THE ULTIMATE CHEFCHAOUEN TRAVEL GUIDE
Chefchaouen; the Blue City of Morocco; a traveller’s dream. Located in the mountains of Rif lies this beautiful city, a little off the beaten track. If you look on Pinterest this city is sure to be in the top hits you find when searching Morocco. The azure blue buildings and laidback vibe make Chefchaouen a destination that should be on everyone’s bucketlist!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.
HOW TO GET TO CHEFCHAOUEN
There is no airport close to Chefchaouen, so you will need to fly into Tangier or Fes. From there you can get a taxi, bus or private driver to take you into Chefchaouen.
We took the CTM bus from Chefchaouen to Fes which was an easy and cheap option. It took about 4hrs travel time with one or two stops.
GETTING AROUND
Chefchaeoun is an incredibly walkable city, however, the city is built on a hill so there will be stairs and uphill walking! The old city is completely car free.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Morocco can get incredibly hot during the Summer, so it is recommended to head to Chefchaouen during the shoulder seasons of Spring and Autumn. The weather will still be warm and the city won’t be overcrowded with tourists.
RECOMMENDED STAY TIME
We only stopped here for a night on our way from Fes to Tangier. Two days and one night was plenty to explore the city.
TOP TRAVEL TIPS
Marijuana is abundant
Marijuana is locally called Kif in Chefchaouen, and whilst still illegal, you don’t have to try hard to find it. This is partly because 50% of the world’s marijuana production comes from Morocco!
Friday is Holy Day
Be aware that Fridays in Chefchaouen are considered a Holy Day where many shops will not open. Schedule your itinerary accordingly.
Wear appropriate clothing
I found that Chefchaouen was a bit more conservative than Marrakech. Cover your shoulders and knees and you will feel a lot more comfortable.
WHAT TO DO
Get lost in the medina
The number one thing to do in any Moroccan city is to explore the medina. You could easily spend the better half of a day wandering through the streets, going up alleyways, taking photos with all the blue buildings, and browsing through the boutique shops.
Hike to the Spanish Mosque
Head up to the abandoned Spanish Mosque at the top of the mountain for some stunning views of the Blue Pearl. This is the most famous spot in the city to watch the sunset.
Go shopping at the Bazaars
Chefchaouen has some great boutique shops selling artisanal textiles, spices, clothing, handicrafts, leather goods, and artwork. A lot of things here are handmade so it is a lot harder to haggle prices.
