Chefchaouen — the "Blue City" of Morocco — is one of North Africa's most photographed destinations: a mountain town in the Rif range whose medina has been painted in extraordinary shades of blue for centuries, creating one of the world's most photogenic urban environments. The blues range from pale sky and powder to deep cobalt and indigo, applied to walls, steps, doorways, pots and the winding alleyways themselves — the overall effect, particularly in morning light when shadows play across the blue surfaces, is genuinely otherworldly.
Founded in 1471 by Moorish refugees from Spain, Chefchaouen remained virtually unknown to outsiders until the 1920s (non-Muslims were banned from entering for most of its history). Today it has embraced tourism while retaining much of its original character — the medina functions as a genuine community, not merely a tourist attraction, and the relaxed mountain pace, cool air and outstanding artisan textile market make it one of Morocco's most pleasant places to spend a few days.
The Blue Medina
The Place Uta el-Hammam — the medina's main square, lined with cafés and the Grand Mosque — is the social centre of Chefchaouen and the ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding blue streets. The old kasbah on the square's edge contains a small ethnographic museum and a lovely garden; the views from its tower across the medina and surrounding mountains are the best in town.
The blue colour has various attributed origins — some say it was the Jewish community who first painted the walls blue (representing the sky and heaven); others say the blue paint is a mosquito repellent; the most prosaic explanation is simply that the practice spread because it looks beautiful in the mountain light. Whatever the reason, the result is uniquely atmospheric.
The Ras el-Maa Waterfall
A 10-minute walk from the medina, through the residential quarter behind the Spanish mosque, leads to Ras el-Maa — a waterfall and fast-running stream where local women still wash laundry on the rocks, children play in the shallows and the water-cooled air provides welcome relief from afternoon heat. The Spanish mosque on the hill above the falls provides the best elevated view of the town and valley, best seen at sunset when the blue roofscape turns gold in the last light.
Hiking the Rif Mountains
Chefchaouen sits at the foot of the Rif Mountains, and the surrounding landscape rewards hikers with excellent day walks through cedar forests (home to Barbary macaques — endemic to North Africa and Gibraltar), mountain villages and high-altitude viewpoints. The most popular walk is to the Ain Tissimane forest via the Jbel el-Kelaa ridge; local guides are available in the medina for half-day and full-day mountain hikes.
