Chefchaouen, also known as the blue pearl, is a charming little town tucked away in the Riff Mountains of Morocco. The streets and homes are washed with different shades of blue, which makes anywhere you go the perfect photo opportunity. You may only need a couple of days to enjoy this little town, but I recommend staying longer if you want to lay back and relax after other busy cities such as Fez and Marrakech.
1. Get lost in a sea of blue
This is the obvious and number one thing to do in Chefchaouen. You can spend hours wandering around looking at picture-perfect buildings, unique doors, and the colorful decor of the Moroccan people. Although everywhere you step in this town is going to be beautiful, there are a couple of extra special places we loved for photos.
The Paid Set
Here you pay just 5MAD (about 50 cents American) to take photos at this perfect little setup. It is iconic and if you are looking for the Instagram pics, go here. (You can find it on google maps by typing in “Pic photos IG)
Blue Street
Every street in Chefchaouen is blue, but I guess this one is… extra blue?(Purple dot on map)
Callejon el Asri
This is arguably the most iconic photo spot in Chefchaouen. It is an alley that ends on the main street and is set up with little decorations. In peak season there can be a line of people waiting, so go early if you don’t want to deal with waiting. (Green dot on map)
Blue/Orange alley
Personally, this was my favorite spot in Chefchaouen. This street was so perfectly decorated and the contrasting orange and blue was so beautiful. To find this, type into google maps, “Riad El Palacio & Spa
Map of Chefchaouen
Green Dot- Callejon El Asri Purple Dot- Blue Street
2. Watch sunset and sunrise on a rooftop terrace
Chefchaouen is adorned with rooftop terraces and most likely, your riad or hostel will have one. If not, there are many restaurants where you can enjoy the sunset with a nice dinner, tea, or desert.
3. Give the street cats some love!
If you like cats, then you will be in paradise here. The majority of cats in Chefchaouen are friendly and used to human interactions. We spent hours holding the cats, petting them, and bringing them food and water. It is so warming to see the hearts of the Moroccan people and their respect for the cats on the streets. You will see women, children, and men taking time to show the cats love, giving them their own food, buying them fresh fish, and even taking them into their homes if they aren’t well. If you like cats, don’t be shy, give them a pet or offer them a treat. They love it :)
4. Hike to the city viewpoint
Chefchaouen is built on a large picturesque hill, so naturally, making your way to the top, you will find some of the best views. There is a wall at the top of the city and here you can walk atop this structure to get the best view in the house.
5. Shop in the Medina
There are countless amazing shops here in Chefchaouen ran by incredible local artists, jewelry makers, leather workers, and more. One of our favorites is a stone/fossil shop owned by a local, named Ibrahim. His shop is on the corner by the mosque and he is the 4th generation in his family to continue on in this career. The gems are fascinating and he is a plethora of knowledge.
Note: Shopping works the same way here as it does in Marrakech and Fez: Always bargain and haggle!
6. Eat fresh/local food!
It’s really tough to find bad food in Morocco, but we found some especially delicious spots here that are a must-try! The first spot is called, Restaurant Bab Ssour, it is our number one choice and we ate there almost every day. It is outstanding Moroccan food prepared by local mamas. We got to walk right past the kitchen while being sat at our table and peering in you can see the cleanliness and loads of fresh fruits and vegetables lining the walls! (that’s when you know it’s going to be good) They have everything from Moroccan soups, freshly squeezed juices, tempting appetizers, and of course, delicious Tajines. Another spot we recommend is going to Al-Hawta Square and there are really good places for takeaway pizza and Moroccan food if you want to just relax at your hotel.
7. Enjoy the surrounding nature
Bridge of God and Akchour Waterfalls
This requires a day trip from Chefchaouen and hiking along some steep paths. However, it is worth it as you are rewarded with beautiful emerald pools, waterfalls, and stunning canyons. The Bridge of God is a natural stone arch about 80 feet above the gorge and nothing beats a good lunch in a beautiful place.
Ras El Maa Waterfall
If you are short on time or don’t want to leave for a day trip outside of the town, Ras El Maa waterfall is a great choice to take in some natural beauty and relax. This is right on the edge of town and easily accessible. It can be a bit underwhelming if you are expecting a serene waterfall, as it is more of a small waterfall+stream. So when you go, make sure to respect it for what it is, enjoy some mint tea while admiring it, and watch as the locals utilize it to wash linens.
Budget (per person/per day) Food- $10-20
Hotel-$30 Hostel- $10
Transportation-$0-$2
Hotels/Hostels Recommended
Dar Dadicilef
Dar Meziana
Aline Hostel
LOTS OF LOVE! HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS POST!
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