Chefchaouen is in northern Morocco. It was established in 1471 by Moulay Ali bin Rashid, to harbor Andalusian Muslims who were expelled by the Spanish.
The Drive from Casablanca to Chefchaouen
More street tajine before heading out 
The route (see Gallery Caption for details) 
Fun, winding road…wished I had my CONVERTIBLE 
Into the Rif Mountains 
Rest Stop 
The Oued (river) Loukos along the way 
First sighting of Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen – the Medina
Chefchaouen was my first impression of smaller-town Morocco, and I was smitten! The medina – the old town – in Chefchaouen is so picturesque, so exotic, so blue! My senses were completely overwhelmed; I loved it, especially interacting with the people, and I would wander for hours. You won’t see many people in my photos; most did not want their picture taken, and I was respectful of that.
Beauty around every corner in the medina 
Map of the Chefchaouen medina, with geocaches 
Dusk at the Kasbah 
Blue Alleys abound 
Overlook from the medina 
Cool Tree 
Carpet Washing area 
Narrowing Blue Alley 
So picturesque! 
Mysterious Door 
Steep Blue Steps 
Back Alley in the medina 
So many steps! 
Hammam 
Alley with a view 
Alley with one of the Horns in background 
Mosaic Fountains abound 
Family negotiating what’s for dinner
The city was founded in 1471. The blue walls of Chefchaouen are dyed, not painted, and there are several theories about that. One is that in 1492, Jews escaping the Spanish inquisition arrived here, and brought a tradition of blue buildings. Another theory is that the blue keeps mosquitos away. Blue is said to symbolize the sky and heaven, and serves as a reminder to lead a spiritual life.
Fabulous Textiles 
What we’d call an acequia in New Mexico 
Plaza in the medina 
It’s easy to get lost…another blue alley! 
That tree… 
Hammam; there’s a geocache in the foyer 
Nice little bakery in the Chefchaouen medina
Chefchaouen – the Lodging at Dar Chaoen
Dar Chaoen is the name of the beautiful guest house where I stayed, above the medina, against the hills called “The Horns”. The Horns made my lodgings easy to find from anywhere in Chefchaouen, as they’re visible from all around. It is a gorgeous, friendly place to stay, with a pool, lots of outdoor gathering spots, a restaurant, and spectacular decor.
Dar Chaoen Guesthouse 
Dar Chaoen grounds 
View of the Horns 
Entry to my rooms 
The Living Room in my rooms 
Stained glass windows 
Lovely bathroom 
Pool overlook 
The Grounds 
Outside seating area 
Dar Chaoen grounds 
View over Chefchaouen 
Dar Chaoen Dining Room
Chefchaouen is picturesque, unique, friendly, charming, and relaxed. One of my favorite things was wandering the medina in the late afternoon, eating fresh buttered snails from a street vendor there for supper, and people watching. I truly loved being in Chefchaouen, and would definitely return.
Powdered dyes for sale 
One of my favorite areas of the medina
Chefchaouen Wrap-Up
I stayed in Chefchaouen for almost a week. Have you ever experienced a hammam? A hammam is a bath house, with attendants. My skin was nearly scraped off after soaking in hot water! I found a couple of geocaches. A private driver enabled me to see more of the countryside, and, at a rural souk, a friendly woman invited me to her house for lunch – quite an experience, and one of my favorite things about traveling: meeting local people.
Stay tuned for those stories, and much more! Have you read my overview of Morocco? Next stop in Morocco…Tetuon, a UNESCO site.
If you’d like to travel Morocco solo, the way I did, this guide book, or others like it, might help. If you’d prefer not to go on your own, this tour of Morocco is small and personal. However you go, I’d love to hear your experiences!
Though I didn’t use it, I found these Chefchaouen experiences you could book – they look great!
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Wow. Wow. WOW! This post makes me want to paint everything in blue. It’s so serene!
Morocco has always intrigued me since my father lived there a few years while grandpa was in the military.
Wow! I love all your photos. What an amazing place to visit. All that blue is something else and I’m so glad you shared the theories about why they choose blue so frequently. Very interesting!
Chefchaouen, Morocco looks incredible! I would love to travel there someday. The vibrant colors there are fantastic! I’m loving that blue!
One thing I love about all your photos from Morrocco, are the vibrant colours. I am sure the culture and flavours are just as vibrant! I can’t wait to visit someday.
If this is what Morocco really looks like, I need to go back. I’ve only been to Tangier.
Your photos are stunning and this post makes me want to head to Morocco immediately!
Such a beautiful place and well described too!! would love to explore more of your works.
What a gorgeous little town! I love all the blue. Morocco is high on my travel list.
Hey, Suzanne. Just getting started reading your website. Great project! I’m off to Morocco next week as you’ve inspired me to travel.
That looks like an amazing trip! Your pictures are fabulous!
I almost booked a Morocco trip a year ago and your pictures and descriptions make me wish I had. I will get there!
Morocco is definitely on my travel bucket list. Photos look beautiful!
What a intriguing place! I totally want to visit Morocco!
Beautiful pictures of great travel places!!
I love your pictures and the blues!! They are gorgeous! You make me want to go there! I can’t wait for more!
I love seeing the various places in our world. One day I will be able to travel and explore these places. Seeing pictures of how the culture is different from my own is a great way to appreciate the world in which we all live.
Beautiful pics! I would love to go to Morocco!
I agree, travelling off the beaten path has been what we’ve always been drawn to as well. And I must say, how brilliant was that blue? Beautiful!
This looks beautiful! Would love to go someday!!
This place looks beautiful and your pictures are amazing! Thank yiu for sharing.
Morocco looks really cool!
Really beautiful photos! Looks like a great adventure!
All the photos are lovely, the blue tones are my favorite.
So cool! I can’t wait to visit here one day. Great pictures! We visited a hammam in Istanbul, and yes, it was a bit intense.
I may have to go back up two posts and change that travel dream to Morocco!
I love your photos! They’re incredible! How do I subscribe to your blog?
Under the comments section, under the “Post Comment” button, you can check that box to sign up; thank you!
Wow, these pictures are stunning! That is also a great mindset- to explore outside of the cities.
Beautiful pictures! Looks like such a unique experience.
Great photos and information! I LOVE that you used the “dyes” photo to capture our attention! Don’t know if I could have handled such hot water (or buttered snails)!! Looks like a great adventure!
I’m with you: I’d much rather interact with local people than stay in high tourist areas. Your photos are stunning! I love the blue alleys and buildings.
LOVE all these pictures!
I have the same mindset – I don’t want to just visit all of the touristy places, I want to really dig in and experience the city/country like a local. It’s also a way for us to learn about other cultures. And your pictures are amazing.
The pictures are beautiful – they really tell a story and shows the essence of your travels.
WOW these pics gave me the chills they are so amazing!
I always wanted to go to Morocco! It looks like you all had a great time š
This place looks beautiful! I have always wanted to go to places like these! I think I need to had this place to my bucket list!
It sounds like this was a lovely week.
These pictures are amazing! I bet they do really well on Pinterest and can drive a lot of traffic to your site!
This looks like an amazing place to travel to. great pics!
Beautiful pictures. They capture the colorful culture so well!
Looks like an incredible experience…I love all the photos! You are much braver than I would be to go into a stranger’s house for lunch, but I know that must have made the experience so unique!
This looks like an awesome trip. I also love getting off the beaten path to really explore hidden gems when I travel. And my favorite color is blue, so I love the color of the town!
I love traveling so this was good to read! Your pictures are really nice as well!!
I enjoyed this article and not sure how far you drove from Casablanca, but you must have seen some pretty countryside. I also find that the people at each destination are part of what makes the trip so fascinating.
I love experiencing local cultures when I travel. So cool that you were invited to lunch!! Iām sure I would get lost in all the small blue alleys, but they are beautiful.