Morocco’s small city of Chefchaouen - often referred to as simply Chaouen - is one of Morocco’s most picturesque destinations. Nestled in the glorious scenery of the Rif Mountains, it boasts one of the country’s most charming medinas, famous for its varied shades of blue paint that cover the walls. Chefchaouen certainly has a name that’s difficult to pronounce, but its appearance is nevertheless very easy to recognise. There’s a reason it’s called “the blue city”. It has this name thanks to the walls of its houses, as well as the staircases and interior courtyards, which are painted indigo and white.
However, Chefchaouen’s charm and appeal go beyond its captivating skyline, for it has a rich cultural heritage. In Morocco, Chefchaouen is also considered a prime destination for nature lovers, because there are plenty of trails that beckon you to walk in the surrounding mountains. Built on a mountainside, Chefchaouen is a city with special vibes. It unique charm gives an impression of unreality. With its blue-rinsed houses, the whole city seems to be bathed in azure. More than just an ornament, the beautiful Chefchaouen brims with attractions.
The name "Chefchaouen" is of Arabic and Berber origin coming from "Chef” (Arabic: شاف, romanized: shāf), a derivation of the Arabic word “to look”, and the Berber term “Echaouen", meaning “antlers” or “horns” and is a term used to indicate the peak of mountains.
Before ever visiting Morocco I was well acquainted with those gorgeous blue alleyways and blue-washed buildings. But I also always wondered about the blue city in Morocco - is it really so blue? Does the whole city look like that, or just a few streets? It is beautiful! I love it when a place is so unexpected,” I tell Saad. “This city is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.” The second part of my statement to Saad Jaidi, a young law student from Chefchaouen, Morocco who gives tours of his city on weekends to help make some money, is true.
Chefchaouen is, indeed, unlike any place I’ve ever been. The surrounding landscape is truly amazing. I really wish that we would have had time to do some hiking during our visit, but we only stayed two nights, and the first day was incredibly rainy. It was also really, really cold. Like, if you’re heading to Morrocco’s blue city in March bring some sweaters, just in case. I officially fell in love with Chefchaouen. I love how quiet and relaxed the city is, and it really is just so ridiculously pretty. Chefchaouen is a perfect place to wander and take photos.
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As it’s a little far from the bigger cities which means prices are higher, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for shopping (though you won’t be hassled as much here as in the cities!) - mostly it’s just a perfect place to relax. Danielle and I spent most of our time chilling in the local restaurants and browsing through the markets. A lot of people also only do day trips to the area. You can easily visit from one of the nearby cities on a tour.
In 2020, Chefchaouen was included as a learning city in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC). Chefchaouen is currently a clean and enchanting celebration of what good tourism can look like. Walking through as a visitor, I felt welcome.
CHEFCHAOUEN, MOROCCO | BEST Things To Do In & Around The Blue City Of Chefchaouen
Brief History of Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen was founded in 1471 by Moulay Ali Ben Moussa Ben Rached El Alami, a distant descendant of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. The city was founded in 1471 (876 AH) as a small Kasbah by Ali ibn Rashid al-Alami, a descendant of Abd al-Salam ibn Mashish al-Alami and Idris I. Ali Ben Rashid was born in Gherzoim, a nearby village, c. 1440 (844 AH). He went to Emirate of Granada in 1460 and distinguished himself in battle against Christian forces. He settled in Chefchaouen c. 1465 and, due to his experience as a warrior, was chosen as successor to his cousin ibn Abi Jum'ah and leader of the mujahideen in the northwest of Morocco.
The original settlement consisted of just a small fortress, now referred to as Chefchaouen’s kasbah. The fortress was erected to help defend the area from potential attacks by Portuguese invaders; at the time, Portugal was launching attacks against northern cities and towns in Morocco. A settlement eventually grew outside of the fortress with the construction of the medina, a traditional walled area of homes and other buildings. Within a few decades it went from a military town to a residential one, but the old fortress remains as the Kasbah.
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During the Middle Ages, local tribes, Moors from Spain, and Jews populated the area. Pressures of the Reconquista and the fall of Granada in 1492 led many of its people to immigrate to Morocco over several centuries. The last Moriscos (descendants of Muslims) were expelled from Spain by Philip III in 1609. Some of these refugees chose to settle in the large cities of Fes, Marrakesh, Tlemcen, Tunis, and Kairouan, while others settled in the jihadist fortress of Chefchaouen, which was in a fierce war against Portuguese armies.
They established their quarters on the rugged slopes of the mountains and built their own residential quarters in the Andalusi architectural style, very similar to the traditional quarters of Granada. In a few decades, the fortress of Chefchaouen turned into a prosperous new city, in which the Andalusi-Granadan culture merged with the culture of the Ghomaras.
Many years later, the Spanish captured Chefchaouen in 1920, forming part of Spain’s territory in Morocco. In October 1920, General Dámaso Berenguer occupied the city for the Spanish protectorate in Morocco. The area saw a large influx of Jews fleeing from Europe and Hitler during the Second World War. In September 1925, in the middle of the Rif War, a rogue squadron of American volunteer pilots, the Lafayette Escadrille, bombarded civilians in the city. Colonel Charles Sweeny had proposed the idea to French Prime Minister Paul Painlevé, who "warmly welcomed the Colonel's request."
Most Jews later left the area in the late 1940s and early 1950s to live in Israel. The city was given back when Morocco gained independence in 1956. Following the Spanish retreat from the city, Chefchaouen was part of the Republic of the Rif led by Abd el-Krim from 1924 to 1926. Morocco gained its independence from colonial rule in 1956. Chefchaouen, or Chaouen as it was originally called until Morocco gained independence in 1956, was founded in the 15th century, in 1471 to be precise, by the Berbers.
They chose an impressive territory surrounded by the Rif Mountains, where the Moors and Jews expelled from Spain by the Catholic Monarchs took refuge. This is possibly the reason why the old part of the city resembles an Andalusian village. It’s worth noting that it was considered a holy city and until the 1920s was a forbidden destination for foreigners who weren’t Muslim.
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Reasons Suggested for the Blue Hues
There are several beliefs as to why the city’s walls were painted blue. There are quite a few different theories around why Chefchaouen is blue, depending on who you ask.
- To Follow Jewish Custom and Culture: In Jewish beliefs, the colour blue represents the sky, which in turn reminds people of Heaven and God. There is, therefore, a strong tradition among Jewish communities of painting things blue and using blue dye to colour fabrics, especially prayer mats. Some people believe that early Jews in Chefchaouen introduced the practice of painting walls blue, in keeping with their religious and cultural practices. Painting the walls blue likely happened in the 15th century, shortly after the city was founded. Some people say that the wave of Jewish immigrants in the 1930s was responsible for adding more blue hues to the city. With historic tensions between Jews and Muslims, it is unlikely that the local Islamic people knowingly replicated Jewish practices. Well, it is one of three theories as to why the blue began, with the leading story being that these new Jewish immigrants to Chefchaouen brought the blue of their prayer shawls (the talit) with them.
- To Keep Mosquitoes Away: There are those who believe that shades of blue adorn the city to help deter mosquitoes. Although mosquitoes generally choose to live near water, they don’t like being in the water itself. The colours of Chefchaouen’s buildings certainly can look like flowing water. It is possible that residents noticed fewer mosquitoes in the Jewish part of town and decided to follow suit to rid their homes of pesky bugs. Why are the houses in Chaouen (Morocco) painted blue? There are two theories. The first is that the colour blue scares away mosquitoes.
- To Keep Cool: Some locals say that the blue helps keep their homes cool in the warmer months. Another theory suggests that painting buildings blue helps keep them cool during hot summer months. The light colour reflects sunlight rather than absorbing it, which helps maintain lower indoor temperatures-a practical benefit in Morocco’s often sweltering climate. While this probably wasn’t the original intention, it serves as a valid reason as to why the painting continues in modern times.
- To Represent the Colour of Water: Chefchaouen’s walls are daubed in all shades of blue to represent the colour of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, according to some locals. Others, on the other hand, believe that the blues symbolise the importance of the city’s Ras el-Maa Waterfall where citizens get their drinking water. The essential life-sustaining water allows a community to thrive in an otherwise hostile environment in the arid mountains.
- To Look Nice, Soothe and Blend In: Ask some locals why the city is blue, and they may say it’s simply because blue looks attractive and has a calming effect. In Islamic culture, blue is said to be a colour of happiness and optimism. Others might add that it’s just what everyone does there, reflecting the idea that communities in Morocco like to show a united front. Could it be that a few homes close to the mellah liked the colour originally painted by Jewish settlers and decided to copy it, thus starting a new trend that spread from home to home?
- To Attract Tourists: While this certainly wouldn’t have been the original reason for painting the city, attracting tourists is a major reason why the practice continues. The unusual colour is, after all, the city’s main claim to fame. One theory for the blues (and according to our guide, one of the most likely) is that locals noticed how the blues attracted both national and international visitors, who flocked to take in the blues and get the perfect picture. Chefchaouen was previously an unremarkable destination along the trading route between Fes and Tangier. It is now, however, a fairly popular tourist destination. It’s clear that whatever the initial reasons were for painting the city, there are several benefits for continuing to get the paintbrushes out.
Main Attractions in Chefchaouen
Apart from the nearby natural attractions and activities, such as hiking in the mountains and visiting the Cascades of Akchour, one of the main things to do in Chefchaouen is to wander through the city’s medina and admire the picturesque scenes that unfold around each corner and down every staircase.
Less frenetic than in other cities in Morocco such as Marrakech and Fes, visitors can pick up an array of traditional-Moroccan goods. Blue and white paintings on different-sized canvases depicting scenes of the city and local life are especially nice keepsakes. Its heritage is rich. The inescapable Medina with its famous narrow winding alleys, is an opportunity to mingle with the local population, and to smell and taste delights: from freshly baked bread, to skillfully prepared tagines.
| Attraction | Description |
|---|---|
| The Medina | The historical district of Chefchaouen, where blue and white paint dominates the walls and houses. |
| Uta Hammam Square | A market square surrounded by the most important buildings of the old town - the Kasbah, the Great Mosque, and a caravanserai - as well as various shops and cafés. |
| The Kasbah | The oldest part of the Medina, the original citadel founded in the late 15th century by Ali ibn Rashid. Today, the Kasbah has been converted into a museum and its interior courtyard is occupied by a garden. |
| The Great Mosque of Chefchaouen | The city's oldest and historically most important mosque, located at Place Outae Hammam at the heart of the Medina, close to the Kasbah. |
| The Spanish Mosque | A disused mosque overlooking the town from a hill to the east. |
| Ras al-Ma' | The city's traditional water source, located just east of the Medina, outside its former walls. It was the original source of water for the city. |
Within the old kasbah itself and its shades of brown, beige, muted red, and ochre, tourists will find the small Ethnographic Museum, sometimes also referred to as the Kasbah Museum. It houses exhibits and displays related to the area’s history, culture, and development. Do be aware that most explanatory signs are only available in Arabic and French; having a basic knowledge of either would add more depth to a visit. There is also the Kasbah which stands in the middle of the old quarter: its lush gardens, located in the center of the city, are a haven of freshness.
Chefchaouen is located in a territory traditionally inhabited by Jebala, subsequently joined by Muslim and Jewish refugees from al-Andalus and Spain. The city has maintained strong relations with the inhabitants of the Jbala Region such as Akhmas, Ghomara, Ghazaoua, and Sanhaja tribes, particularly in terms of trade.
From the Uta al-Hamman square, you can enter the souk of Chefchaouen, where you’ll find an endless row of shops selling a wide variety of goods. Presided over by a beautiful fountain, this charming and lively square is in the heart of the Chefchaouen medina. It’s always full of people and is the site of the Grand Mosque and the Kasbah, a reddish-walled fortress that has recently been restored. One of the first things to see in Chaouen is the Kasbah, which is located in the centre of the old town and has lush gardens that provide a respite from the hustle and bustle of the busy trading activity in the surrounding streets.
Boasting its unique geographical position, Chefchaouen is a paradise for walkers. The paths of the surrounding mountains offer pleasant hiking activities.
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