In this article, you have a list of the blue City tourist attractions you must visit while you are in this beautiful city.
The Blue City Tourist Attractions
Chefchaouen, also called the blue city, was established in 1471 when Moorish and Jewish people escape the Reconquista of Spain and fled here. Mountains overlook the town where the house’s walls are all blue and white. This old town is rich in history and there’s much to see.
While you are in Chefchaouen, you have to take a lot of photos in its worthy corners. But, try to be respectful toward locals when you are photographing the beautiful small streets.
Chefchaouen Guided Tour
The blue city has so many stories, tour guides can be a good idea. Learn about the walls and gates of the town; admire the small signs of early life here and enjoy the medina’s beautiful natural water.
In case you are not a fan of a tour guide, Chefchouaen is a small town, you can find everything by yourself. In general, your hotel or riad can help you to explain how you find here and there. Before you go there, reading a little about the city can be enough and the locals are very friendly.
Old City and Medina
One of the biggest tourist attractions to do in this blue city is shopping. It might not be as grand or varied as in big cities like Marrakech, Fes, or Casablanca. But, Chefchaouen has a mesmerizing traditional souk. After you have explored streets like mazes, think about buying some traditional souvenirs. Local berbere artisanal shop owners are friendly and will welcome you to have a look at their locally made products like carpets, berbere hats…etc. The funniest thing about buying a souvenir here like anywhere in Morocco is the opportunity to bargain until you come to an agreeable price making both of you happy.
Tourists love relaxed ambiance which is hard to find in big cities. So, you can stroll at leisure and appreciate the local leather products for which Chefchaouen is best known.
Kasbah Museum (Kasbah means Tower)
With a cheap price of 10 DHS, you will have access to a beautiful Kasbah. Inside, there is a small beautiful garden, a former prison, and it contains 3 floors. This place, is heavenly, calm, with the charm of the authenticity of past eras… If you speak Spanish, there is an interesting exhibition about Arab Andalusian art.
Ras el-Ma Source
Ras el-Ma means “head of the water”. It is a sacred source that springs directly from the mountain and trickles its way into the town. An oasis of freshness that offers a superb view of the valley and a popular gathering place for locals. In the past, this source is the main reason that led to the construction of the town of Chefchaouen. It is the only supplier of the city in drinking water, irrigate farms that stretched along its current and locals gather here to wash their clothes and simply have a friendly water cooler moment.
Grand Mosque
This mosque, called Al Aadham, played a big role in the spiritual, social development of citizens and is one of the most important buildings in Chefchaouen. It is constructed by the founder of Chefchaouen, Moulay Ali Ben Moussa Ben Rached El Alami. The mosque has longitudinal naves raised by semicircular arches and the prayer room has four doors: the main door Bab El Hamraa, Bab El Janayaz, Bab El Wodoua, and Bab El Madrassa. Also, you will hear a beautiful prayer call which sounds five times a day creating a great atmosphere.
The Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen is popular with tourists, perhaps thanks to its unique octagonal minaret representing the style of the north of Morocco and is a definite must-see even if only Muslims can enter.
Hiking to The Spanish Mosque and Rif Mountains
The mosque was built by the Spanish in the 1920s and left abandoned. The mosque is overlooking Chefchaouen with a spectacular view of the blue city and you need to hike around 30 to 45 minutes one way from the medina’s eastern gate by Bab Al Ansar. The best time to go there is at sunset and no need for any special clothes or equipment to get to the top and enjoy the view.
You can hike in the surrounding Rif mountains and it is better to hire a local guide to discover places with the eyes of a local and learn more about the area.
Taking Pictures in beautiful Spots
The Blue city has many good instagrammable spots for beautiful pictures.
Akchour Waterfalls (Cascades)
While you are in Chefchaouen, we highly recommend going to Akchour, the true nature of Morocco. Akchour is just 30Km away from Chefchaouen and you will enjoy amazing waterfalls, mountains, and weed farms. Once there, you can easily find a friendly local guide to show you the real beauty of mountains but they’re not official guides.
How can you go to Chefchaouen?
To get to Chefchaouen, several solutions are available. From Tangier by car, you can reach Chefchaouen in about 2 hours and from Fes, 200 km from Chefchaouen, you need about 3h30 or 4 hours by car.
You can also join Chefchaouen by public transport. From Fez or Tangier, you can take a bus :
- Tangier: count about 2h45 or 3 hours drive. I recommend you to choose Supratours or CTM buses which have several departures per day.
- Fez: between 4 and 5 hours by bus to join Chefchaouen. Similarly, you can go through Supratours or CTM. Price is around 80 Dhs.
- Tetouan: count between 1h and 1h30 drive by bus if you choose CTM bus. The price is around 35 Dhs.
Mentioned prices can be a little bit more or less and concerning Supratours, it works with the ONCF (Moroccan Railways National Office) by reaching areas not served by the train.
CTM and Supratours are the best bus companies in Morocco. But their prices are expensive comparing to other companies. What is good with the two companies, is the respect of the departure time displayed in the website. Finally, for on-budget travelers, I advise you to take the other low-cost competitors.
