Chefchaouen

The blue city

I decided early to visit this small city and my camera was screaming at me to go.

It is unique in so many ways, not only because it’s blue, and it’s very very blue.

Chefchaouen translates to “look at the horns” reflecting the two mountain peaks overlooking the area.

It is a cozy small city, approximately 45.000 people, and you will be as amazed as I was about how blue it is.

What to see and do in Chefchaouen

The blue city doesn’t need any special tourist attractions, it is an attraction by it self.

A day trip to Akchour is recommended, I tell you how mine was further down.

Medina - Just stroll around the old Medina of Chefchaouen and get lost in all the blue streets and alleys. You will notice that they will decorate the city with items in contrasting colours like red and orange. Keep in mind that you will get lost but that’s a part of the experience.
Sunset view - Walk up to the Spanish mosque and watch the view of the city in the sunset. The hill is quite steep but not very long. It takes 25-30min from the square in the Medina to get there.

Spanish mosque

Guided tour - I will not recommend that you take a guided tour in every city, anywhere in the world, but here it’s worth it. Not only will get to see things you otherwise wouldn’t see you will also learn about the city’s history, why it’s blue and meet local workers doing handcraft and more. I booked a tour with Candelaria, an Argentinian woman living in the blue city, from Guruwalk. It was really interesting.

Contrasting colours

Day trip to Akchour Waterfalls

Booking and travel

You don’t have to book a tour.

If you think it’s easier you can of course. book it here.

I met a couple of guys that also wanted to go and got a phone number to a taxi driver from a local and sent him message on WhatsApp. After just a little negotiation we agreed on a price - 40€. The morning after he drove us to Akchour which is a 45min drive, waited over 5h and then he drove us back. A very reasonable price.

Destination

You will arrive at a parking lot where there are many restaurants and some tourist shops. Then it’s just to start walking.

After a couple of hundred meters there are two tracks you can choose. One is going to the waterfalls and one is going to Gods bridge.

Now I have to do a disclaimer.

I never went to the waterfalls!

There are few reasons for that. One is that they have had a lack of rain in Morocco the months before I was there so the waterfalls were weaker than normal. The other reason is that I heard from locals that Gods bridge is more unique and spectacular than the falls. If you don’t carry a camera and don’t stop all the time to take pictures you can do both on one day. With a camera, spend two days (or a very long day)

The hike to Gods bridge will take 30-40min one way and is quite steep and the hike to the waterfalls, which is easier, will take over an hour one way.

And Gods bridge is magnifacant.

And don’t worry if you don’t get to see the big waterfall, there are plenty of small beautiful waterfalls along the way to Gods bridge as well.