Chefchaouen is one of Morocco's most iconic and enchanting destinations. Morocco Today Tours guides you through its cobalt-blue alleys, mountain air, and the peaceful Rif culture that makes this city unlike anywhere else on earth.
May 25, 2022
Nestled in the Rif Mountains of northern Morocco, Chefchaouen is unlike anywhere else on earth. Its medina — a labyrinth of narrow alleyways, arched doorways, and tiered terraces — is painted in every shade of blue imaginable, from pale powder blue to deep cobalt and indigo. For Morocco Today Tours, it is one of the most beloved stops on our northern Morocco itineraries, and guests never fail to be moved by it.
The origins of Chefchaouen’s famous blue walls are debated. Some say the colour was introduced by Jewish refugees who fled the Spanish Inquisition in the 15th century. Others say it was painted blue to reflect the sky and remind residents of heaven. Whatever the reason, the effect is deeply calming — walking through the medina feels like stepping into a painting.
Morocco Today Tours arrives in Chefchaouen by road from Fez or from Tangier, and we always time our arrival for the late afternoon when the light turns the walls to gold and lavender. Our local guide, a native of the city, leads guests through the medina’s twisting streets, past women weaving traditional blankets on wooden looms, past the central Plaza Uta el-Hammam with its ancient kasbah, and up to the Spanish Mosque on the hillside above the town — from where the view across the blue rooftops and into the Rif Mountains is simply breathtaking.
“Chefchaouen is the one place that makes every single guest go quiet. That silence is one of the greatest gifts Morocco has to offer.” — Zaid Boutachtouin, Morocco Today Tours
The souks of Chefchaouen are quieter and less frenetic than those of Marrakech or Fez, giving guests the space to browse at leisure. The city is famous for its hand-woven blankets and textiles in the region’s distinctive red and white stripes, as well as for local goat cheese, honey, and fresh herbs brought down from the mountains by Rif Berber farmers each morning.
Evenings in Chefchaouen are magical. Morocco Today Tours arranges dinner on the terrace of a traditional guesthouse overlooking the medina, where guests eat harira soup, fresh-baked msemen flatbreads, and grilled kefta while watching the city’s lights flicker on one by one across the hillside. The mountain air is cool and clean, carrying the scent of cedar and wild herbs.
Chefchaouen is a destination that rewards those who take their time. With Morocco Today Tours, you will never be rushed. We believe this city deserves to be savoured — every blue alley, every mountain view, every unhurried cup of mint tea. It is one of Morocco’s greatest treasures, and we are proud to share it.
