Chefchaouen or Chaouen as some call it, is the blue town of Morocco. Although there are more areas of Morocco that also have their houses painted blue, it is here where you will find a complete town in blue and white tones.
To get there from Tetouan you will gradually go up a road, which will lead you to the foot of the mountains where the city of Chefchaouen is located. If you get dizzy, be prepared to bring hydrodramine, because it's not a very nice trail.
Chaouen, which is what it was called when it was founded by the Berbers in the 15th century, welcomed the Moors and Jews who were expelled from Spain at that time and who created their beautiful and charming medina in this semi-mountainous enclave.
At present this place has become a very touristic point, which is known as the blue town due to the striking color of the houses in its medina. And although Chaouen is always spoken of as a town, it is more like a small city of 40,000 inhabitants.
Once you arrive in Chaouen, you can stay in a Riad, I detail more about the best Riads on the main page. There is also the option of taking a full-day excursion from Tangier.
In this post I tell you everything you can see in this beautiful and unique city. Although the real charm of this place is getting lost in its streets and its Medina. I recommend that you hire a guided tour to get to know the corners of this city, its history and traditions.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN CHEFCHAOUEN, THE BLUE VILLAGE OF MOROCCO
Entrance arch to the medina of Chefchaouen
Your visit to Chefchaouen should focus on walking and enjoying the charm of its medina, for which I advise you to enter through its main door.
This access is arranged with an entrance arch located to the south of the medina, which you find on the main street that crosses this small Moroccan city from west to east.
Chefchaouen medina souk
From the entrance arch of the medina you must go up the narrow alley that will eventually take you to the nerve center of the medina, Uta el-Hamman square.
This alley is a true souk with many souvenir, clothing and handicraft shops, which if you visit Chefchaouen on a long weekend or on vacation, you will find it overflowing with people, to the point that you can feel somewhat overwhelmed and it is difficult to walk
Kasbah in Uta el-Hamman square
This square is the heart of the medina, it has a lot of charm and is the central point where you will start to wander and explore the corners of the medina.
Blue town
You should know that Chefchaouen is located in the Rif mountain range, a mountainous area with always very green landscapes, so that the small city and its medina extend on a mountainside.
In this walk through the narrow streets of the upper part of the medina is where you will discover the true charm of Chefchaouen.
Although there are still shops, in this area most of them are from local artisans, you will find yourself above all in a residential area that contains corners with the great charm of the prints on the facades of the houses with the characteristic blue color.
Stairs, passages with arches, interior patios... there is the charm of Chefchaouen. also known as the Blue Town.
If you are a fan of photography, you will not get tired of discovering those corners.
Waterfall and laundries in Chefchaouen
On your walk through the medina you must continue going up in a northeasterly direction until you reach the exit arch that opens in the wall in that area, and then go down to the waterfall and the washing places.
It is an area that fills up with visitors on holidays, especially Moroccans, who cool off in the pools that form in this gorge where the water flows down, and where the washing places are located.
There you will be able to see the peasant women who gather with their typical and colorful straw hats, which they sell to tourists or, failing that, they ask you for a tip for taking a photo of them.
The beauty of this city is that you walk through its streets, explore corners and enjoy the magic of the place.
I hope you enjoy your stay in the city a lot, that it has inspired you to choose this stop to make on your trip to Morocco.
The surroundings of Chefchaouen are also a natural place worth knowing, do not miss the post where I tell you about the trekking from Chefchaouen to Akchour.
In Chefchaouen you do not have as many accommodation options as in other Moroccan cities, but there are very good options. Staying in a Riad is a good option and I will tell you more about the Riads in The best Riads in Morocco.
PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to Chefchaouen very much and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
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A hug and see you soon!