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Heading to Chefchaouen and not sure what to do? We’ve got you.
Chefchaouen is one of Morocco’s most charming spots, and it’s famed for its pretty blue streets and mountain views. Even with just one day here, you’ll have time to wander the Medina, sample local food, and soak up the atmosphere. Then, if you’ve got two days, you can venture into the Rif Mountains and see a bit more of the region’s natural beauty.
This guide gives you a clear plan for both options, so you can make the most of your time without feeling rushed. So grab your camera and get ready for great views and plenty of mint tea as you explore Chefchaouen.
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE thing we did was this private tour of Chefchaouen! This made our sightseeing much more immersive as we learned the history behind the Medina, the Great Mosque, Mohammed V Square, and more.
Itinerary Overview
Chefchaouen doesn’t have an airport, so to get here you’ll need to fly into Tangier or Fez, then catch a taxi or bus from either city. CMT is a reliable bus company in Morocco, and the ride should take about 2 hours from Tangier or 3.5 hours from Fez. You can also get a taxi if you’d prefer a private trip! It takes about 7.5 hours to get from Marrakesh to Chefchaouen, so I don’t recommend doing that if I’m honest.
Once you’re in Chefchaouen, walking is the best way to get around. The area around the Medina is pedestrian-only, and much of the city consists of hills, stairs, and narrow alleyways, so walking is really your best bet here. You can also hail taxis for longer distances, just be aware that negotiating the price is the done thing here.
Day 1: Start your time in Chefchaouen with a guided walk through the Medina, where you’ll get a feel for the city’s blue streets and local history. After lunch, spend the afternoon wandering the souk at your own pace before ending the day with a hands-on cooking class and a relaxed evening in the main plaza.
Day 2: If you’re staying for another day, head out on a private tour into the Rif Mountains, where you’ll enjoy scenic views and an easygoing hike around the Akchour Waterfalls. Then, end the night with a memorable rooftop dinner.
Day 1
Morning – Explore Chefchaouen with a local guide
For us, the best way to get to know Chefchaouen is with this private walking tour. It’s perfectly paced and designed to help you understand the very heart of Morocco’s famous blue city.
This tour also makes life super easy because your guide picks you up right from your hotel. I recommend booking the 9 am start time so you can enjoy breakfast beforehand and still finish around noon with plenty of the day left to explore.
This tour is all about diving into the history and culture of Chefchaouen with someone who truly knows the city – a lot of the guides actually grew up here! And as you wander through the Medina’s narrow alleyways, they’ll explain why the buildings are painted blue and share stories that help you understand its Arab-Andalusian roots.
You’ll visit highlights like the Medina, Mohammed V Square, the Grand Mosque, City Hall, and the Kasbah Museum. The walk to Ras El Ma Waterfall is another memorable stop, where you’ll learn why this spot is so important to local life.
And since this tour is private, your guide can shape the route based on your interests. Whether you want more history, more photo stops, or more time in the souk, all you need to do is ask! No wonder it has hundreds of 5-star reviews!
Book this top-rated private walking tour here and enjoy free cancellation!
Lunch – El Cielo restaurant
This morning’s tour will end at your hotel, but El Cielo restaurant is just a 3-minute walk from the Medina, so it shouldn’t take you too long to get there (we’ve got some great hotel recommendations at the end of this blog). It’s a pretty spot with a garden that feels like a little oasis in the middle of the city! The food is yummy and fresh, and the portions are very generous.
The only problem with eating here is that you might struggle to know what to order, because everything just looks so good! I must say, though, the mixed mezze platter is great for sharing, and the chicken pastilla is a great choice if you fancy some comfort food.
Afternoon – Wander through the Souk
You can’t come to Chefchaouen without visiting the souk, aka the city’s main market. It’s the most bustling and vibrant part of the Medina, although it can be a bit overwhelming at first. Having said that, the souk here is less overwhelming than the markets you’ll find in bigger cities like Fez and Marrakesh!
There’s no need to rush around this afternoon, so take it slow and stay for as long as you’d like. Be sure to wrap up around 3:30 pm to give yourself time to get to your evening activity. And remember that haggling is expected from sellers, so always negotiate down from the first figure they give you (you can do it!).
Dinner – Take a cooking class
This cooking class is such a fun and memorable way to spend your evening in Chefchaouen. It runs from 4 pm to 7 pm, which is perfect because you’ll be cooking and eating right as the sun sets over the blue Medina! We especially love this class because it takes place outdoors, at a viewpoint partway up to the Spanish Mosque. We didn’t have time to hike there today, so this cooking class ensures you’ll still get to enjoy those iconic city and mountain views!
The experience starts with picking out fresh ingredients from the local market before taking an easy walk through the Medina up to the family farm. The property sits on the foothills of the mountains and is home to more than 500 fruit and olive trees, so the setting alone is worth the visit. Once you arrive, you’ll settle in with tea and learn about Moroccan culture and cooking traditions from an experienced instructor who clearly loves sharing this part of their heritage.
There, you’ll get hands-on and make a tajine of your choice from scratch using traditional cooking methods. There are options for vegetarian and gluten-free diets, so everyone can enjoy this experience!
Then, once you’ve finished cooking, you’ll sit down as a group and enjoy your homemade meal while watching the city glow at sunset. With good food and even better views, I really can’t think of a better way than this to spend an evening in Chefchaouen!
Book this wholesome cooking class here and enjoy dinner with the ultimate view!
Evening – Plaza Uta el Hamman
The cooking class ends at 7 pm, so stroll down to the main square, which should take you around 15 minutes. Finish up your evening, enjoying the nighttime lights and charming atmosphere. There are plenty of cafes here where you can grab a mint tea and enjoy people-watching until you’re ready to head back to your hotel for the night.
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Day 2
Full-day – Explore the Rif Mountains and see Akchour Waterfalls
If you’re staying in Chefchaouen for a second day, take advantage of the nearby scenery and head out on this full-day tour to see some of Morocco’s best waterfalls! It’s a private tour, so you’ll have your guide’s full attention and you’ll be able to take the day at your own pace ,without feeling rushed.
I’d recommend booking the 9 am start time, which gets you back to Chefchaouen around 4 pm, giving you a full day immersed in nature. There’s some hiking involved with this tour, but it’s fairly easy, so it’s doable for most travelers. Do be sure to pack snacks and water to keep you going, though, and comfortable shoes are a must!
After pickup, you’ll head into Talassemtane National Park, through lush forests and along scenic valleys. There are multiple waterfalls to admire along the way, as well as small villages tucked into the landscape, and even some unique rock formations that make for excellent photo stops! If you’re up for it, there’s even the option to extend the hike to God’s Bridge, a steep but rewarding section with incredible views.
Along the way, your guide will share stories about the local area, culture, and history, and they can adjust the pace and route to match your energy level and interests, which makes it so much better than doing a shared tour, if you ask me. The glowing reviews definitely attest to that, too!
Check availability and book this private Rif Mountains and Akchour Waterfalls tour here!
Dinner – Cafe Clock
Cafe Clock is a rooftop restaurant that offers incredible views and live music every night from 6 to 8 pm. Your tour should get you back to the city by 4 pm, so you’ll have some time to rest and freshen up back at your hotel and still get here in time to catch the music.
Personally, I love the falafel bowl here, but the harira soup is also definitely worth trying. Oh, and the mint lemonade is a must to wash it all down with!
But instead of getting dessert here, I recommend taking a quick walk to Pain Chaouen after your meal. Their pastries are just fantastic, and they also sell slices of cheesecake, so it’s the perfect spot to grab a sweet treat to end your night with.
Where to Stay in Chefchaouen, Morocco
Whether you’re staying for one or two days in Chefchaouen, you’ll need a great place to stay! We’ve picked out three well-located hotels close to the Medina to put you at the heart of everything Chefchaouen has to offer. And of course, we’ve included options for every budget, whether you’re looking for luxury digs or a more economical stay.
Luxury – $$$
If you’re looking for modern Moroccan vibes, look no further than TAJ CHEFCHAOUEN Luxury Hotel and Spa. With spacious rooms, opulent decor, and a gorgeous indoor pool overlooking the Blue City below, this is easily one of Chefchaouen’s best stays. This is one of the newest hotels in the city and one of the very few that has fitness facilities, so if you’re looking for something more contemporary, this is a great choice.
Prices start at $230 USD per night for a mountain view room, which includes breakfast. Check all the options and book your stay here!
Mid-range – $$
Palacio Del Sol is a recently renovated riad with beautiful Moroccan tiles and lots of Chefchaouen’s signature blue! There’s a lovely sun terrace, a coffee shop, and a restaurant on site. Breakfast is included with every stay, and there are continental, vegan, and halal options on offer.
The hotel is spotlessly clean with friendly staff, so no wonder it’s one of the top-rated hotels in the city! We think it offers great value for money, and all of the rooms are soundproofed to ensure a good night’s rest.
Rooms here usually cost between $165 and $200 USD per night. Check availability and book your stay here!
Budget – $
Casa Amina is an affordable hotel that’s full of quirky bohemian charm. It’s brightly painted, and it almost feels like staying in a cave – in the best way possible! The rooms are cozy and softly lit by Moroccan lamps, and there’s a cute sun terrace where you can relax and enjoy views of the city.
This chic, cozy hotel is right in the middle of town, and for the price point, it really cannot be beaten. It’s run by a father and son team who are super friendly and will make you feel at home from the moment you set foot through the door.
Rooms here tend to cost between $80 and $150 USD per night. Read the great reviews and book your stay here!
For more options, see all of the hotels in Chefchaouen here!
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Thanks for reading!
Chefchaouen has to be one of the prettiest cities we’ve explored. Whether you’re here for just one day or are lucky enough to have two, you can sink into the history and vibrant culture with this itinerary! This is the same itinerary we followed and found it to be the perfect mix of guided experiences and self-exploration, so you can follow it exactly or pick and choose your favorite activities.
If you’re traveling further, be sure to check out all of our Morocco guides! We have more itineraries, where to stay guides, and lists of our favorite things to do to help you plan an epic vacation. Or, you can see our related travel destinations and add a few more stops to your itinerary!
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