Located in the mountains of northern Morocco is a city that you should not miss when visiting this beautiful country. Many people skip it because it takes some time to get there, but it’s worth every minute of the journey. The city feels completely different from the rest of Morocco and has its own special atmosphere. I actually started my travels in Morocco here, and it was the perfect place for me to begin. The city is calm, beautiful and peaceful, especially compared to places like Fes and Marrakesh.
There’s one thing that makes Chefchaouen stand out and might be the reason you’ve heard of it before. It’s known as the Blue City, and that name couldn’t be more accurate. The entire city is covered in blue, from the buildings to the streets, in every shade you can imagine. Everywhere you look, there’s blue, and it’s something you really have to see in person to appreciate
The name Chefchaouen is a mix of Arabic and Berber, and it literally describes the landscape around it. It means “watch the horns,” referring to the two mountain peaks that rise above the city and look like horns. The city is surrounded by lush green mountains and sits on a hill where the blue buildings start at the bottom and stretch all the way up to the top. When I say the town is blue, I really mean it. Walking through the medina of Chefchaouen feels almost unreal. The floors are blue, the walls are blue, the houses are blue, even the rooftops are blue. Every shade you can think of covers the city, and it makes the streets and alleyways look like something out of a painting.
The locals take a lot of pride in keeping the city beautiful. You’ll see local art hanging on the walls, small decorations, and handmade pieces that reflect their culture. Every street you walk down has its own look. Even the squares have blue benches, blue tiles, and colorful windows. Every door is painted a different shade or has its own design, and it’s so fun to wander around and see how each one is different. You could walk through the medina for hours and still find new little spots that make you stop and look around in awe.
Now, you might be sitting there thinking why on earth a city would paint every part of the streets and homes blue. There are a few different reasons and even some myths, so I’ll break down a few of the main ones. One is that many, many years ago, this was a place where Jews fleeing Spain settled. They decided to paint the buildings blue to represent their culture since blue is considered a holy and spiritual color meant to symbolize the heavens. Another reason is more practical. The blue helps keep the homes and streets cool during the hot summers because it reflects sunlight and keeps the temperature a bit lower. There is also a story that the blue paint was used to repel mosquitoes, especially around the wetter mountainous areas where bugs were common.
Whatever the original reason, the result is stunning. The streets and buildings are all painted blue, and the people of Chefchaouen really take care of the city. They keep the Medina maintained and make sure the blue stays fresh and bright, which makes the whole place feel alive and well cared for.
Walking through the city, you can spend time shopping or just exploring the different streets of the Medina. One of the best things to do is walk up to the Spanish Mosque. It’s about a 30-minute walk from the start of the Medina, and it offers some amazing views of the city. From up there, you get a full panoramic view of the entire blue city along with the surrounding mountains. It is especially beautiful at sunset. I walked up there multiple times during my travels in Chefchaouen, and it was always the perfect spot to take in the colors and the landscape.
There are also some really nice cafés and restaurants, especially around the main square of the Medina. You can get good food or a cup of tea and just sit for a while, enjoying the blue of the city and watching the streets go by. It’s a simple but perfect way to soak in the atmosphere.
There are also so many nice hotels, hostels, and riads with beautiful rooftops where you can relax and enjoy the scenery. You can sit, take in the views, and just watch the city and mountains around you. There are also plenty of hikes you can do in the surrounding mountains. On these hikes, you can see some of the local villages, how people live, and the different things they grow and cultivate in the mountains. It’s a great way to explore beyond the city and get a sense of everyday life in the area.
The city is really cool, and there aren’t a ton of crazy things to do, which is part of what makes it so nice. You can just take your time exploring, walking around, and enjoying the mountains and the beautiful city. I recommend spending at least two days here so you have enough time to really soak it all in. You can do some shopping, visit a few lookout points, and enjoy the café culture. Like I said, it is much calmer and more peaceful than some other cities in Morocco, so if you’re looking for a quiet escape in a beautiful little town, Chefchaouen is a great choice.
To reach the city, you can take a bus, a private transfer, or rent a car. I took an eight-hour bus ride all the way from Casablanca. The closest major city is Tangier, and you can take a bus from there that takes a few hours to reach Chefchaouen. You can also rent a car and turn it into a little Moroccan road trip, which makes it easy to add this city to your itinerary.
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