Chefchaouen, or Chaouen, is a city in the Rif Mountains of northwest Morocco and is relaxed compared to other Moroccan cities. The blue buildings are what attract travelers to the city, but it’s the laidback lifestyle and mountain backdrops that make them fall in love with it.It’s known for the striking, blue-washed buildings of its old town. Leather and weaving workshops line its steep cobbled lanes. I know you’re wondering why the city is in blue. Some people say the blue is to symbolize the sky (or heaven), others say it is for mosquito repellent, others say it is to keep them cool, to represent the color of water, to look nice, to attract tourists. Turning to history, Chefchaouen was built in the 15th century (early 1400s), but it wasn’t until the the 1900s that it was painted blue. During that time Morocco saw a large influx of Jews as the Second World War started. For the Jews, the color blue represents the sky, which reminded people of heaven and God. Nowadays the community continues to keep up the blue color of the city to preserve the legacy and heritage of its people and its past. The blue buildings are what attract travelers to the city, but it’s the laidback lifestyle and mountain backdrops that make them fall in love with it.
You can visit Chefchaouen from any of the major cities in Morocco. Taking a trip from Tangier to Chefchaouen is the most common and shortest route, roughly a two hour ride through the beautiful Rif Mountains. You can also visit Chefchaouen from the major cities of Fez, Casablanca, or Marrakech, with it being the following distances respectively: a 3-4 hour drive trip from Fez to Chefchaouen, a 5-6 hour trip from Casablanca to Chefchaouen, and and 6-8 hour trip from Marrakech to Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen can be explored on foot, although many roads are narrow and steep with lots of steps. Taxis are also available for moving around outside of the historic center.
The best time to visit Chefchaouen is from May to September when the weather is warm and the skies are clear. Chefchaouen doesn’t get as hot as other inland cities like Marrakesh or Fez, so summertime isn’t quite as brutal.
Moroccan Arabic is the language spoken by locals, but because of tourism many residents can converse at least partially in English, Spanish, and French. The currency used is the Moroccan dirham. Market stalls and local eateries may not accept credit cards, so definitely carry cash with you (ATMs are available in the city).
BEST THINGS TO DO IN :
Watch the sunrise over the Rif mountains
The sun rising and peaking through the surrounding mountain is a beautiful sight to catch in Chefchaouen. A lot of the hotels have rooftop terraces so if your’s faces the right direction, you are in for a treat!
Get lost in the Medina
The medina here is not only a striking visual smorgasbord but a haven for shoppers. You’ll find handcrafted goods not available anywhere else in Morocco alongside the your usual medina finds. Hand crafted pottery, lanterns, tagines, fabrics and candles are all abound. Great prices and a fun haggle, but dont forget these people have families to feed too!
Plaza Uta El Hamman
The heart of Chefchaouen Medina, Plaza Uta El Hammam, is the perfect place to sit, relax, and watch the village life go by. The shaded squared is lined up with cafes and restaurants, serving pretty much all the same decent Morocco food. We had breakfast there once, and it was a great place to see the town come to life.
Visit the Kasbah and the Clock Tower
The small Kasbah of Chefchaouen dates back to the 15th century and was built under the supervision of the town’s founder Moulay Ali Ben Ben Rachid. Within the wall of the Kasbah, you can visit a small ethnographic museum, a tiny art gallery and a pretty Andalucian style garden. Climb up the Clock Tower for some delightful views over the village and the surrounding mountains. The entrance of the Kasbah is located on Plaza Uta El Hamman
Shop local crafts
Chefchaouen is also well known for being a center of handicraft and as such is a great place to do a little bit of shopping. The area is particularly well-known for wool blankets and Berber carpets but you can also find a lot of straw baskets, leather bags, spices, etc. The great thing about shopping in Chefchaouen is that the shop owners are not aggressive and the haggle is gentle and fun. For a wide range of carpets go to Local Berbere Artisanal located here. For something more original, visit La Botica de la Abuela Aladdin, a shop selling all sorts of natural soaps, perfume, oils, etc
Hike to the Spanish Mosque
Constructed in 1920 by the Spanish, the mosque is located on a hilltop, just east of Chefchaouen. It takes an easy 20 walk uphill to get there from the Medina, and from the hilltop the view is extraordinary. A grand view over the town and the surrounding mountains. The Spanish Mosque is a popular spot to watch the sunset.
Get a scrub at a local hammam
A hammam is a public steam room where people go to clean themselves. In Morocco, hammams are very popular among locals. It’s a weekly ritual where people go to socialize while fully naked. Don’t worry, the baths are separated by gender.
You can’t leave Morocco without trying its most famous dish – tagine. There are many recipes of tagine, with different ingredients. However, it usually contains meat and an assortment of vegetables, all steamed in a special pot.
There is no better way to experience Moroccan traditional houses than staying in a Riad. There are a lot of cheap guesthouses, but also a few more upscale options. The rooms are pretty simple, but the top floor room is a catch, with a comfortable bed, nice decoration, and direct access to the rooftop terrasse. The sunrise view from said terrasse is amazing. Places you could stay :Budget – Dar Swiar – good location, awesome view towards the city, clean & spacious roomsMid Budget – Dar Elrio – good location, awesome view, breakfast included, friendly staffLuxury – Dar Jasmine – great location, luxurious & spacious rooms, great amenities.
The Blue City is one of the most intriguing and fascinating places. I am sure that you’ll love the Blue City. Book a trip with us. https://www.alkhaleejtours.com/
