The blue city and its’ beautiful photos. What’s the secret of town and old history of
Chefchaouen, much quieter than any other Moroccan town. You’ll find quiet men
waiting for you to ask them about a price, instead of annoying you!
Why is Chefchaouen blue?
No one talks about why is the Medina blue.
Chefchaouen was established in 1471 by Mulay Alí Ben Rachid. However, in 1492, during the Reconquista of Spain, Jews got expelled from Spain.
Many of them fled to Morocco, establishing their own enclave in Chefchaouen.
The Sephardi Jewish community that settled in Chefchaouen, brought along their tradition of painting buildings blue.
They believed the blue is the color of the sky and divinity.
The local government supplies special paint brushes to assist in efforts to keep Chefchaouen’s history alive.
How to Get to Chefchaouen: Coming from Marrakesh?
The easiest way to get to Chefchaouen from Marrakech is an overnight train to Tangier. You can get information online.
A space in a four-bed couchette costs Dh370 ($38), a double compartment is /690 ($70), and a single compartment is Dh480 ($50). The price includes a set of bed sheets and a bottle of water.
The journey takes approx. 10 hours and it’s relatively safe. There are many women traveling solo, some with children, so if you’re a solo traveler you won’t be the only one.
Once you arrive in Tangier, you can either take a taxi or if you’re on a budget, a bus. A taxi will get you to Chefchaouen quicker especially considering rare bus schedule, so if you’re short on time it might be worth it.
Things to Do in Chefchaouen Morocco
Shop at the Souk
The shopping in this beautiful blue town is one of its biggest tourist attractions. But fear not, shopping in Chefchaouen is nothing like shopping in Fez or Marrakesh. Unlike in other parts of Morocco, where vendors are trying to convince you to buy everything before you even enter the shop and haggle about everything, I actually had troubles buying anything in Chefchaouen.
Quite often I found wandering around a shop without a vendor, as he left for lunch. Vendors will give you the correct low price straight away, and won’t push you to buy more. So if you’re thinking of buying some souvenirs, that’s the place to do it. I also enjoyed observing locals’ daily life around the Medina and playing with locals kittens.
Kasbah Museum
Located right in the middle of the main square, so you can’t miss it, is an Ethnographic Museum. It’s also called a Kasbah Museum. The museum holds a giant collection of regional artifacts including pottery, instruments, and paintings.
Right next to the museum you’ll see a Mosque that dates it to the 15th century. It was built by the son of the town’s founder, Ali Ben Rachid. While only Muslims can enter, you can admire it from the outside.
Cascades d’Akchour
Morocco hides some nice waterfalls, and one of them is located nearby the blue town. Approximately 30 minutes by taxi from the kasbah, you’ll reach a beautiful trail leading to a waterfall d’Akchour. You can swim in it without hoards of other tourists. While in the area, also look out for the Bridge of God rock arch that’s spanning the river.
Hike to the Spanish Mosque
A short hike up the hill from the Medina will take up to the Spanish Mosque, that’s overlooking the blue medina. It’s a decent hike, but nothing extreme so I was able to do it early midday and the sun didn’t kill me. Sunset views are spectacular from there too.
Visit hash fields
One cannot spend some time in Chefchaouen and not get offered some weed and offered a tour to the hash field. The city is surrounded by green lush hash fields, so if you want to see something green on your trip, then schedule a visit.
Admire doors
Morrocan is probably number one destination for door lovers. If you follow the hashtag #ihavethisthingwithdoors you’ll understand what I’m talking about. The blue doors of Chefchaouen, however, are a separate chapter. I don’t remember the last place I took so many photos of doors.
Sources annaeverywhere.com
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