Travel writing based on first-hand experience
Discover the top 12 best things to do in Chefchaouen. From wandering the blue-painted medina and hiking to the Spanish Mosque for panoramic views to exploring the Kasbah Museum and enjoying the natural beauty of the Akchour Waterfalls, experience the best of Morocco’s picturesque blue city.
More Morocco Guides Worth Opening Next
Still plotting your way through the blue medina one photo stop at a time? These guides pair neatly with our Things to Do in Chefchaouen post, whether you want a wider north Morocco route, a few practical reads, or extra stops once the mountain views and blue alley obsession fully take over.
- Stretch the blue-city escape into a wider regional route with this north Morocco itinerary
- Turn Chefchaouen into one stop on a longer trip with this 10 days in Morocco itinerary
- Want the broader version? Start with this Morocco itinerary
- Keep the planning practical with these Morocco travel tips
- Trade the obvious route for quieter finds with these hidden gems in Morocco
- Add another northern cultural stop with these best things to do in Tetouan
Table of Contents
Getting Around Chefchaouen
Getting around Chefchaouen is refreshingly simple. The old medina is compact, pedestrian-friendly, and best explored on foot, which is lucky because wandering its blue lanes is half the experience. Expect plenty of steps, uneven stone paths, and uphill stretches, so comfortable shoes are absolutely not optional here. If you are staying outside the medina or arriving with luggage, taxis can drop you near one of the main access points, but they cannot drive deep into the old town itself.
For day trips or onward travel, shared taxis, private drivers, and buses connect Chefchaouen with cities like Tangier, Tetouan, and Fez.
Top Things To Do in Chefchaouen
1. Stroll Through the Blue Streets of the Medina and Capture a Thousand Photos
One of the main reasons to visit Chefchaouen is the sheer beauty of its streets, lined with houses painted in varying shades of blue. At every corner, you’ll stumble upon a new photo opportunity.
Wandering through the medina is undoubtedly the most enjoyable activity in Chefchaouen. As you stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, you’ll encounter carved wooden doors decorated with elegant ironwork and facades bursting with flowery displays, all in different shades of blue.
You may even spot cats basking in the sun on doorsteps or tiled rooftops, while stone staircases lead you to stunning views of the city and surrounding mountains. The way sunlight reflects off the blue walls is one of the reasons why Chefchaouen is known as the “blue pearl of Morocco.”
It’s nearly impossible to grow tired of wandering the blue streets, and it’s easy to spend hours exploring the medina, capturing hundreds of photos. This city is a paradise for photographers, both amateur and professional. The shades of blue blend perfectly with the ironwork, tiles, and mosaics, creating a unique photogenic landscape. Don’t forget to charge your camera and bring extra memory cards—you’ll need them to capture every moment of this magical experience.
Chefchaouen Medina location link
2. Watch the Sunset from the Spanish Mosque
Every tourist asks, “Where’s the best place to watch the sunset in Chefchaouen?” The answer: the Spanish Mosque, which sits high above the city.
The Spanish Mosque is a beautiful, isolated building perched on a hill overlooking Chefchaouen. Built in the 1920s during wartime, it was never used and now stands abandoned.
Yet, despite its history, the mosque remains a popular spot because it offers the city’s most stunning view. This view becomes even more magical when the sun sets behind the mountains surrounding Chefchaouen.
To reach the mosque, you’ll need to walk about 30 minutes from the medina.
How to Get to the Spanish Mosque:
From the medina, head toward Outa el Hammam Square and follow Sidi Abdelhamid Street straight ahead. After a few minutes of walking, you’ll reach Ras El Ma Square.
From there, you’ll spot the building up on the hill and the road that leads to it.
Once you reach the summit, you can bask in a breathtaking view of the city, while watching the sunset over the Riff Mountains and the various shades of blue on the city’s facades. Be prepared for crowds, as this is one of the most popular things to do in Chefchaouen.
If you want a more private moment, consider making the climb early in the morning to watch the sunrise over the city.
3. Enjoy Breakfast on a Rooftop Terrace
This activity will leave you with unforgettable memories. If you’re staying overnight in ChefChaouen, we recommend booking a hotel with a terrace or rooftop. Wake up early, head to the rooftop, and enjoy a delicious Moroccan breakfast while watching the sunrise.
During our stay in Chefchaouen, we stayed at Casa Amina and had the pleasure of savoring a traditional Moroccan breakfast from the rooftop terrace of our boutique hotel.
Another great option is Dar Jasmine, which offers breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding mountains. Imagine sipping on mint tea or coffee, paired with Moroccan pastries while taking in the serene beauty of Chefchaouen. It’s a peaceful, relaxing moment that will remain etched in your memory.
4. Go Shopping and Haggle in the Souks of the Medina
The souks of Chefchaouen are a maze of narrow streets filled with local artisanal products like Berber carpets, pottery, silver jewelry, woven baskets, and traditional clothing.
Though smaller than the souks in Fez or Marrakech, Chefchaouen’s souks are still worth exploring, even if only for the photography and the unique atmosphere.
We found the artisans to be friendly, smiling, and not too pushy, which made for a more pleasant shopping experience.
In addition to handicrafts, you’ll often find pigments in bright, vibrant shades, as well as pastel-colored varieties. There are also vendors selling artisanal pastries and goat cheese.
Strolling through the souks isn’t just about buying souvenirs—it’s also about soaking in the atmosphere. But if you do decide to shop, remember that in Morocco, haggling is customary. Always negotiate the price and never accept the first offer.
5. Relax in the Prettiest Square of the Medina
Place Outa el Hamman may be the main square of the city, but we recommend relaxing in a smaller, more unique spot: Place el Haouta.
Located in the center of the medina, this charming square is close to the city’s main attractions, including the kasbah and the central mosque. The atmosphere is lively, with street vendors selling local products, musicians playing traditional Moroccan music, and plenty of restaurants and canteens.
The square’s beauty lies in its traditional Moorish architecture, with carved wooden archways and white-and-blue-painted walls. A magnificent fountain decorated with colorful mosaics and ceramic tiles completes the scene.
This spot offers that extra touch of magic and is a great place to soak in the local culture, enjoy Moroccan cuisine, and shop for artisanal souvenirs.
6. Experience Nature Around Chefchaouen
The Riff Mountains provide the perfect backdrop for nature lovers exploring Chefchaouen. Here are a few ideas for nature getaways close to the city.
Ras El Maa Waterfall:
Located just outside the medina on the road to the Spanish Mosque, this small yet beautiful waterfall is an ideal spot to take a refreshing break. Enjoy a mint tea or freshly squeezed orange juice while taking in the peaceful surroundings. If you arrive early, you may even see locals doing their laundry at the wash house.
Akchour Waterfalls:
For a day trip, a visit to Akchour Waterfalls is the perfect choice. Located in Talassemtane National Park, about 30 km from Chefchaouen, this region is filled with stunning emerald pools, waterfalls, and canyons.
Waterfalls Akchour location link
The hike to Akchour Waterfalls is a peaceful journey through lush green forests, with the sound of small waterfalls accompanying you. The hike is well-maintained and marked, and although there are some steep sections, it’s manageable for most. After about 3-4 hours, you’ll reach the Grand Cascade, where you can enjoy a crystal-clear swimming pool.
7. Savor the Local Cuisine
Chefchaouen’s cuisine is simple, tasty, and full of Berber and Arabic influences. The city’s traditional dishes focus on meat, fresh vegetables, spices, and aromatic herbs. Popular dishes like tagines and couscous are served in most restaurants.
For an authentic experience, head to Triana Restaurant, located outside the medina, where you can savor dishes like lamb tagine with prunes and vegetable couscous, all while enjoying a view of the mountains from the terrace.
Another great spot is Bab Ssour, located in the medina. This restaurant serves traditional favorites, including chicken tagine with preserved lemons and grilled meat skewers. It also offers vegetarian options like vegetable couscous and fresh salads.
Triana Restaurant location link
Hidden gems in Chefchaouen
Hike the wild folds of Talassemtane National Park
Keep your eyes on the twin peaks—Kelaa and Meggou, the “horns” that inspired Chefchaouen’s name (“look at the horns”)—and you’ll feel the pull of the mountains. The best part? Talassemtane National Park (almost 59,000 hectares within the Mediterranean Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve) begins right at the city limits. To really sink into this ocean of green, go beyond the postcard trails—past Akchour’s waterfall and the natural arch called God’s Bridge—and slip deeper into the Rif.
A few hours on foot and the scenery opens up: knife-edge cliffs, tight gorges, pale limestone ridges stitched with lush valleys and hidden hamlets. Biodiversity lovers, this is your candy shop—around 100 bird species (hello, golden eagle and bearded vulture) and 700 plant species, with endemics like Atlas cedar and, star of the show, Abies pinsapo marocana, Morocco’s own fir found nowhere else. Consider it the ultimate forest bath.
Where to book
For a safe, story-rich trek, go with a pro. Abdeslam Mouden (licensed mountain guide and ecotourism devotee) runs half-day hikes (€30), full-day routes (€50), and multi-day treks (€50/day + €30 for a half-board gîte). Expect real immersion in Rif landscapes and farm life.
Good to know
This is traditional kif (cannabis) country. A 2021 law now allows medical, cosmetic, and industrial use, and the national regulator ANRAC is up and running.
Savor the local table—start with bissara
Time to eat like a Chaouni. Since 2010, Chefchaouen has been a UNESCO Emblematic Community of the Mediterranean Diet—which translates to the good stuff: traditionally pressed olive oil, fresh goat cheese (jben), dried figs, samet (grape jelly), and mountain-perfumed strawberry-tree or carob honey.
Don’t miss bissara, a silky fava-bean purée sparked with oil, garlic, and cumin. Locals swear their version is Morocco’s best. Breakfast bowl = all-day power for the medina and the trails.
Where to try it
• Auberge Dardara (10 min from town): garden-to-table plates—bissara; goat-cheese salad (€5); rabbit-quince or kid-with-figs tajine (€9).
• Hamsa (near Uta El-Hammam): terrace with a view; bissara (€3.5) with bread and local cheese; onion rghaïf; tajines (€9).
• Café Clock: cook a Moroccan meal (€60, market stroll included) or learn breads & pastries (€40, communal oven visit).
Shop the crafts—especially the fouta
You know the fouta as a lightweight beach towel; originally, it’s a striped apron worn over skirts by Jbala women. You’ll still spot them—especially on Monday and Thursday souk days. Chefchaouen’s weaving heritage (its djellabas were famous nationwide) is alive and weaving. Visit the Ensemble Artisanal, here you’ll find the best gifts to bring back home. Duck also into medina workshops turning out simple foutas, soft wool blankets, and bright table linens at friendly prices.
Where to shop
• Ensemble Artisanal : watch artisans, buy fairly priced pieces.
Visit the Kasbah and Its Museum
Those 13 crenellated ochre towers say a lot. Built in 1471 to shield the north from Portuguese raids, Chefchaouen’s kasbah embodies the Rif’s rebel heart—there’s even a small prison recalling the early-20th-century war with Spain. Today, its garden of oranges, palms, and banana trees whispers Arab-Andalusian harmony.
Climb the main tower (raised by Portuguese captives) for the money shot: layer upon layer of blue against green mountains. No wonder the town guarded its privacy—Christians were barred until 1920.
Inside, you’ll find an ethnographic museum that showcases Moroccan heritage through typical musical instruments, pottery, embroidery, and even historical weapons. A visit to this museum is a must!
Book a culture break at Café Clock
Book a culture break at Café Clock—calligraphy (€40/2h), oud/lute (€35), or intro to local culture (€25). Book on their website.
Where To Stay in Chefchaouen
Riad Dar Meziana – Authentic arabo-Andalusian home (7 rooms), warm welcome, terrace panorama. From €57 double with breakfast. Specialty dinners on request.
7 avenue Zagdoun Bab Souk, Chefchaouen.
Riad Nila – Traditional medina house with cozy, minimal décor. Six rooms + one suite with lovely views. Hearty breakfast; table d’hôtes by reservation. From €122 double with breakfast.
Rue El Haj El Mokhtar, Quartier Andalous, Chefchaouen.
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