MoroccoOutdoor

08 Top Activities to do In Chefchaouen, Morocco 

 

Chefchaouen

 Because of its amazing blue houses and streets, Chefchaouen is referred to as the "Blue Pearl" of Morocco. People have been speculating about the motives behind the blue paint job on Jewish immigrants' homes for years. This mystery gives the city its attractiveness and contributes to its long history as a well-liked tourist attraction. Spend a day or two experiencing all that Chefchaouen has to offer, and three days or longer if you wish to take in the breathtaking surroundings of the Riff Mountains.

1. Walk around the Blue Streets

Some people claim that the hue blue is a representation of the sky and heaven, the Mediterranean Sea, or the adjacent Ras el Maa waterfall. Locals still paint their homes blue nowadays, either to maintain these customs or to draw tourists who come to Chefchaouen for its picturesque streets.

 You may spend   hours here   peacefully   exploring the     blue lanes and snapping pictures of adorable porches   and doorways in the sunlight since Chefchaouen is   more quieter and more relaxed than other Moroccan   cities. The best activity in Chefchaouen is without a   doubt visiting the city's blue mansions!
 Remember that locals do reside within the houses, so   always be respectful. Some 'Insta famous' entrances   may charge you a nominal price to take a picture.

2. View a sunrise or a sunset 

Make sure to include watching the sunrise and sunset in your agenda for Chefchaouen because they are both magical times of day in the city. Get up early, head to your riad's rooftop, and take in the most spectacular sunrise you'll witness while traveling.
Alternately, take one of the many walks that leave the city and ascend into the Riff Mountains to experience this spectacular scene from a higher vantage point. It is strongly advised to do this if you want a stunning view of the city!

3. Visit the Spanish Mosque

 

Beautiful structure known as the Spanish Mosque is located alone on a hilltop overlooking Chefchaouen. During the war in the 1920s, the mosque was constructed. Although it was never actually used, it today stands empty and overlooks the city. You may reach the summit after a short 30-minute trek, where you will be rewarded with breathtaking views.

The golden hues that hit the earthy Riff mountains in the distance during the sunset are magnificent to behold here. It is one of the most popular things to do in Chefchaouen, therefore there may be crowds at this time. Take a very early-morning hike to witness the dawn if you'd rather it be quieter.

4. Shopping in the Medina

Visit the souks and the Medina's winding, blue-paved streets! Despite not being as large as those in other Moroccan cities like Fes, the souks continue to be a favorite place to buy. This is due to the fact that it sells a wide variety of indigenous handicrafts that are unique to Morocco, such as wool clothing, woven blankets, and woven baskets.

There are typically pots of vibrant paint powders in a variety of pastel hues interspersed among the handicrafts, which makes for a lovely scene against the blue walls. Tourists enjoy goat cheese, which is used in various cuisines. It's a delicious activity to do in Chefchaouen and well worth a try. 

Advice: Bargaining is a typical practice all around Morocco. Never take the initial offer and always haggle over the price.

 

5. The Kasbah Museum

 

An historic Moroccan fort called the Kasbah is located in the main square. This structure has been used for a variety of things over the years, most notably as a prison. Today it houses an ethnographic museum and an art gallery. Inside, there are also lovely gardens in the Spanish style, which offer a peaceful retreat from the city. Through the ancient relics, attire, instruments, and traditional crafts and decorations on display, discover the area's interesting past. You can climb the fort tower to see stunning vistas of the city. 

Admission is 60 MAD. The descriptions in the tower are in another language; take note of this.

6. Plaza Uta El-Hammam

Plaza Uta el Hammam

Around Chefchaouen's Plaza Uta El-Hammam, the main square, a lot of activity takes place. The Grand Mosque, the Kasbah, and eateries surround the square, which is located in the middle of the Medina. Tourists cannot enter the Grand Mosque because it is still a place of religious worship; however, they can see its distinctive octagonal minaret from the square. Spend some time people-watching while taking a break from touring in Chefchaouen by the tree in the middle of the cobbled square.

7. Enjoy the Nature Around Chefchaouen

 

The Riff Mountains offer the ideal backdrop for breathtaking wildlife and scenery. Although we didn't venture outside the city ourselves, we have heard positive reviews from other tourists regarding the following places:

1. Ras El Maa Waterfall is a little but lovely waterfall that may be seen in the midst of lovely woodland on the fringes of the medina. Sit down, sip a mint tea, dangle your feet in the refreshing mountain stream, and observe the villagers washing their clothes.  If you have time to stop while passing by, it is a wonderful thing to do in Chefchaouen and is accessible by the hiking track that leads up to the Spanish Mosque.

2. Jeb Al Kalaa: That's Chefchaouen's mountain view. This moderate hike will take you 6 to 8 hours to complete. Be confident in your navigation skills or hire a guide to assist you because the track might be challenging to follow. Amazing panoramic views of the mountains and the blue city below are available once at the top. If you have a day to spare in Chefchaouen, it's a fantastic thing to do. 

3. Talassemtane National Park is a wonderful national park rich with natural beauty that is only a 45-minute drive from Chefchaouen. To go on some unforgettable walks in this area, hire a guide.
4. The Talassemtane National Park contains the region of Akchour, which is home to spectacular green pools, waterfalls, and canyons. These include the Bridge of God and Akchour Waterfalls. Visit the Bridge of God, a magnificent natural stone bridge that rises 25 meters above the gorge, as well as the Akchour waterfalls. You must travel a short distance to get to both of them on foot through rocky hiking trails.

8. Experience Delicious Food

 

Taginemarocain

Moroccan cuisine has a flavor that is unique to nothing else. You may find freshly baked bread produced by individuals in their wood-fired ovens on every corner of the charming streets. Moroccan cuisine staples including couscous, fish, spices, and vegetables are served at restaurants. A genuinely authentic approach to comprehend the culture of Morocco and Chefchaouen is to enjoy eating tagine out of a locally produced tagine bowl while sitting on lovely Moroccan cushions in romantically illuminated dining rooms.
Try a cup of freshly brewed mint tea as well. This is customary in Morocco, and it has social and health advantages in addition to being customary.
Located just off the main square, Chez Aladdin has a patio with breathtaking rooftop views of the city. We also heartily endorse Restaurant Populaire Bab Ssour for lunch or dinner. The main square is the finest place to eat breakfast!

Hotels and Riads in Chefchaouen

There are several of excellent lodging alternatives in Chefchaouen. For the truest experience, stay in a traditional riad. The majority of the riads and motels are luxurious and luxuriously priced. There are spas to enjoy in a lot of the most opulent riads! Keep in mind that lodging inside the medina proper can cost a little extra. However, there are also several excellent hostel choices nearby.

How to reach Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen isn't the easiest place to travel to because of its fantastically remote setting among the mountains, but the trip is definitely worth it! Chefchaouen cannot be reached by plane or train, however both Tangier and Tetouan have airports. 

Best Time to Visit Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen experiences its greatest weather in the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November). Due to its high mountain location, the climate is relatively mild compared to the rest of Morocco. Due to the excellent summertime weather, visitors from hotter regions of Morocco will flock to this region for vacation.