Chefchaouen is a place that allows you to slow down and really dive into a culture that is different from your own, experiencing it first hand. It takes a lot of time and you get a little better at it and braver with each encounter. Many tourists come here with the primary intention to take photos. The inside of it was very inviting and quaint with lovely decorations. The options are to take a bus from Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Fes, or another local town, rent a car, or hire a driver. I promise it will be a delicious journey with many exciting stops along the way. For Morocco, it is quite relaxing. They see blonde haired blue eyed children and go nuts over them. His tomb and the village surrounding it is roughly 50 kilometers northwest of from Chefchaouen on the old road to Larache. A very un-Moroccan city. The city is lively all through the year, with beautiful beaches all over.The city of Tangier lies in the northern coast of Morocco with a population of about 947.952 according to 2014 estimates. Chefchaouen is a place with its own magic. One family, with a little girl Jimmy’s age, particularly made an impression on me. You can’t fly in or take the train. The city was founded in 1471[1] as a small kasbah (fortress) by Moulay Ali ibn Rashid al-Alami, a descendant of Abd as-Salam al-Alami and Idris I, and through them, of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Jimmy had a great time playing with the kittens, especially near our hotel. Feel free to leave me a question or comment below! Many cab drivers in the city will offer you a ride to the Akchour at pricey rates. During World War II (1939–45) the city was the seat of buy fruits with peals. [10] On a hill overlooking the town to the east there is also a disaffected mosque built by the Spanish in the 1920s, now a popular lookout point. Patrick and I did a couple hikes in the area. We provide safety and proper knowledge. Next time I go, I want to bring an empty suitcase with me so I have more room to bring more treasures home. Yep, this was definitely my highlight of Morocco! We saw it all unfold right before our eyes. It is an enchanting and easygoing place to visit that I absolutely adore. I can’t wait to go back! This restaurant has a huge menu with a lot of variety. So delicious. I promise it will be a delicious journey with many exciting stops along the way. Cheese never tasted so good! I ate way too many during my stay, but I don’t regret a single one. Chefchaouen is a photographer’s dream city. I hope you enjoy your time in Chefchaouen, Morocco! That was a little tricky, until a local man helped us. It is also where a lot of people make their living selling food to support their families. Moroccan people are notoriously friendly, especially with children. To this day, we both use our Moroccan bags on a daily basis. Both Nate and I bought handmade leather bags, Nate a shoulder bag and me a backpack, during our time in this amazing country. [9] However, according to some locals, the walls were mandated to be painted blue simply to attract tourists at some point in the 1970s. getting a bug. The finest part would be the look of the city with most of the buildings painted brilliant sky blue. There weren’t that many tourists there so we got a full unfiltered Moroccan market experience, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. One distinction possessed by Chefchaouen is its blue-rinsed houses and buildings. We parked here without a problem and the fare price was reasonable. Thanks for stopping by. Chefchaouen city has a lot to offer. This is true to an extent. We are always very happy with the quality of the items that we’ve purchased. I wasn’t even sure I’d go at first – I had already done quite a bit of traveling around Morocco and, to be honest, it proved to … There are approximately two hundred hotels catering to the summer influx of European tourists. It is the chief town of the province of the same name, and is known for its buildings in shades of blue. November 26, 2015 at 9:14 pm — Reply. chefchaouen city is a surface water sport that combines elements of surfing and sailing. They specialize in leather items and wooden handicrafts. Nate and I kept looking at each other like, “Is this real life?” Everything that we saw was so different from our American culture that I often felt like I just couldn’t take it all in quick enough. It was fun experimenting with our camera in such a uniquely beautiful part of the world. Most always when Moroccans see that you’re an American, they automatically think that you're made of money and try to rip you off. The city gets its name of Blue City Or Blue Peral because of the magnificently painted blue alleys. It is the main city of the province with the same name. Saying it is picturesque is an understatement. Chefchaouen is a small city in the Rif mountains in the north-west of Morocco. Ifrane is one of Morocco’s most surprising cities, resembling a Swiss mountain village more … We were also very surprised when we saw that they had pork pizza toppings. People believe that the Jewish refugees spread the blue fever to the entire ‘medina’ in 1930. It’s about two hours from the coastal town of Ceuta or the city of Tangier. "[7], After al-Khattabi was defeated with the help of the French, he was deported to Réunion. There are so many great things to purchase in Morocco, and compared to American prices, they are sold for very cheap. Chefchaouen is … Chefchaouen is nestled in the Rif Mountains Because of Chefchaouen’s location in the Rif Mountains, in the northern part of Morocco, it isn’t easy to get to. The bright blue color that is a constant theme throughout the whole town is magical and wonderful to capture on camera. Get your camera ready! A firm favourite with locals … We encountered so many friendly people here. It ended up being my favorite place that we went to during our weeklong visit to Morocco. You can get some great stuff that you would pay a fortune for elsewhere. Chefchaouen or Chaouen also knows as “the blue town” is located in the Rif Mountains in the northern Morocco. I visited another all blue city here in India and it was said there the blue brings the desert temperature down a few notches. It is a popular destination for tourist because of it’s proximity to Tangier, Morocco and Ceuta, Spain. It is the chief town of the province of the same name, and is noted for its buildings in shades of blue. But in Morocco, haggling is part of the culture and it’s not going away anytime soon. It’s a fascinating place that I absolutely fell in love with. Some people describe Chefchaouen as boring, saying that there isn’t a whole lot to do there. The main square in the medina is lined with cafes and filled to the brim with locals and tourist mingling easily. [10], The beauty of Chefchaouen's mountainous surroundings are enhanced by the contrast of the brightly painted medina (old town). This quirky town is probably one of the prettiest I’ve seen in Morocco because of its blue-washed streets and buildings. Chefchaouen is also called “The Blue City,” and for good reason! this was my ultimate goal from my travel through Morocco. My favorite cities in Morocco are not easy to rate, but the capitol Rabatis such a beautiful city that it has to come high up on the list, so why not first! Chefchaouen is one of the most charming and relaxed places in Morocco. There was me, Nate, and Jimmy, this American family, wearing traditional American summer clothing, interacting with a Moroccan family of three, dressed in their traditional Moroccan clothing, the mom wearing a hijab. Chefchaouen's blue walls are a popular subject of interest. Chefchaouen doesn’t have any grocery stores. Having enough suitcase room is always the issue! Instead of rodents they were treated more like neighborhood pets. We were happy and surprised to see that Chefchaouen has a pizza restaurant. Being the animal lover that I am sometimes it’s hard to travel to foreign countries and see all the homeless animals everywhere. Walking through the market in Chefchaouen was fascinating to me and was such a cool cultural experience. Taxis, food markets, souvenirs, accessories, clothing- everything must be haggled for. Take a walk in the city or the countryside to see and meet the real Morocco. Chefchaouen View from the Spanish Mosque Trail Early Morning Calm in the Blue City Exploring The Blue City. The Blue City is surrounded by beautiful mountains and hikes you can do. It is perfect for a day trip. In Chefchaouen, a quick and deep connection between the city and our five senses is immediately created. Chefchaouen (Arabic: شفشاون ‎ Shafshāwan [ʃəfˈʃɑːwən]; Berber languages: ⴰⵛⵛⴰⵡⵏ Ashawen), also known as Chaouen, is a city in northwest Morocco. There is huge diversity in flavor and culture and is the favorite destination of all who visit Morocco. In Morocco, nothing has prices. The Chefchaouen region is one of the main producers of cannabis in Morocco. The town was occupied by the French in 1907, and during the French protectorate (1912–56) Casablanca became the chief port of Morocco. Chefchaouen is a gorgeous city in northeastern Morocco. Strangers would come right up to him and kiss him on the cheek, sometimes even on the lips, without permission. Chefchaouen (Arabic: شفشاون‎ Shafshāwan [ʃəfˈʃɑːwən]; Berber languages: ⴰⵛⵛⴰⵡⵏ Ashawen), also known as Chaouen, is a city in northwest Morocco. decrease your chances of . During the summer approximately 200 hotels cater to the influx of European tourists. Chefchaouene, also called Chechaouene or Chechaouen, French Chaouen, Spanish Xauen, town, northern Morocco, situated in the Rif mountain range. In some cases, stone steps march straight up the slope, giving your legs a good workout. [12], The Iglesia (Spanish for "church"), currently a theatre, Coordinates: 35°10′17″N 5°16′11″W / 35.17139°N 5.26972°W / 35.17139; -5.26972, CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (, The equivalent Spanish Wikipedia (42.914 inhabitants at the 1994 census). Morocco is a very Muslim based country and doesn’t eat pork. Photo is only for illustrative purposes. This place was recommended to us by our hotel. Haggle with the vendors and shop, eat Moroccan food and pastries, hang with the locals, and enjoy the beautiful, blue, picturesque town. Jimmy was quite popular when we were in Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen is situated just inland from Tangier and Tétouan. This is also right next to the parking lot where we parked our rental car after we drove into town. The majority of buildings in this city, located in the mountains Rif Valley region, are painted blue. The Reasons Why The City of Chefchaouen in Morocco is Entirely Blue: The Jews: The color blue is representative of the sky according to Jewish belief. La Botica De La Abuela Aladdin. [11], Also of great historical and religious importance to the city is the mausoleum dedicated to the patron saint of northern Morocco's Jebalah region, Moulay Abdessalam Ben Mshish al-Alami. It was such a cool experience to see children from different parts of the world interacting and playing together. The city's oldest and historically most important mosque is the Great Mosque located at Place Uta Hammam at the heart of the medina. It is a relaxed city with affordable accommodation. Since we visited Morocco during Ramadan, the variety and quantity of Moroccan pastries being sold was much higher than normal. The old Medina has souqs and bazars where you can shop in … chefchaouen city is a water sport in which a rider trails behind a boat on special board. 1924 retreat of the Spanish army from the city, https://books.google.com/books?id=jdlKbZ46YYkC&pg=PA208#v=onepage&q=morocco&f=false%7C, "Las ciudades santas y prohibidas de Marruecos: La santidad, la sacralidad y la impenetrabilidad de Chefchauen en los textos coloniales españoles y franceses", "History : When an American squadron violated US neutrality laws, bombing Chefchaouen", "Chefchaouen: Walking the blue streets of Morocco", "Spanish Mosque | Chefchaouen, Morocco Attractions", "Associacao Nacional Municipios Portgugueses", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chefchaouen&oldid=996998879, Populated places established in the 1470s, Articles with French-language sources (fr), Articles with Arabic-language sources (ar), Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 29 December 2020, at 15:19. Eating them was the food highlight of the whole trip. I'm here to help you nibble your way through all my city travels. It was average pizza, but it definitely hit the spot and switched things up a bit. My main complaint was the portion size of the food. To this day most people here speak Spanish. Chefchaouen is a town in northwest Morocco situated in the Rif Mountains. I’m here to help you nibble your way through all my city travels. [2] Along with the Ghomara tribes of the region, many Moriscos and Jews settled here after the Spanish Reconquista in medieval times. At least you know the meat is fresh! The growing tourist industry is geared especially towards Spanish tourists, who are numerous during great Catholic feasts like Semana Santa and Christmas. Known as ‘Morocco’s Blue City’ people visit from all around to walk through the town and see the vividly painted buildings, alleys and even paths. Their English is usually pretty good, especially the younger generation of people. A city that was made famous by the movie, Casablanca, Tangier is a hot spot for celebrities and tourists looking to relax. It is a gorgeous city in northern Morocco. Chaouen está hermanada con Vejer de la Frontera (Cádiz), que a su vez estuvo bajo el dominio musulmán durante cinco siglos. Welcome, to the best and modern windsurfing center! Morocco wasn’t always “free” so to speak. Discover and book day trip to chefchaouen[the blue city… Jimmy loved them, the kittens loved the attention, and I loved the cute pictures that I got from it. Traveling in Morocco – My Trip to Chefchaouen the Blue Pearl Words simply cannot describe the beauty of Chefchaouen The Blue Pearl. De hecho esta ciudad está hermanada con Ronda. Rabat is a modern city but also has an old part, both small and pleasant. The food was pretty good, nothing to write home about but good nonetheless. Al-Alami founded the city to fight the Portuguese invasions of northern Morocco. Sometimes I just want to simply buy something and not have to put in the work to not get ripped off by the vendor. Attracting all types of travelers and adventure seekers, a city is a relaxed place with affordable prices for those who seek calmness and good quality with reasonable accommodation. We both loved our children and both were there to play with them as a family at the park. Chefchaouen, The Blue City, is a great place to visit in Northern Morocco. It helps. Thank you Lauren for your nice compliment on Chefchaouen city,,I live in a small city near Chefchaouen city,,,I do really feel happy when I head good things on my own area. We were all interacting, and Jimmy even gave the little girl a hug, and a kiss on the lips. We had a blast exploring through the city and taking pictures of each other along the way. It seemed like the locals fed them and cared for them, at least slightly. Often times they even physically picked him up and gawked over him and his American cuteness. That’s how I would describe Chefchaouen, by far my favorite corner of this lively North African country. The Blue City, The Blue Pearl – those are a couple of other nicknames that have been given to this unique hidden gem in northern Morocco. There are so many adorable spots and darling corners that are screaming to have their pictures taken. The children are so sweet too and would follow us around the town showing us around and welcoming us to their country. Nestled in the foothills of the Rif mountains, around twenty miles from the Mediterranean coast, is Chefchaouen (sometimes just ‘Chaouen’). Thus, a direct translation of the word Chefchaouen means "look at the peaks." Chefchaouen wasn’t always a blue city. I wish all people could be childlike in that way. Luckily, the cats in Chefchaouen seemed much healthier and happier than the cats in other cities in Morocco, which was so nice to see. The spoken English in Chefchaouen isn’t as good as the bigger cities like Fez or Marrakesh, but it is still quite easy to communicate with them. Thousands of tourists visit it every year to see the blue walls, to feel the specific atmosphere of the medieval town, and, of course, to buy souvenirs. We came across some adorable families while at the park that we interacted with. It is famous for the akchour waterfall but also for its blue-washed medina. It was a very sweet moment. Everything that you buy must be haggled for. One of my faves is Chefchaouen or, Chaouen, as it’s often called by the locals. It wasn’t my favorite thing but, when in Morocco! Win, win, win. One of my favorite interactions with the locals in Chefchaouen was while we were eating some Moroccan pastries. They give the tourists what they want I guess! day trip to chefchaouen[the blue city] cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Lauren. Chefchaouen is known to be one of the most peaceful and serene towns in Morocco. A resolution of the city council of Issaquah, Washington, establishing Chefchaouen, Morocco as Issaquah's newest sister city. It was until 1492 when the city received a mass influx of Jews looking to start a community here to escape the Spanish Inquisition. As far as I saw during my time in Chefchaouen, there is only one playground in the city. But, what makes Chefchaouen so special and a place that people want to visit is its beautiful blue color. The narrow streets of Chefchaouen (or Chaouen, as the locals call it) make no attempt to soften the impact of the hillside the city is built on. There are plenty interesting places for shopping in Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen is a very small place with very few people. There are several theories as to why the walls were painted blue. Children are completely blind to the fact that people are different than them, and I love it. The kittens however, I felt more comfortable about. It is full of cute décor replicating Disney’s Aladdin movie. It seems like most tourists eat at the same places. Chefchaouen, also known as Chaouen, is a city located in northwestern Morocco, in the foothills of the Rif mountains.. It is a small, conservative city that is a bit out of the way, but is well worth the visit-- washed in vibrant shades of blue, this place is one of a kind. [5], In September 1925, in the middle of the Rif War, a rogue squadron of American volunteer pilots, including veterans of World War I, bombarded civilians in Chaouen. The whole city is bright blue, and it is so picturesque. With its steep, narrow streets, little squares, exuberant fountains and houses whose doors invite you with their richly decorated façades. Chefchaouen Medina: You can't describe the blueness - See 3,796 traveler reviews, 6,054 candid photos, and great deals for Chefchaouen, Morocco, at Tripadvisor. For that moment in time, we were the same, with so many things in common, not even thinking once about our differences. The service was good too and the place seemed clean and well managed. [6] Colonel Charles Michael Sweeney had proposed the idea to French Prime Minister Paul Painlevé, who "warmly welcomed the Colonel's request. I was apprehensive to let him play with the older cats because I didn’t know if they carried any diseases that could be transferred on to Jimmy. We enjoyed our food and would of eaten there again if time permitted. Tourism in Chaouen is also driven by its reputation as center of the marijuana plantations region in north Morocco. In 1492 it started to develop considerably, welcoming Muslims and Jews fleeing from the capture of Granada. Jewish communities, therefore paint things blue and use blue-colored fabrics, especially prayer mats. And yes, if you’re wondering, it really is as blue as everyone says, even without filters. Great playground for kids near the main parking lot. It has those nicknames for a reason. Good luck in finding the entrance to this place. It breaks my heart, and I wish I could help all of them find homes and food….but I know that I can’t. It was a moment that made a lasting impression on me, one that I will always remember when I think back on this charming city. It is a town made famous by the many shades of blue it is painted. One popular theory is that the blue keeps mosquitos away. A nearby attraction is the Kef Toghobeit Cave, one of the deepest caves in Africa.[8]. NIBBLING MY WAY THROUGH ONE CITY AT A TIME, Read my post here to read more about Moroccan pastries, Best Dessert Restaurants – Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The Spanish Army retook the city in 1926.[4]. That being said, here is a list of my favorite restaurants in Chefchaouen: Overly touristy, but the view can’t be beat. Chefchaouen is the city with white and indigo-blue painted buildings. Once ten minutes from the tourist’s zone, you’ll be out with the real people that make Morocco very special. After spending sufficient time in the city, you can rest overnight for your Chefchaouen to Akchour journey. Despite that, the playground was entertaining and perfect for people traveling with kids. Eat at Casa Aladdin, Casa Hassan, and Mandala Pizzeria. Travel Hint: Try and only. One right behind the Blue City and one that we had to take a bus to. This city in northern Morocco is the headquarters of the province of Chefchaouen and is 557 meters above sea level. The blue is said to symbolize the sky and heaven, and serve as a reminder to lead a spiritual life. We have the best, passionate and experienced instructors in the world. chefchaouen city a kiteboarder harnesses the power of the wind with a large power kite. The French had occupied Marrakech and other areas at times and the Spanish tried to take where North Chefchaouen is located. The city is located at the Atlantic Coast and apart being the capitol, it is one of Morocco`s 4 Cities of Kings. Chefchaouen – or Chaouen, as it is often called by Moroccans – is a popular tourist destination because of its proximity to Tangier and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Also known as Morocco’s “Blue City,” Chefchaouen is located in the Rif Mountains of northwest Morocco. Founded in 1471 as a small kasbah to fight the Portuguese invasions, Chefchaouen is a favorite local getaway to unwind from the mayhem of the big Moroccan cities and find refuge from the merciless African sun. Some things were shocking even, like the guy selling live chickens and chopping their heads off right there for you on the spot. It seemed a bit small, and we all left feeling like we would need to eat a small snack later that evening. We ate on the very top terrace area and the view was spectacular. There really isn’t that many good restaurants to chose from in this city, or even many restaurants at all. Ifrane. It was founded by Berber tribes in 1471 as a base to launch attacks on the Portuguese who had conquered Ceuta. Founded as a holy city in 1471 by the warrior Abū Youma and later moved by Sīdī ʿAlī ibn Rashīd to its present site at the base of Mount El-Chaouene, it became a refuge for Moor s expelled from Spain.