The Moroccan Instagram-Worthy City: The Blue City of Chefcha

　　Introduction of Chefchaouen

　　If you have ever searched for Morocco on Instagram, Facebook, Xiaohongshu or Google, you must have come across the place "Chefchaouen". It is a mountain town in northern Morocco, known as the "Blue Town of Morocco" and the "Blue Pearl". Due to its remote location, it has been a quiet town for hundreds of years. It was not until Lonely Planet published a group of photos of the Blue Stairs that the Blue City gradually came into people's sight and became one of the most famous cities in Morocco, attracting tourists from all over the world to see its blue beauty.

　　You may have visited other blue-themed towns in the world before visiting Morocco, such as Santorini, which is famous for its most beautiful sunset, or Santorini Park in Thailand, known as "Little Greece". But I am sure you still have questions about Chefchaouen: Is it really that blue? Is it the whole city, or just a few streets? The answer is - it is really very blue! And it is stunningly beautiful! Before visiting here, you may not be able to imagine that there is a place in the world where every day of the year, the winding and crooked streets seem to be born for photographers. They are splashed with thousands of different blue pigments on the houses, walls, and sky. This is the blue pearl of Morocco.

　　So how to plan a free travel itinerary in Chefchaouen? What are the special attractions in the old town that cannot be missed? What are the delicious restaurants? How to choose a beautiful accommodation? How to get to Chefchaouen? Follow CHR TOURS and get to know the blue town of Chefchaouen!

　　Where is the blue town?

　　Chefchaouen is a small mountain town built in 1471, located at the foot of the Rif Mountains in northern Morocco. Locals call it Chaouen for short. In this Islamic country dominated by green and brown, Chefchaouen has become a rare blue.

　　Chefchaouen is a remote town in Morocco, more than two hours away from Tangier and more than three hours away from Fes. It is not an easy city to reach. Since there is no train to Chefchaouen, you can only take an intercity bus from Fes, which takes about 4 hours.

　　Since transportation in Morocco is relatively inconvenient, and there may be misunderstandings or inconveniences when communicating with locals, it is recommended to join a local tour group to save worry and effort. The travel agency will arrange a dedicated business car and driver to take you all the way. The driver is experienced and familiar with the road. He can communicate in English and introduce the attractions. The cars used are all new, equipped with insurance and air conditioning. If you have any questions, you can directly contact the local customer service for a comfortable and secure trip.

　　Read our recommended itinerary fora 13-day trip to Morocco.

　　Why is Chefchaouen blue?

　　Chefchaouen has been hailed by the BBC as a "paradise on earth" and "an ocean in the desert" for its charming blue hue. However, did you know that Chefchaouen was not blue from the beginning?

　　This originally ordinary mountain town was first founded in 1471, and its blue history can be traced back to 1492. At that time, Jews who fled the persecution of the Spanish Inquisition settled here. According to a widely circulated legend, blue symbolizes faith and freedom in Judaism, which reminds them of the sky and the presence of God. A Jew was the first to paint the walls of his house blue, and then other residents followed suit, and blue gradually became the main color of the town.

　　Another theory is that blue paint has a mosquito-repellent effect and can help prevent malaria, so residents began to use blue to decorate their houses on a large scale, gradually forming the blue town we see today.

　　Although the traditional origin of blue is no longer traceable, no matter where the blue comes from, today's residents still maintain its unique hue by regularly renewing and painting the color of the city, house walls and doors, and this practice has been passed down.

　　The world's three blue towns: Santorini in Greece, Jodhpur in India and Chefchaouen in Morocco

　　Where to stay in Chefchaouen?

　　Chefchaouen is located in a remote area and is not easy to reach, so it is recommended to stay at least one night so that you can have a full day to walk around the town.

　　Chefchaouen accommodation can be simply divided into "Old Town (Medina)" and "Outside the City Walls". The most convenient point of staying in the old town is that there are many attractions, restaurants and shopping. The disadvantage is that it is easy to find the way home, and most of the accommodation is traditional buildings. Staying in "outside the city walls" takes 8 minutes longer to enter the old town, but it is more likely to have new and high-end resort hotels.

　　Chefchaouen must-visit attractions

　　The most exciting part of Chefchaouen is all in the "Medina". Everyone has selected popular check-in attractions, which are all popular IG scenes on the Internet, but in fact Chefchaouen is not a place where you must follow the attractions. The best way to experience Chefchaouen is to wander around the alleys and discover the points that interest you.

　　【Paid IG check-in attractions in Chefchaouen】

　　Orange tree photo spot

　　This is the latest popular check-in spot in Chefchaouen, right next to the orange juice shop "Orange Shop – Said Juice Seller (Google Map location)". The bright oranges specially decorated by the store form a sharp contrast with the blue background, and the photo effect is very outstanding. The orange and yellow oranges hanging on the vines are really eye-catching.

　　As long as you buy a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice in the store, you can take pictures here at will, and there is a cute cat nearby to keep you company. In addition, if you walk down one more floor, there are traditional sofas arranged by the owner, which are also very good for taking pictures!

　　Hat Shops

　　Many vendors will display colorful hats in the alleys, and some shops will hang hats on the wall, which creates a strong impact with the blue wall and is very suitable for taking pictures. Nearby, when taking pictures, the boss will kindly give you a bag and a hat, and teach you where to stand and what poses to take pictures. Of course, remember to leave a tip after taking pictures!

　　Pic photos IG

　　There is also a photo-taking spot for Internet celebrities "Pic photos IG (Google Map Location)" near the "Internet Beauty Blue Stairs" and above the stairs. However, you have to pay to enter the door of this place, and you can see the entire photo setting after entering.