Chefchaouen – additionally known as the “Blue Pearl” of Morocco – is single-handedly chargeable for inspiring many individuals to go to Morocco. Photographs of Chefchaouen‘s blue-washed streets have been splashed throughout Instagram and different social media websites in recent times, drawing individuals from all corners of the globe to go to this stunning little metropolis for themselves.
And whereas I do assume Chefchaouen is 100% price visiting, I additionally assume there are a number of issues the dreamy blue Instagram photographs do not let you know about Morocco’s Blue Metropolis.
Be aware: Chefchaouen can 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
Primarily based by myself two visits, listed below are some issues you might want to know earlier than visiting Chefchaouen!
1. It is not near a lot
Chefchaouen is a metropolis of fewer than 50,000 individuals in a rural province in northern Morocco. Whereas the city has turn into a preferred vacationer cease, it isn’t really 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 people are the driving instances on paper; in actuality, the drives usually take longer!)
It is not likely “on the way in which” to something, both, that means that if you wish to go to Chefchaouen, it’s a must to be intentional about it and put in some effort. (This additionally implies that you actually ought to keep at the very least one night time in Chefchaouen because you’re in all probability going out of your option 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. However one of many issues that may shock you about Morocco is that the landscapes are SO various.
And Chefchaouen really sits up within the Rif Mountains in northern Morocco. It is a putting location, with mountains rising up above Chefchaouen’s most important sq..
Due to its location 2,000 ft up within the mountains, Chefchaouen has climate that may really feel very totally different than the climate in cities only a few hours away. It is perhaps sunny and sizzling in Fes or Meknes, however it may nonetheless be cool and cloudy in Chefchaouen – particularly throughout the winter months!
I have been to Chefchaouen twice within the winter months (as soon as in February and as soon as in March), and each instances wanted some additional layers. On my second journey it really rained for half a day, too, and bought down near freezing at night time.
Regardless of if you’re visiting, make sure to verify the climate forecast for Chefchaouen earlier than your journey and pack accordingly.
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3. Be ready for plenty of steps
Since Chefchaouen is constructed into the foothills of the Rif Mountains, you’ll be able to anticipate finding a good quantity of steps and steep-ish inclines inside the previous 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 notice that for those who’re staying in a single day in Chefchaouen inside the medina, there doubtless will not be a option to get a automobile or van by means of the slim streets to drop you off at your lodge or riad. Porters will normally be capable to transport your most important baggage for you, however you may must stroll to your lodge. (And, from the primary entrances into the medina, strolling to your lodge will largely doubtless imply strolling mildly uphill for 10-ish minutes.)
So pack good footwear, and be ready for some stairs.
4. There’s not rather a lot to DO in Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is a city that so many individuals dream of visiting. However this is one thing all of the Instagram captions in all probability do not let you know: there’s not really rather a lot to DO in Chefchaouen.
This is not essentially a foul factor, because the city is a beautiful place to loosen up for a day or two. However for those who’re the kind of one that likes to get out and do as a lot as doable if you journey, you may end up bored after 1-2 days in Chefchaouen.
The principle issues to do in Chefchaouen embody:
- Wandering the blue-washed streets of the previous medina
- Purchasing within the souks for handicrafts, djellabas, artwork work, and extra
- Visiting the kasbah in the primary sq., which has a small museum and nice views from inside the primary tower (entry is 60 dirhams)
- Climbing/strolling to the Spanish Mosque (1.25 miles from the medina) to observe the sundown
- Having fun with a tea at a restaurant alongside the Fouara River
- Folks-watching in Plaza Uta el Hamman, the primary sq. (however do not {photograph} individuals until you ask permission first)
We additionally frolicked simply enjoyable on the rooftop terrace of our riad, reveling within the lack of strain to do anything.
5. You’ll in all probability get misplaced within the medina
There are two most important elements to Chefchaouen: the “New Metropolis,” and the previous medina. The walled medina right here dates again to the mid-1400s, and is the well-known a part of the town with all of the blue streets and doorways.
However it’s nonetheless a Moroccan medina with meandering streets – that means the probability of you getting circled or misplaced could be very excessive!
Whereas I did discover that my Google Maps app labored pretty effectively to indicate me the place I used to be in Chefchaouen, I would not essentially depend on it. As an alternative, simply embrace the truth that you may get just a little misplaced and luxuriate in being shocked by what you stumble throughout.
The Chefchaouen medina is not that large, and for those who stroll downhill for lengthy sufficient, you may both get spit out within the previous city’s most important sq., or end up close to the river simply exterior of the medina.
6. Sure, it truly is that blue
Every time I share photographs of Chefchaouen on social media, I nearly all the time have somebody asking if the city actually is THAT blue. In any case, it is simple to snap photographs of some blue doorways and make it seem like the entire city seems like that on Instagram, even when if would not.
However within the case of Chefchaouen, the previous medina actually IS that blue. The photographs aren’t mendacity.
There are a number of tales of why the previous metropolis was painted blue within the first place. These tales embody it being a coloration that repels bugs like mosquitos, or a coloration that simply reminded locals of the colour of the ocean.
However the most typical story advised 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 coloration in Judaism, and the story goes that the paint coloration ultimately simply unfold past the Jewish neighborhood.
Immediately, the blue is actually maintained due to tourism quite than for any spiritual causes. Locals lay the blue paint on thick (fairly actually!), and I really assume there have been extra blue staircases and alleyways in 2023 than after I first visited in 2019.
7. It is undoubtedly not a secret anymore
There actually was a time when Chefchaouen was comparatively unknown to vacationers in Morocco. However with the appearance of Instagram and journey blogs, the key undoubtedly bought out.
Today, Chefchaouen can undoubtedly really feel touristy, particularly throughout the excessive season (which in Morocco is usually March-June and September-October). You will discover the primary streets clogged with tour teams throughout the mid-morning hours, and photographers and influencers doing picture shoots in any respect the favored painted staircases.
There are even a handful of spots now arrange with props that cost a small payment for photographs. (Just like the non-public courtyard at 192 Hassan 1 that is marked on Google Maps as “Pic photographs IG” that expenses 5 dirhams (50 cents US) to pose with varied props for photographs.)
BUT, Chefchaouen nonetheless feels remarkably laid again, and you may simply get away from the tour teams by merely exploring away from the primary streets. We discovered so many aspect alleys and delightful doorways that we had all to ourselves*.
*Simply keep in mind, although, that ordinary individuals LIVE behind these stunning courtyards and doorways. Be conscious and respectful when taking photographs, and for those who encounter a closed gate or doorway, undoubtedly do not enter it! Do not be that annoying vacationer who infringes on somebody’s privateness simply to get an Instagram shot.
8. You will meet numerous stray cats
Together with the blue doorways and staircases, the opposite factor you have in all probability seen numerous photographs of are cats in Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen has a LOT of stray cats – in truth, you would in all probability argue that it has an issue with stray cats.
I LOVE cats, however will admit that Chefchaouen has (in my private opinion) a few of the unhealthiest-looking kitties in Morocco. We noticed a lot that weren’t solely very skinny, but additionally visibly in poor health.
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 typically maintain them as indoor pets, and getting them spayed/neutered shouldn’t be frequent.
So simply remember that you’re going to 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
Whereas Moroccan Arabic and indigenous Berber are the official languages of Morocco, roughly half the nation additionally speaks French (as a consequence of most of Morocco being a French protectorate from 1912-1956), and most of the people who work in tourism communicate excellent English.
However in Chefchaouen, the language you are prone 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. Whereas most of Morocco was a French protectorate from 1912-1956, northern Morocco was really a Spanish protectorate throughout that very same interval.
So at this time, you are extra prone to discover locals in Chefchaouen who communicate Spanish as their second language versus French.
10. It is 100% price it
The very last thing to know is that I personally assume Chefchaouen is 100% price visiting. Sure, it takes some time to get to, and sure, it might really feel touristy at instances. However it actually does dwell as much as the hype and the Instagram photographs.
Should you’re ready so as to add it into your Morocco itinerary (or guide a tour that features a cease right here), I might say you undoubtedly ought to!
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Visiting Chefchaouen FAQs
Listed here are a number of extra sensible questions you may 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 bought there by way of non-public transport each instances I visited. (My first 1-night go to was on Intrepid Journey’s Morocco Uncovered tour, and my second 2-night go to was as a part of Intrepid’s Premium Morocco In-Depth tour.)
Should you’re touring independently, although, the simplest option to get to Chefchaouen is by bus or taxi for those who’re not renting a automobile. The CTM buses are possibility from both Tangier or Fes, or you would rent a taxi in Tangier when you’ve got just a little extra money to spend.
The place 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 think about embody:
- Lodge Riad Cherifa – The highest-rated riad in Chefchaouen
- Lina Ryad & Spa – A extra trendy model of a riad
- Casa Perleta – Has a pleasant terrace and was beneficial by Lonely Planet
- Riad Hicham – A really charming giant riad with a wonderful restaurant simply off the primary sq.
What number of days do you want in Chefchaouen?
Whereas I stated earlier that there is not a ton to truly DO in Chefchaouen, I nonetheless advocate permitting greater than only a few hours on this mountain city. I believe you need to at the very least keep in a single day for one night time, however 2 nights in Chefchaouen can be even higher.
With 2 nights (that means at the very least 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 every little thing occurring within the sq. beneath, was one among my favourite issues in Chefchaouen.
Is Chefchaouen protected?
Chefchaouen is considered 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 principle factor to look out for are individuals providing you cannabis. Earlier than the city opened to and have become in style with vacationers, Chefchaouen was identified for cultivating hash and marijuana. Hashish manufacturing and consumption is prohibited in Morocco, although, so if somebody asks if you would like to purchase cannabis, merely say no they usually aren’t prone to proceed bothering you.
*Be aware that whereas Chefchaouen is protected from a criminal offense perspective, it is price mentioning that Morocco shouldn’t be the most secure vacation spot for the LGBTQ+ group. Similar-sex relationships and sexual exercise are criminalized in Morocco – although it is price noting that platonic affection (comparable to holding fingers) is quite common and accepted between Moroccan males.
What’s the finest time to go to Chefchaouen?
The excessive journey season in Morocco is usually from March by means of Might, after which from September-October. Nevertheless, since Chefchaouen is up within the mountains and experiences cooler summers than many different elements of Morocco, the 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?
