MA · Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima · 35.17°N 5.27°W

chefchaouen

Blue-painted medina lanes and Rif Mountain views above a small northern Moroccan town.

Best time
April–June and September–October are mild and good for walking. July–August can be hot, and November–February is cold and wet, with muddy mountain paths.
How long
2 days, 1–2 nights
Getting there
Fly with one stop to Casablanca, usually via Doha, Dubai or Istanbul, about 18–20 hours all in. From there it's about 5 hours by road, or take the Al Boraq fast train to Tangier (about 2 hours) and drive the last 2.5 hours. Morocco is 8 hours behind KL all year.
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MA · Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceimachefchaouen35.17°N 5.27°Wgowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Blue-painted medina lanes and Rif Mountain views above a small northern Moroccan town.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingChefchaouenMA, Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima
KLchefchaouen
≈ 11,333 km from KL, as the crow flies
The view of the city of Chefchaouen medina from the top tower of the Kasbah de Chefchaouen showing the whole blue city with the palm trees and the big rif mountain behind of it.

Photo: Badr Rachadi · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Chefchaouen is a small town in the Rif Mountains, famous for its blue-washed medina. The appeal is slow: stepped lanes, a hillside viewpoint and mint tea on the main square.

Makan

  1. BissaraThick fava bean soup with olive oil and cumin, a northern breakfast.Map ↗
  2. Goat's cheeseFresh cheese from the Rif, sold wrapped in palm leaves.Map ↗
  3. TagineSlow-cooked meat or vegetables, eaten with bread at the cafés on the square.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The blue medinaLanes washed in every shade of blue, with steps, doorways and potted plants at every turn.Map ↗
  2. Place Outa el HammamThe main square, with the kasbah and the Grand Mosque's octagonal minaret.Map ↗
  3. KasbahA red-walled fortress with a garden and a small museum.Map ↗
  4. Spanish MosqueA 30-minute walk up the hill for the sunset view over the town.Map ↗
  5. Ras el MaA spring at the top of the medina, where mountain water spills out under the walls.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Food is halal as standard here.
  • The medina is all steps and cars can't get in, so pack light for the walk from the drop-off point.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.