Top Things to Do in Chefchaouen: The Blue Pearl
All About Chefchaouen:
Chefchaouen, also known as Morocco’s blue city, is a beautiful town with beautifully blue-painted walls and admirably high mountains overlooking this charming gem. There is so much to see and do in the blue city. To help you make the most of your time while you are in the blue town of Morocco, we prepared this article to tell you some of the best activities and attractions the city has to offer.
Top Things to Do in Chefchaouen:
Chefchaouen, also known as Morocco’s blue city, is a beautiful town with beautifully blue-painted walls and admirably high mountains overlooking this charming gem. There is so much to see and do in the blue city, here are our picks for some of the best things to do in Chefchaouen:
1- Shopping in Chefchaouen Medina:
Shopping in Chefchaouen is one of its biggest tourist attractions. Even though it may not be as diversified and as big as the larger cities of Marrakech, Fes, and Casablanca, the blue city boasts a mesmerizing traditional souk and has plenty of little shops offering metal and leather goods.
After exploring the colorful and vibrant alleyways of Chefchaouen, consider purchasing some traditional souvenirs that you could take home as gifts.
Visitors love the relaxed atmosphere of the town, which is hard to find in the other bigger cities, as this means they can walk at leisure and appreciate the local leather products and the colors which Chefchaouen is known for!
2- Chefchaouen Guided Tour:
Chefchaouen is a town that has so many interesting stories and hidden spots you wouldn’t want to miss, and so sanctioned local guides can be a blessing even for travelers that normally like to explore on their own.
Wandering the blue city with a local guide will allow you to learn about the majestic walls and spectacular gates of the town and get to hidden spots that you wouldn’t get to on your own.
Admire the exquisite signs of early life through the flour mill, enjoy the medina’s beautiful natural water springs and shop for souvenirs in the colorful shops.
Touring the town with a local guide will allow you to enjoy the experience without being bothered by fake guides or the shops’ owners that want to sell you stuff.
3- Have lunch with a view at Casa Aladdin Restaurant
After a long day exploring the blue town or trekking the Rif Mountains, treat yourself to a delicious meal from traditional Moroccan cuisine.
The best choice is Aladdin Restaurants, where guests can choose from a menu of international flavors including Spanish omelet and more importantly, a wide selection of Morocco dishes, from Kofta to all kinds of couscous and tagines – and all at affordable prices.
The restaurant offers wonderful views of the town and has a romantic and enchanting ambiance which complements the delicious food.
4- Plaza Uta el-Hammam
Many things happen around the hustle and bustle of the main square of Chefchaouen; Plaza Uta El-Hammam. Overlooked by the mountains, shaded by trees, and strung by lights, the square is surrounded by shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Plaza Uta El-Hammam is based in the center of the town, which makes it an excellent spot to sit, inhale the mountain air and watch the world goes by after a sightseeing tour of the vibrant town. In the afternoon, both locals and tourists alike gather here to chat and relax.
As the sun goes down, the street food stalls are set up, offering all types of snacks and street food. The restaurants and cafés in the square offer traditional Moroccan dishes as well as some western food.
5- Visit the Kasbah Museum
Located at a high point in the heart of the medina, surrounded by extraordinary landscapes of blue-painted buildings, the Kasbah Museum stands perfectly in the midst of the blue city of Morocco, which makes it impossible to miss when touring the colorful streets of Chefchaouen.
The Kasbah looks interesting and beautiful from the outside and even more thrilling to see the inside. This building is an excellent example of the fascinating history of Chefchaouen Morocco and hosts a cultural heritage that is reflected in its artifacts and museum.
Back in time, the kasbah has served many purposes, most notably a prison, but now it is an ethnographic museum and an art gallery. Inside the kasbah, there are beautiful Spanish-styled gardens, which provide a convenient area of calm away from the bustle of the city.
The museum features an interesting selection of ancient artifacts, clothing, instruments, traditional decorations, and pottery craft items.
Entrance Fee: 60 DHs
6- Grand Mosque
Built by Moulay Mohamed in 1560, the Grand Mosque is the largest and oldest religious institution in Chefchaouen. The mosque is still used for religious worship, so Just like all other mosques in Morocco, it is only accessible to Muslims. However, its unique octagonal minaret and distinctive architecture make it worth exploring from the outside.
7- Catch the Sunset and Experience the Call to Prayer
Chefchaouen is one of the places where it is definitely worth timing your day around the sun. The best way to start your day is with a morning sunrise from your riad roof terrace with a hot coffee.
On the other hand, in the evening, most visitors embark on a 10-minute hike from the center of the town to the Spanish Mosque on top of the hill.
Here, tourists gather to witness the spectacle of the sunset over the town while experiencing the call to prayer which enhances the experience. This spot is the best panoramic viewpoint in the whole town!
8- Ras el-Ma Waterfalls
Translating as “the head of the water”, Ras El-Ma is located just beyond the North-eastern gate of Chefchaouen medina. This is the point where the fresh mountain water trickles its way into the blue town and where the local women gather to do their washing and have a friendly moment.
As an alternative to the remote and bigger waterfalls of Akchour, these refreshing falls are much convenient to escape the heat and to get a dose of nature!
There is a small café near the waterfall where you can have a relaxing glass of mint tea or a cup of coffee, which is a pleasant experience, especially during the hot months.
9- Hike the Rif Mountains
For an even greater experience of nature and the blue town itself, hike in the Rif Mountains and admire Chefchaouen from the top with splendid panoramic views of the town.
Even though the Rif Mountains are not as known as the Atlas Mountains, they are just as beautiful, with peaks that rise more than 1900 meters above the Mediterranean ocean and offer its visitors some of the best hiking routes in North Africa.
Don’t just admire the Rif Mountains from the town, make sure you hike up there yourself. You wouldn’t want to miss the sunset!
10- Akchour Waterfalls
Beyond the colorful pathways, there are wonderful natural landscapes that surround the blue city. About a 30-minute drive from Chefchaouen lies a tail which, after beautiful walk-in nature, leads tourists to the stunning waterfalls of Akchour.
The crystal blue waters are matching with the color of the town and offer visitors the opportunity to go for a swim or to simply admire the beautiful waterfalls.
If you visit the area, make sure to stop by the inspiring Bridge of God, a fascinating rock arch spanning the river.
Closing Notes:
I hope that you find this article useful, helping your plan your adventure to Chefchaouen and that you will enjoy exploring the blue pearl. If you have any questions about Chefchaouen or thoughts that you would like to share with us, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would love to hear from you!
