The best tips to visit Chefchaouen in northern Morocco

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Medina of Chefchaouen in northern Morocco

Now that I have had the opportunity to visit several enclaves of the northern morocco, the closest and easiest area to reach from Spain, I can say that the most beautiful and charming place is Chefchaouen.

Chaouen, which is what it was called when it was founded by the Berbers in the fifteenth century, welcomed the Moors and Jews who at that time were expelled from Spain and who in this half mountainous enclave created their beautiful and charming medina.

Nowadays This place has become a very tourist spot, which is known as the blue town for the striking color of the houses of his medina.

Corner of Chefchaouen's medina in northern Morocco

How to get to Chefchaouen

TO Chefchaouen, which is its name since the independence of Morocco In 1956, it is easy to reach by car crossing to Ceuta from Algeciras, or by direct flight from Madrid to Tangier.

In both cases you must pass through the city of Tetouan, whose medina is very worth visiting, and proof of this is that it has been declaredWorld Heritage.

And from Tetouan you will gradually climb up a winding road, in which it will be impossible for you to pass a bus, which will take you to the foot of the mountains where the city of Chefchaouen is located.

TOUR to CHEFCHAOUEN from TANGER or FEZ

To go to Chefchaouen You may prefer to sign up for an excursion, which you can do from Tangier or from Fez.
It's about aprivate tour with guide in Spanish which you will do in one day and it will surely be worth it if you travel several people; here you have the information about the Tour to Chefchaoeun from Tangier and theTour from Fez.

What to see and do in Chefchaouen

But what will you find when you get to Chefchaouen?

Chefchaouen in northern Morocco

To give you an idea, and with the experience of several visits I've made in recent times, I'm going to tell you what are the best places to see Y what to do in Chefchaouen.

1.- Chefchaouen medina entrance arch

your Chefchaouen visit You should focus on walking and enjoying the charm of its medina, for which I advise you to enter through its main door.

This access is provided with an entrance arch located south of the medina, which you find on the main street that crosses this small Moroccan city from west to east.

Well, indeed, when you get to Chefchaouen do not expect to meet a small town, but it is a small city of about 40,000 inhabitants, capital of the province of the same name, in the region of Tangier-Tetouan.

Corner of Chefchaouen's medina in northern Morocco

2.- Souk of the medina of Chefchaouen

From the entrance arch of the Chefchaouen Medina you must go up the narrow alley that will eventually take you to the nerve center of it, the Uta el-Hamman square.

This alley is a real souk with a succession of stores souvenirs, clothing and crafts, which yes visits Chefchaouen on a bridge or during vacation time, you will find it overflowing with people, to the point that you can feel a little overwhelmed.

From this alley, on the right side, another narrow street, which is actually advertised as shopping street, which takes you to the back of the Alcazaba located in the square, from where you will also reach it.

3.- Kasba in Uta el-Hamman square

As I said, this square is the heart of the medina, and I anticipate that it has a great charm.

Uta el-Hamman square in the medina of Chefchaouen in northern Morocco

Always very busy, in Uta el-Hamman highlights the Alcazaba or Kasba.

It is a fortress that has been restored and inside now houses a small ethnographic museum, although I recognize you that I have not yet had occasion to visit it.

It will also attract your attention Grand mosque of the fifteenth century, which shows an octagonal tower that is a very unusual configuration in the Morocco mosques.

You will verify that this square, true heart of Chefchaouen, it is full of terraces of cafes and restaurants, where always with a great animation, both of local population and tourists.

4.- What to see in the medina of Chefchaouen

To continue with your visit, from the square Uta el-Hammanyou must continue climbing the different streets of the medina.

Great Mosque in the medina of Chefchaouen in northern Morocco

You should know that Chefchaouen is located in the foothills of the rif mountain range, a mountainous area of ​​landscapes always surprisingly green, so that the small town and its medina extend on a hillside.

In this walk through the narrow streets of the upper part of the medina is where you will discover the true Chefchaouen charm.

While there are still stores, most of local artisans, you will find especially in a residential area that contains corners with the great charm of the prints of the facades of the houses with the characteristiccolor blue.

Stairs, passages with arches, interior courtyards ... there is said charm of Chefchaouen. also know as the villageTOzul.

If you are a photography fan, you will not get tired of discovering those corners.

Iron crafts in the medina of Chefchaouen in Morocco

5.- Craft shops in Chefchaouen

The artisans and artists locals will show you their artistic works in stores that are dotted by this high part of the medina.

Painters, potters, iron craftsmen, sculptors ...; in short, it will be difficult for you not to take an artistic memory of Chefchaouen, yes, after the usual e essential haggling.

On this walk you can refresh yourself with an orange juice (0.50 euros) freshly squeezed in front of you. Or buy dyes, or the typical chilabas.

6.- Chilabas in Chefchaouen

Precisely one of the most characteristic images of Chefchaouen, and from my point of view they give it greater charm, are the wool hooded chilabas.

Corner of Chefchaouen's medina in Morocco

It is a garment of a rural character that during the winter season carries practically the entire local population.

It is at this time, when you will hardly coincide with tourists, when you will best verify the exoticism of Chefchaouen.

Then, in spring and summer, the greater presence of tourists and the disappearance of these winter chilabas detract from this beautiful medina's rural atmosphere.

7.- Waterfall and laundry in Chefchaouen

In you walk through the medina you must continue going up in the northeast direction until you reach the exit arch that opens in the wall in that area, then go down to the waterfall and the laundry rooms.

Peasants in Chefchaouen in Morocco

It is an area that on holidays is filled with visitors, especially Moroccans, who cool off in the pools that form in this gorge where the water falls, and where the laundry rooms are located.

There you will see the peasants that concentrate with their typical and colorful straw caps, which they sell to tourists or, failing that, they ask you for a tip for taking them a photo.

DON'T FORGET YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

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Where to eat in Chefchaouen

The vast majority of Chefchaouen restaurants they concentrate around the Uta el-Hamman square or nearby.

Those who know this beautiful town well do not recommend that you sit down to eat in some of the terraces of the square.

Aladdin restaurant terrace in Chefchaouen

Instead, the restaurant advised by local people is Hassan, in the upper part of the square.

Quite large and very touristy, there you find a menu to choose from with dishes of Moroccan cuisine And good price.

Another recommended restaurant is Aladdin House, easily recognizable by its covered gazebo and its terrace that rises above the square.

You also have Moroccan specialties, and you can eat well with a menu that with drinks will cost you less than 10 euros.

Chefchaouen, the blue town in northern Morocco

And, without a doubt, the best way to end your day in Chefchaouen is to sit, now yes, on the terrace of some coffee in the square to have a typical green tea with sugar and fresh mint leaves.

I anticipate that you can spend hours watching people roam around, in a mixture of cultures.

You will see from the most exotic local characters, to the many tourists, both Western and Japanese and even Chinese.

In short, a visit that I anticipate will always remain in your memory.

Chefchaouen, the blue town in northern Morocco

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Video: This ENTIRE City is BLUE - Chefchaouen Morocco (March 2024).