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 stunning little metropolis for themselves.
And whereas I do suppose Chefchaouen is 100% price visiting, I additionally suppose there are a number of issues the dreamy blue Instagram pictures do not let you know about Morocco’s Blue City.
Note: Chefchaouen can be typically 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 it’s essential 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 is not really that handy to get to.
Chefchaouen is hours away from the closest massive cities – 2 hours (one-way) from Tangier, 3.5 hours from Fes, and 4 hours from Rabat. (And these are the driving instances on paper; in actuality, the drives typically take longer!)
It’s probably not “on the way” to something, both, which means that if you wish to go to Chefchaouen, you must be intentional about it and put in some effort. (This additionally implies that you actually ought to keep not less than one evening in Chefchaouen because you’re in all probability 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 various.
And Chefchaouen really sits up within the Rif Mountains in northern Morocco. It’s a hanging location, with mountains rising up above Chefchaouen’s principal sq..
Thanks to its location 2,000 toes up within the mountains, Chefchaouen has climate that may really feel very completely different than the climate in cities just some hours away. It is perhaps sunny and sizzling in Fes or Meknes, but it surely may nonetheless be cool and cloudy in Chefchaouen – particularly in the course of 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 instances wanted some further layers. On my second journey it really rained for half a day, too, and obtained down near freezing at evening.
No matter while you’re visiting, make sure to examine the climate forecast for Chefchaouen earlier than your journey and pack accordingly.
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3. Be ready for many 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 in the event you’re staying in a single day in Chefchaouen inside the medina, there seemingly will not be a solution to get a automobile or van by the slim streets to drop you off at your lodge or riad. Porters will often be capable to transport your principal baggage for you, however you may must stroll to your lodge. (And, from the primary entrances into the medina, strolling to your lodge will principally seemingly 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. But here 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 chill out for a day or two. But in the event you’re the kind of one that likes to get out and do as a lot as doable while you journey, you may end up bored after 1-2 days in Chefchaouen.
The principal 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 primary sq., which has a small museum and nice views from inside the primary 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 primary sq. (however do not {photograph} individuals until you ask permission first)
We additionally hung out simply enjoyable on the rooftop terrace of our riad, reveling within the lack of strain to do anything.
5. You will in all probability get misplaced within the medina
There are two principal 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 the town with all of the blue streets and doorways.
But it is nonetheless a Moroccan medina with meandering streets – which means the probability of you getting circled or misplaced may 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 may get slightly misplaced and revel in being stunned by what you stumble throughout.
The Chefchaouen medina is not that massive, and in the event you stroll downhill for lengthy sufficient, you may both get spit out within the outdated city’s principal sq., or end up close to the river simply exterior of the medina.
6. Yes, it truly is that blue
Whenever I share pictures of Chefchaouen on social media, I virtually all the time have somebody asking if the city actually is THAT blue. After all, it is simple to snap pictures of some blue doorways and make it seem like the entire city appears to be like like that on Instagram, even when if would not.
But within the case of Chefchaouen, the outdated medina actually IS that blue. The pictures 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 coloration that repels bugs like mosquitos, or a coloration that simply reminded locals of the colour of the ocean.
But the commonest 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 coloration in Judaism, and the story goes that the paint coloration ultimately simply unfold past the Jewish neighborhood.
Today, the blue is actually maintained due to tourism moderately than for any non secular causes. Locals lay the blue paint on thick (fairly actually!), and I really suppose 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 obtained out.
These days, Chefchaouen can undoubtedly really feel touristy, particularly in the course of the excessive season (which in Morocco is usually March-June and September-October). You’ll discover the primary streets clogged with tour teams in the course of 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 payment for pictures. (Like the non-public courtyard at 192 Hassan 1 that is marked on Google Maps as “Pic photos IG” that expenses 5 dirhams (50 cents US) to pose with varied props for pictures.)
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*.
*Just bear in mind, although, that standard individuals LIVE behind these stunning courtyards and doorways. Be aware and respectful when taking pictures, and in the event you 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 number of stray cats
Along with the blue doorways and staircases, the opposite factor you have in all probability seen a number of pictures of are cats in Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen has a LOT of stray cats – the truth is, you possibly can 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) among the unhealthiest-looking kitties in Morocco. We noticed loads that weren’t solely very skinny, but in addition visibly unwell.
Locals all through Morocco do typically feed stray cats (we noticed many in Chefchaouen being fed small fish from the close by river), however they do not typically hold them as indoor pets, and getting them spayed/neutered is just not frequent.
So simply remember that you will see a LOT of cats right here, and must watch the place you step on the streets typically 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 (as a result 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 prone to hear probably 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 really a Spanish protectorate throughout that very same interval.
So right now, you are extra prone to discover locals in Chefchaouen who communicate Spanish as their second language versus French.
10. It’s 100% price it
The last item to know is that I personally suppose Chefchaouen is 100% price visiting. Yes, it takes some time to get to, and sure, it may really feel touristy at instances. But it actually does dwell as much as the hype and the Instagram pictures.
If you are ready so as to add it into your Morocco itinerary (or guide a tour that features a cease right here), I’d say you undoubtedly ought to!
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Visiting Chefchaouen FAQs
Here are just a few 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, which means I obtained there by way of non-public transport each instances 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 in the event you’re not renting a automobile. The CTM buses are a great choice from both Tangier or Fes, or you possibly can rent a taxi in Tangier when you’ve got slightly 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 think about 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 massive riad with a superb restaurant simply off the primary sq.
How many days do you want in Chefchaouen?
While I stated earlier that there is not a ton to truly DO in Chefchaouen, I nonetheless suggest permitting greater than just some hours on this mountain city. I believe you need to not less than keep in a single day for one evening, however 2 nights in Chefchaouen can be even higher.
With 2 nights (which means not 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 chill out. Sitting on the terrace of our riad at sundown, listening to every part occurring within the sq. beneath, was considered one of my favourite issues in Chefchaouen.
Is Chefchaouen secure?
Chefchaouen is thought to be fairly a secure 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 principal factor to look out for are individuals providing you cannabis. Before the city opened to and have become widespread with vacationers, Chefchaouen was identified for cultivating hash and marijuana. Cannabis manufacturing and consumption is against the law in Morocco, although, so if somebody asks if you would like to purchase cannabis, merely say no and so they aren’t prone to proceed bothering you.
*Note that whereas Chefchaouen is secure from against the law perspective, it is price mentioning that Morocco is just not 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 (equivalent to holding palms) is quite common and accepted between Moroccan males.
What is the very best time to go to Chefchaouen?
The excessive journey season in Morocco is usually from March by May, after which from September-October. However, since Chefchaouen is up within the mountains and experiences cooler summers than many different elements of Morocco, the town can 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?