Chefchaouen – additionally known as the “Blue Pearl” of Morocco – is single-handedly answerable for inspiring many individuals to go to Morocco. Photos of Chefchaouen‘s blue-washed streets have been splashed throughout Instagram and different social media websites lately, drawing individuals from all corners of the globe to go to this lovely little metropolis for themselves.
And whereas I do assume Chefchaouen is 100% price visiting, I additionally assume there are plenty of issues the dreamy blue Instagram images do not inform you about Morocco’s Blue City.
Note: Chefchaouen can also be generally written as Chefchaouene, or simply known as merely “Chaouen.” All three imply the identical place, although!
10 issues to learn about visiting Chefchaouen
Based by myself two visits, listed below are some issues you want to know earlier than visiting Chefchaouen!
1. It’s not near a lot
Chefchaouen is a metropolis of fewer than 50,000 individuals in a rural province in northern Morocco. While the city has grow to be a preferred vacationer cease, it isn’t truly that handy to get to.
Chefchaouen is hours away from the closest giant cities – 2 hours (one-way) from Tangier, 3.5 hours from Fes, and 4 hours from Rabat. (And these are the driving occasions on paper; in actuality, the drives usually take longer!)
It’s probably not “on the way” to something, both, that means that if you wish to go to Chefchaouen, you must be intentional about it and put in some effort. (This additionally signifies that you actually ought to keep no less than one night time in Chefchaouen because you’re most likely going out of your solution to go to within the first place.)
2. Chefchaouen is within the mountains
When most individuals consider Morocco, they consider the desert, or the red-hued souks of Marrakech, peppered with palm timber and baking within the solar. But one of many issues that may shock you about Morocco is that the landscapes are SO diverse.
And Chefchaouen truly sits up within the Rif Mountains in northern Morocco. It’s a putting location, with mountains rising up above Chefchaouen’s essential sq..
Thanks to its location 2,000 toes up within the mountains, Chefchaouen has climate that may really feel very totally different than the climate in cities just some hours away. It is perhaps sunny and sizzling in Fes or Meknes, nevertheless it may nonetheless be cool and cloudy in Chefchaouen – particularly throughout the winter months!
I’ve been to Chefchaouen twice within the winter months (as soon as in February and as soon as in March), and each occasions wanted some further layers. On my second journey it truly rained for half a day, too, and received down near freezing at night time.
No matter if you’re visiting, you’ll want to verify the climate forecast for Chefchaouen earlier than your journey and pack accordingly.
RELATED: What to Wear in Morocco: A Complete Morocco Packing Guide for Women
3. Be ready for plenty of steps
Since Chefchaouen is constructed into the foothills of the Rif Mountains, you’ll be able to look forward to finding a good quantity of steps and steep-ish inclines inside the outdated medina particularly. The streets within the medina are a maze-like mixture of cobbled alleys and concrete steps – that is undoubtedly NOT an accessible place to go to.
And observe that for those who’re staying in a single day in Chefchaouen inside the medina, there possible will not be a solution to get a automobile or van by means of the slender streets to drop you off at your resort or riad. Porters will normally have the ability to transport your essential baggage for you, however you may should stroll to your resort. (And, from the principle entrances into the medina, strolling to your resort will principally possible imply strolling mildly uphill for 10-ish minutes.)
So pack good footwear, and be ready for some stairs.
4. There’s not lots to DO in Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is a city that so many individuals dream of visiting. But here is one thing all of the Instagram captions most likely do not inform you: there’s not truly lots to DO in Chefchaouen.
This is not essentially a nasty factor, because the city is a beautiful place to loosen up for a day or two. But for those who’re the kind of one that likes to get out and do as a lot as potential if you journey, you would possibly end up bored after 1-2 days in Chefchaouen.
The essential issues to do in Chefchaouen embrace:
- Wandering the blue-washed streets of the outdated medina
- Shopping within the souks for handicrafts, djellabas, artwork work, and extra
- Visiting the kasbah in the principle sq., which has a small museum and nice views from inside the principle tower (entry is 60 dirhams)
- Hiking/strolling to the Spanish Mosque (1.25 miles from the medina) to look at the sundown
- Enjoying a tea at a restaurant alongside the Fouara River
- People-watching in Plaza Uta el Hamman, the principle sq. (however do not {photograph} individuals until you ask permission first)
We additionally hung out simply stress-free on the rooftop terrace of our riad, reveling within the lack of strain to do anything.
5. You will most likely get misplaced within the medina
There are two essential elements to Chefchaouen: the “New City,” and the outdated medina. The walled medina right here dates again to the mid-1400s, and is the well-known a part of town with all of the blue streets and doorways.
But it is nonetheless a Moroccan medina with meandering streets – that means the chance of you getting rotated or misplaced could be very excessive!
While I did discover that my Google Maps app labored pretty nicely to indicate me the place I used to be in Chefchaouen, I would not essentially depend on it. Instead, simply embrace the truth that you would possibly get a little bit misplaced and luxuriate in being stunned by what you stumble throughout.
The Chefchaouen medina is not that massive, and for those who stroll downhill for lengthy sufficient, you may both get spit out within the outdated city’s essential sq., or end up close to the river simply outdoors of the medina.
6. Yes, it truly is that blue
Whenever I share images of Chefchaouen on social media, I nearly all the time have somebody asking if the city actually is THAT blue. After all, it is easy to snap images of some blue doorways and make it seem like the entire city seems to be like that on Instagram, even when if would not.
But within the case of Chefchaouen, the outdated medina actually IS that blue. The images aren’t mendacity.
There are a number of tales of why the outdated metropolis was painted blue within the first place. These tales embrace it being a colour that repels bugs like mosquitos, or a colour that simply reminded locals of the colour of the ocean.
But the most typical story instructed is that a part of the city was initially painted blue by Jewish refugees from Spain and Portugal who settled right here after fleeing the Spanish Inquisition. Blue is a holy colour in Judaism, and the story goes that the paint colour ultimately simply unfold past the Jewish neighborhood.
Today, the blue is actually maintained due to tourism slightly than for any spiritual causes. Locals lay the blue paint on thick (fairly actually!), and I truly assume there have been extra blue staircases and alleyways in 2023 than after I first visited in 2019.
7. It’s undoubtedly not a secret anymore
There actually was a time when Chefchaouen was comparatively unknown to vacationers in Morocco. But with the appearance of Instagram and journey blogs, the key undoubtedly received out.
These days, Chefchaouen can undoubtedly really feel touristy, particularly throughout the excessive season (which in Morocco is usually March-June and September-October). You’ll discover the principle streets clogged with tour teams throughout the mid-morning hours, and photographers and influencers doing photograph shoots in any respect the favored painted staircases.
There are even a handful of spots now arrange with props that cost a small price for images. (Like the personal courtyard at 192 Hassan 1 that is marked on Google Maps as “Pic photos IG” that prices 5 dirhams (50 cents US) to pose with numerous props for images.)
BUT, Chefchaouen nonetheless feels remarkably laid again, and you may simply get away from the tour teams by merely exploring away from the principle streets. We discovered so many aspect alleys and delightful doorways that we had all to ourselves*.
*Just keep in mind, although, that ordinary individuals LIVE behind these lovely courtyards and doorways. Be conscious and respectful when taking images, and for those who encounter a closed gate or doorway, undoubtedly do not enter it! Don’t be that annoying vacationer who infringes on somebody’s privateness simply to get an Instagram shot.
8. You’ll meet a lot of stray cats
Along with the blue doorways and staircases, the opposite factor you have most likely seen a lot of images of are cats in Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen has a LOT of stray cats – in reality, you possibly can most likely argue that it has an issue with stray cats.
I LOVE cats, however will admit that Chefchaouen has (in my private opinion) among the unhealthiest-looking kitties in Morocco. We noticed loads that weren’t solely very skinny, but additionally visibly sick.
Locals all through Morocco do usually feed stray cats (we noticed many in Chefchaouen being fed small fish from the close by river), however they do not usually maintain them as indoor pets, and getting them spayed/neutered just isn’t widespread.
So simply remember that you will see a LOT of cats right here, and must watch the place you step on the streets generally to keep away from cat poop.
9. Brush up in your Spanish
While Moroccan Arabic and indigenous Berber are the official languages of Morocco, roughly half the nation additionally speaks French (on account of most of Morocco being a French protectorate from 1912-1956), and most of the people who work in tourism communicate excellent English.
But in Chefchaouen, the language you are more likely to hear essentially the most after Arabic is definitely Spanish!
And that is due to northern Morocco’s proximity to and ties to Andalusia and Spain. While most of Morocco was a French protectorate from 1912-1956, northern Morocco was truly a Spanish protectorate throughout that very same interval.
So at this time, you are extra more likely to discover locals in Chefchaouen who communicate Spanish as their second language versus French.
10. It’s 100% price it
The very last thing to know is that I personally assume Chefchaouen is 100% price visiting. Yes, it takes some time to get to, and sure, it may well really feel touristy at occasions. But it actually does stay as much as the hype and the Instagram images.
If you are ready so as to add it into your Morocco itinerary (or ebook a tour that features a cease right here), I’d say you undoubtedly ought to!
READ NEXT: 8 Things That Surprised Me About Traveling in Morocco
Visiting Chefchaouen FAQs
Here are a couple of extra sensible questions you might need about visiting Chefchaouen, Morocco.
How do you get to Chefchaouen?
Chefchaouen was a cease on the Morocco tour(s) that I took, that means I received there by way of personal transport each occasions I visited. (My first 1-night go to was on Intrepid Travel’s Morocco Uncovered tour, and my second 2-night go to was as a part of Intrepid’s Premium Morocco In-Depth tour.)
If you are touring independently, although, the simplest solution to get to Chefchaouen is by bus or taxi for those who’re not renting a automobile. The CTM buses are a superb possibility from both Tangier or Fes, or you possibly can rent a taxi in Tangier when you’ve got a little bit more cash to spend.
Where to remain in Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is extra than simply its medina, however staying contained in the medina is extra handy for exploring and simply extra charming. I like to recommend staying at a riad (guesthouse). Some to contemplate embrace:
- Hotel Riad Cherifa – The top-rated riad in Chefchaouen
- Lina Ryad & Spa – A extra trendy model of a riad
- Casa Perleta – Has a pleasant terrace and was really useful by Lonely Planet
- Riad Hicham – A really charming giant riad with a superb restaurant simply off the principle sq.
How many days do you want in Chefchaouen?
While I mentioned earlier that there is not a ton to truly DO in Chefchaouen, I nonetheless advocate permitting greater than just some hours on this mountain city. I feel you must no less than keep in a single day for one night time, however 2 nights in Chefchaouen can be even higher.
With 2 nights (that means no less than 1 full day), you may have time to discover all of the nooks and crannies of the city and nonetheless have time to loosen up. Sitting on the terrace of our riad at sundown, listening to the whole lot taking place within the sq. beneath, was one in every of my favourite issues in Chefchaouen.
Is Chefchaouen protected?
Chefchaouen is thought to be fairly a protected vacation spot in Morocco, and in my private expertise (as a white feminine traveler) I by no means felt unsafe there on both of my two visits*.
The essential factor to look out for are individuals providing you cannabis. Before the city opened to and have become well-liked with vacationers, Chefchaouen was recognized for cultivating hash and marijuana. Cannabis manufacturing and consumption is prohibited in Morocco, although, so if somebody asks if you would like to purchase cannabis, merely say no and so they aren’t more likely to proceed bothering you.
*Note that whereas Chefchaouen is protected from against the law perspective, it is price mentioning that Morocco just isn’t the most secure vacation spot for the LGBTQ+ neighborhood. Same-sex relationships and sexual exercise are criminalized in Morocco – although it is price noting that platonic affection (akin to holding fingers) is quite common and accepted between Moroccan males.
What is the perfect time to go to Chefchaouen?
The excessive journey season in Morocco is usually from March by means of May, after which from September-October. However, since Chefchaouen is up within the mountains and experiences cooler summers than many different elements of Morocco, town will also be busy with locals from June-August.
I like to recommend visiting within the low season (i.e. the winter) if you wish to keep away from the crowds. My first go to in February was very quiet (if a bit chilly), and it additionally did not really feel too busy on my second go to in March.
Is Chefchaouen in your journey wish-list?