A Virtual Tour of Top 8 Secret Places In Chefchaouen
While travel to Morocco has come to a near standstill during the coronavirus pandemic, it is possible to visit Chefchaouen, one of the country’s favorite summer mountain escapes, within mere seconds. Our Chefchaouen Virtual Tour enables you to become an armchair traveler with the blink of an eye while exploring the idyllic pearl blue city, its hiking trails, and local cuisine. You may use the map of the Chefchaouen medina tour and our Top 8 Secret Places as your guide, then click on the images for a virtual video tour.
Where is Chefchaouen and What is the Town’s History?
Chefchaouen or Chauen is known as the “blue” city in northwest Morocco situated in the Rif mountains, located inland from Tangier and Tetouan. The city was founded in 1947` by Moorish exiles from Spain. Its blue–glazed houses and buildings are a tradition that comes from the town’s former Jewish population. Chefchaouen was known as one of the main concentrations of moriscos and Jews who sought refuge in this mountainous city after the Spanish Reconquista in medieval times. Moulay Ali Ben Moussa Ben Rached El Alami and the exiles used the fortress of Chefchaouen to fight off the invading Portuguese who were entering Morocco from the North in 1920, the Spanish seized Chefchaouen to form part of Spanish Morocco.
What to See and Do in Chefchaouen Highlights of the Top 8 Secret Places
1. Rass el-Maa Waterfall
Located in hills just beyond the far Northeastern gate of Chefchaouen Medina, this waterfall is serene spot to refresh and take in a dose of nature and local life.
2. The Kasbah Museum
The 15th-century clay kasbah hosts a charming Andalusian-style garden, a former prison, small Center for Research and Andalusian Studies, and a selective art gallery.
3. Cafe Clock
This cross-cultural cafe is located in the medina and serves some of the tastiest camel burgers, tagines, salads, and coffee. It regularly hosts live concerts and exhibitions. It also has an onsite cooking school and offers other educational classes.
4. Spanish Mosque
The mosque is the best place to enjoy a panoramic view of the medina and take pictures of the sunset.
5. Plaza Uta el-Hammam
A bustling meeting point at the center of the medina. It is lined with cafes and restaurants and makes a great place for people watching.
6. Akchaour Waterfalls
These cascades are located among the beautiful landscapes of the Rif Mountains. It is an idyllic place to enjoy a panoramic view of Chefchaouen and do some hiking.
7. Talassemtane National Park
A well-marked landscape of valleys and mountainsides. It is surrounded by scattered villages and embraces Morocco’s simple rural Berber goat herding lifestyle. It is possible to take both single and overnight day hikes.
8. Auberge Dardara Restaurant
This rustically decorated restaurant serves farm to table affair grown right on the owner’s land. Menu highlights include the goat cheese, bessara, and local goat and lamb dishes. The restaurant is surrounded by mountains and is ideal to visit around sunset.