Things to Do in Chefchaouen
✨ Welcome to Chefchaouen: The Blue City ✨ 💙
Welcome to my city, Chefchaouen, a magical corner of the world known for its stunning blue streets and buildings. It’s easy to fall under its spell because here time seems to move at a different pace, and you’ll feel it the moment you arrive ⏳.
There is no better way to explore a city than with a local. Being born and raised in Chefchaouen, I have the pleasure of showing you hidden corners and secret spots that only locals know.
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🌟 What you will discover on our 2-hour tour
• Stroll through the vibrant medina, admire its historic Gates, and explore the charming Jewish Quarter.
• Visit the Kasbah and the oldest neighborhoods where traditional crafts and daily life continue to thrive.
• Hear fascinating stories of Al-Andalus, the Spanish Protectorate, and the true reason why Chefchaouen is painted blue.
• Discover the Portuguese Bridge, the historic water mills, and other hidden architectural treasures.
• Immerse yourself in Morocco’s rich culture, Amazigh heritage, local traditions, and languages.
• Enjoy Mediterranean flavors, meet the city’s curious cats 🐈, and learn about local festivals.
• Find the best photo spots 📸 and hear tales about the Rif Mountains and Talassemtane National Park.
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🏛 Local secrets and traditions
• Explore Plaza Uta el-Hammam, home to the Kasbah and the Great Mosque.
• Visit Ras El Ma River with its traditional laundries and where local women once gathered to wash clothes and chat.
• Walk through “Es Sueca,” the oldest neighborhood, filled with craft and textile shops.
• Learn about traditional bread ovens, many other secrets that bring Chefchaouen’s past to life.
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✨ A short but unforgettable tour full of history, culture, color, and the authentic charm of Morocco 🇲🇦.
👉 Are you ready to discover Chefchaouen with us? 😊💙
On this guided walking tour of Chefchaouen, we'll visit the historic centre of this beautiful city in the Rif, also known as the blue city of Morocco.
💎Discover Chefchaouen, the enchanting Blue Pearl of Morocco nestled in the Rif Mountains ! ✨
🌟 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR OUR VALUED WALKERS🌟
If your desired time slot is fully booked or if you're trying to book at the last minute (e.g., it's 11:30 AM and you're looking for a 12 PM slot), it might not appear as available. In that case, you can also make a reservation at:
https://doodle.com/bp/youssefajilyan/t1
Find me on Google: Chefchaouen Tours by Youssef | Historic Meetup Spot.
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Right outside, in front of the main entrance of Hotel Parador
https://maps.app.goo.gl/aavDqRxsUcdRrf3e9
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♿ACCESSIBILITY♿
Most areas are accessible.
We strongly believe in equal access to our tour for people of all abilities, including those with reduced mobility.
With a tailored itinerary, individuals with reduced mobility can also fully enjoy this visit.
An assistant is required. Please indicate it during the reservation.
If the person with reduced mobility is not accompanied, we also offer the option to book a local assistant who can provide support and guidance throughout the tour.
We want to ensure that everyone feels welcomed, comfortable, and empowered to explore and enjoy their visit to the fullest extent possible.
We will do our utmost to provide an enjoyable and inclusive experience for them, ensuring that all guests can explore the wonders of our destination, regardless of their physical limitations.🙏🏻💎
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📍Highlights🗺️
🚩Visit the "Handicraft Center", the new ambassador of local culture, you'll discover handcrafted treasures made with local materials, providing an authentic glimpse into the region's heritage.
🚩Follow the gentle Ras al Maa' stream and pause to soak in its tranquility, offering a sanctuary to explore the diverse natural and ecological wonders of the region.
🚩Immerse yourself in its azure charm as you wander through the ancient Medina, where diverse cultures intertwine.
🚩Lose yourself in the labyrinth of blue streets, each turn revealing a new shade and mystery, you'll see iconic landmarks like the Historic Oven of Sidi Ben Lehcen and El-Mellah El-Jadid, the first significant constructions in the city.
🚩Discover Haouta Square, a vibrant space where history and culture converge. Admire its Andalusian-inspired four-sided fountain, its role as a historic market, and its importance as a gathering point for the city’s rainwater and patriotic memories.
🚩Explore Outa El Hammam Square and the Kasbah exterior and surroundings, experiencing the stories woven within its walls.
🚩End your journey at the Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen, an iconic landmark built in the 15th century by Moulay Ali Ben Rachid. Focus on its stunning exterior architecture, featuring the unique octagonal minaret, and appreciate its strategic location at the heart of the city, offering a profound connection to Chefchaouen's cultural and spiritual essence.
✅ Reserve your spot now and let Chefchaouen's magic unfold before you 😉 !
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🔔 Important message regarding your free tour contribution
To ensure quality and sustainability, we kindly ask for a minimum fair contribution:
- 👣 Groups of 4 or more walkers :
- €12 / ~ $14 per person.
This helps us cover our efforts and ensure everyone enjoys a meaningful experience.
- €12 / ~ $14 per person.
- 👣 Small groups (1 to 3 people):
- group contribution of €36 - €40 / ~ $42 - $47
This allows us to run the tour even with very small groups.
- group contribution of €36 - €40 / ~ $42 - $47
- 🚫 Anything below the minimum contribution is simply not acceptable.
It means we’re working at a loss and it disrespects the value of our work and dedication !
🤝 Friendly reminder
Remember (see Guruwalk section : How does a GuruWalk cost )
that free tours operate on a flexible pricing model. Walkers usually tip their guides between 12€ and 50€ per person.
🧭 As you may know, the concept of a Free Tour is based on the idea of “Pay what you want”, but that doesn’t mean “Pay what you want with no minimum”.
This concept offers you the freedom to decide as mature and responsible and "allows your generosity to shine through" ! (with that freedom comes a sense of responsibility and mutual generosity.)
💫 Your contribution reflects not only your appreciation for the experience, but also your level of human maturity and generosity in response to the high professionalism, care, and passion we bring to every tour.
👉 For us, €12 per person is the absolute minimum, and even that doesn't fully cover all the expenses, including :
- the certified guide’s work,
- local professional taxes,
- back-office and reservation management,
- Guruwalk platform fees,
- and of course, the global inflation we are all facing...
🚫 Any contribution below €12 is simply not acceptable.
Less than €12 does not even cover the basics and unfortunately, "it disrespects the value of our work and dedication".
We are certified professional guides, and offering a high-quality experience involves real costs and responsibilities!
🙏 So we kindly ask you to be fair and respectful of the quality and professionalism we deliver.
€12 is not generosity – it’s just the bare minimum.
✨ If you enjoyed the tour, please be generous.
Your fair contribution is what allows us to continue offering meaningful, high-quality Free Tours.
😊📸💭 We will surely remember you with gratitude.
It is this precious bond woven by respect and mutual generosity that remains
throughout life! 🫶🏻♾️💓
🤝 We give our best with authenticity and generosity and we trust that you’ll do the same.
🙋🏻♂️ Thank you and hope to see you Soon ! ✨
💙🤍💙🤍💙💙🤍💙🤍💙💙🤍💙🤍💙
💙🤍💙🤍💙💙🤍💙🤍💙💙🤍💙🤍💙
Welcome to Chefchaouen! It will be my great pleasure to show you around the city that adopted me in 2004. This will be a tour at your own pace. I want you to have a great time while in Chaouen. The essence of my tour is for you to enjoy your time and get a feel for what Chaouen is all about, focusing on non-touristic life. I specialize in small groups, and I therefore expect you to appreciate that. We will meet at Pizzeria Mandala, under the Parador Hotel, and show you the main square, its mosque and kasbah. Then we will go deeper into small alleys and markets. We will pass by the river, washing stations and we will see the town spring that supplies the entire city with crystal clear water throughout the year. History, nature, cuisine, I can show you the best local places, the best crafts and food. I will not take you shopping unless you ask, in which case I will show you local artisans and teach you about different qualities and prices. I also have a business trading Moroccan crafts in Scandinavia, so I know how to shop. I love hiking and I can point you to wonderful places to hike, or recommend very good specialist mountain guides. I can tell you where the good hammams are or just how to enjoy your day.
Join me in one of the most beautiful places in Morocco. Let’s create memories and explore Chefchaouen, the Blue City.
We will begin our tour by getting acquainted with some local history as we explore the paths of the city and visit following places
• Bab El Ain( meeting point)
• Bab Souk
• Square el haouta
•streets
•alleways
•communale ovens
•Suika neighbourhood
•Jewish neighbourhood
•Muslim neighbourhood
• Ras El ma
• plaza outa Hamam ( we drink something
and say goodbye)
All of these places have rich history and stories to tell. We can even take you to more newly famous Instagram photo destinations.
🔸 The tour ends in the main square or if it is preferred your local accommodations.
🔸 If needing assistance with accommodations I am happy to help find what suits your needs.
Chefchaouen is one of the most picturesque cities in the region. It is known as the blue pearl city and its blue alleys are a must see attraction. It is next to its main source of water that comes from the mountain (Ras El Maa), and its cobbled streets lead to a series of shaded squares.
You can't skip visiting Outa Hamam square, which is the heart of the city, where international travelers takes place to enjoy the beauty of both the grand mosque and the Kasbah.
To provide you with an overall view of our tour here are the places that we are going to visit:
- The new city
- The old city
- Passing by the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Ibn Rachid, the founder of Chefchaouen city
- Crossing by the main gates of the old city
- Diving in the blue narrow streets and the old moresco architecture of the houses
- Visiting the pottery and the traditional souqs, where you can find the pleasure of discovering the Berber handicraft such as colorful carpets, natural perfumed soaps, essential oils, different spices and also to shop anything you like
- Visiting Outa Hamam square
- The grand mosque
- The kasbah ancient castle (optional).
My tour includes (paid by each traveler if desired):
- Drinks and snacks
- Making henna tattoo
- Taking nice pictures by wearing our traditional northern outfit.
I hope that you can give me the opportunity to share with you the charm of my city!
Hello people! welcome
We will start our walk from the main square and, after some historical notes concerning the kasbah and the mosque , we will walk along narrow blue alleys until we reach the river , where I will show you the old system of wash houses ; from here towards the Spanish mosque and then enjoy a total overview of the city , including the walls and towers that surround it!
Historical notes on the importance of wood-burning ovens and public hammams will be a must!
We will go through the most important gates of the seven present in this city surrounded by a defensive wall and towers dating back to the 15th century!
Traveling together tourist itineraries but also outside the common routes, I will present the city without veils or hypocrisy... seen through the eyes of a foreigner who lives here; I often also have with me photographs taken years ago, to show you the evolution over time !
We will move slowly, just like the time that flows slowly here;
"(...) run to go where?" and even the good Salvadores would be in the right place!
Feel free to express your curiosities and I will design a personalized tour!
Peculiarities regarding 'street food' and home cooking in general (I'm Italian, precisely!), so I will show you in which places you can taste local recipes, strictly avoiding everything that is commonly definable as 'tourist' : genuine, cheap meals and taverns frequented only by 'locals'!
Eh well ..... what else to add if not a 'I'll wait for you'!
Our tour will follow in the footsteps of the city's founder, Moulay Ali Ben Rachid.
The tour begins at Mohammed V Square , founded and designed by the Spanish engineer and artist Juan Miró.
During the time of the Spanish protectorate in the city, Spanish buildings such as the Church and the Municipal Palace were built.
Afterwards we will walk along Hassan II Avenue, heading towards Bab Al-Ain , which is one of the seven gates of the Medina (old city).
From here, we will begin to climb towards the old Andalusian neighborhoods, the Al-Sueca neighborhood and the Al-Mallah neighborhood, founded by the Arabs, Muriscos and Jews expelled from Andalus.
Afterwards, we will walk through the Al-Sabanin neighborhood , reaching the Ras Al-Ma fountain , which is the highest point of our tour.
Finally we will descend through the Al-Onsar and Al-Souk neighborhoods, ending in Wata Al-Hamam square , where the Kasbah and the Great Mosque are located.
During this visit, we'll tour the city's main cultural and historical sites and learn about our Moorish culture and traditions.
Come and discover the authenticity and uniqueness of Chefchaouen and its inhabitants, and enjoy this experience as if you lived here!
