Stories · Morocco
A weekend in Chefchaouen
The story I wish I had read before going.
My first time in Chefchaouen, I tried to see everything and mostly saw queues. Now I do it differently: a few places a day, the right ones, in the right order. Here is my 2-day thread.
Day 1 · The icons
To start, I make my way to Chefchaouen Medina. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.7 out of 5 (3,253 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or go through Tiqets.
Around noon, it’s Ethnographic Museum of Chefchaouen. The audio guides are worth it; otherwise, follow a group and steal three anecdotes on the way. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise also check Tiqets.
At lunchtime, stay around Chefchaouen: a noisy room, a dish of the day, and you’ve understood everything.
In the afternoon, meet me at Kasbah Chefchaouen. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Unmissable, and for good reason. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or compare on Tiqets.
In the evening, head to Plaza Uta el Hamman. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Unmissable, and for good reason. 4.6 out of 5 across 861 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or also check Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Chefchaouen does the rest.
Day 2 · Fresh air
Early in the morning, meet me at Waterfalls Akchour. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.6 out of 5 across 6,049 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or go through Tiqets.
Late morning, meet me at اقشور، شفشاون. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or also check Tiqets.
For lunch, Chefchaouen is full of options: trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
After lunch, I make my way to Akchour Waterfalls. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (783 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise compare on Tiqets.
To end the day, I make my way to منتزه تيسملال. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Chefchaouen is a city that tells itself better at night.
If you’re still hungry
I still have a few up my sleeve: Toda Spa, Place El Haouta, Bouzafer Mosque, Bab El Onsar, Kasbah Museum and Lavadero de la ciudad Ras El Ma. Your call.
My advice
Walk. Then take public transport: that is where you see the city live.
Book the busiest places the day before: queues have ruined more than one morning.
Keep a little local cash: the best addresses are often the least equipped.
Safe travels. And get lost at least once; that is where Chefchaouen begins.
A Triovol story · written by someone who would go back tomorrow
Opening hours, prices and closures change: a quick look at the venue’s website before you go avoids bad surprises.
Share your experience!
Been there? A tip, an address, a mistake to avoid: the next travellers will read you.