Is Chefchaouen Worth Visiting? 10 Fun Reasons to Visit Now!

Are you wondering, is Chefchaouen worth visiting?

We spent a month on a road trip through Morocco with our kids and visited some incredible places. The beautiful blue city of Chefchaouen was one of the highlights of our time in Morocco. If this is your first time exploring Morocco then it is the perfect place to visit. Because it’s beautiful, welcoming and more relaxing than some of the other cities. Chefchaouen is totally worth visiting!

One of the best things about it is that it’s relatively easy to explore. That’s because it’s a relatively small city, with its narrow streets all leading off of the main square. We want to encourage you to discover Chefchaoeun, the famous blue pearl of Morocco. So to help persuade you we’ve put together a list of 10 fun reasons Chefchaouen is worth visiting!

Why Is Chefchaouen Worth Visiting?

There is something rather magical about Chefchaouen. As well as it’s blue buildings it’s also got a beautiful blue medina. It is easy to explore even if you have young kids with you like we did. In fact, because it’s a lot less frantic that other cities it’s perfect for families and people taking their first trip to Morocco. Here’s our 10 fun reasons why Chefchaouen is worth visiting.

In this photo a family is sat together on the sets of a street. The mum has her baby on her front in a babu carrier and the man has their other young son sat on his lap. The walls and steps that they are sat on are bright blue. This is the city of Chefchaouen which is really worth visiting to see how blue it is.

1. It’s unique for being Morocco’s blue city

If you’ve been looking online at Chefchaouen, then you might have seen that it’s often referred to as the “Blue Pearl of Morocco”. You’ll also spot that most social media images are taken with the backdrop of the narrow streets of the incredibly blue medina. When you visit you’ll spot signs all over the Chefchaouen medina. These are where locals set themselves up in the best places to help you take amazing photos. You’ll stand in front of the blue buildings for a small fee and they’ll take your photo for you.

Why is the city painted blue? The most common theory is that post WWII the Jewish community grew. At this time, the blue was painted on the walls, floors and steps. This was because it was a part of a religious practice. It is said that for Jewish people it represents the colour of the sky. This helps to connect the city to heaven and God.

2. There’s lots to do in Chefchaeoun which makes it worth visiting

For a small city there is a lot to do there. Most of the best things to do are just a short walk away from each other. We want to share our list of the best things to do and try when you’re in Chefchaeoun.

Explore the blue medina which is one of the main attractions
Hike up to the Spanish Mosque in the late afternoon. You’ll get the best views of the city as you watch the sunset over the Blue Pearl of Morocco
Enjoy a mint tea in the main square, people watch and keep an eye out for local entertainment
Discover the Kasbah and the Kasbah Museum
Buy some beautiful Moroccan souvenirs and spices
Take a day trip into the Riff Mountains for some hiking

We tend to explore on our own and just go with the flow. You might want to hire a local guide. They’re great because they can give you more background as you visit each of the main attractions.

A man in a red t-shirt is crouching down in front of a colourful juice stand in Chefchaouen. On his back in a green backpack carrier is his son who is also in a red t-shirt.

3. It’s fun place to go shopping

The fun thing about visiting Morocco is that no matter where you go you’ll notice that there are always lots of small shops. These small shops are typically found in the centre of the city within the walls of the medina. They sell everything from spices to ceramics to leather goods. The great thing about the Chefchaouen medina is that it’s a lot calmer than the larger cities of Marrakech and Fes. So, if it’s your first time in Morocco it is a relatively relaxing experience.

The shops can be found on the narrow streets that lead from the main square, Plaza Uta el Hamman, and are just a short walk from each other. You’ll find that the shop owners in Chefchaouen are very friendly. Most of them will offer you mint tea and samples of their sweet treats if you have the time. This is one of the best places to enjoy some relaxing shopping. You’ll be able to pick up a few bargains to take home with you. Other great places to shop in Morocco is Rabat, which also has a fantastic small medina to explore.

4. You can explore at your own pace which is why Chefchaouen is worth visiting

What we love about this small city is that it’s easy to navigate. This means you can relax and explore the narrow streets at your own pace. Whilst you could hire a local tour guide who’ll give you the history, you can also just head off on your own. There is the main square in the centre of Chefchaouen called Plaza Uta el Hamman. It is just outside of the Kasbah. From the main square the narrow streets run off at all angles. For us, part of the fun (in our opinion) was just walking around and seeing where you find yourself.

Most of the local restaurants can also be found around Plaza Uta el Hamman. We loved spending time there as you’ll often spot local entertainers coming to the square to dance or play instruments. This square is a lot calmer than it’s counterpart in Marrakech called Djemaa el-Fnaa. If you’re new to Morocco, then visiting a quieter main square is a good idea before exploring Marrakech with kids.

This is a photo of the stone outside of a kasbah. In the foreground a man has his back to the camera and is carrying his son on his shoulders. They are in Chefchaouen which is very family friendly means it is worth visiting with kids.

Top tip: We always download Google Maps when we visit a city. That way we have it handy without needing to have data on our phones. If you get lost you can then thsis is the best way to find your way back to the kasbah or main square.

5. It’s safe

We touched on it already, Chefchaouen is a wonderfully calm city in Morocco to explore. It’s never possible to guarantee somewhere is totally safe. However, the fantastic thing about Chefchaouen is that it’s less busy and noisy. And, because of that you feel a lot more relaxed and so it feels a lot safer. Of course, there are still risks of petty crimes like pickpocketing. However, because it’s not busy the chances of it tend to be much lower.

6. The locals are really friendly

We found that the Moroccans we met on our trip were extremely welcoming. And none more so than the ones that we met in Chefchaouen. It just feels like because it’s more relaxed they have more time to get to know you. It’s one of the best places to bring kids that we went to on our road trip. One of the higlights was the fun we had at a local play park with our boys. Even with the language barrier the local children still invited our eldest with a wave of their hand to join in with their game of “run around the playground”. It seems playing is the same in any language!

The best way to get to meet locals is to enjoy a mint tea with them when they invite you for one. Most of the local shop owners will invite you in for one if you are in their shop long enough. Another great way is to book yourself onto a cooking course with a local family. We’ve done a few of these and they’re great fun. Plus you obviously get to enjoy a delicious meal at the end.

7. It’s a great place to visit for your first time in Morocco

If this is going to be your first time to Morocco then Chefchaouen is a great place to head to. Like we’re already mentioned, it’s a lot calmer than some of the larger cities. So, whilst you’ll still have an amazing Moroccan experience it’ll be a lot more relaxed making it the perfect place for your first time. We’d recommend taking a tour guide as they’ll be able to explain some of the history and culture behind not only what you’re seeing in Chefchaouen but also throughout Morocco. You’ll soon learn the difference between a medina and a kasbah!

This is a photo of a blue alleyway in the medina in Chefchaouen. There is an archway and path running through it. To the right of the image in the foreground is the back of a man with his son on his shoulders as they walk along the streets.

8. You can visit on a day trip from Tangier or Fes

This is a bit of a tricky pro to visiting Chefchaouen. That’s because you can technically visit on a day trip from either Tangier or Fes. However, we’d really recommend that you’d want to stay at least one night. If you’re short of time then even just a few hours in Chefchaouen are magical. However, one of our favourite times of day was sunset from the Spanish Mosque which you might miss on a day trip.

We drove from Tangier to Chefchaouen as we had brought our car over from Spain. It was a really comfortable ride with plenty to see along the way! If you do decide to make a day trip then the best way to do this would be to join a guided tour or take a private taxi because its a lot quicker than taking a bus ride.

9. The local hiking is beautiful

The hiking around Chefchaouen is incredible – there’s a great mix of hikes meaning that there’s quite literally something for everyone. It’s not surprising really because it’s amazing location in the Rif mountains of Northern Morocco means you are surrounded by beautiful hiking opportunities. The nearby Talassemtane National Park in the Rif Mountains is home to one of the most popular hikes in the area that starts in Akchour. The hike is called Gods Bridge and includes stopping off at the big waterfall along the way. We loved it because as you walk along the river there are these cool cafes where you can grab a cold drink or order a tasty bite to eat.

If you’re looking for a short hike, then the most popular one is in the town itself and takes you up to the Spanish Mosque for sunset. Once you’re up there you’ll have the best views of Chefchaouen, and get to watch the sun setting over the blue buildings. Whilst this is a great place to for sunset, it’s a popular tourist spot (for good reason), so don’t go expecting to have a romantic sunset. We had a great time up there with our boys meeting other people and chatting, which made it great fun!

This photo was taken as the sunsets over the blue city of Chefchaouen. It was a cloudy day so the sun wasn't clear, however, it is still magical to see the blue buildings lit up as the sun sets. It is definitely worth visiting the Spanish Mosque which is where the photo was take from.

10. It’s a beautiful city

It’s no surprise why it’s called the Blue Pearl of Morocco, because it really is one of the most beautiful cities in Morocco.

As well as it’s stunning blue buildings it has the incredible Rif Mountains as a backdrop. You’ll find charming narrow streets to explore, a beautiful kasbah as well as shops full of colourful spices – it’s hard not to just keep taking photo after stunning photo in Chefchaouen.

You’ve also got the sunset at the Spanish Mosque and the hikes through the Rif Mountains so enjoy – it’s a totally beautiful city full of colour, architecture and excitment.

Top tip: To get the best photos, you’ll want head out early just as the sun rises and before it gets busy.

FAQ’s Chefchaouen

How many days do you need in Chefchaouen?

Whilst you can do a day trip to Chefchaeoun from nearby Tangier or Fes, it’s worth spending at least two days and one night there. Because you won’t want to miss out on a stunning sunset from the Spanish Mosque.

Can you do Chefchaouen as a day trip?

Yes, you could. We met a few people there that had, however, they all said that it was a rush to see the main bit of the city and that they’d have loved to have stayed longer to explore the surrounding area in the Rif Mountains.

What is the best time to visit Chefchaouen?

The best time to visit Chefchaouen is in either Spring or Autumn when it’s still warm. In those seasons the temperature sits in the range of (20-28°C) in the the low 80s°F.

How do I get to Chefchaouen?

There are several ways to get to Chefchaouen from the nearby cities of Tangier and Fes. With regards to public transportation, you can take a bus ride to the bus station in the city, it’s 3.5 hours from Tangier and 4.5 hours from Fes. Just to note that there isn’t a train service as there isn’t a train station. By far the easiest way to get there is to take a private taxi or private transfer which should take 2 hours from Tangier and 3 hours from Fes.

Final Thoughts On is Chefchaouen Worth Visiting

We managed in our trip to visit many of the amazing towns and cities in Morocco. Some like Ouarzazate probably weren’t worth visiting, however, this can’t be said for Chefchaouen as this was one of our favourite cities on our trip! Located in the beautiful Rif Mountains there is lots to do in the city, and also the surrounding area too. Chefchaouen is definitely worth visiting during your trip to Morocco.