectations weren’t that high because most places that are as famous as Chefchaouen are normally quite disappointing when compared with all the amazing Instagram posts you see. I’m not saying that is less touristic than I expected, but it’s still a special place worth of a visit, that managed to keep a good vibe despite tourism.

Chefchaouen is one of the most visited places in Morocco, so don’t expect to be the only one there.

True to be told Chefchaouen is a stunning place and a photographer’s dream. It’s hard to leave the camera for a minute…  just remember while you are there that people actually live here, so be respectful. 

What to Do in Chefchaouen
Lose yourself

There isn’t a lot “to do” in this town, so wandering around is one of the top things to do. The city is really charming, so don’t rush and enjoy being present and being there.

It’s easy to wander here for hours and just be in awe the whole time. Try to find small details in the middle of the blueness of Chefchaouen like the stunning doors.

The Blue Souk

Although I didn’t do any shopping, I did walk around and look at the beautiful and colourful shops. The vibe is nothing like the one you get in other parts of Morocco. Vendors here are not pushy at all. You are completely free to walk around, observe locals’ daily life around the Medina and look at the shops without being pushed to buy anything. 

Chefchaouen Market

Chefchaouen Market is a Local Farmer’s Market that sells fresh locally grown produce. A great place to go for a walk first thing in the morning. All the colours and smells are the perfect combination for a memorable experience.

The market happens every Monday, Thursday and Saturday. The farmers of the Rif valley come down to Chefchaouen to sell their wares.

Kasbah Museum and Mosque

The Ethnographic Museum – Kasbah is located right in the middle of the main square and has a display of regional artefacts including pottery, instruments, and paintings, not really worth a visit in my opinion. The entry fee is 60MAD (~$6.50).

Next to the museum, you’ll see the Mosque that dates to the 15th century. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter.

Waterfall Ras el Maa

The waterfall is located outside of the medina at walking distance. Is a nice, quiet and cute stroll into nature only minutes away from the busy Medina. 

Spanish Mosque

There is a small walk (20 minutes uphill) that separates the town to the Spanish Mosque, a famous spot to visit for sunset. The mosque itself doesn’t have much interest, but the views are stunning.

Out and about
  • Doing a day trip into the mountains is a great option if you have time to spare in the region. There are a few nice hiking trails that you can explore.
  • The d’Akchour waterfall and God’s Bridge, are a beautiful place to go for a walk and swim. Only riched by car or taxi, it’s a 45-minute drive.
  • Visiting the hash fields are also an option.
How to get to Chefchaouen

You can easily get to Chefchaouen on your own. The CTM Bus line in Morocco travels to Chefchaouen. The company is safe, clean, comfortable, and reliable. You can travel from Tangier, Fes, or Rabat. If you are travelling during the high season and Moroccan holidays it’s better to book in advance.

photography – all rights reserved – Ana Rocha

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