Why visit
Chefchaouen is the blue-painted mountain town of northern Morocco. Rif foothills, Spanish-Moroccan history, and the region's best trekking base.
Chefchaouen at a glance
City population
42k
Elevation
600 m
1,969 ft
Time zone
UTC+1
Africa/Casablanca
Airport
TTU
Tétouan–Sania Ramel (nearest)
Founded
1471
Getting around
Walkable; shared taxis + grand taxi to Tangier
Signature dish
Goat cheese, tagine, kefta, zaalouk
Neighborhoods for travelers
MedinaRas el-Maa waterfall areaKasbah
Morocco at a glance
Country center
32.0°, -5.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
446,550 km²
172,414 mi²
Country population
37.8 million
85/km²
Subregion
Northern Africa
Currency
Moroccan dirham (د.م.)
MAD
Dial
+212
Languages
Arabic, Berber
Demonym
Moroccan
Internet
.ma
UN
Member state
ISO code
MA / MAR
Where in the world
32.0° · -5.0°
Morocco
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Did you know
- Chefchaouen's blue walls are repainted regularly. Theories range from mosquito repellent to Jewish symbolism.
- The town sits at 600 m in the Rif Mountains: much cooler than the coast in summer.
- Chefchaouen was closed to foreigners until 1920 and retains much of its original character.
- Casablanca is the commercial capital even though Rabat is the political capital: Morocco is one of only 11 countries where the largest city is not the capital.
- The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca has a minaret 210 m tall: the tallest in the world.
Bordering Morocco
Traveler notes
- Ras El Ma spring on the town's edge
- Akchour waterfalls hike (3 hours away)
- Bus from Fes or Tangier (4 hours)
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Bring layered clothing and verify trail/park access before arrival.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Chefchaouen
What currency is used in Chefchaouen?
Chefchaouen uses the Moroccan dirham (د.م.), ISO code MAD.
What languages are spoken in Morocco?
The primary languages are Arabic and Berber.
What is the international calling code for Morocco?
The calling code is +212.
What airport serves Chefchaouen?
Tétouan–Sania Ramel (nearest) (IATA: TTU).
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