Chefchaouen, the Blue City

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Chefchaouen or Chaouen is a city in the Rif Mountains of northwest Morocco and is relaxed compared to other Moroccan cities. The blue buildings are what attract travelers to the city, but it’s the laidback lifestyle and mountain backdrops that make them fall in love with it. It’s known for the striking, blue-washed buildings of its old town. Leather and weaving workshops line its steep cobbled lanes. I know you’re wondering why the city is in blue. Some people say the blue is to symbolize the sky (or heaven), others say it is for mosquito repellent, others say it is to keep them cool, to represent the color of water, to look nice, to attract tourists. Turning to history, Chefchaouen was built in the 15th century (the early 1400s), but it wasn’t until the 1900s that it was painted blue. During that time Morocco saw a large influx of Jews as the Second World War started. For the Jews, the color blue represents the sky, which reminded people of heaven and God. Nowadays the community continues to keep up the blue color of the city to preserve the legacy and heritage of its people and its past. The blue buildings are what attract travelers to the city, but it’s the laidback lifestyle and mountain backdrops that make them fall in love with it.

You can visit Chefchaouen from any of the major cities in Morocco. Taking a trip from Tangier to Chefchaouen is the most common and shortest route, roughly a two-hour ride through the beautiful Rif Mountains. You can also visit Chefchaouen from the major cities of Fez, Casablanca, or Marrakech, with it being the following distances respectively: a 3-4 hour drive trip from Fez to Chefchaouen, a 5-6 hour trip from Casablanca to Chefchaouen, and 6-8 hour trip from Marrakech to Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen can be explored on foot, although many roads are narrow and steep with lots of steps. Taxis are also available for moving around outside of the historic center.

The best time to visit Chefchaouen is from May to September when the weather is warm and the skies are clear. Chefchaouen doesn’t get as hot as other inland cities like Marrakesh or Fez, so summertime isn’t quite as brutal.

Moroccan Arabic is the language spoken by locals, but because of tourism, many residents can converse at least partially in English, Spanish, and French. The currency used is the Moroccan dirham. Market stalls and local eateries may not accept credit cards, so definitely carry cash with you (ATMs are available in the city).

BEST THINGS TO DO IN :

Watch the sunrise over the Rif mountains

The sun rising and peaking through the surrounding mountain is a beautiful sight to catch in Chefchaouen. A lot of the hotels have rooftop terraces so if your’s faces the right direction, you are in for a treat!

Get lost in the Medina

The medina here is not only a striking visual smorgasbord but a haven for shoppers. You’ll find handcrafted goods not available anywhere else in Morocco alongside your usual medina finds. Hand-crafted pottery, lanterns, tagines, fabrics, and candles are all abounded. Great prices and a fun haggle, but don't forget these people have families to feed too! Read more

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About Md. Sajedul islam

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