18 Best Things to do in Chefchaouen

I’m not gonna lie to you, Chefchaouen is blue and beautiful. It’s also super touristy and a super small town. So, get ready for huge crowds of people who are all swarming around the Medina looking for the best things to do in Chefchaouen.

Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE Chefchaouen and 100% think you should visit. I mean, the Medina (aka Old Town) is absolutely stunning and just as pretty as all the pictures.

Plus, this tiny mountain town sits in the Rif Mountains and is located near a wealth of incredible national parks and amazing hiking trails that you need to see to believe.

But, I wanted you to be prepared for the hordes of tourists, especially on the weekends, because it can detract from the overall beauty of this place.

Thankfully, I have ways of dealing with this since I have visited Chefchaoeun a bunch of times. Yeah, I live in Morocco so it’s pretty easy for me to visit.

That and I just love exploring the top attractions in Chefchaouen. They always keep coming back for more since there is a quiet beauty about this humble blue city in the mountains.

So, if you’re visiting this amazing place but are not sure what to do in Chefchaouen then this local guide has all the answers you need.

I am gonna introduce you to all the top landmarks in Chefchaoeun and show you exactly how to have an amazing time in one of the most unique cities in Morocco.

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Best Things to do in Chefchaouen

1. Explore the Medina

The Medina is the old town area and is surrounded by ancient city walls, like basically every other Medina in Morocco.

However, the Medina in Chefchaouen is cool because all of the houses are this pale blue color. No one knows why Chefcahoeun is blue, but there are some theories.

Anyway, this is the pretty part of the town that you’ve seen plastered all over TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

It is as pretty as they say and you should dress to impress so that you can take lots of cool photos. If possible, try and book a hotel in or near the Medina since this is the only blue part of the town.

Yeah, other parts of the city look fairly normal and you don’t want to have to walk 20+ minutes to see the cool part of the city.

The other thing to know is that some of the prettier streets require you to pay a small fee for photos.

I didn’t find it necessary to do this, but you definitely can. Just keep an eye out for this since it is uncool to come to these places and not pay.

Now, the Medina is small and easily navigated on foot. It also gets MAD crowded. So, I would try and get up early, before 10:00 am, and visit this part of the city.

This way you don’t have to deal with the day trippers to Chefchaouen from Fes and the day trippers to Chefchaouen from Tangier.

Additionally, plan to explore the Medina during the week since many locals visit on the weekend and the Medina gets VERY crowded.

Local Tip: Please be respectful when taking photos of one of the prettiest places in Morocco. Don’t take people’s photos as they walk down the street and don’t block people’s homes. People live here and they just want to live their daily lives.

2. Try Unique Local Foods

So, when you first come to Morocco, you are probably going to try a bunch of tagine and couscous since those types of Moroccan dishes can be found all over the country.

However, once you move from places like Marrakech to Chefchaouen, you’ll begin to realize that there are some cool regional differences in the local cuisine.

Therefore, if you’re looking for cool things to do in Chefchaouen then be sure to try some unique local foods that aren’t found anywhere else in the country.

One of the first foods I immediately noticed all over the place was Jben. It’s a mild goat cheese that places like Chefchaouen, Tangier, and Tatouan are known for.

You can get it everywhere or pick some up at the local souk (market) in the city that pops up every Monday and Thursday.

3. Visit the Kasbah

Most people ignore the Kasbah when they visit Chefchaouen, but I found it to be really lovely.

Not only is there a charming Andalusian garden inside, but you can climb to the top of the Portuguese tower for impressive views of the city.

It’s also really easy to find since it sits right in the middle of the main square, Plaza Uta El Hammam. You just need to pay 60 Dirhams ($6.00) to visit.

I didn’t mind paying to enter since it’s one of the few things you have to pay for in Chefchaouen. I also liked exploring this cool clay structure from the 15th century.

There’s also a small Center for Research and Andalusian Studies and art gallery onsite but I didn’t find either all that impressive.

Yeah, there’s no English signage and I spent very little time in this part of the city.

4. Take a Cooking Class or Listen to Live Music at Cafe Clock

Chefchaouen may be known for a lot of things but its vibrant nightlife is not one of them. So, if you’re not sure about what to do in Chefchaouen at night then head to Cafe Clock.

This restaurant is well-located in the Medina, has an awesome rooftop, and features live musical performances nightly.

So, order a camel burger (or a Berber omelet like I do) and just listen to the music. You can also sign up for a cool cooking class or calligraphy class since this neat cafe hosts a bunch of fun activities in Chefchaouen too.

All in all, this is a great place to visit in Chefchaoeun since the decor is lovely, the prices are great, the staff is lovely, and it’s just an all-around fun place to hang out.

Local Tip: If you need a good coffee then order their spice cappuccino. It comes with lots of cinnamon and cocoa powder on top and is just lovely. I get it every time I visit.

5. Watch the Sunset at the Spanish Mosque

Even if you’re not into hiking, this is one of the best free things to do in Chefchaoeun. Yes, you’ll have to climb 20 minutes up a well-paved path to get to a mosque that was built by the Spanish in the 1920s but never used.

But, the hike is easy and the path is fully paved. It’s also worth checking out since the views of the surrounding city are awesome, especially at sunset when the sky lights up with a bunch of different colors.

This is not a hidden gem though and everybody who visits the city climbs up here for the sunset views. So, try to get here at least an hour early so that you can grab a seat.

The path is also pretty easy to find and you’ll see the trail just outside the Medina, right near Ras El Maa. It’s a cute little waterfall where women used to wash their clothes.

You can chill here after your hike since it’s pretty, but don’t eat at the restaurants here. They are terrible. My partner ordered a pizza and it closely resembled toxic sludge.

6. Do Some People Watching at Plaza Uta El Hammam

This is the main square in Chefchaoeun and if you’ve visited the Kasbah then you’ve already been here.

It is touristy? You betcha! Should you eat at the restaurants here? Not a chance. Yeah, we had breakfast here and it was gross with a capital “G”.

Anyway, this is a great place to just sip on mint tea and watch the people mill around. You’ll see the Grand Mosque, the Kasbah, restaurants, cafes, and insane hawkers harassing people to eat at their restaurants.

Yeah, these guys were super aggressive and my partner was definitely over them by day one of our trip.

Order a mint tea since mint tea is LIFE in Morocco and is the most iconic Moroccan drink ever. You might even see a random musical performance since we did the last time we were here.

There are also guys holding parrots and trying to get you to pay to take your photo with them but I deffo would not do this.

Local Tip: You’ll also find the Grand Mosque here. I didn’t add it as something to do in Chefchaoeun since you can’t go inside. Yeah, like 99.99% of the mosques in Morocco, only Muslims are allowed to enter.

So, feel free to check it out since it is a Chefchaoeun landmark. But, all you can do is admire the exterior. You also might catch a glimpse of the interior if you stop by on Friday when people are entering and exiting for services.

7. Stop by the Weekly Market

Okay, so there are a ton of really good restaurants in Chefchaoeun, so much so that I wrote a whole post about the topic.

However, if you want to see what local life is really like, then skip the restaurants and head straight to the local market.

Held every Monday and Thursday at the far end of town, this is a great place to go if you want to experience local life in Chefchaouen.

See, this is the place that Berber farmers from the mountains come to sell a variety of goods to eager locals.

While the heart of the market is dedicated to fresh vegetables, the surrounding streets are lined with everything from live chickens to old electronics.

So, definitely have a look and see what you can find. It really is a fun experience and a great way to see local life.

8. Take a Day trip to Tetouan

If you have an extra day and are not sure what to do in Chefchaouen, then you can always do a fun day trip to Tetouan.

Many group taxis near the bus station take locals here daily and the drive is only around 1.5 hours each way. However, you could always use a CTM bus to visit since there are many departures daily.

Once in the city, you could visit the Medina, check out the Archeological Museum, see El Ensanche, explore Hassan II Square, and wander through the gardens of the Ensanche.

9. Hike to Akchour Waterfall

Okay, so the hike to Akchour Waterfall is only something you can do if you’re spending two full days in Chefchaouen. So, if you’te not sure how many days to spend in Chefchaouen, first figure out if you want to do any hiking.

See, this hike sits inside Talassemtane National Park which is about a 45-minute drive away from Chefchaouen.

To visit, grab a shared taxi from the Grand Taxi station near the bus station. It’ll cost you 25 Dirhams ($2.50) per person to get to the park.

I would get up earlyish since the hike itself will take 3 hours round trip, the drive will take 1.5 hours round trip, and you’ll have to wait for the taxi to fill up with 6 people before you can leave for the park.

Once at the park, walk towards the giant dam and go right to hike to God’s Bridge or go left to hike to Akchour Waterfall.

FYI, you can do both hikes in one day since the hike to God’s Bridge only takes about 30 minutes.

Full disclosure, the most impressive waterfalls are at the beginning of the trail. I have done the hike to Akchour Waterfall twice and both times the waterfall at the end of the trail was tiny and unimpressive.

I liked the hike because it’s relatively easy and I just like hiking. But, the waterfall at the end of the hike is kind of lame.

There are also no impressive views along the way and you’re just crossing streams and trudging through the forest.

On the plus side, there is a guy who sometimes cooks homemade tagine by the waterfall at the end of the trail. So, you can stop to eat here and look at the waterfall after a long day of hiking. Yeah, I loved that part.

So, if you do not like hiking then I would just hang out at one of the pretty waterfalls at the start of the trail. You can order a mint tea, relax, enjoy the views, and even go swimming if it’s warm out.

Local Tip: The stream crossings are easy and you won’t get wet. The hike is also easy and non-technical. Do wear hiking boots and bring plenty of water since there are no amenities after about 20 minutes of hiking.

There are no trail markers and the arrows can get confusing. I know we got lost. So, either download an offline map or ask for directions since this hike is very popular and people are always here.

10. Hike to God’s Bridge

The hike to God’s Bridge may be short at 1 hour round trip, but it’s a lot steeper than the hike to Akchour Waterfall.

The path is also narrow and does have some rocks. So, I would wear good hiking shoes and pack plenty of sunscreen since the trail is completely exposed.

However, the path is easy to follow and the hike itself is non-technical, with moderate difficulty. The views along the way are also stunning and you’ll get great shots of the land bridge that extends across the canyon.

I enjoyed this hike and didn’t mean to do it since my friends and I thought we were going to the waterfall (lol).

But, we did both hikes in one day and you can too if you’re up for four hours of hiking. This hike is more intense, though, so get ready for some heavy breathing.

11. Pick Up Some Cool Souvenirs

The souks of Chefchaouen aren’t as big as the souks of Marrakech. However, it’s still a great place to shop for cool local souvenirs.

I tried to convince my boyfriend to get this straw hat with pompoms on it but he was not about that life.

As you wander around the Medina, be on the lookout for cool wool clothes, woven blankets, handmade baskets, Berber carpets, and more.

This is a great place to shop since many of these products are only found in Chefchaoeun and are not available anywhere else.

You’ll also see a ton of people selling vibrant powders, in a rainbow of colors, that sit inside these giant bags. They are used to create colorful dyes and make for great photos since they contrast well with the blue walls of the Medina.

When shopping, just remember to have cash handy and to haggle for the best price possible.

12. Relax at the Hammam

If you’re looking for one of the best things to do in Chefchaouen on a rainy day, then you can always hit up a Moroccan hammam.

Yes, you can find them in just about every city in Morocco. However, these Moroccan public baths are an integral part of Moroccan culture and are much cheaper in Chefchaouen.

The last time I was in the city I went to Hammam Ben Aazzouz. It was definitely a local hammam and I paid 50 Dirhams for a basic hammam treatment. FYI, my friend paid 150 Dirhams for a hammam/massage.

Honestly, this is probably the cheapest hammam I have ever been to and the experience was very authentic. Just know that this hammam is open to women in the morning and men at night.

So, this place is a great option if it’s a rainy day in Chefchaouen and you are not really sure what to do.

13. Climb to the Top of Jeb Al Kalaa

This is a LONG hike (around 2 hours each way) and the path is pretty difficult to follow. At least if you’re clueless like me and don’t follow the road to the top.

Yeah, you can take a road almost to the summit and then follow the path with blue dots on the rocks to the top.

After all, Jeb Al Kalaa is one of the tallest mountains in the Rif Mountains and stands at an impressive, 1616 meters (5,300 feet) tall.

The good news though is that this hike in Chefchaoeun is accessible from the Medina. You just follow, the steps/path up to the road and then take that to the top of the mountain.

However, if you handle this intense climb then you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of Chefchaouen from the summit of Jeb Al Kalaa. I would also not attempt this hike on a rainy day since the views will be super disappointing.

14. Go Hiking in Bouhachem Regional Nature Reserve

If you hate crowds and just want to enjoy a bit of solitude in nature then this is the place for you. Yes, Talassemtane National Park is lovely but it is packed with people.

However, Bouhachem Regional Nature Reserve is much less well-known since no one goes here.

Additionally, it’s just a 30-minute drive from Chefchaouen and is where you’ll see cute local villages as well as the Barbary macaque if you’re extra lucky.

It can be tricky to get here though so you may just want to hire a taxi for the day if you want to check it out.

15. Enjoy Some Hashish

Because of the unique climate in Chefchaouen, a lot of hash (aka pot, marijuana) is grown in the area. You can actually see some of the farms (or visit a farm for yourself) as you drive along the road to Talassemtane National Park.

It’s very readily available, the quality is good, and the prices are cheap. So, a lot of people just basically come to this tiny town to sit and smoke weed.

If you want some, literally just walk around town. Guys will just come up to you and ask if you want some hashish. At least, that’s what happened to me and I respectfully declined.

It is not my thing and I am not encouraging you to do it since it it illegal to smoke weed in Morcco. But, it’s definitely one of the things to do in Chefchaouen that a lot of people enjoy.

Again, I would not do it and assume no legal responsibility if you get in trouble with the police since it is illegal. However, I know a lot of people who do it and have zero problems. I just mention it because hash is a big part of the local culture.

16. Do a Free Walking Tour of the City

Personally, I didn’t find it necessary to do a walking tour since the Medina is a bit small and pretty easy to navigate on your own.

However, I had a few friends who did a free walking tour through Chefchaouen and absolutely loved it. They said the guide was super friendly and had a lot of great information to share about the city’s unique history.

Just remember that like with any free walking tour, you are expected to tip your guide. Please do so if you decide to book a walking tour of Chefchaouen.

All in all, I think a walking tour is a good option for anyone short on time (i.e. you can’t afford to get lost) and anyone who wants to learn a bit more about the history of this incredible city.

If you’d like to book a free walking tour now, have a look at GuruWalk. I have used them a bunch of times and they always offer great tours.

17. Visit Oued Ras El Maa

Full disclosure? This waterfall isn’t big. It’s basically a cute little waterfall that sits along the river that you’ll cross over to get to the Spanish Mosque.

TBH, the first time I visited and someone mentioned a waterfall in Chefchaouen, I was like, “where?” However, I still like visiting because it’s a super tranquil place.

You can basically chill on a wall, sip on some fresh OJ, admire the waterfall, and enjoy the natural beauty all around you. This spot also provides you with a nice break from the hordes of people in the Medina.

Also, fun fact? This is where local women used to wash their clothes back in the day. So, there is also a bit of history about this place too.

18. Enjoy Plaza Mohammed V

If you decide to walk from the bus station to the Medina, you’ll probably pass by this lovely circular park/plaza on the way to your hotel.

I love coming here whenever I am in Chefchaouen because it is such a calm and soothing place. You can just sit on a bench, walk through this small park, and enjoy pathways covered in beautiful vines and flowers.

This garden is also very well-maintained and is surrounded by several historic blue and white buildings. It’s also nice because a lot of the crowds inside the Medina don’t really make it here.

Where to Stay in Chefchaouen

If you can, stay in a tradtional riad. They are really lovely and feature tradtional Moroccan architecture that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Also, try to stay in the Medina since you can easily and quickly enjoy all of the best things to do in Chefchaouen from here.

Some of my fave places to stay in Chefchaouen include:

• Riad La Santa (budget/mid-range) – This is a great traditional riad that is well-located in Chefchaouen. The breakfast is great, the service is exceptionla, and they have an amazing rooftop for you to enjoy. The hotel is well-located but the rooms can feel a bit narrow. It’s great if you’re looking for a budget-friendly place to stay in Chefchaouen.

• Dar Echchaouen Maison d’hôtes & Riad (mid-range) – Honestly, I really love this place. They have a killer outdoor pool, you get to stay in an authentic Moroccan riad, and the staff are so sweet. Plus, the rooms are well-decorated and comfortable. There’s also a great restaurant on-site and the sunset views from my window were epic.

• Dar Jasmine Hotel (luxury) – This swank, 4-star riad in Chefchaouen sits on a hillside and offers sweeping views of the city. Rooms are individually decorated and even sometimes include a private balcony with lovely sunset views. You do have to climb up steps to the hotel, but breakfast is great and it’s only a 10 minute walk to the center of town.

How to Get to Chefchaouen

There is no airport or train in Chefchaouen. Therefore, most people travel to Chefchaouen from Fes (4 hours) or get to Chefchaouen from Tangier by bus (2.5 hours).

CTM buses are cheap, easy to use, reliable, safe, and travel between these two cities and Chefchaouen regularly. However, you can also take a CTM bus to Chefchaouen from Tetouan (1.5 hours).

Just be aware that the bus station is about a 20-minute uphill walk away from the Medina. So, you may want to take a taxi to get to the Medina once you arrive. It’s pretty cheap and costs around 20 Dirhams ($2.00).

Once in the medina, you don’t need a car and can easily walk around the medina.

Best Time to Visit Chefchaouen

You’d think the weather here would be really mild because you’re in the mountains. However, we were here in September and it was really hot.

So, the best time to visit IMHO would be April and October/November.

I also think Chefchaouen is worth visiting in winter since the city wasn’t really that cold and there were fewer tourists. Just bring a jacket and you should be just fine.

Conclusion

That wraps up this guide on what to do in Chefchaouen. Did your favorite things to do in Chefchaouen make the list? If not then let me know.

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