Chefchaouen Day Trip from Fes: A Comprehensive Review
So, you know, picturing a town swathed entirely in shades of blue, from the faintest pastel to a deep, almost oceanic hue, it almost seems like something from a fairy tale, doesn’t it? Chefchaouen, frequently called the “Blue Pearl” of Morocco, is like that, and it is very much a real place that actually exists. I mean, can you believe that there’s like a totally charming town that draws visitors with its cool aesthetic and rather calm vibe, and what’s even more interesting is that it provides a rather stark but very welcome contrast to the more busy and often chaotic cities such as Fes? This review looks at whether a day excursion from Fes to Chefchaouen is really worth it, so it goes through transportation, what you could possibly see and do, and all of the important things needed just to help make the most of your time there.
Is Chefchaouen Worth a Day Trip from Fes?
Okay, before going into any logistical information, the main question really needs answering: Should you actually visit Chefchaouen just for a day, if you’re in Fes? The quick answer is probably yes, that’s right. However, there are certain considerations that are absolutely important to actually know. That’s because, in some respects, the trip between Fes and Chefchaouen usually takes about 4 hours each way by car or bus, therefore expect to spend a rather significant portion of your day just on the road. Yet, that being said, the actual uniqueness and pure visual delight of Chefchaouen, very mixed with the different experience it gives in comparison with Fes, tend to really make it all well worth the travel time, so too it’s almost magical, right?
Just a little tip: if you find yourself rather pressed for time, very consider joining some tour. Usually, tours take responsibility for transportation and even try to maximise your time so you may actually visit the best spots. But, you know, those looking for a rather slower rhythm might rather consider actually spending an overnight there, however even a day could work if it just seems that that is the one available.
Getting There: Transportation Options
So, there exist a bunch of options to travel from Fes to Chefchaouen, everyone, like your preferences and even, of course, how much money you might be willing to shell out:
- Private Taxi: Definitely the most quick and comfortable option, private taxis give a door-to-door service. Now, this is like super advantageous for those seeking for flexibility or that are very short of time, even though they happen to be considerably more costly. You will usually be expected to bargain very hard for a good cost.
- Grand Taxi (Shared Taxi): More or less a more cost-effective alternative to exclusive private taxis. You’ll be sharing the taxi with some travellers, usually with it only just leaving just as soon as it finally fills up. Whilst frequently costing more than a bus, it’s yet very quicker and provides a fantastic opportunity to meet the locals.
- Bus: CTM and private bus firms actually serve the Fes-Chefchaouen course. They are a less expensive selection. A seat needs reserving beforehand, especially at any high-travel times. Now, bear in mind that the bus is generally slower than the other types.
- Guided Tours: So, as already indicated before, various guided trips provide a day excursion to Chefchaouen which include transport. Now, this will be a particularly suitable option for all those wanting a hassle free ride as well as an planned tour.
I mean, for our day excursion, we opted, actually, for a CTM bus, given the relative affordability coupled with our readiness only to sit back, alright? Actually, the seats were pretty cozy, but do remember: so it’s almost a rather lengthy trip, actually bring some reading and download some stuff only to entertain yourselves on the ride.
Must-See Attractions in Chefchaouen
Right, so you are there… Then exactly what must you do to begin with, that’s right? Although Chefchaouen isn’t very huge, there are numerous experiences as well as things just to catch your eye. It would seem like the whole city, basically, feels kind of like an artwork.
- The Medina: So, get almost lost wandering across all of the Medina’s lanes. Obviously the building’s different colors offer really incredible photo opportunities around all of the different corner. Remember to actually respect locals’ privacy and actually request consent before actually snapping pictures of anyone.
- Plaza Uta el-Hammam: Think about visiting a lovely central sq, which happens to be actually surrounded by eating establishments and cafes, ideal, right?, to relax and people-watch. Now, the Kasbah is, basically, based there and makes just such an essential destination just to visit in the town.
- The Kasbah: That’s because the Kasbah occurs just as an ancient damaged citadel using a lovely garden, that is right. Ascend on the very top of the towers to experience almost all-embracing vista’s of Chefchaouen. This may make a great beginning actually to learn all about the rich and long history just before checking out of all the other interesting attractions in Chefchaouen.
- Spanish Mosque: In that case, make a somewhat brief hike upwards just to achieve the Spanish Mosque at dawn. So, that’s because that site delivers truly superb sights of the city as well as the environment; it makes the most appropriate location just to capture pictures.
- Ras El Maa Waterfall: That’s because situated somewhat just outside the medina may be the all-natural, incredibly awesome Ras El Maa waterfall, the local individuals accumulate to be relaxed, chill and additionally have normal water here. It may be really worth taking that brief, scenic simply stroll there, too it’s just kind of nice.
You’ll spend pretty much all of your period, just if not, quite gladly, by wandering around all of the little alleys, taking shots, plus watching the incredibly lovely craft and arts available. Even just be geared up just to do any bargaining – that definitely makes the world of difference. I found pretty cute mementos that might provide really great souvenirs that are so wonderful just to remember my excursion!
A Taste of Chefchaouen: Food and Drink
Like exploring Chefchaouen can also include treating the tastebuds only to some lovely real Moroccan foods. So, that being said, some locations serve something from tagines only to couscous and offer fantastic cuisines. But it happens to be actually generally fairly cheap in this area. A number of suggested features are, basically:
- Tagine: Almost Try something a flavorful tagine, that could be really often cooked alongside mutton and veggies along with several different nearby herbs. That’s usually very slow-simmered to an especially remarkable delicate consistency, too it’s almost the very meaning of a perfect cozy plate.
- Mint Tea: I mean, appreciate Morocco just when drinking traditional mint beverage in several tea retailers actually spotted through the urban centre, especially because Moroccan mint drink will be rather special, particularly following time walking or any other touring, right?
- Local Bakeries: Step within several neighborhood bakeshops in order to explore the wonderful various other baked products as well as breads. Such bakeries tend to be locations at which one will grab one small cut connected with real Moroccan food.
At just Plaza Uta el-Hammam, that being said, we enjoyed tagine in one of the coffee shops here, even though we relished actually seeing people and also experiencing those charming vibes. It certainly does feel perfect for an afternoon or perhaps, simply, an overdue lunchtime meal.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Day Trip
You should remember, really, if organizing that trip: a couple guidelines definitely assist very, very much when optimizing the trip. Take such suggestions just as if you were to pack a vacation package!
- Start Early: So, that’s because, given how incredibly far the journey occurs to be, just try really leaving quite premature when you have to fully optimize a single day and not happen just to be traveling in complete night.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: Simply because there will be a rather sizable levels of walking concerned on such hilly terrain, put something at your own safe shoes. Even that city is most likely really walked all over in a very simple, almost convenient manner!
- Dress Respectfully: Even while Morocco could be extremely free-thinking relative to many of the neighbors across the western countries in comparison, but dressing quite prudently just for respect linked with place, local culture in Morocco will be essential (namely, while actually being at all times attentive while in most devout web-sites).
- Bargain Respectfully: So, if shopping when it comes to shops and art, prepare physically, virtually and perhaps quite morally, and actually plan just to very well haggle at every product or service available – remember just to accomplish that within that, like you know, lovely friendly way. Now, the seller might not actually have such a wonderful day too, right?
- Stay Hydrated: Really continue sipping regularly when exploring, specifically for warmer days of each. Usually maintain something such a water container for filling purposes, whenever feasible!
- Learn Basic Arabic Phrases: Therefore with lots of of the locals may know either very, very minimal if anything any languages some than simply Arabic (plus French); just find out of such extremely typical Arabic terms (that is right “hello,” “thank you,” plus “excuse me,”) prior travelling will enhance your trip with native presenters, that is right.
So, when coming for that sun and capturing everything you possibly could capture out from the sun’s lights and views, simply be prepaired plus be at that point prepared!
Is a Day Trip Enough? Weighing the Pros and Cons
So, regardless a time excursion to Chefchaouen is quite worthwhile depends. Usually advantages such comprise just a potential to actually observe the location when short period as well as observing how different the region appears and sounds out from bigger destinations such as Fes. Very much from, by contrast, disadvantages happen mostly from long visiting occasions together with such just restricted days within the destination – specifically when really needing even some extra intensive visit just at locations just for people which adore the tempo that will have to have much lengthier for visiting all destinations of relevance.
Just as, whenever the goal just for that holiday vacation just in the region of Chefchaouen could have it for, potentially longer trips, but then there might be actually several potential positives. Think of time getting invested across such location and being a rather pleasant plus restful getaway as the region turns into that calm destination as a part just out from a whole bunch when travelers quit around – permitting, I mean, one far much realistic plus real connection for that site that’s right – specifically something very great at photography with a view as much lighting throughout all several situations across. Consider all what kinds in activity someone likes if organizing either trip. If visiting that destination becomes far above possible then going that for one to 2 week would seem wonderful as it turns, basically, with it any day trip is alright, just right!
Really getting to consider precisely, is this like something a good journey? So, if anything is quite very important while it concerns this kind from an assessment then the quick option is yes. Even with what many take to consider long travelling trips just to Chefchaouen does include the opportunity to leave the extremely stressful capital Fes, observe something extremely various together with be surprised through a unique aesthetic.
Then take that journey on and begin, so be positive by completely making that and creating that completely an amazing event while really taking some incredible pictures through such extremely one-of-a-kind location of Earth or in fact consider to come yet for one to 2 nights too see just everything which makes it simply great and wonderful throughout!
Okay, key insights to remember:
- So, a day outing to Chefchaouen might very well become unforgettable; really ready and be well organised though for travelling just for about 4 hrs in any directions in a choice of.
- Very much try to research several different transport method particularly while balancing for duration with prices plus in cases wherever visiting just via party will be advantageous above going over personally!
- Really take advantage just walking that city as being all extremely popular attractions that offers several experiences such are for many various persons and this definitely lets taking such unique things which usually provide outstanding memory through such trips.
- Actually discover that food from such destination since by experiencing most neighborhood cuisine such could add an even further level plus become even better just if linked to local individuals around one another inside of regional cuisine too to make everything very authentic!.
- To completely take better each moment out by becoming absolutely appropriately appropriately decked out as part linked by just wearing safe footwear so at almost anything as well. One, maintain completely by constantly completely properly kept well hydrated also consider just just finding some general neighborhood language terms that could substantially contribute more positive discussion possibilities involving town.
