Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen · Rif Mountains, northern Morocco
A mountain town painted blue since the 1930s, where the culture of Andalusian exiles meets Berber mountain culture.
Know before you go
- When taking photos in residential lanes, try not to disturb residents, and smile before photographing people
- cannabis is traditionally grown in the Rif, so don't buy it or photograph the crops.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The blue mountain town was founded in 1471 as a fortress against the Portuguese. In the 1930s Jewish refugees brought the tradition of painting houses blue (some say to keep mosquitoes away, others that blue symbolises the sky and the divine), and since then the whole old town has been painted in shades of blue. The architecture brought by exiles from Spanish Andalusia blends here with Berber mountain culture, and Spanish is still widely spoken.
Local customs
- Life in the mountain town is slow
- residents like to sit in the sun and chat on the blue steps
- goat's cheese is a local speciality.
Religion & beliefs
- Residents are mainly Muslim, with traces of Jewish history
- the octagonal minaret of the old-town mosque is in a distinctive Andalusian style.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Morocco: don't proselytise
- Respect the local Islamic faith
- Trying to convert Muslims to another religion or handing out missionary material
- Publicly criticising Islam (including online)
Proselytising can mean a fine or up to 3 years in prison; publicly criticising Islam can mean up to 2 years.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Morocco travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- When taking photos in residential lanes, try not to disturb residents, and smile before photographing people
- cannabis is traditionally grown in the Rif, so don't buy it or photograph the crops.
Locals appreciate DO
- Locals are proud of the 'blue city' reputation and happy to point visitors to photo spots
- many shopkeepers speak Spanish.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- The town is all slopes and stone steps, so wear comfortable shoes. Early morning has fewer people and good light, ideal for empty-street shots
- the hill of the Spanish Mosque is the sunset spot for a view over the whole town. The cafés on the main square, Plaza Uta el-Hammam, are perfect for idling away an afternoon
- it's about 4 hours by bus from Fez.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Tagine
- Moroccan salad
- Bissara (bean soup)
Tagine (goat's-cheese tagine is a local speciality), Moroccan salad, bissara (split-pea soup), skewers, mint tea with local goat's cheese (jben)
| Where to eat | Cafés and restaurants around the main square (Place Outa el Hammam), family restaurants in the old-town lanes |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | The town is conservative — drinking in public is inappropriate, and ask before photographing locals (especially women) |
| Typical price per person | MAD 50–100 ≈ CNY 35–71 |
| Tips | Claim a sunset seat on a terrace over the square early; the hill town has many steps — an after-dinner stroll helps digestion. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Ruby Josephine Smith · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos
Photos
Mark Fischer · CC BY-SA 2.0
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Allenfleming · CC BY-SA 4.0
Adrian Dobre · CC BY-SA 4.0
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