Blue city Chefchaouen
There are Blue city Chefchaouen, which is regarded as the most beautiful town in all of Morocco and is situated between the Rif Mountains. Before I traveled to Morocco, I first learnt about it in Frijiliana, another warm and beautiful Andalusian town, when I bought an authentic notebook with pictures of blue wonderful doors on the cover and wondered where they were. So I traveled to Chefchaoune, the Blue City, following my passion.
Muslims constructed a fortification on the location of the town in the second part of the fifteenth century to defend their nation against Portuguese invaders. Jews who had been banished from Spain later found refuge there. They were the ones who gave Chefchaouen’s blue city its green hue. In order to draw closer to the Almighty, the Jews painted their homes blue, “the hue of the sea resembling the color of heaven,” according to the Talmud.
In Chefchaouen Blue City, although there are practically any Jews left, the houses are nevertheless decorated with blue paint in a variety of hues to draw tourists.
And we visited this well-known town because we were among the majority. But it’s really more of a little, charming town than a city. Everyone is very content as it is very warm and sunny. If I were to relocate to Morocco, I would unquestionably become an artist, live in one of the many blue houses that dot the expanse of Chefchaouen Blue City, and trust in the metered sunshine existence.
The town of Chefchaouen, as it is known locally, has a strong creative vibe, and you may frequently see people sketching, making things, or just being inspired there.
On the second day of our Moroccan tour, we arrived in this mythical city and instantly fell in love with it. We couldn’t help but sense the overwhelming positive emotions of people who had already visited Chefchaouen.
Where are you going?
As was already said, Chefchaouen is a village. Additionally, villages are notoriously little and can only be reached by passing through the nearby big cities, which must be done in order to go to the stunning chefchaouen blue metropolis.
Chefchaouen Blue City has no air connections to other Moroccan cities, hence there is no way to travel there by air. This strategy will succeed, though, if you have avian pals who are prepared to fly you anywhere. But from Europe, you can fly directly to the eagerly anticipated Emerald City from Fez, Casablanca, or Rabat. You can learn more about flying to Fez or Casablanca here and here, respectively. If there are no delays, problems, or connections, a one-way flight from metropolitan Russia (St. Petersburg and Moscow) to Morocco (Rabat, Casablanca, Fez) will typically cost between 200 and 250 euros and last about 6 hours. You may view the prices for the actual dates here.
Boarding a train
Another concern in Sheffshown is the train transportation. The town’s location in the mountains was probably a barrier to the railroad’s construction in those areas.
By bus
Bus travel is the most efficient and possibly the only way to reach Shefshauen.
The little town of Tetouan, as well as Fez, Casablanca, and Rabat, are all accessible from the blue village via CTM bus routes.
There are no bus connections from Agadir to Chefchaouen Blue City, Marrakech, or any city. In this case, it is advised to take a flight from these cities to Casablanca before continuing on to Chefchaouen.
- From Fez, it will take three hours and cost 7,5 EUR one way.
- From Casablanca, it takes about 6 hours and 12 EUR.
- Only 3 EUR and a little more than an hour from Tetouan.
- From Rabat, it requires 4 hours and 9 EUR.
One bus departs from Casablanca every day, five leave Tetouan every day, and three depart from other cities. You can purchase tickets at the ticket counter at the bus terminal in each city, but you need to arrive at the spot the ticket seller specifies an hour before the bus is scheduled to leave. Buses, on the other hand, consistently arrive as late as they can according to Moroccan time, which has its benefits because it allows you to properly anticipate what Chefchaouen Blue City will be like: tranquil and harmonious. There is no rush in the villages!
Although the Moroccan buses are really comfortable and the roads are very good, the views on the way to Chefchaouen Blue City are not amazing but they are still worthwhile to see so that you may compare them later with those you would see in the Atlas Mountains. The nation is one, but there are many different perspectives, and each one, which is distinctive in its own way, needs to be heard.
The bus station is where you’ll first arrive in Chefchaouen when arriving by bus, as it’s situated at the base of the city’s most fascinating region, the Medina. The city core is accessible via taxi or on foot. Due to the ongoing hikes, taking a cab will take around five minutes and cost about three euros, while walking will take you about 20 minutes. We made the second selection and are not sorry we did. It feels like you’re bouncing down the sloping streets from Medina to the bus terminal, but when you leave the city (we learned that you can only leave the city by bus),
By Car
Driving across Morocco may be pretty exhilarating. Although the country is small, the roads, as I recall, are excellent. It turns out that riding the bus to Chauvin is preferable to taking a car. Roads connect Chefchaouen to every Moroccan community, however the majority of travelers take the Fez route.
Ferry
Chefchaouen Blue City is inaccessible by boat due to its abundance of mountains and small river with a waterfall, although it is not at all related to the sea or the oceans. However, there are boats to Chefchaouen with connections in major cities that leave from coastal Moroccan ports (Tangier, Ceuta, and Melilla) (Fez, Casablanca, Rabat).
Summertime attractions in Chefchaouen
Even though Chefchaouen can get fairly hot in the summer, a lot of people still travel there during this season. In Chefchaouen, travelers pause en route to the sea to check if the water is actually completely blue. They are awed, convinced, and offer evidence in the form of countless gorgeous photographs showing blue walls, doors, and even pets before coming to the conclusion that the city is lovely and deserving of a visit. Therefore, all of these travelers frequently visit Chefchaouen, but not during the summer, to see the city more and not hide from him in the shadows. Not everyone can dodge summer, but summer is summer.
Things to do in Chefchaouen during the fall
I don’t believe there is any autumn in the blue metropolis of Chefchaouen. Additionally, there is no such thing as autumn weather; instead, when it rains, everything fades and the sun disappears until the following summer. And things only become better in the nicest and brightest attitude. Perhaps the city is lovely in the fall, but not because the season is lovely, but rather because the city doesn’t give a damn about anything.
Chefchaouen attractions in the spring
The city can reach temperatures of up to +30 degrees in the spring, however Chefchaouen is periodically shielded from the sun by rain. After gorgeous sunsets, it becomes incredibly nice at night. The surrounding river and tiny alleyways offer a refreshing relief from the heat. One of the best times of year to visit Chavin is now.
Chefchaouen attractions for the winter
Even though it’s cold in Chefchaouen during the winter, you can still get a tan at this time of year. Although the light is always very welcoming and warm, the temperature during the day can exceed +15. Furthermore, unlike in Fes, the nights are pleasantly warm and comfortable.
Chefchaouen was accessible to us during the winter, most especially in January, although it seemed as though we were there in May.
Neighborhoods. Which city is the best to live in?
There is an ancient town and a new town in Chefchaouen, like many Moroccan cities. The new has no name yet because it is so new, while the old is constantly referred to as Medina.
Chefchaouen’s most fascinating and scenic area, the Medina, is where everything happens. Keep to the Medina area of Chefchaouen as it contains everything that will influence your perception of the city.
A Dar or Riad, which are characteristic Moroccan homes, is unquestionably where you ought to stay. Both are beautiful and enjoyable, with patios, terraces, and a cozy atmosphere. Chefchaouen also offers the option of staying in a house, which is pronounced similarly to the words “casa” in Spanish and “maison” in French. Due to the city’s history and the large influx of immigrants from southern Europe, used here mostly in Spanish and French.
From 8 to 150 euros are spent on lodging in Chefchaouen. One night in one of the city’s Dar, Riad, Casa, or Maison hostels costs the first fee and includes a shared room with 6–10 beds. For the second cost, you can reserve a house with all the comforts for one night.
Considering what I’ve seen
We stayed in La Casa Amina while visiting Chefchaouen, a charming Moroccan residence run by a family. Although difficult to locate amid the alleys of emerald, it was genuine. The home is small but decorated in a very charming Moroccan manner, with walls painted in shades of yellow and blue, wooden beams hanging from the ceilings, patterned tiles, and breathtaking photographs taken by the owner’s eldest son throughout. The patio is always open and offers mint tea along with fascinating local history. You may enjoy the sunshine on the terrace while pondering what might be on the nearby terraces. It is highly recommended because of how pleasant the environment is.
The cost of a two-person room at Casa Amina for one night is 8 EUR, but there is no bathroom or shower. The latter appears to be a communal space, yet it is really comfortable. Despite being small, Casa Amina is always crowded, so if you still want to stay here, make a reservation in advance because there are always a lot of people who want to live there. One of this property’s drawbacks is the absence of breakfast, but one of its many benefits is that the owners can recommend some of the best cheap restaurants in Chefchaouen where you can get a good breakfast and just enjoy delicious food. And the atmosphere of the house continues to be really nice, drawing me back time and time again.
Primary drawings. The Situation
The town as a whole is really appealing. In Chefchaouen Blue City, you must stroll around a lot, take in everything, and take lots of photos. The city has very beautiful scenery. Even just the doors are worth the admission fee!
Top 5
- el-Hammam Plaza at Uta. The main square of the city has a lot of eateries and coffee shops, and in the middle is a Christmas tree, around whose axis locals and visitors mix on the benches. The square is not particularly interesting, unless you count the people who want their picture taken.
- Kasbah. The fortress that Chefchaouen was built around was the one that the Arabs constructed to protect their area from the Portuguese. The stronghold was moved to the main square and is now a relics museum with an admission fee of about 2 EUR.
- The Ras el Maa Park. Beyond the gates of the Medina, the park is situated alongside the river. In the park, there are mills, laundromats, a waterfall, and arched bridges that span the river. The ambiance is rather cozy, constantly alive and mischievous, and it attracts all the interested.
- Graffiti in the streets of Morocco. Only by searching every street in Chauvin can you find it, but the search is well worth it.
- viewpoint offering a wide-angle view of Emerald City. It is located along the river, adjacent to the Spanish Mosque, and on a mountain. All roads will lead there, ensuring your safety.
Things to do in a single day
The three days we spent in Chefchaouen turned out to be more than enough. However, if you just have one day to spend in this amazing city, you should explore it, soak in the sunshine, capture lots of beautiful photographs, get inspired, and come back someday. Here is the schedule for today:
- 6 a.m. – Enjoy a warm cup of mint tea while enjoying the beautiful day while watching the dawn from the terrace of the house.
- Emboldened by tangerine juice from the vendor, set out into the emerald streets at your leisure at 7 a.m.
- 10 a.m. – Eat brunch at a movie theater concession stand while snacking on Moroccan sandwiches and Asian desserts (read more below).
- Find and take pictures of every cat in Chefchaouen around 11 a.m.
- 12 p.m. – Visit a neighboring cafe to enjoy tea and converse with the artists (read more below).
- Day 13: Search for local street art and take pictures of all the prettiest doors in the area.
- Eat couscous or anything else delectable at a home-cooked restaurant on day 14. (read more below).
- Day 16: Amass memorabilia while honing your craft.
- Day 17: Visit Ras el Maa Park and the river to get a sense of life, independence, and adolescence. while enjoying avocado juice at a bright cafe, taking pictures of everyone giggling and enjoying the sunshine.
- Ascend the observation deck around 7 p.m., passing by all the mountain goats along the way. At the summit, be amazed by Chavin’s splendor, which is very similar to the Albaicn of the Spanish city of Granada. Then, bid the sun and the city a fond farewell before departing to encounter other experiences.
- What to Eat and Drink and Things to Do in Chefchaouen
- You can try all of the Moroccan cuisine at Chefchaouen, which have been extensively described here and here. Another must-try in Chefchaouen is the avocado and tangerine juice. They provide a ton of energy for the city as a whole as well as for the day. Walking up and down Medina’s streets becomes natural with that kind of zeal. These juices are nice at a cafe by the river for 1.5 EUR, and they are also good in the city’s heart when you roam around with a take-away juice from a stand for only 1 EUR.
For breakfast, pre-packaged dishes can be purchased on the streets of Chefchaouen or the Medina. The average cost per person for a full lunch or dinner at one of the city’s best restaurants is around 10 EUR. It is also less expensive, but it lacks flavor and health benefits.
Recommended places
Two highly regarded eateries were among the sights we found in Chefchaouen, the Blue City. The first is a homey restaurant that caters mostly to locals but is so popular with tourists that long lines often form for lunch and dinner there. The upper levels of the building are actually owned by the restaurant as well, so there are ample seats for everyone. Sorry, I won’t give you the name of the restaurant or how to get there, but everyone in the neighborhood knows where it is. There is a great terrace at the top, and it seems like every Sunday is Couscous Day.
Another place is a stand where the stall owner’s mother prepares oriental delicacies and sandwiches from Morocco. A sense of an outdoor movie theater with an endless movie of Moroccan fast food is created by tables and stools on a hill in front of the stall. The ambiance is laid-back, and a sandwich costs 4 EUR while sweets are 0.10 EUR apiece. The sandwiches are filling and even tasty.
Safety. pitfalls to avoid
On the Morocco article, you may read more information on security in general in Morocco. The Fez article uses first-hand accounts to paint a clear picture of Moroccan security. Additionally, Chefchaouen Blue City is not only safe, but incredibly safe. One of the few Moroccan places where even night walks were enjoyable and comfortable turned out to be Chefchaouen’s attractions. The only thing that may possibly annoy or aggravate them are the Arabs who are fixated on selling hashish. Morocco thus imparts patience.
How should I proceed?
A spacious, quiet cafe, the only one in town with live music in the evenings and artists at work throughout the day, is a great place to unwind with a cup of tea in addition to the traditional town walks. On the Catholic Christmas Day, we came across this place with the idea of coming back later for some entertainment. We returned, but the musicians were nowhere to be seen. Nevertheless, we staged a performance, and those who came for the music participated by playing guitar and singing. The thrill was the result of our collective improvisation. After all, Chefchaouen is motivational.
The cafe stands out because it welcomes customers with friendly artists, kittens, and an easel. You’ll enjoy yourself when you enter.
Souvenirs. What gifts should you bring?
On what and for what should be brought from the wonderful Morocco, much has already been said. Particularly from Chefchaouen, all kinds of krafters, handicrafts, artwork, paints, and something customary, like costumes worn by Chefchaouen townpeople, are desired.
Pictures. In Chefchaouen, there are many talented painters. One of several pictures you should unquestionably carry.
Paints. You can use them to build your own house or to paint yours every color of the color wheel. to learn about the rural Chefchaouen attractions.
A typical hat from Sheffshaw. They have a rainbow of colors and resemble Peruvian hats a lot. They sell these outfits throughout the Medina, though I’m not sure how much they cost, and they offer to have photos taken in them by the river.
How to Navigate the City
It is both possible and necessary to walk around the entire city. The city is as small as the palm of your hand, and to us, as residents of Russia’s vast territory, a few insignificant kilometers traveled by many in the name of a cab do not seem any longer than the route from your house to the neighborhood supermarket. The only drawback is that Shefshauen’s streets occasionally wind up and down due to its mountainous terrain, but this is both a joy and a benefit. The only reasons to visit Chefchaouen are the Medina and the breathtaking views from the observation decks. There is only one way to obtain the first and second, and that is by using your own strategy. Therefore, put on a pair of comfy shoes, maintain your positive attitude, and overcome Chefchaouen.
What characteristics does Cab have?
Cabs are fairly prevalent throughout Morocco, including Chefchaouen. But only if you have a pressing need to get from the bus station to the Medina immediately, should you use it. In that case, a one-way cab ride might cost roughly 3 EUR and be short on time. You won’t even need to catch a ride because there will likely be a queue of cabs waiting for you that are eager to take you; cabs don’t have meters and don’t accept credit cards.
Renting a vehicle to explore Chefchaouen’s attractions
The tiny town of Chefchaouen y expanded at the expense of nearby large towns, therefore transportation rentals there are either nonexistent or outrageously expensive.
It is best to use a car that was rented in Rabat, Casablanca, or Fès to get to Chefchaouen. See here, here, and here for information on renting a car in other Moroccan cities. For examples of rental prices, click the link.
Family vacation: Chefchaouen attractions
Chefchaouen is bursting with enthusiasm and love since there are so many kids living there. You may see tiny Moroccans everywhere, playing in the river or under the open sky, whether you’re strolling through the Medina’s streets or relaxing by the river. Sadly, we never saw any of the little children who came to visit us while we were in Chefchaouen Blue City. Kids would likely enjoy a sunny town like Shefshaven, in my opinion. Consider how many other, more genuine and true pleasures the city may provide its small visitors despite the lack of civilized entertainment like a water park, amusement park, and others: mountains, mountain goats, river, sun, fruit, soccer field, and perhaps new friends.
With or without children, friends, or even if you find yourself in this city alone, Chefchaouen is a very cozy spot to visit.
Chefchaouen is the place to be if you miss the sun, your friends, and your inspiration. If you visit Chefchaouen, you’ll stay warm and content.