Hi fellow travellers! We are Clelia and Fabio. Welcome to our travel guide on the best things to do in Chefchaouen, Morocco. Clelia is 24 years old and works as an Optometrist and Fabio is 26 years old and works as a Plant Breeder. We both grew up in Mortara – a small city in the north of Italy.
Morocco was a country we visited in August, 2019. This destination was on our bucket-list for years prior to visiting! As soon as we arrived, we fell in love. The country is so charming. Our trip lasted for nine days and spanned five places: Marrakech, Ourzazate, the Sahara Desert, Fes and Chefchaouen.
One of the most exciting experiences, apart from exploring Chefchaouen, was seeing the sunrise in the Sahara Desert. We got to ride Arabian Camels and slept in a field stretched out in the desert. It was simply a magical experience and one that we will cherish for the rest of our lives.
Two Days in Chefchaouen
We stayed in the medina of Chefchaouen for two days. It really is a beautiful city. All of the houses are painted in different shades of blue. No city on earth comes close to how surreal this place feels. Chefchaouen has a small medina and no major monuments – but it’s still wonderful!
It only takes a couple of hours to explore and shoot the whole city. However, Chefchaouen is one of those places you don’t get tired of exploring again and again. The winding alleyways and blue buildings are a real charm.
Our favourite part of the city was a place they call “the blue street”. It’s a small and narrow staircase painted entirely in blue colours. A magical place that transports you to another civilisation and planet all together!
8 Best Things To Do in Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is located under the majestic peaks of the Rif and is quite the setting with its blue-washed buildings that give it the nickname “the blue city”. Tourism has become a big industry here over the past several years but that hasn’t stopped the city from keeping much of its authenticity.
Below are our top 8 recommendations for the blue pearl of Morocco.
1. Get Lost in Chefchaouen’s Alleyways
This is the first thing to tick off your Chefchaouen bucket list. Simply walk around the alleyways and winding streets of the blue pearl and see what you stumble across. Go shopping, find a bite to eat, sit down for a classic Moroccan mint tea and just take in the setting of a gorgeous blue city.
2. Discover the Hidden “Blue Way” of Chefchaouen
The blue city is home to endless charming corners and alleyways which make for amazing photography/Instagram posts! One such place is called the “blue way”. It’s a totally empty blue alleyway that is a romantic spot!
3. Visit the Beautiful Place El Haouta
Place El Haouta is down from the medina at a place called Haouta Square. Here you will find a tiny little square with cute benches and a wonderful water fountain. Some of the houses and front doors of this area are just stunningly designed. Another beautiful place to explore and take photos.
4. Hike the Rif and Admire the Town from Above
The Rif Mountains are the most northerly of Morocco’s mountain chains. This area is blessed with phenomenal hikes which offer stunning views back down to the blue pearl. A great way to get some exercise for the day and capture Chefchaouen – especially at sunset with magical golden light.
5. Wander around the Plaza Uta El Hammam
Right in the heart of the medina lies the Plaza Uta El Hammam which is another must-visit place in Chefchaouen. Here you can find a number of great restaurants and cafes, the historic kasbah and the Grand Mosquee.
6. Cuddle the Kittens you Find on the Street
Another awesome aspect about Chefchaouen, and Morocco in general, are the adorable kittens roaming the streets. Moroccans are fond of cats and you see many more cats than you do dogs, for example. So when you’re out wandering the streets, be sure to cuddle and play with a cat or two!
7. Find the Instagrammable Spots of Chefchaouen
Being a blue city means Chefchaouen is an irresistibly Instagrammable place. There are many popular corners, alleyways and buildings which have become Instagram hotspots in the last few years. One of the most popular is a blue street with plants, greenery, vases and tea!
8. Sleep in a Riad in the Medina
Like all of Morocco, Riads are the best places to stay for travellers who want an authentic and unique overnight experience. This city is bursting with amazing little guest houses, some of which are hundreds of years old.
Need to Know Before you Go
There are two main ways to reach Chefchaouen. One by private taxi and the other by bus. We chose the second option because it was by far the cheapest. There are buses that leave from Fes and in a few hours take you to Chefchaouen. We stayed at Dar Meziana and highly recommend it.
Thanks for reading and enjoy your trip to the incredible Chefchaouen!
