Chefchaouene, also called Chechaouene or Chechaouen, French Chaouen, Spanish Xauen, town, northern Morocco, situated in the Rif mountain range. Jimmy was quite popular when we were in Chefchaouen. 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. But, what makes Chefchaouen so special and a place that people want to visit is its beautiful blue color. I hope you enjoy your time in Chefchaouen, Morocco! The children are so sweet too and would follow us around the town showing us around and welcoming us to their country. You can get some great stuff that you would pay a fortune for elsewhere. It is famous for the akchour waterfall but also for its blue-washed medina. A firm favourite with locals … Sometimes when eating nothing but Moroccan food for a few days, my taste buds start screaming for some variety. It takes a lot of time and you get a little better at it and braver with each encounter. It is located near the restaurant and hotel, Parador, near Plaza Debnat al Majzen. We ate on the very top terrace area and the view was spectacular. Being the animal lover that I am sometimes it’s hard to travel to foreign countries and see all the homeless animals everywhere. People believe that the Jewish refugees spread the blue fever to the entire ‘medina’ in 1930. Chefchaouen is a small city in the Rif mountains in the north-west of Morocco. It was fun experimenting with our camera in such a uniquely beautiful part of the world. I promise it will be a delicious journey with many exciting stops along the way. 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. With its steep, narrow streets, little squares, exuberant fountains and houses whose doors invite you with their richly decorated façades. The finest part would be the look of the city with most of the buildings painted brilliant sky blue. The market is where the Chefchaouen people buy their food for their families. My main complaint was the portion size of the food. Since we visited Morocco during Ramadan, the variety and quantity of Moroccan pastries being sold was much higher than normal. The growing tourist industry is geared especially towards Spanish tourists, who are numerous during great Catholic feasts like Semana Santa and Christmas. Photo is only for illustrative purposes. It was founded by the Moorish exiles from Spain in 1492 and lies near the Rif Mountains. The city gets its name of Blue City Or Blue Peral because of the magnificently painted blue alleys. It was such a cool experience to see children from different parts of the world interacting and playing together. 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. Travel Hint: Try and only. The countryside around it has a reputation for being a prolific source of kief. I wish all people could be childlike in that way. Chefchaouen is a photographer’s dream city. 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. There really isn’t that many good restaurants to chose from in this city, or even many restaurants at all. Chefchaouen, The Blue City, is a great place to visit in Northern Morocco. The food was pretty good, nothing to write home about but good nonetheless. Jimmy had a great time playing with the kittens, especially near our hotel. The French had occupied Marrakech and other areas at times and the Spanish tried to take where North Chefchaouen is located. It was founded by Berber tribes in 1471 as a base to launch attacks on the Portuguese who had conquered Ceuta. It breaks my heart, and I wish I could help all of them find homes and food….but I know that I can’t. Children are completely blind to the fact that people are different than them, and I love it. The blue is said to symbolize the sky and heaven, and serve as a reminder to lead a spiritual life. Win, win, win. [2] Along with the Ghomara tribes of the region, many Moriscos and Jews settled here after the Spanish Reconquista in medieval times. Strangers would come right up to him and kiss him on the cheek, sometimes even on the lips, without permission. 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 Blue City, The Blue Pearl – those are a couple of other nicknames that have been given to this unique hidden gem in northern Morocco. November 26, 2015 at 9:14 pm — Reply. It is full of cute décor replicating Disney’s Aladdin movie. A nearby attraction is the Kef Toghobeit Cave, one of the deepest caves in Africa.[8]. Sometimes haggling is really fun and exciting and other times it is plain exhausting. 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. It helps. With that being said, if you have to haggle, Chefchaouen is good place to do it. 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! We encountered so many friendly people here. Instead of rodents they were treated more like neighborhood pets. Luckily, the cats in Chefchaouen seemed much healthier and happier than the cats in other cities in Morocco, which was so nice to see. 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. Often times they even physically picked him up and gawked over him and his American cuteness. [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). This restaurant has a huge menu with a lot of variety. The Blue City is surrounded by beautiful mountains and hikes you can do. Chefchaouen is situated just inland from Tangier and Tétouan. There is huge diversity in flavor and culture and is the favorite destination of all who visit Morocco. Discover and book day trip to chefchaouen[the blue city… Some things were shocking even, like the guy selling live chickens and chopping their heads off right there for you on the spot. This place was recommended to us by our hotel. Chefchaouen is known to be one of the most peaceful and serene towns in Morocco. Chefchaouen is the city with white and indigo-blue painted buildings. One family, with a little girl Jimmy’s age, particularly made an impression on me. Jewish communities, therefore paint things blue and use blue-colored fabrics, especially prayer mats. It is a popular destination for tourist because of it’s proximity to Tangier, Morocco and Ceuta, Spain. The options are to take a bus from Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Fes, or another local town, rent a car, or hire a driver. Chefchaouen is a town in northwest Morocco situated in the Rif Mountains. The whole city is bright blue, and it is so picturesque. We both loved our children and both were there to play with them as a family at the park. De hecho esta ciudad está hermanada con Ronda. Chefchaouen is a very small place with very few people. During the summer approximately 200 hotels cater to the influx of European tourists. 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. We parked here without a problem and the fare price was reasonable. It’s a fascinating place that I absolutely fell in love with. At least you know the meat is fresh! Saying it is picturesque is an understatement. They see blonde haired blue eyed children and go nuts over them. Tourism in Chaouen is also driven by its reputation as center of the marijuana plantations region in north Morocco. Chefchaouen wasn’t always a blue city. It is perfect for a day trip. It is a town made famous by the many shades of blue it is painted. [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. Chefchaouen's blue walls are a popular subject of interest. And yes, if you’re wondering, it really is as blue as everyone says, even without filters. That’s why it got nicknamed “the Blue Pearl of Morocco”. chefchaouen city a kiteboarder harnesses the power of the wind with a large power kite. These words describe the city's location between the protective "peaks" of the Rif Mountains. I hope you do too. After spending sufficient time in the city, you can rest overnight for your Chefchaouen to Akchour journey. A city that was made famous by the movie, Casablanca, Tangier is a hot spot for celebrities and tourists looking to relax. 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. It seemed a bit small, and we all left feeling like we would need to eat a small snack later that evening. We provide safety and proper knowledge. Eating them was the food highlight of the whole trip. buy fruits with peals. 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. 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. Chefchaouen, also known as Chaouen, is a city located in northwestern Morocco, in the foothills of the Rif mountains.. Morocco is a very Muslim based country and doesn’t eat pork. The majority of buildings in this city, located in the mountains Rif Valley region, are painted blue. 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. 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. Iris. Lauren. Some people describe Chefchaouen as boring, saying that there isn’t a whole lot to do there. It is the chief town of the province of the same name, and is noted for its buildings in shades of blue. 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. Morocco wasn’t always “free” so to speak. The inside of it was very inviting and quaint with lovely decorations. Rabat is a modern city but also has an old part, both small and pleasant. It’s about two hours from the coastal town of Ceuta or the city of Tangier. This is also right next to the parking lot where we parked our rental car after we drove into town. Chefchaouen View from the Spanish Mosque Trail Early Morning Calm in the Blue City Exploring The Blue City. viendo Chaouen desde lejos podríamos pensar que se trata de uno de los pueblos blancos de la Serranía de Ronda. It has those nicknames for a reason. [6] Colonel Charles Michael Sweeney had proposed the idea to French Prime Minister Paul Painlevé, who "warmly welcomed the Colonel's request. It was a very sweet moment. There are so many great things to purchase in Morocco, and compared to American prices, they are sold for very cheap. Both Nate and I bought handmade leather bags, Nate a shoulder bag and me a backpack, during our time in this amazing country. La Botica De La Abuela Aladdin. There are so many adorable spots and darling corners that are screaming to have their pictures taken. During World War II (1939–45) the city was the seat of One of my favorite interactions with the locals in Chefchaouen was while we were eating some Moroccan pastries. The bright blue color that is a constant theme throughout the whole town is magical and wonderful to capture on camera. decrease your chances of . That’s how I would describe Chefchaouen, by far my favorite corner of this lively North African country. Walking through the market in Chefchaouen was fascinating to me and was such a cool cultural experience. Everything that you buy must be haggled for. Legend has it that the buildings were officially painted blue to keep mosquitoes away, another legend states that the buildings are blue to symbolize the sky and heaven. It seems like most tourists eat at the same places. I'm here to help you nibble your way through all my city travels. Chefchaouen a rare pearl Hidden away in the Kif Mountains just a four-hour coach ride from Fes. It is the chief town of the province of the same name, and is noted for its buildings in shades of blue. Get your camera ready! Chefchaouen city has a lot to offer. Since then, the growth and development of the city have been continuous and rapid. It wasn’t my favorite thing but, when in Morocco! chefchaouen city is a surface water sport that combines elements of surfing and sailing. We have the best, passionate and experienced instructors in the world. To this day, we both use our Moroccan bags on a daily basis. We saw it all unfold right before our eyes. 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. Chefchaouen is a place with its own magic. To this day most people here speak Spanish. Read my post here to read more about Moroccan pastries and to hear the whole story about Jimmy sharing with the little Moroccan girl. Many cab drivers in the city will offer you a ride to the Akchour at pricey rates. The old Medina has souqs and bazars where you can shop in … The Sephardi Jews settled and so came with them the blue hue’s Chefchaouen has become known for. Moroccan people are notoriously friendly, especially with children. Also known as Morocco’s “Blue City,” Chefchaouen is located in the Rif Mountains of northwest Morocco. Welcome, to the best and modern windsurfing center! The service was good too and the place seemed clean and well managed. In Morocco, nothing has prices. 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. For that moment in time, we were the same, with so many things in common, not even thinking once about our differences. Chefchaouen is no different. Chefchaouen isn’t exactly known for its food. The kittens however, I felt more comfortable about. Sometimes I just want to simply buy something and not have to put in the work to not get ripped off by the vendor. [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. Taxis, food markets, souvenirs, accessories, clothing- everything must be haggled for. Chefchaouen or Chaouen also knows as “the blue town” is located in the Rif Mountains in the northern Morocco. But in Morocco, haggling is part of the culture and it’s not going away anytime soon. The city's oldest and historically most important mosque is the Great Mosque located at Place Uta Hammam at the heart of the medina. Take a walk in the city or the countryside to see and meet the real Morocco. Traveling in Morocco – My Trip to Chefchaouen the Blue Pearl Words simply cannot describe the beauty of Chefchaouen The Blue Pearl. For Morocco, it is quite relaxing. Al-Alami founded the city to fight the Portuguese invasions of northern Morocco. In some cases, stone steps march straight up the slope, giving your legs a good workout. Once ten minutes from the tourist’s zone, you’ll be out with the real people that make Morocco very special. It is an enchanting and easygoing place to visit that I absolutely adore. Nestled in the foothills of the Rif mountains, around twenty miles from the Mediterranean coast, is Chefchaouen (sometimes just ‘Chaouen’).