Exploring Chefchaouen: Our Honest Take on Morocco’s Blue City

Chefchaouen, known as Morocco’s Blue City, is one of the country’s most famous and visually striking destinations. With its vibrant blue-painted streets set against a backdrop of stunning mountain landscapes, it has become a popular spot for both tourists and social media enthusiasts alike.

Naturally, we couldn’t miss out on visiting this iconic location ourselves. From our journey up to the Rif Mountains on a bus from Tangier to our experiences in the city, here’s our honest take on Chefchaouen after spending a few days there.

Getting to Chefchaouen: Remote Yet Accessible

Chefchaouen feels a bit isolated compared to Morocco’s more well-known tourist cities. The easiest way to reach the Blue City is by bus, with services available from major cities like Fez, Tetouan, and Tangier. We took a CTM bus from Tangier, costing us around 236 MAD for two return tickets. The journey was scenic, with beautiful views of forests and lakes, and it took about two hours with a short stop in Tetouan.

If you don’t mind a bit of adventure, renting a car is also an option. A 4×4 vehicle can give you more flexibility to explore the surrounding natural parks and hiking trails, which are less accessible on foot.

A Peaceful Mountain Retreat

As soon as we arrived, we were struck by how peaceful and quiet Chefchaouen felt. Surrounded by mountains, the city had a serene atmosphere that made it feel like a retreat. We walked to our accommodation from the bus station, which was only 20 minutes away. However, we quickly realized the bus station is located in a lower part of the town, meaning the walk to the medina involves steep uphill streets. It was quite a workout, especially with heavy bags, so we’d recommend a taxi if you have a lot of luggage.

The Medina: Small But Stunning

Chefchaouen’s medina is tiny, but undeniably charming. Its most famous feature is the striking blue buildings, which create a picturesque scene around every corner. The medina offers numerous opportunities for stunning photos, especially when the late afternoon sun casts a golden glow over the streets. One of the highlights is the small river on the eastern side of the medina, which adds to the atmosphere of tranquility.

For cat lovers, Chefchaouen is a dream – the streets are full of friendly stray cats. While this adds to the town’s charm, it also brings some not-so-pleasant smells in the narrower streets. We enjoyed relaxing in one of the main squares, sipping fresh juice, and watching both locals and tourists go about their day.

However, the city is so small that you can explore most of the medina in just a few hours. Outside of the old town, there isn’t much else to see, although wandering through the rest of the city can still be fun.

Nature Beyond the City

If you get tired of the city’s narrow alleys, Chefchaouen’s surrounding nature is well worth exploring. The Rif Mountains and nearby parks offer miles of hiking trails that are easily accessible from the city. But a word of caution – the trails are often poorly marked, and if you’re not paying attention, you might wander onto private farmland. While the locals are friendly, we did have an unsettling encounter with a protective dog. As rabies can be a risk in Morocco, it’s a good idea to avoid hiking alone, especially near farms and pastures.

A Tourist Hotspot

Chefchaouen is undoubtedly beautiful, but it’s also more touristy than we anticipated. While the blue streets are picturesque, they are lined with souvenir shops selling identical items, which somewhat detracted from the experience. It was difficult to avoid the commercial side of the town, as we were constantly approached by vendors. We also found it harder to blend in with the locals here compared to other parts of Morocco, and by the end of our visit, we had been offered “substances” numerous times, even while hiking.

Is Chefchaouen Worth Visiting?

Whether Chefchaouen is worth your time depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re after a unique setting for photos and want to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Rif Mountains, then this blue gem is definitely worth a visit. However, if you’re seeking an authentic Moroccan experience, Chefchaouen might feel a bit too staged, catering heavily to tourists.

Despite the crowds and the occasional hassle from street vendors, we still recommend Chefchaouen if you have a day to spare. It’s relatively easy to reach from nearby cities, and there are plenty of day trips organized by local hotels and travel agencies that give you enough time to explore without the stress of dealing with hawkers.

For those who want to experience the area’s nature, staying at least one or two nights in Chefchaouen is a good idea. If you’re lucky, you might even catch the breathtaking sight of the moonlit mountains – a memory we’ll cherish.

Overall, Chefchaouen offers a relaxing, picturesque escape. Just manage your expectations, and be prepared for the tourist crowds and street vendors. If you approach it with the right mindset, you’ll have a fantastic time in Morocco’s Blue City.