Last updated on May 3, 2025
Chefchaouen has been on my travel bucket list for as long as I can remember. Also known as Chaouen, the Blue Pearl of Morocco, or the Blue City of Morocco, it’s exactly what the name suggests. The entire city is painted blue, and that’s pretty much what it’s famous for – there are no fancy museums or big tourist attractions to tick off. You just wander into the medina and let yourself get lost in the maze of streets, all bathed in different shades of blue.
You’ve probably seen the photos of Chefchaouen all over social media in recent years and might be wondering if they live up to the hype. Well, let me clear that up – yes, the city really is that blue. And yes, it’s a true photographer’s paradise, with a new photo opportunity around every corner. You can easily spend a day or more just exploring the alleys and still feel like there’s plenty of reason to return (I know I do!).
Even without a proper photo guide, if you wander around long enough, you’ll stumble upon many of the famous spots yourself. But some are tucked away in side streets, so if you want to catch them bright and early before the vendors and tourists arrive, it’s helpful to have an organised list. Plus, your internet signal will likely drop as soon as you step inside the medina.
So, I’ve put together a list and a map of the most Instagrammable spots in Chefchaouen. It’s not an exhaustive list – after all, the whole city looks like a postcard – but these are the key places to visit if you’re after that perfect shot!
Why is Chefchaouen the blue city?
What’s the reason behind Chefchaouen’s iconic blue colour? The truth is, no one seems to know for sure, but there are a few popular theories.
Some say it started in the 15th century when Jewish refugees painted the town blue to symbolise the sky and heaven, keeping them closer to God. Others think the blue helps keep mosquitoes away, as they apparently don’t like water-like colours. There’s also the idea that the blue reflects the Mediterranean, keeping the town cooler during the hot summers.
Whatever the reason, Chefchaouen’s beautiful blue walls have become its iconic signature, drawing visitors from all over the world!
How to get to Chefchaouen
Despite being a popular tourist destination, Chefchaouen is actually a bit tricky to reach, tucked away as it is in the stunning Rif Mountains.
If you’re coming from main cities like Tangier, Fez, or Casablanca, prepare yourself for a bit of a journey. If you want full flexibility, the best option is to rent a car, but keep in mind the winding mountain roads and frequent police checkpoints, which are there to prevent criminals from crossing between regions. Otherwise, you can catch a direct bus, or take a train to the nearest city and then grab a bus or taxi from there.
From Tangier, you can hop on a CTM bus, which is comfortable, affordable, and reliable for the 2.5-hour ride through scenic landscapes. We paid 65 MAD each (around €6 or £5), and then had to go up to the luggage counter at the bus station to “check” our luggage for an additional 5 MAD (around €0.45 or £0.40) per suitcase.
On our way back, we wanted to make sure we had plenty of time before heading to the airport, so we decided to try a private transfer. We hired a driver to take us from Chefchaouen to Tangier through the Bookaway website, choosing Ait Moumen Transport, which cost €36.90 per person.
I’d highly recommend this option if you want to save time, as the bus stations in both cities are a bit further from the centre. The only slight surprise was that the driver brought his friend to fill the extra seat, but it didn’t affect our trip!
If you only want to do a day trip, you can book your transfer or a full guided tour below:
And if you want to stay overnight in Chefchaouen, you can book your hotel below:
The most Instagrammable places in Chefchaouen, Morocco
Apart from the first Instagram spot mentioned in this blog post, most of the places are located in the Chefchaouen medina. If you want to get the best shots, it’s worth arriving early before the vendors set up their stalls and locals start going about their day.
When we were there, we had to wait a bit for the thick fog to lift (one of the joys of being surrounded by mountains), so we ended up starting around 9 a.m. It turned out to be the perfect time once the fog cleared, and we managed to capture the town in that lovely soft morning light.
The Spanish Mosque
Built in the 1920s by the Spanish during their occupation of Morocco, the Bouzafer Mosque was meant to be a place of worship, but it was never used for that purpose (we did see some locals go inside after the call to prayer, though). Instead, it stood abandoned for years before becoming a favourite for travellers and photographers.
Sitting on a hill overlooking the town, it’s now the go-to spot for catching the sunset. Everyone heads there as the sun dips below the Rif Mountains, casting a warm glow over the town’s blue streets.
The hike up takes about 20-30 minutes, but the panoramic views of Chefchaouen make it well worth the effort. It can be tricky to get a photo without other people in the background, but with a bit of creativity and the right angles, it’s definitely doable!
As the region is famous for its hashish and cannabis farms, it’s not unusual to see farmers carrying bundles of harvested plants on their backs, making their way up and down the mountain paths. It’s certainly a bit of a surreal experience! On the way up to the Spanish Mosque, we even passed a few kids selling cookies, but we decided not to take any chances and politely declined, just to be on the safe side. 😂
Cafe Clock
This restaurant in Chefchaouen might be famous for its camel meat burgers—yes, you read that right—but its interiors definitely deserve a mention too.
Cafe Clock stretches across several floors, all built around an open central space that extends upwards through multiple levels. Each floor gives you a fantastic photo opportunity in a traditional Moroccan courtyard setting.
You can also eat on their rooftop terrace, which offers panoramic views over the city and the Rif mountains. And if you’re lucky, a neighbouring cat might even pop by for a visit (or more likely, to persistently meow for food!). If you do stop by, don’t miss the chance to try their milkshakes—the almond one was absolutely unreal.
Kasbah
Another spot you can’t miss in Chefchaouen is the Kasbah, an old fortress right in the heart of the medina. With its beautiful clay-coloured walls and lush gardens, it brings a different charm compared to the town’s famous blue streets.
Inside, there’s a small ethnological museum you can explore for a small fee. But if you’re after some unique shots, you can climb the tower for panoramic views of Chefchaouen and the Rif Mountains in the background. We didn’t have time to visit the inside, but we had a stunning view of the Kasbah from the rooftop terrace of our hotel:
Derb El Assri
Derb El Assri, or Callejon El Asri, is probably the most famous street in Chefchaouen, and it’s easy to see why! The blue walls, stairs, and colourful ceramic pots make it an Instagram favourite. During the day, you’ll often spot influencers lined up, waiting for that perfect shot. There are also a few stalls at the bottom of the stairs, so it’s best to get there early before the crowds arrive.
I saved it for last, but honestly, it ended up being my least favourite spot. The lighting was really harsh when I visited, making it tricky for photos. Plus, a young boy randomly started adjusting my dress, even though we didn’t ask for help. We weren’t sure if he was going to ask for money afterwards (he didn’t), but the whole experience felt a bit awkward.
Place El Haouta
Place El Haouta is a smaller, more relaxed square compared to others in the medina—at least that’s how it felt when we visited in the morning. It’s a great spot to take a break or snap a quick photo without too many crowds.
The central blue, white, and red water fountain makes a lovely backdrop, and the surrounding buildings have some of the prettiest doors I’ve seen in Chefchaouen.
Blue Street
This was easily my favourite spot out of all the locations we shot in Chefchaouen. I’m not sure if this narrow alley has a name, as I couldn’t find it on the map, but it’s very close to Said’s orange juice shop, which is another popular photo location in Chefchaouen.
When we visited, the juice shop hadn’t opened yet, but that meant we had the beautiful blue street all to ourselves. It’s the most stunning, bluest shade of blue, which looks incredible on camera, especially in the soft morning light. I had the hardest time choosing my favourite shots—honestly, you don’t need much to make your photos look great, even if you’re just using a phone camera!
The paid setup
This next spot is the only place where you’ll need to pay to take a photo, as it’s set up in the courtyard of someone’s home. The good news is you won’t have to fight for the best angle or worry about other tourists photobombing your shot. Even if you’re travelling solo, it’s easy to either set up your tripod or ask someone in the queue to snap your photo. The way the owners have arranged all the props makes it super easy to get that perfect shot.
I believe the courtyard is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and it only costs 5 MAD per person (around €0.45 or £0.40). I think it’s a small price to pay to support the locals for creating such a beautiful, Instagrammable space. If you’re using the maps.me app, you can find it by searching “paid set”. If not, it’s located near Restaurant Casa Andaluz and Le Rêve Bleu, so it’s fairly easy to find.
Sidi Bouchouka
One of the best photo spots in Chefchaouen is definitely Sidi Bouchouka street, with its wide blue stairs framed by colourful tiles and mosaics. The hardest part is choosing the right angle to capture it all, as there are so many picture-perfect details on either side.
Some local cats seem to love this street too—they were very curious about what we were up to, as you can see in the photo below!
The best time to visit Calle Sidi Bouchouka is early in the morning, before the harsh light floods in. And at the end of the street, there’s this beautiful colourful mural that makes for another great photo spot.
Dar bleu main – The evil eye building
The last photo spot on this list was a lucky find—as we were walking from one shooting location to another, we stumbled upon this house covered in different versions of the “evil eye” symbol. In many cultures, it’s seen as a lucky charm that protects against bad energy or bad luck. It turns out there’s also a small hotel inside, so it might be worth checking out if you’re looking for budget accommodation in Chefchaouen.
Not far from there, we also found a cute little alley decorated with woven hats, but unfortunately I can’t remember the name of the street!
Here’s a map with all of the places mentioned in this blog post. Which one is your favourite?
