The best things to do in Chauen

Chefchaouen is a city founded on January 4, 1471. It is characterized by having 5 communes, which are further divided into a total of 9 neighborhoods and have a population of 45,000 inhabitants.

This metropolis of tall buildings has the Ibn Battuta Airport in Tangier, which is located about 116 km northeast of Chefchaouen if you wish to travel by plane. There is also a bus terminal located on Av. Maghreb if you prefer to arrive in Chefchaouen by bus.

There are also 2 transportation systems called taxis and urban buses. Lastly, there are 10 km of cycle paths for biking around the city.

Chefchaouen is a city to live in Morocco because, in addition to offering essential places to see, it is renowned for being a city with blue and white streets, a vibrant culture, and impressive traditional architecture.

It is also known for traditions such as the International Festival of Andalusian Music in June, the International Film Festival of Chefchaouen in September, and the Cherry Festival in May. But especially, for its welcoming climate, as Chefchaouen's weather during most of the year is Mediterranean with an average annual temperature of around 18 degrees Celsius.

Now, as for the beautiful places in Chefchaouen, they have many facets, as different types of tourism can be experienced. For example, a very attractive aspect of historical tourism is visiting beautiful places in Chefchaouen where you can take photos without any problem. Some main ones are the Medina of Chefchaouen, the Grand Mosque, the Plaza Uta el-Hammam, the Akchour Waterfalls, the Dar el Makhzen Palace, the Bab Souk Gate, the Ras el-Ma Fountain, the Kasbah Viewpoint, the Jewish Cemetery, and the Andalusian Quarter.

Another great plan in Chefchaouen for a day is to walk through landscapes or parks such as the Akchour Waterfalls, the Rif Valley, the Talassemtane Gorges, and the Talassemtane National Park. Most of these tourist sites in Chefchaouen require little money to visit.

Other attractions in Chefchaouen that you should visit for a day out include museums. Some of the most important ones are the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Ethnographic Museum, and the Kasbah Museum.

Also, if you prefer nighttime plans and enjoy solo or couple trips, you must know some emblematic places in Chefchaouen to go at night. Some recommended ones are Plaza Uta el-Hammam, the Great Mosque of Chefchaouen, and the Cascade Viewpoint.

But if you are more into family trips, among the beautiful places in Chefchaouen for children are the Akchour Waterfall, the Talassemtane National Park, and the Andalusian Garden.

Before traveling to this wonderful city and experiencing some tourist places in Chefchaouen, we recommend you to get to know the richness of Chaouni customs and some curious facts about the metropolis. Some important ones are:

• Chefchaouen is known as the "Blue City" because most of its buildings are painted in blue color.
• The city was founded in the 15th century by Muslim and Jewish refugees fleeing the Spanish Inquisition.
• Chefchaouen is considered an important spiritual and cultural center of Islam in Morocco.
• The Medina of Chefchaouen, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the main tourist attractions of the city.
• In Chefchaouen, you can find the Grand Mosque, built in the 15th century and considered one of the oldest in Morocco.
• Artisanry is very important in Chefchaouen, with a focus on the production of ceramics, textiles, and carpets.
• Traditional Moroccan music plays a fundamental role in Chefchaouen's culture, with frequent festivals and concerts.
• The International Film Festival of Chefchaouen is one of the city's most important cultural events.
• Chefchaouen has been the setting for numerous films and documentaries due to its architectural beauty and natural landscapes.
• The city boasts several museums dedicated to the history and culture of Morocco.

Being one of the important cities of Morocco, Chefchaouen is a center of trade for gastronomy. So, one of the many essential things to do is to eat in areas such as Plaza Uta el-Hammam and Calle de los Pescadores, which are favorites among foodies.

You will find the best restaurants and bars for all tastes and budgets, perfect for trying some of the local specialties such as Lamb Tagine, Couscous with Vegetables and Meat, Pastilla (puff pastry filled with chicken and almonds), Chicken Tajine with Lemon and Olives, Harira (traditional Moroccan soup), Kefta Tagine (meatballs in tomato sauce), Zaalouk (roasted eggplant salad), Briouats (meat or cheese-filled turnovers), Mechoui (slow-cooked lamb), and Msemen (Moroccan pancakes). Some recommended restaurants are Casa Hassan, Restaurant Tissemlal, Restaurant Aladdin, Restaurant Bab Ssour, and Restaurant Casa Perleta.

Regarding accommodation, if you want to stay in one of the most exclusive and safe areas of Chefchaouen, we recommend staying in the Medina, Ras El Ma, Bab Souk, Talaa Kebira, or Talaa Sghira. That's where the most recommended famous hotels in Chefchaouen are located, such as Hotel Parador, Hotel Dar Echchaouen, Riad Cherifa, and Lina Ryad & Spa.