When people think about Morocco, the image that most often comes to mind is of ‘the blue city’ with its vivid blue houses with red-tile roofs. They may not know the name of the town, but they can picture it. Indeed, Chefchaouen is the reason many tourists travel to Morocco. They need to see for themselves whether it really is as picturesque and atmospheric as it appears in the brochures and guidebooks. It had certainly been on our bucket list for years. When we finally made it there as part of our Intrepid tour around Morocco, the famous blue city did not disappoint. Read on for an account of our visit and my recommendations for the best things to do in Chefchaouen.
Being such a tourist magnet, Chefchaouen can quickly become overrun with visitors. With Instagrammable spots around every turn, it’s a photographer’s dream. This dream can soon turn into a nightmare, though, if you’re having to queue up to get your shot or push your way through crowds in order to see a particularly beautiful doorway. Fellow bloggers have told me that they really didn’t enjoy the city because it was just too busy.
All I can advise is that you visit in spring or autumn. Temperatures are cooler and the crowds are fewer. Don’t get me wrong, there will still be tourists, but you will be able to walk around with ease and interact with locals without being hassled too much.
We were in Chefchaouen in October. We loved it! We especially enjoyed exploring the alleyways of the medina in the early morning before the usual influx of daytrippers.
Originally called Chaouen, meaning ‘peaks’, the name of the city was changed to Chefchaouen, meaning ‘look at the peaks’, in 1975. Today, both names are used interchangeably.
Chefchaouen is undoubtedly one of the prettiest towns in Morocco. It has an other-worldly feel with its arts and crafts and blue-washed buildings. Many residents, especially the ladies, still wear traditional costume. At times. it can feel like you’ve wandered onto a movie set.
For all that, the city is authentic. Real people live here. They work, study, and raise their families. Tourists are privileged to get glimpses into the lives of ordinary Moroccans as they go about their business, doing their laundry in the river or cooking lunch on outdoor barbecues.
In recent years, Chefchaouen has shed its image as a haven for hippies and backpackers, somewhere to come to buy and smoke cannabis. The town has gentrified and offers a good range of accommodation and some amazing restaurants. It’s a great place to relax for a few days and to take the time to explore the cool green hills which surround the town.
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