Top places to visit in Chefchaouen

• Akchour Waterfalls

  national park · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  A spectacular day hike in Talassemtane National Park (~30km from town) to turquoise pools, the Bridge of God rock arch and a big cascade — a Rif Mountains highlight.

• Chefchaouen Medina

  medina · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The famous blue-washed old town climbing the Rif hillside — a maze of indigo lanes, craft stalls and cats that is one of Morocco's most photographed places.

• Kasbah Museum

  kasbah museum · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  The restored 15th-century red-walled Kasbah on the main square, with a small ethnographic museum, tranquil Andalusian garden and a tower climb over the blue rooftops.

• Plaza Uta el-Hammam

  square · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The lively main square of the medina, shaded by a mulberry tree and lined with cafes beneath the red-ochre Kasbah and Grand Mosque — the town's social hub.

• Grande Mosquee

  mosque · 4.6 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The 15th-century Grand Mosque on the main square, distinctive for its unusual octagonal minaret; admired from outside by non-Muslims.

• Spanish Mosque Viewpoint

  viewpoint · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A short uphill walk east of the medina to an abandoned 1920s mosque on a ridge — the classic panorama over the whole blue town, unbeatable at sunset.

• Ras el-Maa Waterfall

  cascade · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The spring-fed cascade at the eastern edge of the medina where locals do laundry and cafes cluster on the terraces — a cool, shaded spot to pause.

Things to do

• Blue Medina Photography Walk Tour · 2.5 h · from MAD 200 per person
• Akchour Waterfalls & God's Bridge Hike Hiking · 8 h · from MAD 350 per person
• Spanish Mosque Sunset Hike Hiking · 1.5 h · from MAD 100 per person
• Rif Mountains Village & Cheese Tour Cultural · 4 h · from MAD 300 per person
• Traditional Chaoui Cooking Class Culinary · 3 h · from MAD 250 per person

Day trips and tours

• Akchour Waterfalls Trek Day Tour 8 h · from MAD 350

Where to stay in Chefchaouen

• Medina about MAD 500 per night

  The blue-washed old town itself — nearly every guesthouse is a converted blue house with a rooftop over the hills.

Hotels

• Lina Ryad & Spa 4-star · MAD 1,200 to MAD 2,000 per night
• Casa Hassan 3-star · MAD 700 to MAD 1,100 per night
• Hotel Parador 3-star · MAD 650 to MAD 1,000 per night
• Aline Hostel Chefchaouen MAD 100 to MAD 400 per night
• Dar Echchaouen 3-star · MAD 750 to MAD 1,200 per night

Where to eat

• Restaurant Bab Ssour Seafood, Moroccan · about MAD 90 per person
• Cafe Restaurant Aladdin Moroccan · about MAD 90 per person
• Restaurant Tissemlal (Casa Hassan) Moroccan · about MAD 150 per person
• Sofia Restaurant Moroccan · about MAD 90 per person
• Pizzeria Mandala Italian, Pizza · about MAD 80 per person

Getting to Chefchaouen

Nearest airport: Tangier (TNG), about 86 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.

How visitors arrive in Chefchaouen

• Bus from Tetouan By road from Tetouan · common

  CTM buses run between Tetouan and Chefchaouen; Tetouan is the usual connecting point from the coast. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus or shared taxi from Tangier By road from Tangier · common

  Buses from Tangier stop in Tetouan on the way, and shared grand taxis leave from beside the main bus station. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus from Fez By road from Fez · common

  Direct CTM buses link Fez with Chefchaouen and are often booked out in advance. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

• CTM and Nejme Chamal buses

  Coaches from Fez, Tetouan, Tangier, Casablanca, Rabat and other cities use the main bus station (Gare Routière). Services from Fez often sell out, so book ahead. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Grand taxi from Tetouan or Tangier

  A grand taxi stand beside the main bus station serves Tetouan and Tangier. Grand taxis also run from Meknes via Ouezzane. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Petit taxi to the medina

  Petit taxis usually wait at the bus station entrance. The medina is also a walk uphill from the station. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Shared Taxi

  Grand taxis to towns such as Tetouan and Tangier leave from a stand beside the bus station, with fares charged per seat in a shared car.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Aggressive photo/tip requests

  Blue medina lanes

  Locals may pose in the famous blue doorways or offer to "show the best spots", then demand money for photos or guiding.

  How to avoid it: Ask before photographing people, agree any fee first, and be aware some sellers of kif/hashish operate here — decline firmly.

Best time to visit Chefchaouen

• Jan 13°C
• Feb 15°C
• Mar 17°C
• Apr 19°C
• May 24°C
• Jun 30°C
• Jul 35°C
• Aug 36°C
• Sep 30°C
• Oct 24°C
• Nov 17°C
• Dec 14°C

More in Morocco

• Marrakech
• Fez
• Casablanca
• Essaouira
• Tangier
• Merzouga

Frequently asked questions about Chefchaouen

What are the top-rated places to visit in Chefchaouen?

The highest-rated places in our Chefchaouen guide are Chefchaouen Medina, Akchour Waterfalls, Plaza Uta el-Hammam, Grande Mosquee, Kasbah Museum.

Where should I stay in Chefchaouen?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Chefchaouen: Medina.

How do I get around Chefchaouen?

Ways to get around Chefchaouen covered in our guide: Shared taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Chefchaouen?

Scams reported to us for Chefchaouen include Aggressive photo/tip requests. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Chefchaouen?

Average daytime highs in Chefchaouen run from 13°C in Jan to 36°C in Aug.