Chefchaouen

Meet the Locals

Starting from Tangier at 9:00 AM, this tour will take you high up into the Rif Mountains to discover Chefchaouen, the beautiful blue door and white walled Medina, which was originally a Berber post. Enjoy a guided tour of the city when you arrive. See the main square, the heart of Chefchaouen, with its 18th-century kasbah, central mosque, and cafes with authentic Moroccan style menus. Stroll the market to discover a mix of traditional Moroccan and tourists souvenirs. Visit the Jewish Quarter behind the jewelry souk to discover a unique part of the city. Drive back to Tangier and arrive by 5:00 PM.

Visit Chefchaouen, a beautiful blue door and white-walled medina that was originally a Berber post. The main square is the heart of Chefchaouen, with the 18th-century kasbah, a central mosque and cafes with authentic Moroccan style menus. The market is a mix of traditional Moroccan and tourist souvenirs — it’s often very busy, but worth a visit for the bargains. On your walking tour with your driver, explore the kasbah which was built by Moulay Ismail and is now practically a ruin next to the Great Mosque. Visit the charming main square and the souks that sell an array of goods. If you head to the Jewish quarter behind the jewelry souk, you will feel the difference between it and the main Arabic feel of the town. Afterwards, discover the waterfalls of Akchour, a natural beauty, and the small breathtaking waterfalls. A local tour guide is provided at Akchour.

On this 7-hour excursion from Tangier you’ll head high up into the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen, a town with a stunning walled medina, and originally a Berber post. The main square is the heart of Chefchaouen and features a kasbah built in the 18th century, a central mosque, and cafés with authentic Moroccan menus. The busy market offers a mix of traditional Moroccan wares and souvenirs, with some excellent bargains. The town itself is easy to explore. The kasbah, built by Moulay Ismail, is now practically a ruin and located next to it is the great mosque. Although the old medina is small, you’ll find souks offering an array of goods. If you head to the Jewish quarter behind the jewelry souk, you’ll get a feel for the difference in style between it and the main Arab town.

Start with pickup from your riad or hotel in Fes at 8:00 AM. Make your way to the Grand Taxi Station, meet your guide, and begin the 2.5-hour journey to Chefchaouen. Enjoy a relaxing journey through the rugged Moroccan countryside. Upon arrival in Chefchaouen, discover its most photogenic landmarks. Visit the Outta Hammam Square and the Kasbah of Akchour, which is the heart of the medina of the city.  Enjoy some free time for lunch before taking a guided tour of Chefchaouen's old town. Explore its famous narrow streets and stairs painted in a unique shade of blue. Learn more about the history of the city known as "The Blue Pearl" with numerous stops for photo opportunities. After a full day of exploring, return to Fes at 5:00 PM.

Your Moroccan food adventure begins with a meet and greet at Bab Al Ain, from here, walk through the picturesque streets of the Old Medina and feel immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of Chefchaouen. As you wander through the bustling laneways of the Medina, learn about how food is at the heart of Moroccan culture, history and traditions, and stop at over 6 delicious vendors to taste the flavors of the region. There’s plenty to taste along the way, including fresh juices, dates, olives, cheese, fruit, tea, and more. Midway through the tour, stop at a traditional local restaurant for lunch or dinner to taste an array of authentic delicacies and learn more about Moroccan food and culture.

Day1: Fes, Volubilis, Moulay Idriss, Meknes, Chefchaouen Starting with a pickup from your hotel, drive to Meknes to discover the monuments with your driver. Take a tour to see the ancient walls with monumental gates dating back to the 17th century. Learn about Bab Mansour, Bab Khemis, El Heri es-Souan, huge granaries and stables built by Moulay Ismail's and Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, Place-El-Hedim great monumental.   Have a break for lunch, then stop at Moulay Idris's, a city built by Moulay Idriss the first. Enjoy the panoramic view that surrounds this great place. Your last stop is Volubilis, where you can visit well preserved Roman ruins in North Africa, while learning about the historical and cultural Roman city with a local guide. Enjoy some free time to discover the place and capture photos. Then you will have a transfer to Chefchaouen for your night stay. Day 2: Chefchaouen Day Tour then Fes  Spend half a day exploring Chefchaouen as you please. You'll have free time to stroll the blue narrow alleys alone since the city is easy to navigate. Take this time time shop around for souvenirs. Then after lunch, you will be driven back to Fes and dropped off at your hotel or accommodation.

Start with pickup from your hotel in Malaga and be taken to the ferry boat for your journey across the Mediterranean Sea to Tangier. Once in Tangier, meet your guide and driver at the ferry terminal and begin the journey to Chefchaouen. Enjoy the scenery of the Moroccan countryside on the way.  Take a guided tour of the "blue pearl" Chefchaouen. Wander through its charming stepped streets and between the blue whitewashed houses and shops. Learn about the history of the city and the many theories as to how it got its blue color. After 3 hours in this charming town, be returned to Tangier to take the ferry. Back in Malaga, be dropped back at your hotel in the late evening.

On your first day, visit the Bab Boujloud, a blue, decorated gate leading to the magnificent old Medina, then see the mosque and University of al-Qarawiyyin, the oldest educational institution operating continuously in the world. Schools such as the madrasa Bouananiya were built by Sultan Abu Anan Fares, and the Attareen School established by Sultan Osman II Abu Said.  Explore the Nejjarine Museum of Arts and Crafts and see traditional tools used by artisans, carpets, barbarians, and musical instruments. Pass by the Chouara Tannery and see the city tannery. Visit the mellah of the Jewish Quarter and the Ibn Danan synagogue, the largest and oldest synagogues in North Africa.  On the second day, travel to Chefchaouen old city and medina. This beautiful blue city is one of the biggest tourist attractions. The next day, depart to Casablanca and discover the landscape along the way.

Take this 2 day tour to discover the rich history and culture of Tangiers and Chefchaouen via a high- speed train from Casablanca. Not only is the area visually stunning, but it has always been a major hub for artists and writers. Visit Spartel Cape and the Hercules caves to enjoy an exceptional view of the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean. Continue to the Kasbah district next to the port and explore the traditional handicraft shops of the old medina. Stop to admire the magnificent minaret, overlooking the sea. Pass by the Grand Socco, where multiple small hotels have previously accommodated famous artists and writers such as Matisse, Camille Saint Saens and Paul Bowles. The next day, head high up into the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen, a town with a stunning walled medina, and originally a Berber post. The main square is the heart of Chefchaouen and features a kasbah built in the 18th century, a central mosque, and cafés with authentic Moroccan menus. The busy market offers a mix of traditional Moroccan wares and souvenirs, with some excellent bargains. The town itself is easy to explore. The kasbah, built by Moulay Ismail, is now practically a ruin, and located next to it is the great mosque. Although the old medina is small, you’ll find souks offering an array of goods.

Dive into the local culture and discover the rich mix of Berber, Arabic, Andalusian, and Mediterranean influence in the national cuisine. A local chef will present you with various choices of meals to prepare including tagine, fish Bastille, harcha (bread made from semolina), and Arabic pastries.  The day begins with hotel pickup from Chefchaouen. Once at the local home, get to know all the specialty ingredients in Moroccan cooking and chat with the host about Moroccan culture and customs. You are welcome to ask as much as you like – your local host will be happy to help you discover the culinary traditions.  Learn about the proper presentation of gourmet plates and then sit down to enjoy your homemade meal. Finish off with a typical Moroccan tea and collect your Certificate of Completion for the class.