Chefchaouen, Morocco has had something of a tourist boom in the last few years, and it’s all down to “the ‘Gram”. The bright blue walls of the town make a beautiful background for many an Instagram photo and although this is the first item on our list, there is plenty to do in town. So, here are our favourite 5 things to do in Chefchaouen.
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Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is the cyan settlement in the North of Morocco. From here it’s a 2.25 hour drive north to Tangier, 3.5 hour drive south to Fes, or 5 hour drive south west to Casablanca. These are two main airports that you would fly into to visit. The town is small, with a population of just 43,000. Tourist numbers swell dramatically every day. This is not a spot that is particularly easy to get to. You will need to take a bus or car and you won’t need more than a day unless you plan to visit the nearby Akchour waterfalls or do some hiking in the hills. We decided to spend 24 hours in Chefchaouen.
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Why is Chefchaouen Blue?
There are two main theories regarding the sapphire-stained walls of Chefchaouen’s souk.
Mosquitoes
Apparently, mosquitoes are not a fan of blue. (Sadly, I have very pink legs and they seem to love that!) We visited in January, not a popular time for mozzies so we cannot confirm or deny the efficacy of this theory. I might be sticking to blue dresses in future though, just in case. It also may keep the buildings cool but surely there would be more blue, and less white spots in hot countries if this was the case…?
Judaism
The other, more popular suggestion is that the Jewish population that fled here to escape persection, painted the walls. The blue colour reflected the colour of the Moroccan sky and represented their closeness to God. There used to be less of the blue, but about 45 years ago, the city embraced the azure aesthetic. There aren’t any Jewish families left in Chefchaouen but now that it makes an awful lot of tourism dollars, we don’t see them reverting the old white medina.
5 Things To Do in Chefchaouen
1 – Take All the Photos
Yes, it is a teeny bit cringe but Chefchaouen is an Instagram dream. Around every corner is another gorgeous little spot with those blue walls, pretty mosaics, coloured flowerpots and sometimes a cute kitten to play with. So wandering around taking photos is naturally the best things to do in Chefchaouen. The shades of blue are endless and they change with the light throughout the day. The most popular spots can be found on many a blog post and even on Google Maps.
We visited in early February and we did have to wait for one of two of those most famous places later in the day but we had a lot of the town to ourselves in the morning. Things began to get busy after around 09:30am. If you plan to be in the shots, bring a bright outfit in a contrasting colour. I stuck with rainbow because who can make their mind up. Do remember that these are people’s houses so respect any signs, barriers etc and do pay the fee if requested.
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2 – Lunch at Plaza Uta el Hamman
Head down the hill from the Little Souk to Plaza Uta el Hamman, this is an excellent place to refuel with some lunch and freshly squeezed juice. The offerings at the restaurants lining the edge of the square are all quite similar. The food is usually OK but not stunning, so finding something cheap and filling is a good lunch option. There aren’t many big squares in Chefchaouen so most of life passes through here. You’ll be able to see the Grand Mosque. This is not open to the public as it is used for worship. We shared some distinctly “meh” Moroccan pizza in the sunshine and watched the world go by. Nearby Bab Ssour has better food but less of a view.
There are some good shops around here if you want to pick up souvenirs too. On Mondays and Thursdays, there is a local market full of produce and handicrafts from the surrounding area. Don’t forget to haggle!
3 – Rock the Kasbah
The Kasbah is next to Plaza Uta el Hamman and is a great post-lunch spot. Originally constructed in the 1400s by Ali ibn Rashid as a defensive fort, it was built to protect against the invading Portuguese forces. Since then, it has worn many hats, including functioning as a prison. Now it is open for visitors. Take a stroll around the garden, a cool oasis on a hot day. Then, climb the stairs of the tower for a lovely 360-degree view across the town. You will find information panels but none are in English. There is also a small ethnographic museum full of instruments, weapons, crafts, clothing and other interesting local artefacts which is worth a look.
4 – Grab a Drink by the Washhouses
Now, something strange has happened to my photos from this spot. They all saved in black and white (particularly upsetting in this brightly coloured town).
Just outside of the Bab El Onsar, there is a manmade waterfall with communal washhouses on either side. People bring their laundry here to clean them in the fresh, flowing water. As a tourist, you will want to grab a table by the water and enjoy the sound of the tumbling stream. Café El Molino is good bet!
5 – Sunset at the Spanish Mosque
A steady 30 minute walk uphill from the waterfall is the Spanish Mosque. The building was constructed in 1920s by the Spanish but was never used and now stands empty. This has the most stunning view out across Chefchaouen and the Rif Mountains. This is the most popular sunset spot so get here early for a nice seat on the wall around the mosque.
For dinner, hunt out Cafe Clock, the famous spot that can also be found in Fez and Marrakesh. They have some nice local options and plenty of Western favourites, including excellent Italian-style coffees. For somewhere cheaper and equally delicious, Assada does local specialities for bargain prices. Mandala serves much better pizza than you’ll find elsewhere in town. For drinks, you will have to make your way to the new town and find a modern hotel. Alcohol is scarce in Chefchaouen (but there is a fair amount of hash around).
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Final Thoughts on Your 5 Things To Do in Chefchaouen
Getting lost in the blue paths of Chefchaouen is such a novelty. There aren’t too many smurfy spots in the world and fewer that people actually live in. Shop, snap, snack and enjoy the sunset on this perfect day in Chefchaouen.
Rosie xx
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