You may not be familiar with the name of Chefchaouen, but you’re sure to know this city by images of its traditional buildings in multiple shades of blue. Nicknamed the Blue City or Blue Pearl as a result, Chefchaouen sits in the Rif Mountains of Morocco’s northwest, and must be one of the kingdom’s most attractive single destinations.
Founded in 1471 by a distant relative of the Prophet Mohammed, the reasons for the blue shades of its Old Town remain unclear, with theories as diverse as linking it to heaven and as a means of keeping away mosquitos both commonly accepted.
Either way, this beguiling city began as a simple hilltop fortification, which today’s forms the city’s Kasbah, or citadel. This sits surrounded by its blue-walled neighbors and echoes to the clinking of metalwork of its artisans. Well known for a range of handmade crafts, Chefchaouen is a great place to pick up authentic souvenirs.
The center of Chefchaouen remains the centuries-old Uta Hamman Square, containing a market and featuring many of the city’s most important buildings. This is not only where you’ll find the Kasbah, but also a historically-important caravanserai or inn, and its great mosque.
Head southwest and you’ll then be able to pass through the oldest of the city’s neighborhoods, Souika, which dates from the fifteenth century. To wander its ancient roadways and see hundreds of years of wear on its steps is a wonderful experience, a world away from Morocco’s big cities and modern landmarks, taking you right to the heart of what a visit to Morocco is all about.
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Casablanca / Essaouira / Fez / Marrakesh / Merzouga / Rabat / Tangier
