Que voir à Chefchaouen : guide pour découvrir le village bleu du Maroc

If you are planning a trip to Chefchaouen, you have probably already seen its famous blue-painted streets. But the charm of this city in northern Morocco goes far beyond its façades: a medina full of photogenic corners, lively squares, viewpoints overlooking the Rif Mountains and the spectacular Akchour waterfalls make it well worth spending at least a couple of days here.

What's more, getting there from Spain is easier than it may seem. One of the best options is to travel by ferry to Tangier and continue by road to Chefchaouen.

In this guide you will find what to see in Chefchaouen, how to get there, what to do in the medina, how to visit the Akchour waterfalls and practical tips for organising your trip.

What is the blue town in Morocco called?

The famous blue town in Morocco is called Chefchaouen, although it is also commonly written as Chaouen or Xauen.

Located in the Rif Mountains in the north of the country, Chefchaouen is internationally known for the blue colour of many of the houses, streets and buildings in its medina.

Its location also makes it an interesting destination to combine with other cities in northern Morocco, especially Tangier and Tetouan. The distance from Tangier to Chefchaouen is around 112 kilometres and the journey by road takes approximately two hours, depending on traffic.

If you are travelling from Spain, a very convenient alternative is to cross the Strait by ferry and continue your journey by road.

What to see in Chefchaouen: must-see places

Although Chefchaouen is not a huge city, it is worth exploring without rushing. The best thing to do is wander through its narrow streets and combine the best-known places with some less crowded corners.

These are some of the places you shouldn't miss.

1. The Medina of Chefchaouen

The Chefchaouen Medina is the heart of the city and the place where you will find most of the scenes that have made Morocco's blue town famous.

Its narrow streets are filled with houses painted in different shades of blue, small craft shops, decorated doors, stairways and squares.

There is no need to follow a specific route here. One of the best things to do is simply walk around and discover the corners that appear at every turn.

The historic medina is considered one of Chefchaouen's main attractions by the Moroccan National Tourist Office itself.

Tip: try to explore it early in the morning. You will find fewer visitors and will be able to enjoy its streets much more peacefully.

2. Uta el-Hammam Square

It is one of the most important squares in the medina and a good place to start your visit.

It is surrounded by restaurants, cafés and traditional buildings, making it perfect for taking a break after exploring the blue streets.

In the square you will also find the Kasbah of Chefchaouen, one of the city's most important historic buildings.

3. The Kasbah of Chefchaouen

The Kasbah is located right in the centre of the medina and offers the chance to discover a different side of the city's history.

Its construction is linked to the origins of Chefchaouen and inside you will find gardens, courtyards and museum spaces.

It is an interesting visit if you want to complement photographs of the blue streets with some local history and culture.

4. Ras El Maa

Ras El Maa is one of the most special places in Chefchaouen and is located at one end of the medina.

Here, water flows down from the Rif Mountains, creating a small natural area next to the old washing areas.

It is also a good place to escape the hustle and bustle of the more touristy streets for a while and observe local life.

5. The Spanish Mosque and Chefchaouen viewpoint

If you want to enjoy one of the best panoramic views of the blue town of Morocco, head up to the place known as the Spanish Mosque.

The path starts near the medina and involves an uphill walk, but the reward is spectacular views of Chefchaouen and the Rif Mountains.

The best time is usually at sunset, when the light changes in intensity and allows you to see the city from a different perspective.

6. The craft shops

Chefchaouen is not just about monuments. Handicrafts are an important part of the experience.

In the streets of the medina you will find wool products, textiles, rugs, wooden objects, ceramics and other traditional products.

If you want to take home a souvenir from your trip, this is one of the best places to do so. Just remember to compare prices and negotiate when appropriate.

How to get from Tangier to Chefchaouen?

One of the most common questions when planning the trip is how to get from Tangier to Chefchaouen.

The distance between the two cities is approximately 112 kilometres and the journey by road usually takes around two hours.

You can make the journey in several ways:

By car

It is one of the most convenient options if you want to explore other places in northern Morocco.

Having a car will allow you to travel easily to Chefchaouen and also visit places such as Akchour or Tetouan.

If you arrive from Spain with your own vehicle, travelling by ferry is especially practical because you can take your car on board and continue your journey through Morocco directly from the port.

By taxi

Shared taxis are a common alternative for travelling between Moroccan cities. They can be economical, although comfort and timetables differ from private transport.

By bus

You can also travel from Tangier to Chefchaouen by bus. It is an interesting alternative if you are travelling without a car and want to reduce your travel budget.

Chefchaouen: how to get there from Spain?

If you are looking for how to get to Chefchaouen from Spain, one of the most interesting options is to travel first to Tangier by ferry.

The route you choose will depend on your departure point and whether you are travelling with a car.

Tarifa - Tangier Ville ferry

For those travelling from southern Spain, the Tarifa - Tangier Ville ferry is a particularly interesting option.

The crossing takes approximately one hour and arrives directly at Tangier Ville. From there you can continue by road towards Chefchaouen.

Check the Tarifa - Tangier Ville ferry and compare timetables and prices on Kikoto

One of the main advantages is that Tangier Ville is located within the city of Tangier itself, making it very convenient if you want to visit Tangier before continuing to Chefchaouen.

Algeciras - Tangier Med ferry

Another possibility is to travel on the ferry from Algeciras to Tangier Med.

This route connects the port of Algeciras with Tangier Med and has departures every day. According to the information available on Kikoto, the average journey time is around one hour.

Book your Algeciras - Tangier Med ferry with Kikoto

This alternative can be particularly interesting if you are travelling by car and want to start your journey through Morocco directly from one of the main ports in the north of the country.

Motril - Tangier Med ferry

If you are travelling from eastern Andalusia, you can also check the Motril - Tangier Med ferry.

It is a longer crossing, approximately 7 hours, but it allows you to travel directly from the Granada coast to Morocco and take your vehicle on board.

Check the Motril - Tangier Med ferry on Kikoto

This option can be particularly convenient if you want to avoid travelling to Tarifa or Algeciras before boarding.

Which port should you choose to travel to Chefchaouen?

If your final destination is Chefchaouen, both Tangier Ville and Tangier Med can serve as gateways, but the experience is different.

Tangier Ville can be particularly convenient if you want to visit Tangier first, as the port is located next to the city.

Tangier Med, on the other hand, is an interesting alternative if you are travelling by car and want to continue directly by road towards Chefchaouen or other destinations in northern Morocco.

Therefore, before booking, compare not only the ferry price but also the arrival port and the journey you will need to make afterwards.

Is Chefchaouen dangerous?

One of the questions that may arise before travelling is whether Chefchaouen is dangerous.

As with any tourist destination, it is advisable to take the usual precautions: look after your belongings, avoid poorly frequented areas at night and stay alert in very crowded places.

In the medina, it is also important to respect the daily lives of its residents. Not every door, courtyard or street is simply a backdrop for photographs: some are part of private homes.

How much time do you need to visit Chefchaouen?

To see the city's main attractions, two days in Chefchaouen will allow you to explore at a fairly relaxed pace.

If you only have 1 day

You can focus on:

• Medina.
• Uta el-Hammam Square.
• Kasbah.
• Ras El Maa.
• Spanish Mosque viewpoint.
• Main streets and craft shops.

If you have 2 days

You can spend the first day discovering the city and reserve the second for an excursion to Akchour and its waterfalls.

If you have 3 days or more

You can use Chefchaouen as a base for exploring other places in northern Morocco, such as Tetouan or Tangier.

If you are thinking about taking a trip to Chefchaouen, planning your journey carefully will allow you to make the most of your stay in Morocco's blue town. Choose the ferry connection that best suits your departure point and, once in Tangier, continue by road to Chefchaouen to discover its medina, blue streets and the Akchour waterfalls. Compare timetables, prices and ferry routes to Morocco on Kikoto Ferries and book your ticket to start planning your getaway.