Day 1 in Chefchaouen

Welcome to Morocco! Upon arrival in Morocco, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel, a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. If you are visiting another city first and decide to purchase a transfer, a representative will be waiting for you at your hotel on the day you need to go to Chefchaouen. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!

Chefchaouen is roughly divided into two areas: El Hafa comprises the western portion and Souika is the eastern portion. You`ll start your Chefchaouen vacation in Souika at the Place Outa El Hamam, the city`s main square. It is dominated by the Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen, the Kasbah, the Kasbah Garden, and the Ethnographic Museum of Chefchaouen, which are all located on the square`s southern edge. Make sure to tour the Kasbah Garden and the Ethnographic Museum; the latter presents artifacts from five centuries of the city`s history, from the Idrisid dynasty to the Spanish influence and colonization to the present-day Kingdom of Morocco.

For dinner, select one of the dozens of restaurants in the streets that branch off from Place Outa El Hamam. Centuries of Moorish and Spanish influence have brought the traditional Mediterranean diet to the area, which is heavy on olive oil, seafood, and wine, much like the eating regimes found in southern Europe. Chefchaouen is considered the epicenter for Mediterranean cuisine in Morocco, so much so that its contributions earned the city a spot on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Return to your accommodations at the end of the evening.

Day 2 in Chefchaouen

Start the day by exploring the blue-washed houses and streets of Chefchaouen, nicknamed `the blue city` for very obvious reasons as you`ve seen! The Medina is located 500 feet due north of Place Outa El Hamam, with Rue Hassan I Onsar to the south and Rue Autiui to the north. Both roads lead to the Bab El Onsar, the eastern gate to the city just outside the Ras El-Maa waterfall. The waters of the Ras El-Maa flow from the nearby Rif Mountains to the falls and then to the valley below. Take Rue Bouzaafer 0.4 miles up a hill to Bouzaafer Mosque, also called the Spanish Mosque, which gives great views of the nearby city.

In the afternoon, take some time to walk down the main streets of Chefchaouen, which are Avenue Hassan II, which connects Place Outa El Hamam with Place Mohammed V, a large roundabout in the middle of the city, and Avenue Abdelkrim El Khattabi and Boulevard de la Résistance to the south. There are more shops along Avenue Hassan II, while there are more cafés and restaurants on the two southern roads. Next to the Hassan II Mosque, along Boulevard de la Résistance, you must go to the Rif As-Sabanin Oven bakery. The bakery has been open since the sixteenth century and still serves delicious breads, pastries and cookies to locals and visitors to this day. Spend the rest of the day strolling the maze of streets in town to your heart`s content, and return to your hotel at the end of the day.

Additional Days in Chefchaouen

If you have extra days in your itinerary before you return home, consider exploring beautiful Tangier, two hours away from Chefchaouen by car. Tangier is a fascinating Moroccan city with a mysterious air, an interesting history, breathtaking views, unspoiled beaches, and friendly people. It is the perfect blend between African, Spanish and French influences. Climb on the top of the hill on which Tangier is built; you will have the chance to see Africa and Europe at once. Also, take some time to visit the Tangier American Legation - the oldest American overseas legation. The museum houses documents and artifacts which retrace the history of the relations between Morocco and the United States since 1776. Another interesting sight is the Kasbah Museum, the former Sultan`s palace. It deserves to be seen not only for its collection of artifacts dating back to Phoenician times, but also for its beautiful architecture and exquisite garden.

Your Last Day in Chefchaouen

Depart your hotel and head to the airport for your return home. If you are purchasing a private transfer, a representative will meet you at the hotel in time to take you to the airport for your flight out. We hope you enjoyed the sights of Chefchaouen!