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About Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is a beautiful blue city in northern Morocco with approximately 42,000 inhabitants (as of 2014). It attracts thousands of tourists thanks to its distinctive architecture—houses with blue-painted facades—and the stunning mountains that surround it.
Our Experience & Gallery
We visited Chefchaouen in October 2024, traveling by direct bus from Fez. I should mention that by then we were already quite exhausted after an intense journey. As I’ll describe in a previous post, Fez turned out to be quite a challenge for us. The countless street vendors, persistent scammers, claustrophobic alleyways, and extremely high temperatures really took their toll. But more about that in another article.
As for Chefchaouen, it turned out to be the perfect choice—a wonderful place to spend a few relaxing days before returning to Poland. We completely fell in love with this beautiful mountain town. Its charm and mystical atmosphere are difficult to describe—you simply have to experience it yourself.
Unlike the other Moroccan cities we visited, Chefchaouen has a unique sense of peace and tranquility. Its calming atmosphere comes not only from the iconic blue buildings but also from the breathtaking mountains that surround the town.
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We stayed in a riad right in the heart of the Medina. If I remember correctly, it cost around 80 PLN (about €20) per person per night, including breakfast, for a cozy double room. The riad also had a rooftop terrace overlooking the mountains, which provided a peaceful place to relax after long days spent exploring the town and its surroundings.
Compared to other medinas, the locals here were much less pushy, more relaxed, and negotiating good prices was much easier. Like in many Moroccan cities, the streets are full of cats and dogs, but the Medina itself is relatively easy to navigate thanks to clear landmarks, whether it’s the surrounding mountains or the large central square.
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Top 5 Attractions
1. Walking Through the Medina
Out of all the Moroccan cities I’ve visited, Chefchaouen’s Medina made the biggest impression on me. I’m not sure whether it was because we arrived straight from the hectic streets of Fez or simply because of the city’s famous blue color, but the atmosphere of this historic district felt truly special.
Shopping here was much more relaxed, the air felt cleaner, and the central square, with its spectacular mountain views, offered a welcome break from the bustling streets and busy marketplaces.
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2. Hiking in the Mountains
We explored Chefchaouen on our own (although we met a lovely Polish couple during our stay), and we also decided to hike in the surrounding mountains independently.
The hiking trails aren’t particularly difficult, but the panoramic views of the blue city nestled among the mountains are absolutely breathtaking. For casual hikers like me, it was a wonderful experience.
3. Hidden Restaurants (and More) Throughout the Medina
While the main square is a great place to stop for a meal after a mountain hike, I highly recommend wandering through every little alleyway.
Some streets are filled with market stalls and artistic shops, others hide charming family-run restaurants, and in some you’ll find tiny workshops where blacksmiths, craftsmen, and artists create incredible works of art in spaces no larger than a few square meters.
4. Exploring by Car or Scooter
For those looking for a bit more adventure, I highly recommend exploring the surrounding area by car or scooter.
We traveled to Chefchaouen by bus, and I have to admit that the journey itself was spectacular. The mountain scenery and villages scattered across the hillsides make for unforgettable views.
5. Attractions in the Main Square
As far as I remember, there was always something happening in Chefchaouen’s main square.
Besides the restaurants I mentioned earlier, there were fire performances, live music, colorful market stalls, and even opportunities to take photos with exotic animals such as parrots.
Especially in the evenings, the town center was full of life and had a wonderful atmosphere.
Getting to Chefchaouen
We traveled to Chefchaouen by bus from Fez. The journey took approximately 4.5 hours, with several stops in smaller towns along the way. The ticket cost around 250 MAD per person.
Typical Prices
Prices in Chefchaouen are affordable and comparable to those in other Moroccan cities. Say, similarly to Rabat:
- Tagine: between 35 and 55 MAD
- Half a roasted chicken:70 MAD
- 1.5-liter bottle of water:15 MAD
100 MAD ~= 9.5 EUR
Recommended Accommodation in Chefchaouen
We stayed at the riad below, despite some of the mixed reviews we had read beforehand—and we have no regrets.
The riad was in an excellent location, just a 10-minute walk from the main square. Every morning we were greeted by stunning mountain views from the rooftop terrace. Although the owner didn’t speak English, he was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and always willing to help.
For us, the location alone made it a fantastic place to stay.
Dar Chourafa Riad (Tripadvisor)