Compared to many other tourist destinations in Morocco, Chefchaouen still retains its peaceful beauty without the noise and bustle like other tourist cities. Long known to backpackers for the easy availability of kif (cannabis), the town has rapidly gentrified and offers a range of quality accommodation, good food, lots to do and no hassles to speak of, making it a strong alternative to a hectic multicity tour. Great cl, Did you know the Rock of Gibraltar, despite being, "Travel is never a matter of money but of courage", Try the typical dish of Cataplana! 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. Wander the Blue Streets The number one reason to visit Chefchaouen is for its beautiful streets, filled with houses painted in a variety of blues. Overall it was kind of awkward and nerve-racking, especially because we didnt know the availability, but we lucked out and got seats on our bus of choice. You can get information on timetables and prices on theONCF websiteand book tickets at the train station. While Ive never used this service myself, they have been featured in Lonely Planet so I doubt theyre a scam. Whether you are leaving on the evening of the second day or the morning of the third, two days in Chefchaouen will have shown you the highlights of the gorgeous blue city in the mountains and left you with beautiful memories (and photos) of Moroccos Blue Pearl. Chefchaouen is an ancient town of more than 500 years old. Before the 19th century, this was the land of the Muslims, anyone who was a pagan who came here was executed. About 5 Wonderful Things to Do and See in Chefchaouen Chefchaouen is without any doubt the best city in all of Morocco and a must-see stop in your itinerary. Last, but certainly not least, you can take the 20 minute hike from the waterfalls to the so-called Spanish Mosque to enjoy the sunset of this fascinating blue city. Another benefit of this place is that everything is within walking distance. When shes not immersing herself in the local culture of her current home country, she is copywriting for soulful small businesses, making herself comfortable at the nearest third-wave coffee house, or researching their next destination. The locals simply call it Chaouen but to foreigners, it's known as "the Blue City." Illl be in Chefchaouen and Fes by . Chefchaouen travel guide The fullest Chefchaouen travel - Living This means if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Its an almost ceremonial gesture to signify friendship and hospitality. Another theory is that newly arrived Jewish residents who were fleeing Europe during World War II started the tradition of painting their homes blue. Getting to Chefchaouen is easy as there are daily buses to and from Tangier, Casablanca, and Fez. I luckily got my tickets in advance, but there was a group of really scared/red-faced backpackers who had to sprint into the station to get tickets while the bus driver was loading up luggage. Chaouen IS Chefchaouen. And so, I hope you enjoyed that lengthy guide on planning the perfect Fes to Chefchaouen Day Trip! All rights reserved. He point blank refused to let them buy tickets on board, so be prepared for that. While in the area, also look out for the Bridge of God rock arch thats spanning the river. What other things to do and see inChefchaouen do you recommend? If you want a tour, it CAN be arranged but it will cost you. Every cafe will have this and it shouldnt cost more than 15 dirhams, 5:00pm head uphill from the medina and start walking up to the viewpoint by Hotel Atlas, 5:20pm watch as the sun sets (if you go in December like I did, it should be around this time, but be mindful that the bus will depart at 6pm). Going during the non-peak dining hours will spare you wait time if patience is not your virtue. If you are looking for things to do in Chefchaouen, here is what I recommend: Neighborhood bakery Beautifully perched beneath the raw peaks of the Rif, Chefchaouen is one of the prettiest towns in Morocco, an artsy, blue-washed mountain village that feels like its own world. Half the fun is finding them. Four ways to explore Chefchaouen, Morocco's blue city, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. While tourism has definitely taken hold, the balance between ease and authenticity is just right. See end of article for more details. Have your, Oh hi there how are you? Chefchaouen is located 350km away from Seville, which is a 6 to 7 hours car ride. Wandering around the city, you will walk on small, slightly steep roads because the whole city is located on a hill surrounded by majestic Rif mountains. There was a spot where I took a photo of me and accidentally caught a man standing very far away, but he also ran over to ask me to delete the picture. You can swim in it without hoards of other tourists. To take the kids or not? Chefchaouen can surely blue you away! A lot of them are over a thousand years old, so they come with beautiful decor, history, and friendly talkative owners. When you're eating or pointing to something, always use your right hand to do so. How to travel to Chefchaouen from Seville? - Not Just a Tourist No matter what, a private tour will always cost more than public transit (which is absurdly cheap). Uta Hammam is one of the towns most important mosques. If you go to Bacalar in Mexico you COULD, Beach Cleanup Shopping Warning you might f, Making money while travelling - we have lift, These two need to learn Espaol! If you plan to do a day trip from Fes to Chefchaouen by bus like I did, here is some useful information to know. The city of Chefchaouen (or simply Chaouen as the locals call it) was painted blue by the Jewish refugees of the 30s. The CTM website has a very sleek system that allows you to purchase tickets, but payment is only possible with a Moroccan bank card or with something called AKIPass. My name is Christina and I'm a clumsy Canadian who is obsessed with seeing the world. Theme by 17th Avenue. The town had remained so closed off from the rest of the world that the visitorsreportedlyfound its Jewish inhabitants were still speaking a 15th-century version of Spanish. There is no way I can sit overnight 10 hours in a train seat. The town is Chefchaouen and its a truly beautiful town in Morocco, surrounded by majestic Rif mountains of the north. When sleeping in one of the many rooftops hostels, it is very important to choose one that is painted blue since you dont want your stay to be ruined by mosquito bites! The good news is that no matter where you stay, everything in the city is easily accessible by walking or a short taxi ride. If you DO plan on booking in advance, check out Get Your Guide. But did you know that Morocco also owns a blue pearl named Chefchaouen?! Do you think Italy and Morocco is realistic for the same trip in August like a 10 day span? Then getting to Chefchaouen from Tangier as above. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. I'll focus more on the east side that time. Just wanted to let you know that the sleeper cars don't seem to be in business anymore. So if youre thinking of buying some souvenirs, thats the place to do it. If you're paying for a taxi, car rental, or tour, always try and lower the price before you accept. The TOP Things to Do in Chefchaouen: A Bucket List Itinerary!! To take the kids or not? If you want to try your luck, here is the English website. I could give you a list of the best photo opps, but one of the best things to do here is just explore and discover the place for yourself. The Plaza Uta el-Hammam is the heart of the medina and is the spot to take a break, drink some mint tea, and watch the world go by. Chefchaouen is without any doubt the best city in all of Morocco and a must-see stop in your itinerary. Locals will just try to invite you to buy and eat as much as possible. That said, you could self-drive to Chefchaouen which is what I ended up doing. Regardless, come here for sunset if you can, because it is spectacular. Here are 5 Wonderful Things to Do and See in Chefchaouen. Its about a 20 minute drive so youll need to get a taxi If I remember correctly, there should be set prices posted on a board by the taxi stand at the airport, so you can take a look on there and look for the CTM Bus Station. Depending on your arrival time, you may be needing a food stop. When I'm not frolicking abroad, you'll likely find me faceplanting into burrito bowls & doing important work in my Monsters Inc onesie. We are here to help you travel better, cheaper & longer! It is not difficult to spotting cats or a whole family of cats lying in the sun on the steps or by the roadsides. How you get to Chefchaouen will, of course, depend on where you're coming from, so to make this post as useful as possible, I've included how to get to this town from all the nearest major cities in the country. Get itbeforeyour tripto skipunnecessary troubles that might ruin your holidays! Be warned, these arent real waterfalls such as the ones of Ouzoud. Here are our recommendations of th, In this blue Moroccan treasure, a symbol of freedo, Sunsets are a gift from the earth. We know that being a female solo t, Thank you so much for your 5 star review! You can find transportation, food, and lodging at reasonable prices. Youll find it in every caf, or you can buy some in the local market. Chefchaouen today is the only place in Morocco once occupied by Spain, so the architecture here is imbued with the Moorish style and culture of Spain. Chefchaouen: Planning Your Trip - TripSavvy Just outside of the Medina there are various parkings. So, what to do and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Chefchaouen Morocco for the first-time? When it comes to accommodation in Morocco Ill always recommend riads (guesthouses) over hotels. By using this service and related content, you agree to the use of cookies for analytics, personalised content and ads. I must be sh*tting gold bricks to even suggest that, but surprisingly, long haul taxis in Morocco arent actually THAT expensive. 12 Best things to do in Chefchaouen, the Blue City of Morocco You see, all of the medina (old city) area of Chefchaouen is painted in many different shades of blue that serve as the backdrop of little town perched between the mountains of northern Morocco. These waterfalls are about a 45-minute drive from Chefchaouen. Would you like to? Your email address will not be published. this article with 18 must-knows before you go, Munich Restaurants Guide: The Best Restaurants in Munich for Visitors, Things to do in Luxembourg City: A Delightful Weekend Guide. They believed the blue is the color of the sky and divinity, so itll remind them of the presence of God. guidance. Wear neutral colors. A short hike up the hill from the Medina will take up to the Spanish Mosque, thats overlooking the blue medina. If you are coming from Fes, there is a rest stop halfway along to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. Visitors can ask for a walking path to see the beautiful sunset here, or if you come in spring, you can see a lot of cherry blossoms in bloom. While only Muslims can enter, you can admire it from the outside. Strolling around the city to find the nice angles. Since becoming famous on Instagram earlier in 2019, Chefchaouen has become one of the most notable Moroccan tourist attractions. Keep time in mind for the sunset, as this uphill climb should take you about 30 minutes. Most hotels, or Riads in Morocco, provide breakfast for guests. 17 Top Morocco souvenirs, gifts & best things to buy in Morocco, Morocco travel blog The fullest Morocco travel guide for a budget trip for first-timers, 18+ gorgeous photos of Chefchaouen village make your heart race, Must eat food in Busan 10+ best Busan famous food & must try food in Busan, Visiting Ait Benhaddou One of the most famous village in Morocco, Aarhus travel blog European capital of culture 2017. From Fez a taxi will be pricey, so Id advise a bus or a car. The best way to visit Chefchaouen is on a day trip either from Tanger or from Fs, because these two cities are closer. Thanks for this post, we were trying to be responsible and buy bus tickets in advance but couldnt figure out why the site wasnt working for us. *. Dont shoot locals. Restaurants and cafes line one side of Plaza Uta el-Hammam with views of the Grand Mosque and the walls of the medina. We are good, jus, We are settling in for Christmas The CTM bus company has coach services to Chefchaouen from Fes (travel time 4 hours) and Tangier (approx. Thank you. You now reached your dream Moroccan destination, that is Chefchaouen. Top 3 best places, 10 must-know things for your best first time European river cruise, Top 3 best luxury cruises in Halong Bay, Vietnam, Kyoto festival Top 10 best events & most famous festivals, National Palace Museum Taipei blog What to see in National, What are the values and traditions of Kyoto? Ill explain the process in more detail below. The Spanish were allocated a zone of land (that included Chefchaouen) to provide stability within the country while protecting the kingdoms sovereignty. New to the blog and my very lame jokes? How to Get to Chefchaouen: The Blue City of Morocco Beer and wine are served at many restaurants that cater to tourists, but you won't find them widely available. The region is one of the primary cannabis producers in Morocco. For many visitors, Medina is like a maze because the blue color fills every street corner between houses with similar architecture. I hope you like sitting in a vehicle as much as you like Instagrammable blue buildings . I did notice the starting prices (pre-haggling) were higher than in Fes, but maybe thats the price you pay for some peace haha. However, CTM Bus only drops you at its CTM Bus station. One thing to look for in your accommodation is a rooftop terrace. Sure, they are crazy expensive relative to the bus, but I was quoted 900dhs which is roughly 90 per car. Have you ever been to Chefchaouen? When planning a trip to Morocco, Chefchaouen is not usually the first city that comes to mind. The whole town is inhabited by about 40,000 people but only 2,000 are resident in the Medina area. The locals simply call it Chaouen but to foreigners, it's known as "the Blue City." Chefchaouen was established in 1471 by Mulay Al Ben Rachid. Its my mission to teach YOU how can you turn YOUR dreams of travel and career, into reality. 8:00am - take the bus from Fes to Chefchaouen at the CTM bus station. We hope to see you there soon! If you know me, youll know that Im a big fan of picturesque graveyards so when I was walking along the highway, you can understand my great joy at finding a bunch of blue tombs that overlook the old city. Dont worry though, its actually quite simple. Still others say that blue helps repel mosquitos or even that the government mandated the change to attract tourists. You should look for Petit Taxis (Small Taxis) they are usually painted in blue, the price will be the cheapest. The city of Chefchaouen was founded in 1471 as a kasbah, or citadel, to fight off Portuguese invasions coming from the north. One is that blue symbolizes the sky and heaven, and residents painted their homes to reflect that. Living Nomads celebrates and is inspired by explorers and their passion for travel, curiosity about the world and unique points of view. How cool is that? The cafes are not too spacious or luxurious, but they have open spaces, light and simple design but still very beautiful. Odds are good that some drivers will try to charge you more. A reminder to lead a spiritual life. A Complete Chefchaouen Travel Guide: History, Facts, How To Reach, Best Tangier is the closest major city and about three hours away, while Fez is four hours away by bus and Casablanca is six hours. Unlike the more popular cities of Casablanca and Marrakesh, Chaouen is a small town.

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