In a nutshell
- Chefchaouen is also known as Morocco’s blue city — every alley, every staircase, and almost every house is painted blue. An absolute highlight in Morocco and one of the most photogenic places in the world.
- The city is relatively small and you can see the most important highlights in one day. In this article, we cover the 7 best things to do in Chefchaouen — from the Medina to the Akchour Waterfalls day trip.
- We’ll also show you our 5 favorite photo spots — including exact Google Maps locations so you can find them without any hassle.
- Our favorite place to stay is the Riad Nila — beautiful Morocco-boho design and a breathtaking rooftop view over the city.
Our Top 7 Chefchaouen Attractions on a Map
Chefchaouen is one of the smaller towns in Morocco. In terms of size, you can probably compare it more to the coastal town of Essaouira than to Marrakech or Fès.
There aren’t quite as many things to do in Chefchaouen as in Morocco’s bigger cities. But the ones that are there are truly stunning! To give you an overview of where everything is located, we’ve marked the highlights on a Chefchaouen map.
Chefchaouen's Medina
What you need to know: Chefchaouen is also called Morocco’s blue city, because everything in the Medina (old town) is painted blue and white. There are several theories as to why everything in Chefchaouen is blue. On one hand, the color blue is said to ward off the evil eye according to Islamic belief. On the other hand, it’s said to keep the alleyways cool during the hot summer.
Is it worth it? The historic center of Chefchaouen is probably the main reason travelers come here. The blue alleyways, staircases, and houses just look incredibly cool, and you can take the most beautiful photos around every corner. The Medina also has one or two more lovely Chefchaouen highlights to discover.
Our tip: Especially during the best time to visit Morocco, the small and narrow alleyways of the Medina can get seriously crowded. Chefchaouen is an absolute tourist magnet. If you want the Medina to yourself, get up at sunrise at least one day — it’s totally worth it.
Uta el-Hammam Square
What you need to know: All roads in the Medina will sooner or later lead you to Uta el-Hammam Square, as it sits right in the heart of the old quarter. It reminds us a little of a mini version of Djemaa el-Fna, one of the top attractions in Marrakech. It’s always busy here, kitschy souvenirs are sold, and locals pose with animals for photos.
Is it worth it? Absolutely! A visit to Uta el-Hammam Square is simply non-negotiable when you’re in Chefchaouen. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants and cafés here where you can try Moroccan specialties. While you’re at it, you can watch the colorful bustle on the square — we love it!
Chefchaouen's Kasbah
What you need to know: Right on Uta el-Hammam Square (our attraction number 2) stands the imposing Kasbah of Chefchaouen. It has served as a residence for governors, a military authority, and a prison. Today you’ll find an ethnological museum there with an interior garden, fountains, and terraces.
Is it worth it? Honestly, the entry fee of 60 dirhams (6 euros) felt a bit steep to us, since we only wanted to see the Kasbah and not the museum. That said, the panorama from the rooftop of the Kasbah over Chefchaouen is supposed to be absolutely breathtaking!
Shopping in Chefchaouen
What you need to know: The alleyways of Chefchaouen’s Medina aren’t just about blue houses and cool photo spots. You’ll find small shops at literally every corner selling all kinds of souvenirs, such as handmade rugs, colorful ceramics, beautiful lanterns, and even traditional clothing.
Is it worth it? You’ll pass by plenty of shops anyway on your stroll through the old town. We love the colorful, authentic Moroccan design. Browsing through the stores is always worthwhile — and maybe you’ll find a great piece that reminds you of your Morocco trip.
Sunset from the Spanish Mosque Bouzafer
What you need to know: The Spanish Mosque Bouzafer sits on a small hill near Chefchaouen. From up here you have an incredibly stunning view over the entire city. The white mosque itself is beautiful to look at too. From the old town, it’s about a 20-minute walk up the hill.
Is it worth it? Totally! You don’t necessarily have to do a desert tour in Morocco to catch a truly beautiful sunset. The one from the mosque in Chefchaouen is pretty unique! And even halfway up the hill, you already have a fantastic vantage point over Morocco’s blue city — amazing!
Ras el Ma
What you need to know: Ras el Ma is essentially a small water source with a little waterfall (in summer it sometimes doesn’t flow at all). It sits above the city walls, and the atmosphere here is completely different from the Medina — but still really cool! A somewhat off-the-beaten-path spot among things to do in Chefchaouen.
Is it worth it? In summer, hundreds of people flock here, as locals in particular love swimming in the small spring. In spring and fall it’s quieter, and you can sit right by the water at a café and enjoy a Moroccan mint tea at a leisurely pace. A detour is worth it, since you’ll pretty much pass by here on your way to the mosque anyway.
Our tip: Around Ras el Ma you’ll find many small stalls selling fresh orange and pomegranate juice. Definitely give it a try — the juices here are so delicious and taste much better and fresher than anything you’ll find back home.
Day Trip to the Chefchaouen Akchour Waterfalls
What you need to know: From Chefchaouen, you can reach the Atlas Mountains of Morocco really quickly. One of the most beautiful spots up here are the Akchour Waterfalls, located in Talassemtane National Park. The waterfalls are about 45 minutes away from Chefchaouen by car or shared taxi. You can also hike there in around five hours.
Is it worth it? Definitely! On the hike, you’ll enjoy gorgeous views of the green mountains around Chefchaouen. At the end, you’ll be rewarded with the waterfalls and crystal-clear water. Right by the water there are a few small restaurants for a break. The God’s Bridge — a natural stone arch — is also a real highlight. You can also book a guided tour and hike on-site.
Full-Day Trip to the Akchour Waterfalls
Also worth seeing: In addition to Talassemtane National Park, there is also the Bouhachem nature reserve. Both protected areas offer even more hiking trails for day hikes and multi-day treks. You can stay overnight in simple guesthouses. Ask your hotel in Chefchaouen about a guide, or book a tour online in advance.
3-Day Trek into Talassemtane National Park
Cool Photo Spots in Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is the perfect place for a truly beautiful travel photo from your Morocco vacation. It’s no wonder that many travelers now come here solely for the photo opportunities — seriously!
We’ve personally tested some Chefchaouen Instagram spots and are sharing our five favorites with you.
Really cool: You can also book a photo shoot online with local photographers.
Photo shoot with a professional photographer in Chefchaouen
#1 Alley with Small Archways and Grapevines
Our absolute favorite alley is this one with small archways and grapevines. Here you can take not only great full-body shots but also beautiful portrait photos with a blurred background.
Location: Alley with archways on Google Maps
#2 Pretty Alley with Flower Pots
A classic Instagram spot in Chefchaouen is the alleyways lined with flower pots — like this one. If you’re not shooting with a DSLR, you should definitely check out our tips for smartphone photography.
Location: Alley with flower pots on Google Maps
#3 Blue Staircase with Colorful Mosaics
An absolute standout in Chefchaouen for us is this blue staircase with colorful mosaics and stones. Staircases always add dynamism to your poses, and your photo ends up looking completely spontaneous — really cool!
Location: Blue staircase on Google Maps
#4 Door with Deep Blue Walls and Colorful Accents
A blue wall, a blue door, and even the pictures are blue. Only the flower pots bring in other color accents. We love photo subjects like this. Maybe our tips for street photography will help you get your perfect shot in Chefchaouen.
Location: Blue door on Google Maps
#5 Narrow House in Chefchaouen
This narrow house is a super popular Instagram spot in Chefchaouen. Unfortunately, the staircase is no longer accessible. It still looks great though, and a quick detour for a photo is definitely worth it.
Location: Narrow house on Google Maps
Beautiful Accommodations in Chefchaouen
In Chefchaouen, you absolutely should stay in the Medina. You’ll be right in the heart of Morocco’s blue city and experience this one-of-a-kind atmosphere from morning to evening.
Your best bet is to book a riad — these are traditional Moroccan townhouses. You’ll also find beautiful riads in Marrakech and wonderful riads in Fès.
Find all our hotel tips for Chefchaouen here
Our top Chefchaouen hotel recommendations:
General Tips and Frequently Asked Questions about Chefchaouen
Where is Chefchaouen located?
Chefchaouen is located in the far north of Morocco, only about 50 kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea.
The nearest major cities are Tangier and Tétouan. Near Tétouan, for example, is Tamuda Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in Morocco.
How many days do you need in Chefchaouen?
For the most important highlights, one day is enough. As you stroll through the Medina, you’ll also have plenty of opportunities to snap some great photos along the way.
If you want to explore at a more relaxed pace, plan for two days.
If you’re adding a day trip from Chefchaouen into the Atlas Mountains, you’ll need an extra day for that.
Is the detour to Chefchaouen worth it?
It depends. Chefchaouen is a truly beautiful and relaxed city, and we love photographing every alley and discovering new spots. For us, it’s even one of the most beautiful places in the world.
That said, Chefchaouen is pretty far from all the other highlights in Morocco and isn’t the easiest to fit into a Morocco road trip. Just getting from Fès to Chefchaouen is about 200 kilometers, which takes nearly four hours.
In the end, you’ll have to decide for yourself whether the detour fits your itinerary — but we’d say it’s totally worth it if you can make it work.
Why are the houses in Chefchaouen blue?
There are several theories as to why everything in Chefchaouen is blue.
On one hand, the color blue is believed in Islamic tradition to ward off the evil eye. On the other hand, it’s said to keep the alleyways cool during the hot summer months.
How do you get to Chefchaouen?
The easiest way to reach Chefchaouen is by rental car as part of a road trip — most travelers drive in from Fès.
Alternatively, you can take a bus (prices from 9 euros) or a private transfer. Both options are easy to book through the 12Go website.
Getting there by plane
If you’re exploring the very north of Morocco, your best option is to fly into Tangier. Direct flights are available from several European airports, with Ryanair often offering very affordable fares at certain times of year.
From Tangier onward
From Tangier, you can travel to Chefchaouen by rental car or bus — the two cities are only about 110 kilometers apart. You can book the bus through the 12Go website. It costs around 10 euros and takes about 2.5 hours.
What's the weather like in Chefchaouen?
Is Chefchaouen safe?
Yes — we don’t find Chefchaouen dangerous at all and have always felt safe here.
Chefchaouen is by now a very touristy city and there’s always something going on.
That said, petty theft and pickpockets are a reality, so always keep an eye on your valuables to stay safe in Morocco.
