How To Spend One Day in Chefchaouen: The Perfect Itinerary
Discover the best things to do in one day in beautiful Chefchaouen!
Spending just one day in the Moroccan city of Chefchaouen is an unforgettable experience, but having the perfect itinerary is vital to ensure you make the most of your time there.
Famous for its vibrant blue walls everywhere you look, Chefchaouen is a dreamy, magical place. It’s much quieter and more peaceful than most other Moroccan cities and is unmissable for photography lovers.
I visited Chefchaouen for just one day and it remains one of my favourite travel destinations. So I’ve curated what I believe to be the perfect one-day itinerary in this post, along with everything you need to know about this special place.
⌚ In a rush? My Hotel Recommendations for Chefchaouen:
Budget Recommendation: Dar Dadicilef
Mid-Range Recommendation: Dar Kisania
Luxury Recommendation: Dar Jasmine
How To Spend One Day In Chefchaouen
So without further ado, let’s take a look at what I believe to be the perfect one-day itinerary for Chefchaouen:
Morning: Chefchaouen’s Magical Medina
Chefchaouen’s main attraction is the city itself, so I recommend starting your morning exploring the historic medina, one of the most visually beautiful places you’ll ever visit.
Wandering through the narrow, cobbled streets, you’ll be mesmerised by the striking bright blue buildings everywhere.
The historical architecture is so unique here, everywhere you look you’ll find magnificent buildings dating back hundreds of years.
You’ll want to spend at least 2 hours getting lost down the mazy, magical medina. As Chefchaouen is a relatively small city, it’s easy to cover the majority of it by walking in a short period.
Visit the Grand Mosque
The Grand Mosque is the most historically important building in Chefchaouen (dating back to the 13th century) and is worth visiting after exploring the medina.
The mosque is very much the religious centre of Chefchaouen, it features an inner courtyard, fountain, prayer hall, madrasa and more. It’s free to enter, though keep in mind that non-muslims may not be allowed into the prayer hall.
It’s located very centrally next to the main square and the Kasbah, which you’ll be visiting after lunch.
Lunch at the Main Square
The main square in the city centre, Outa El Hammam, is the perfect spot for lunch. Here you’ll find several excellent restaurants serving traditional Moroccan cuisine at affordable prices.
Outa El Hammam is a hive of activity, it’s the perfect place to enjoy some people-watching over lunch. Many of the restaurants have outdoor seating available too.
See the ‘Where To Eat In Chefchaouen’ section below for my restaurant recommendations.
Afternoon: Climb the Kasbah Tower
The Kasbah of Chefchaouen is a historical fortress dating back to the 15th century. It is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and it’s possible to climb to the top of the fortress tower for just 60 dirhams, which is about £4-5.
That’s what I did and I can attest that the views of the city from the Kasbah are impressive. The Kasbah and the surrounding area are very quiet and peaceful – I had the place all to myself.
The Kasbah is located centrally, right next to the Grand Mosque and the main square. It is easy to find, making it a relaxing and enjoyable activity after lunch.
Check out the Kasbah Museum
Once you’ve soaked up the gorgeous views from the top of the Kasbah Tower, I recommend checking out the Kasbah Museum, which is located on the bottom floor of the fortress.
The Ethnology Museum features exhibits showcasing Moroccan history and culture, and you can see everything from textiles, weapons, instruments, pottery, art and more.
Walk up to the Spanish Mosque
For the remainder of the afternoon, I recommend going for a pleasant walk up to the Spanish Mosque (not to be confused with the Grand Mosque).
As the name suggests, this mosque was built by the Spanish in the early 20th century but has largely remained unused ever since, having fallen into disrepair up until 2007.
Here you’ll find even more stunning panoramic views. This spot is regarded to have the most spectacular views of the city and the nearby mountain area.
👉 Pro Tip: Head to the Spanish Mosque in time for sunset, for an even more spectacular and unforgettable view!
The mosque is on top of a hill and the walk from the city centre can take up to 45 minutes, so make sure to bring a bottle of water with you to stay hydrated. There is a trail from the main square leading up to the mosque.
Evening:
As Chefchaouen is a quiet, chilled city, you’ll probably spend your evening enjoying a nice meal overlooking the mountains or spending more time wandering through the magical medina.
Chefchaouen is admittedly lacking in terms of night-time events and activities, but I found this a refreshing change compared to other tourist cities in Morocco.
More Things To Do In Chefchaouen
Here are some more activities and places to visit that you may want to consider when visiting Chefchaouen:
- Visit the farmer’s market – every Monday and Thursday there is a farmers market in the main square, selling fresh, local produce such as goat’s cheese, fruits and more.
- See Ras el-Maa waterfall – the waterfall that supposedly inspired the city to paint all the buildings blue and is worth visiting. It’s situated behind the far northeastern gate of Chefchaouen and is a great place to get out in nature.
- Go hiking at Talassemtane National Park – If you really want to get out in nature, then take a day trip to Talassemtane National Park.
This park has excellent trails and unbeatable panoramic views, making it ideal for hiking. It will take over an hour to reach by taxi each way, which is worth bearing in mind.
Is Chefchaouen Worth Visiting?
Definitely! This may sound over the top, but I’ve never visited anywhere that’s quite like Chefchaouen. Wandering past endless bright blue stone buildings is an other-worldly and joyous experience that’s unmatched.
It’s a unique place and although it may seem hard to reach and out of the way, it is undoubtedly worth going the extra mile to visit Chefchaouen, even for just one day.
My trip to Chefchaouen remains one of my most cherished travel memories, and I highly recommend it if you’re planning a trip to Morocco.
I would honestly go so far as to say that it is the most beautiful place I’ve visited in Morocco, only Essaouira comes close in terms of charm and attractiveness.
Where To Stay In Chefchaouen
There are many excellent accommodation options in Chefchaouen regardless of your budget. Here are my top three accommodation choices at three different price ranges:
Budget Recommendation: Dar Dadicilef
If you’re visiting Chefchaouen and you’re on a very tight budget, then the good news is that there are countless budget hotels to choose from. In my opinion, Dar Dadicilef is one of the best.
Housed in one of the oldest Andalusian-style buildings in the city and located very close to the medina, Dar Dadicilef has a very authentic feeling, guaranteeing a relaxed stay.
It has a lovely outdoor garden area, a terrace with delightful views and rooms are good value for money.
➡️ Check for Availability at Dar Dadicilef here
Mid-Range Recommendation: Dar Kisania
Dar Kisania is a lovely 4-star hotel housed in a stunning-looking historical building in the heart of the historical medina in Chefchaouen.
Just 200 yards from the main square, Dar Kisania has exceptional facilities and rooms available at reasonable prices.
Featuring a terrace that has beautiful mountain views, this hotel also has a 24-hour front desk available as well as room service and an excellent breakfast option.
➡️ Check for Availability at Dar Kisania here
Luxury Recommendation: Dar Jasmine
If you’re searching for a more luxurious stay when visiting Chefchaouen, Dar Jasmine is a top choice.
This 4-star riad hotel is located just 900 yards from the main square and has unbeatable facilities, such as an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant and incredible terrace views of the city and the surrounding mountainside.
The interior of this riad hotel has very beautiful Moroccan decor and selected rooms feature balconies, and there is a peaceful garden area as well.
➡️ Check for Availability at Dar Jasmine here
Where To Eat In Chefchaouen
There are some excellent restaurants in Chefchaouen, with most specialising in traditional Moroccan cuisine. Here are my recommendations on where to eat:
- Restaurant Paloma – serves traditional Morrocan dishes and has gorgeous panoramic views of the city and the mountains beyond.
- Casa Aladdin – one of the most popular restaurants in the city, overlooking the main square Outa El Hammam and the Kasbah.
- Pizzeria Mandala – offers a selection of pizza and pasta dishes, in case you want a change from Moroccan cuisine.
How To Get To Chefchaouen
Based in the north of Morocco, Chefchaouen is reachable from other cities close by such as Tangier further north and Fes and Rabat further south. Here are the best transportation options to reach the ‘blue pearl’:
🚌 By Bus: The only public transport option available to reach Chefchaouen is by catching a bus. Bus tickets cost around £3-6 from Tangier, which takes about 2 and a half hours.
Tickets cost a little bit more from Fes and the journey takes longer – over 4 hours. I took a bus from Fes to Chefchaouen and it’s a long day of travel, but worth every minute.
🚗 By Car: Driving between the two cities should take you less than 2 hours from Tangier if you decide to rent a car during your visit to Morocco. From Fes, the drive will last about 3 and a half hours.
🚕 By Taxi: Expect to pay in the region of £50-70 if you go by taxi from Tangier and more from Fes. This is only advisable if you have cash to burn and no other option available on your day of travel.
✈️ By Plane: The closest airport to Chefchaouen is Tetouan Airport (TTU), which is 63 km away. There are 4 buses each day that travel from Tetouan to Chefchaouen and the journey takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes and only bus tickets only cost around £3.
If you’re based in the UK, then there are direct flights to Tetouan from London Stansted, London Gatwick and Birmingham.
Tetouan is a lovely city as well, so if you’re flying there just to visit Chefchaouen then I’d recommend spending a day or two there as well to see what it has to offer.
Map of Chefchaouen
Check out this interactive map of Chefchaouen, featuring pins of all the locations mentioned in this blog post:
One Day In Chefchaouen FAQs
Still not convinced about visiting Chefchaouen for one day? Let me answer some commonly asked questions about this remarkable place:
How many days in Chefchaouen is enough?
I would recommend allowing two days to fully enjoy Chefchaouen, as just one day can feel a bit rushed. But if it’s only possible for you to spend 24 hours in the beautiful blue city, then you’ll still be able to see most of the place.
Chefchaouen is very much a small city compared to the likes of Marrakesh, and you can explore the majority of the area within a full day or less.
I only spent one full day in Chefchaouen. Although I would have loved to have spent more time there as it is such a beautiful place, I still feel that I saw everything I wanted and didn’t miss out on any activities or places.
Where is Chefchaouen located?
Chefchaouen is located in the northwest region of Morocco in the Riff Mountains, between cities Tétouan to the west and Ouazzane to the east.
As mentioned in the ‘How To Get To Chefchaouen’ section of this blog post, you can get there from other popular tourist cities in Morocco such as Tangier which is further north and Fes to the south.
Why is Chefchaouen blue?
This is a great question that I’m sure you’re wondering about the answer to! There are several different theories, with the most common answer is that it symbolizes the Ras el-Maa waterfall, which the city gets its water supply from.
Other theories suggest that the colour blue symbolizes the sky and therefore heaven, and highlights the spiritual aspect of the city.
Another theory is that the blue represents Judaism and the city’s buildings were purposely painted blue following the Second World War.
The answer could be much more grounded, however: to act as a mosquito repellent during the hot summer months.
Is Chefchaouen safe?
Yes, Chefchaouen is known to be a safe city. It has a very chilled-out, relaxed vibe to it and I never heard or saw any crimes during my visit.
Of course, as with any tourist destination it is recommended to remain vigilant during your visit as petty crime occurs everywhere.
Conclusion: One Day In Chefchaouen
So that concludes everything you need to know about how to spend one day in Chefchaouen. I’ll never tire of telling people just how unique and magical a place it is, and honestly has to be seen to be believed.
There’s plenty to do in one day in the city, from historically interesting places such as the Grand Mosque and the Kasbah to just exploring the medina and taking in all the wonderful blue buildings everywhere.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading what I believe to be the perfect itinerary for spending one day in Chefchaouen, and that you’re now ready to visit one of the most incredible and unforgettable cities in the world.
You may also enjoy reading these blog posts about Morocco:
➡️ Is Agadir Worth Visiting? What I Loved (& Hated!) During My Trip
➡️ My Honest Review Of A 4 Star Hotel In Agadir, Morocco
➡️ Is Morocco Overrated? Everything You Should Know Before Visiting
➡️ Planning your trip? Here are my favourite resources:
🏨 Accommodation: I recommend using Booking.com
🚙 Rental Car: Use Discover Cars for the best car rental prices
❤️ Travel Insurance: I recommend using Visitors Coverage
✈️ Flights: Use Kiwi.com for the best prices on flights
