Chefchaouen

About Chefchaouen

Founded in 1471 as a fortress town, Chefchaouen later welcomed Andalusian Muslims and Jews who left Spain. Its walls, doors and stairways are painted in shades of blue, and the medina is compact and peaceful.

The town sits beneath peaks of the Rif, at the edge of Talassemtane National Park, home to cedar and fir forests, gorges and waterfalls.

Top things to do

• The blue medina. Wander the stepped lanes early morning for soft light and quiet streets.
• Plaza Uta el-Hammam. The main square, with cafés facing the red-walled Kasbah and the Grand Mosque.
• The Kasbah. A small fortress with a garden and a tower offering views over the town.
• Spanish Mosque viewpoint. A 30-minute walk uphill for sunset views across Chefchaouen.
• Ras el-Maa. The spring at the edge of town, where locals gather by the stream.
• Akchour waterfalls. A hike to waterfalls and the natural rock arch known as God’s Bridge (approx. 45–60 min drive).

Outdoor activities

• Hiking to Akchour waterfalls and God’s Bridge
• Walks in Talassemtane National Park
• Sunset photography from the Spanish Mosque
• Birdwatching in the Rif forests

Getting there & best time

Getting there

• From Fes: approx. 3.5–4 h by road.
• From Tangier: approx. 2–2.5 h by road.
• From Rabat: approx. 4 h by road.
• There is no train station; travel is by road.

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn are best for walking. Summer is busy and warm; winter is cold and can be wet, with snow on higher peaks.