Things to do and see in Chefchaouen

In the mountains of northern Morocco, Chefchaouen awaits you, a beautiful city famous for its blue-painted streets and facades. In its maze of labyrinthine streets you’ll find beautiful corners that exude tranquillity, but be prepared to walk because the city is built on a slope. Some of the must-see sights in Chefchaouen are the Alcazaba, the Bouzafar viewpoint, the Grand Mosque and the Old Medina, but the city has much more to offer, as we’ll tell you in this post.

From Chefchaouen you can also see incredible mountain landscapes, go hiking and visit the nearby cities of Tangier, Tetouan and Fez. If you want to know more about the blue city of Morocco, we invite you to read on. As well as the must-sees, we give you practical information and recommend the best places to sleep and eat, so don’t think twice and join us on this adventure.

What are the best places to see in Chefchaouen?

1. The Old Medina of Chefchaouen

The medina of Chefchaouen is a magical place where you can’t help but take a thousand photos. You will discover beautiful blue façades painted in different shades that contrast with the colours of the craft shops. In the buildings you’ll also see clear Moorish and Andalusian influences, which merge with the Arab and Berber heritage.

In the medina you can stroll around, sample the local cuisine and shop in its colourful souks where bargaining is the order of the day.

2. Bouzafar Viewpoint

If you’re a nature lover, you’re sure to appreciate the views from the city’s best viewpoint, the Bouzafar viewpoint. From its elevated position you can admire the contrast between the Blue City and the imposing surrounding mountains. It’s the perfect place to get out your camera and take home a memorable souvenir of your visit.

From the Ras-el-Ma wash houses there is an uphill path that will take you straight to the viewpoint. The walk will take you 15 minutes at most, and once at the top you can also see the Jemaa Bouzafar mosque.

3. The Alcabaza, the most impressive monument to see in Chefchaouen

On the Outa el Hammam square is the Alcazaba of Chefchaouen, an ancient fortress built in the 15th century that towers over the blue buildings of the city. Its stone walls and watchtowers are reminiscent of medieval times, although the fortress also has a clear Arab-Andalusian influence.

Today visitors can explore its corridors, admire its mosaics and stuccoes, and relive moments from the past. It is definitely worth climbing the towers to enjoy the views.

Visiting hours: Open daily from 9:30am to 1:00pm, and from 3:00pm to 6:30pm.

Price of admission: 60 dirhams.

4. The Washing Places of Ras el Ma

The Ras el Ma Washing Places are an emblematic place to see in Chefchaouen. They are located on the banks of the Ras el Ma river, where women used to gather to wash their dirty clothes and socialise. Although at first glance it may not be of tourist interest, it is well worth a visit to appreciate the image of the platforms decorated with tiles on which the water flows in an idyllic and very photogenic setting.

5. The Great Mosque of Chefchaouen

Next to the Alcazaba is the Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen, the city’s most important temple dating back to the 15th century. Only Muslims are allowed to enter, but the mosque is not one of the most beautiful buildings in the city either, so seeing it from the outside on the way to the Alcazaba will suffice.

6. Uta El Hamman Square

This square is the centre of the city, a meeting place where you are sure to pass several times during your stay. Around the square you’ll find some of the city’s most important buildings, such as the Great Mosque and the Alcazaba.

The most curious thing about the square is to see how it evolves as the hours of the day go by. In its cafés you will always see people having breakfast, tea or lunch. In the evening, the square becomes lively and the restaurants in the area are bursting at the seams.

7. Place El Haoute

This picturesque square is located in the medina, and is one of the most beautiful sights to see in Chefchaouen. In the surrounding area you will find passages and dead-end streets completely painted blue, and in the square you can enjoy the lively atmosphere while relaxing in one of the cafés.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Chefchaouen?

1. Akchur Waterfalls

The Akchour Waterfalls are a set of impressive waterfalls located 1h15 drive from Chefchaouen. They are located in the Talassemtane National Park, surrounded by lush vegetation and beautiful mountain scenery. Following the trails you will discover canyons, rivers and natural bridges that give rise to a unique natural space, ideal for hiking.

At the base of the waterfalls are natural pools where you can swim and cool off in summer. You’d better be prepared before you dive in because the water is rather cold.

You can get to the waterfalls by shared taxi, private vehicle or by hiring an organised tour in Chefchaouen or nearby towns.

2. Tangier

Tangier is a Moroccan port city with a rich cultural and historical heritage resulting from its mix of cultures and civilisations. Formerly an important trading city, it is today a modern city, faithful to Moroccan traditions but with a strong European influence.

The city is also a very touristy destination where you can visit the medina, its kasbah, the tomb of Ibn Batutta, the Great Mosque and relax on its extensive beaches. From Chefchaouen it takes just over 2 hours by road. The best way to get there is by shared taxi.

If you want to know more about Tangier we invite you to read this post where we tell you all the details: What to see and do in Tangier Morocco?

What to see in 1 day in Chefchaouen?

Chefchaouen can be seen perfectly in one day during which you will have plenty of time to visit the Alcazaba, the medina with its squares and souks, the Ras el Ma washhouses and the Bouzafar viewpoint. For this reason, many tourists decide to stay in nearby cities such as Tangier, Tetouan or Fez, and make a day trip.

If you decide to stay longer you can hike in the mountains and visit the Akchur Waterfalls. The mountains of northern Morocco offer incredible views and beautiful natural landscapes that are sure to thrill you.

Where and what to eat in Chefchaouen?

In the centre of Chefchaouen you’ll find numerous restaurants and cafés where you can try typical Moroccan dishes such as lamb tajine, pastella, couscous and Moroccan salad. You’ll see that these dishes are common in all the country’s cities, but that doesn’t mean they’re not delicious and worth trying.

Here’s a list of some suggestions for a good meal in Chefchaouen:

• Café Restaurant Sofia: At this pleasant café you can sample the country’s specialities in a cosy and simple atmosphere. The dishes are plentiful and you’ll eat very well for less than €15.
• Cafe Clock Chefchaouen: This cafe has a wonderful terrace where you can eat with views of the city. It is a bit more expensive than the previous one, but it is a nice place to recharge your batteries.
• Marisco Twins: Morocco is also famous for its seafood dishes, which we recommend you try at this restaurant where you can eat for less than €15. The food is quality and the customers are always delighted.

Where to stay in Chefchaouen?

To make the most of your stay we recommend staying in the medina, where you’ll have nice views of the blue façades. This area is not accessible by car, so we recommend taking light luggage.

Here are some of our favourite places to stay in the city:

• Riad la Santa: This beautiful riad in the heart of the city centre has incredible views of the medina. The accommodation has a restaurant, laundry service and organises excursions. The price per night starts at €60 and includes breakfast.
• Hotel ZIRYAB: If you want to enjoy Chefchaouen in an exclusive atmosphere, we recommend this beautiful hotel with a swimming pool, garden, restaurant and evening entertainment. It’s a really nice place where you can stay from €55
• Casa Blue Star: This is a beautiful hostel in the city centre offering common areas such as lounge, terrace and restaurant. The price per night starts at €50 and breakfast is included in the price.

How to get to Chefchaouen?

Although Chefchaouen does not have an airport, it is located between three major Moroccan cities such as Fes, Tangier and Tetouan, which means that it is relatively easy to get to. Here are the options available to get there by land, sea and air:

• Air: You can fly into the airports of Tangier (Tangier-Ibn Battuta Airport), Tetouan (Tetouan-Sania Ramel Airport) or Fez (Fez-Saïss Airport), from where you can hire a private transfer to Chefchaouen or take a shared taxi with other tourists. From Tangier the price is 50 dirhams per person and from Tetouan 35 dirhams.
• Ferry: From Spain you can get to Tangier by ferry from €35. Once in Tangier you can take a taxi, hire a car or book a private excursion. You can also take your own car on the ferry.
• Organised excursions: Daily departures are organised from nearby towns, including transport to Chefchaouen.

Travel tips for Chefchaouen

• Have your hotel reservation or the address where you will be staying with you
• Carry cash, not all shops have credit card facilities.
• The Moroccan currency is the Moroccan dirham. We recommend that you change money before you start your trip because the currency at airports is more expensive.
• The best time to visit Chefchaouen is between October and April. The temperature is pleasant and there are fewer tourists.
• Beware of unlabelled products in street stalls.
• To visit Morocco as a Spanish citizen you only need a passport, no visa is required.
• It is advisable to take out travel insurance for medical emergencies or luggage theft.
• Be careful with your personal belongings, especially in tourist areas. As in most cities, there is a risk of pickpocketing.
• There is no Rooming in Morocco, so switch off data roaming or check with your operator.

Organise your trip to Chefchaouen

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app.
• Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any changes you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Chefchaouen

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Chefchaouen