Chefchaouen packs more photogenic corners per square metre than almost any city in North Africa. But the Blue City is more than its Instagram-famous walls: the surrounding Rif Mountains offer serious day hikes, the food scene blends Amazigh and Andalusian traditions, and the relaxed pace makes it easy to spend three or four days just wandering. Here are the best things to do in Chefchaouen, from the medina landmarks to the waterfalls an hour outside town.
Things to Do in Chefchaouen: The Blue Medina
Wander the Blue Streets
The medina’s blue-washed walls are the main draw, and the best approach is to get lost deliberately. The blue paint tradition dates to Jewish refugees who arrived in the 15th century, using a shade called tekhelet to represent the sky and a connection to God. Today the city repaints every spring, and you will see locals touching up walls daily. Start at Place Outa el Hammam, the main square, and walk uphill into the Sebbanine and El Haouta quarters. The most photogenic lanes are around Rue Al Makhzeni and the stepped alleyways climbing toward the Spanish Mosque. Photographers should head out before 8am for empty streets and soft light. The medina is compact enough that you cannot truly get lost , all downhill paths eventually lead back to the central square.
Place Outa el Hammam
The main square is the medina’s social hub, ringed by cafes and restaurants with outdoor terraces. The 15th-century Grand Mosque sits on the square’s northern edge (non-Muslims cannot enter) and the octagonal minaret is a local landmark. The Kasbah fortress occupies the western side with its distinctive reddish-brown walls standing out against the blue surroundings. Cafe Clock and Restaurant Aladin both have rooftop terraces overlooking the square. In the evening, families gather and the call to prayer from the Grand Mosque echoes through the valley.
Kasbah Museum
The 15th-century Kasbah fortress sits on the west side of Place Outa el Hammam. Entry costs 60 MAD (US$6), open daily 9am to 5pm. Inside you will find an Andalusian-style garden with orange trees and a central fountain, an old prison that now houses a small ethnographic museum with traditional Rif costumes and pottery, and a tower with panoramic views over the medina’s blue roofs and the surrounding mountains. The garden is a quiet escape from the midday medina bustle. Allow 45 minutes to an hour.
Ras El Ma Spring
At the eastern edge of the medina, where the city meets the mountain, you will find Ras El Ma , a natural spring where water flows directly out of the rock face. Locals have gathered here to wash clothes and collect drinking water for centuries. The spring feeds a small river channel that runs alongside the medina walls, and there are cafes with terraces overlooking the water. It is a 10-minute walk uphill from Place Outa el Hammam. The spring is particularly full in April and May after winter rains. Combine this with the walk up to the Spanish Mosque (15 minutes further uphill) for the classic sunset view.
Things to Do in Chefchaouen: Outdoor Activities
Spanish Mosque (Bouzaafar Mosque)
The Spanish Mosque sits on a hilltop 30 minutes’ walk east of the medina. Built by the Spanish in the 1920s but never used for worship, it is now the classic sunset viewpoint over Chefchaouen. The path starts from Ras El Ma spring and climbs steadily on a well-marked dirt trail. Bring water and a torch for the walk back down if you stay for sunset. The view from the mosque walls captures the entire blue medina with the Rif Mountains as a backdrop. Go 30 to 40 minutes before sunset to claim a good spot on the wall , it gets busy. Free access, no facilities at the top. Check the Chefchaouen weather by month for monthly data.
Akchour Waterfalls (Cascades d’Akchour)
The Akchour Waterfalls lie 30km northeast of Chefchaouen in the Talassemtane National Park. The main cascade drops about 20 metres into a natural swimming pool surrounded by limestone cliffs. Reaching the falls requires a 2-hour hike each way on a well-maintained trail with some steep sections and a narrow bridge crossing. Grand taxis from Chefchaouen to the Akchour trailhead cost 200 to 300 MAD (US$20 to 30) for the round trip, shared among passengers. The trail is open year-round but is best from April to June when the water flow is strong and wildflowers line the path. Avoid the trail after heavy rain as sections become slippery. Pack lunch and at least 1.5 litres of water per person; there is a small cafe at the trailhead but nothing on the route. Read about the best time to visit Chefchaouen for seasonal advice.
Jebel el-Kelaa Summit Hike
At 1,616 metres, Jebel el-Kelaa is the highest peak directly accessible from Chefchaouen. The trail starts behind the Spanish Mosque and gains roughly 1,000 metres of elevation over 4 to 5 hours to the summit. The route passes through cork oak and pine forest, with increasing views over the Mediterranean coast on clear days. You need a full day (start by 7am), sturdy hiking boots, 3 litres of water, and warm layers for the summit even in summer. A guide is recommended unless you are experienced with route-finding , the trail is marked with paint blazes but can be faint in places. Local guides charge 300 to 400 MAD (US$30 to 40) for the day and can be arranged through your riad or at the tourist office near Place Outa el Hammam. Best attempted April through June or September through October. Browse our Chefchaouen events and festivals calendar for dates.
Things to Do in Chefchaouen: Markets and Shopping
Monday and Thursday Souk
The weekly souk sets up on Avenue Hassan II near the Bab el Ain gate, just outside the medina walls, every Monday and Thursday from roughly 8am to 2pm. This is a local market, not a tourist bazaar , farmers from the surrounding Rif villages bring produce, live chickens, olives, honey, and fresh goat cheese (jben). The Rif region is Morocco’s primary cannabis-growing area, and while kif is illegal, the souk has a distinct herbal aroma on market mornings. Prices for produce are roughly half what you would pay in Tangier or Fez. Even if you are not buying, the market is a vivid snapshot of Rif mountain life. Go early (before 10am) for the best atmosphere. Our Chefchaouen neighborhoods guide breaks down each area.
Medina Artisan Shops
Chefchaouen’s medina shops specialise in woven blankets and textiles, leather goods, and locally produced goat cheese and honey. The woven wool blankets with geometric Amazigh patterns are the standout buy , expect to pay 200 to 500 MAD (US$20 to 50) depending on size and complexity. Many are made in the surrounding mountain villages. Bargaining is expected; start at roughly 50 percent of the asking price. Shops along the main lanes (Rue Makhzeni, Avenue Hassan II) have the widest selection but also the highest tourist markups. For better prices, explore the quieter lanes in the Souika and Sebbanine quarters. Find where to stay in Chefchaouen recommendations in our accommodation guide.
Things to Do in Chefchaouen: Day Trips
Cap Spartel and the Caves of Hercules
Tangier is 2 hours by road from Chefchaouen, making it feasible as a long day trip. A grand taxi for the day costs 800 to 1,000 MAD (US$80 to 100). The highlights are Cap Spartel (the northwesternmost point of Africa where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean), the Caves of Hercules (entry 60 MAD / US$6), and the Tangier medina. CTM buses run from Chefchaouen to Tangier four times daily (45 MAD, 2.5 hours), but public transport makes it tight for a day trip. Better to rent a car or hire a driver. Our Chefchaouen travel tips article covers practical information.
Oued Laou Beach
Oued Laou is a small beach town on the Mediterranean coast, 45km northeast of Chefchaouen (about 1 hour driving). The beach is a wide sweep of grey sand backed by the Rif Mountains, popular with Moroccan families in July and August. It is undeveloped by international resort standards , expect simple seafood cafes and basic facilities. Grand taxis from Chefchaouen cost about 150 MAD (US$15) one way. Swimming is best from June through September when water temperatures reach 22 to 24°C (72 to 75°F). There is little shade on the beach, so bring an umbrella. For more context, see our Chefchaouen travel guide.
