20 Photos of Chefchaouen that Prove it Might be the Most Photogenic City in the World

20 Photos of Chefchaouen that Prove it Might be the Most Photogenic City in the World

Chefchaouen (“shef-sha-wen”) is one of the most photographic cities you will ever come across. Period. Located between the Rif mountains, it affords the perfect secluded environment to get away from the madness of fast-paced cities like Morocco and Fez.

There is not so much to “do” in the Blue City,  yet it’s more of a place to sit back and observe your surroundings and relax. There is something about the different shades of blue that is so calming.

Why are the Walls Painted Blue?

I’m glad you ask, and there are a few theories. The first being that the color blue deters mosquitos and keeps the city cooler during the hot summer months. Another theory is that the Jewish refugees painted it blue as a symbol of the sky and they saw this as a way to be closer to God. Which one is true? Who knows. The city is freshly repainted about once a year, making the bright blues really pop with color.

What to Do in Chefchaouen

  • Go to the Spanish mosque perched upon the mountain for the best sunset view
  • Eat at the cozy Molin Arte near the waterfalls
  • Get completely lost in the blue maze streets (literally and figuratively) 
  • Photograph the copious amounts of kitties
  • Speak Spanish with the locals (ya, that surprised me also)
  • Admire the #DoorPorn
  • Indulge in the Hashish culture (if you’re into that stuff…it’s everywhere, you just gotta ask)
  • Disconnect from the world♥

How to Get to Chefchaouen

  • Chefchaouen is a little out of the way from other popular Moroccan destinations, but it’s worth the trip 110%. It was my favourite city in Morocco by far!
  • CTM bus: Take a 5-hour by bus from Fez on CTM. It eaves at 7:30am or 8 from 2 different points in the city. It is also accessible via Tangier (and a bit closer).
  • Once you arrive, take a taxi from the bus station to the medina. You can’t walk, trust me. It’s up a steep hill. The taxi should cost 10-20 dirham max! It cost me 10 dirham for a shared cab and only took 5 minutes. 

For more on my trip to Morocco, check out my 2 other posts here: Why I Have a Love/Hate Relationship with Morocco: Highlights & Lowlights and Solo Female Travel in Morocco: Yay or Nay?

Ok, I’ll shut up now and hopefully spark your wanderlust with these extremely blue photos:

Chefchaouen Morocco photos

Smurf town

Chefchaouen Morocco photos

The door ornaments were just as impressive as the colors

Chefchaouen Morocco photos

The gorgeous contrast of paint colors

Chefchaouen Morocco photos

Wandering around solo with my GoPro. I had most the streets to myself 🙂

Chefchaouen Morocco photos

View from hike to the Spanish Mosque

I wouldn’t mind living here, just sayin ♥

Being photographed by other tourists. They gave me a little photo shoot and I was going along with it!

Chefchaouen Morocco photos

Colorful rugs and scarves seemed to be staple items in Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen Morocco photos

Fresh paint for sale just waiting to be photographed

Chefchaouen Morocco photos

Tiny alleyways in the maze-like town

Chefchaouen Morocco photos

Lost in blue paradise

Chefchaouen Morocco photos

Kitty heaven on the streets of Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen Morocco photos

Every alley is a photo op waiting to happen

Chefchaouen Morocco photos

I’m blue, if I was green I would die…

Chefchaouen Morocco photos

Picture perfect

Chefchaouen Morocco photos

Can’t get enough of these blue hues!

Chefchaouen Morocco photos

The town is pretty quiet, meaning you practically will have the streets all to yourself

Chefchaouen Morocco photos

A little pop of color against the beautiful blue backdrop

Chefchaouen Morocco photos

Door porn on point in Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen Morocco photos

Can I go back already?

Have you been to  Chefchaouen? Was it as magical for you as it was for me? 🙂

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Chefchaouen photos

12 Comments

  1. Omg what gorgeous photos! I was there a couple years ago an it was too cold for me to take awesome photos. I’m wimpy. LOL. I do remember the doorporn and all the cats!!!

    Reply
    • Ya I can imagine. It can get really cold up in the mountains! At least you got to experience the door porn and kitties though 🙂

      Reply
  2. I get so blown away with how beautiful this world is. This place looks absolutely magical!

    Reply
    • It was unbelievably gorgeous! And my fav place in Morocco!

      Reply
  3. I busted out laughing at “I’m blue, if I was green I would die.” Memories! Seriously this place is amazing and I can’t believe they paint it so often. So cool that’s it’s so uncrowded.

    Reply
    • Ya very calm and hardly anyone on the streets. SO different than any other place in Morocco! This was by far my favorite place in Morocco 🙂

      Reply
  4. This is definitely on my bucketlist! So beautiful.

    Reply
    • It was so beautiful and so calm compared to the rest of Morocco. Definitely add it to your itinerary if you go to Morocco! 🙂

      Reply
  5. This is why Morocco is sitting high on my travel wish list. It’s mesmerizing! It certainly looks like a quiet lovely town to get lost in and those cats are adorable!

    Reply
    • It’s worth it for the cats alone! Hehe. Morocco is a shock to the senses in every way. And very fun to photograph! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Awesome photos! I Had never heard of the place before and now i really want to go, thanks for a new trip idea 😀

    Reply
    • Oh, you must go…it’s so peaceful and relaxing there!! And you seriously will not be able to stop taking photos every 2 seconds hehe 🙂

      Reply

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