One of the biggest highlights of our girl’s trip to Morocco was the day trip to Chefchaouen. After seeing a video on social media earlier this year, I knew I wanted to go so I researched ways how to get there during our free day in Fez and I enjoyed every bit of the day.
If you’re traveling to Morocco and want to experience a traditional, but laid-back city in Morocco, read more about the blue-tiful city in this Chefchaouen travel guide including top things to do.
About Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen (or “Chaouen”) is a city in the Rif Mountains of northern Morocco. After being exiled during the Spanish inquisition, Sephardi Jews created their own Jewish community and painted the whole town different shades of blue. Some say the blue color reminded them of God, while others believe it wards off mosquitoes.
How to Get to Chefchaouen
My friend and I purchased a round-trip ride from Fes to Chefchaouen from Viator. The ride to and from Fez was about 3 hours with minimal traffic. Outside of private taxi service, you can also travel via train or bus.
Things to Do in Chefchaouen
If you only have a day to spend in Chefchaouen like we did, here are some of the most popular things to do in and around the city. If you would like a formal tour, I highly suggest hiring a local guide.
- Explore the Old City Medina – Walk up and down the hills to explore the main square and old Medina of Chefchaouen. Take photos in and out of the ancient medina, narrow streets and alleys and interact with locals.
- Visit the Spanish Mosque – The Spanish mosque is now a ruin that can be visited by taking a short hike uphill out of the Western gate of Bab el-Ain. You can see the whole old city from here and beautiful views of the mountains.
- Hike up the Rif Mountains – Take a trek for the day or multiple days up the Rif Mountains to get awesome panoramic views.
- Visit the Al Kasaba Museum – The Kasbah Museum (Al Kasaba) tower or Musée de Chefchaouen explains the history and culture of the city of Chefchaouen.
- Shop the Souks – Visit the souks in the local market to buy leather goods, Moroccan wool clothing, olive oil, soaps, lamps, lanterns, carpets, and more.
Where to Eat in Chefchaouen
If you’re staying a few hours or a few days, walking up and down the stairs and hills of the medina in Chefchaouen will surely bring up an appetite. Here are some restaurants to check out within the city that offer traditional Moroccan cuisine.
- Cafe Restaurant Sofia – One of the most popular restaurants in Chaouen is Cafe Restaurant Sofia. With prices from $4-20, it won’t break your pockets either.
- Aladdin Restaurant – Offering lunch and dinner, Aladdin Restaurant is another popular choice. Food reviews are average, but everyone raves about the views at night.
- Sindibad – Sindibad was our restaurant of choice. My friend and I both had vegetable couscous with the Sindibad salad and mint tea. They had great food and there were beautiful views of the city from the rooftop terrace
Where to Stay in Chefchaouen
Our trip to Chaouen wasn’t overnight, so I can’t personally share the experience on accommodations, but I researched some of the highest-rated hotels & guesthouses. Below are some suggestions, but you can also try Airbnb or other alternatives.
Booking.comOur time was limited, but the 4-5 hours spent in Chefchaouen were well worth it. I hope this mini Chefchaouen travel guide was helpful in your trip planning. If you plan on visiting, stay for at least two days to get the most of the entire city.
Read More Travel Guides and Tips for Morocco
A Quick Guide to Visiting Marrakech in 2 Days
What to Wear in Morocco as a Woman
1 Week in Morocco Itinerary: How We Spent 7 Days in Morocco
Have you heard of Chefchaouen the blue city in Morocco?
This was one of my very first stops on my travels around Europe (and North Africa) for a year back in 2005 and I’m still trying to make my way back there—but this time with a camera! Such a cool city indeed.
I’d never heard of this place before, it seems lovely and quaint and not too far away by car. I love the blue theme throughout as well.
Just by pictures alone I know that I absolutely have to visit! It looks stunning, and I love the “touristy” visits as well as the food tips! Can’t wait to visit! Great post!
Chefchaouen is SO high up on my bucket list, it’s just too beautiful for words! I’d definitely want to stay at least one night, but if I had the choice to spend a few hours there or none at all I would definitely choose the few hours!
The few hours were definitely worth it for me.
Chefchaouen looks amazing ! I had seen some pictures before but I didn’t know the name of the place, thanks for the guide !
No problem Lyne. Thanks for reading 🙂
I’ve been dying to go here! It looks so amazing! Would you recommend staying overnight or is a day trip sufficient enough?
On my next trip I want to stay overnight. We spent 4 hours in the city and 3+ hours each way traveling from Fez.
I keep seeing pictures from this blue city on Instagram and I always wanted to go there. It looks so lovely. Thanks for your great tips.
Thanks for reading ☺️
No problem. It was on my bucket list and I’m happy I was able to go.
I love hearing about new places! I can’t believe the city is actually so blue, that’s just
amazing 😀
YES! It’s my favorite color so being there was a dream come true.
I have read so many beautiful things about Morocco it is on my bucket list! Those silver lanterns and the shopping is calling me. Thanks for the tips
Never heard of this place but it looks amazing. It almost looks like a blue Greece haha!
I love the architecture shown. The shades of blue are so calming and relaxing.
Morocco is definitely on my bucket list. I am seriously considering hosting a girls trip for 2018
We had such a great time. I hope you get to visit.
Oh what a beautiful place to visit. I love that the city is blue, my Mother would have loved it as that was her favorite color. Shopping options looked fab too!
I would have been happy to go shopping, I was looking at leather bags in Cuba but didn’t buy one. I have always looked at tours on Viator but never booked them. Did you enjoy the tour/services by them?
It is helpful for some tours because includes pickup/drop off and a lot of them give lunch. If you don’t know the tour company directly, it’s good. This was the same price direct or with viator and if there are any issues you can be refunded. In Curaçao they never picked me up for my tour I got my $ back after sharing the email screenshots.
Wow, a city painted in blue. How unique and beautiful! I bet it was calming for you.
You really do have gorgeous pics. I would be in HEAVEN in that place. I’m so in awe of all of those fabulous bags! This would be the perfect place for a girls trip.
This is the first time I’m heard of this place. The thought of a city based one color is really dope. Blue is a perfect color and I love the story behind it. I need to know if this mosquito situation is true.
Your pictures look amazing! So many beautiful sights…and that dish looks amazing!!
Love Morocco, love the souqs, love the pics! Great post and it reminds me I need to go back pronto!
I love that you shared a little background and history, it’s intriguing to learn more about this city. It is so gorgeous, I love your photos!!
I try my best to learn about a destination more than just going to take pictures. Thanks so much for reading.
I love traveling and Morocco has been on my list for a while. This sounds so much better than I read on it. Thanks for this. Can’t wait to visit
No problem Nelly. The experience was great. I can’t wait to visit again.
Wow , I did not know anything about this town and it looks magnificent. I really would like to go there one day, I’ve only went to agadir when I went to Morocco.
Noémie xx
I went to 5 cities and spent a day or two in each, but would love to visit other cities. Glad this post was helpful. Thanks for reading.
I’ve been wanting to go to Morocco for years now and this post has made me shift it right to the top of my list!!! Beautiful pictures and a very informative guide- thank you for sharing!
Thanks! I didn’t really think of going, but I had so much fun on the last girls trip, I was down for this one. Glad I went. It was an awesome experience.
I’m planning on taking a trip to Morocco this February and I definitely want to check out Chefchaouen. It looks so beautiful! Looks like you had a great time and I hope you picked up one of those lanterns, they were super chic!
xo,
Leslie / @hautemommie / http://www.thehautemommie.com
I didn’t get any lanterns, but I did get a leather jacket. Next time I’m going with an empty suitcase. I only packed a carryon this trip.
Thanks for your tips on where to eat, stay, and places to visit. Morocco is so beautiful!
You’re welcome. Not a lot of people have information about Chefchaouen so I’m glad it helped.