Chefchaouen, Morocco: travel guide
The Blue Pearl of the Rif Mountains — a photogenic hillside medina washed in shades of blue, a relaxed base for mountain walks.
- Country
- Morocco
- Currency
- MAD
- Time zone
- Africa/Casablanca
Top places to visit in Chefchaouen
Akchour Waterfalls
Waterfall · 4.6 rating · about 4 h
A spectacular day hike in Talassemtane National Park (~30km from town) to turquoise pools, the Bridge of God rock arch and a big cascade — a Rif Mountains highlight.
Chefchaouen Medina
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 2 h
The famous blue-washed old town climbing the Rif hillside — a maze of indigo lanes, craft stalls and cats that is one of Morocco's most photographed places.
Kasbah Museum
Museum · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · entry MAD 60
The restored 15th-century red-walled Kasbah on the main square, with a small ethnographic museum, tranquil Andalusian garden and a tower climb over the blue rooftops.
Plaza Uta el-Hammam
Cultural · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h
The lively main square of the medina, shaded by a mulberry tree and lined with cafes beneath the red-ochre Kasbah and Grand Mosque — the town's social hub.
Grande Mosquee
Mosque · 4.6 rating · about 0.3 h
The 15th-century Grand Mosque on the main square, distinctive for its unusual octagonal minaret; admired from outside by non-Muslims.
Spanish Mosque Viewpoint
Viewpoint · about 0.8 h
A short uphill walk east of the medina to an abandoned 1920s mosque on a ridge — the classic panorama over the whole blue town, unbeatable at sunset.
Ras el-Maa Waterfall
Waterfall · about 0.5 h
The spring-fed cascade at the eastern edge of the medina where locals do laundry and cafes cluster on the terraces — a cool, shaded spot to pause.
Things to do
- Blue Medina Photography Walk Tour · 2.5 h · from MAD 200 per person
- Akchour Waterfalls & God's Bridge Hike Hiking · 8 h · from MAD 350 per person
- Spanish Mosque Sunset Hike Hiking · 1.5 h · from MAD 100 per person
- Rif Mountains Village & Cheese Tour Cultural · 4 h · from MAD 300 per person
- Traditional Chaoui Cooking Class Culinary · 3 h · from MAD 250 per person
Day trips and tours
- Akchour Waterfalls Trek Day Tour 8 h · from MAD 350
Where to stay in Chefchaouen
- Medina about MAD 500 per night
The blue-washed old town itself — nearly every guesthouse is a converted blue house with a rooftop over the hills.
Hotels
- Lina Ryad & Spa 4-star · MAD 1,200 to MAD 2,000 per night
- Casa Hassan 3-star · MAD 700 to MAD 1,100 per night
- Hotel Parador 3-star · MAD 650 to MAD 1,000 per night
- Aline Hostel Chefchaouen MAD 100 to MAD 400 per night
- Dar Echchaouen 3-star · MAD 750 to MAD 1,200 per night
Where to eat
- Restaurant Bab Ssour Seafood, Moroccan · about MAD 90 per person
- Cafe Restaurant Aladdin Moroccan · about MAD 90 per person
- Restaurant Tissemlal (Casa Hassan) Moroccan · about MAD 150 per person
- Sofia Restaurant Moroccan · about MAD 90 per person
- Pizzeria Mandala Italian, Pizza · about MAD 80 per person
Getting around
- Shared Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Aggressive photo/tip requests
Blue medina lanes
Locals may pose in the famous blue doorways or offer to "show the best spots", then demand money for photos or guiding.
How to avoid it: Ask before photographing people, agree any fee first, and be aware some sellers of kif/hashish operate here — decline firmly.