Fez to Chefchaouen: Review of a 2-Day Blue City Trip

Considering a short hop from Fez to Chefchaouen, or the “Blue City,” is something I actually had the chance to do not that long ago. That 2-day escapade turned out to be much more than just a quick trip; too, it’s almost like stepping into a postcard. Getting there, getting around, what you must absolutely see, and stuff you might perhaps consider skipping—I figured I’d give you the lowdown so that, maybe, your potential trip goes swimmingly. Plus, I am sprinkling in all kinds of practical bits and bobs that can really make a difference. This ain’t your cookie-cutter travel blog type stuff, though. I’m not kidding; get ready for some personal takes.

The Allure of Chefchaouen

Alright, before we, I mean, *you*, run off packing, is that there’s a bit you should understand about Chefchaouen. Very, very different than what you see on Instagram. Far away from being *just* picturesque walls, the town seems to hold stories, okay? Founded in the 15th century by Jewish and Moorish refugees fleeing Spain, its famous blue hue began with the Jewish tradition of dyeing buildings with techelet, which is this blue dye, you see. It symbolizes the sky and, by extension, the divine. However, local stories also propose it keeps mosquitos away, so who knows? The effect these days is frankly pretty darn magical, mostly in the early morning before hordes come ambling through. What’s really impressive, if you were to ask me, is the way it is all balanced: the tranquil vibe alongside the steady flow of commerce and chatter is almost bewildering!

Getting There: Fez to Chefchaouen

Okay, here we go. Regarding scooting from Fez up into Chefchaouen. You’ve more or less got a few routes, very much depending on budget, how much you value the luxury of say, not getting jolted all over the place, and how chatty you may be with local road companions. One good thing: distance more or less clocks in at about 200 km (roughly 124 miles), but time tends to vary dramatically.

Public Bus

Very much the most budget-conscious pick would be public bus with CTM or Grand Taxis. So, look, don’t imagine air conditioning always functions and reclining seats come standard; this happens, yes, anyway that said the economics are pretty irresistible, is that? From Fez, CTM buses frequently leave, with that first one going quite early. This gives you more time at Chaouen itself. Tickets very easily get booked a day or two ahead either at the bus station in Fez, so too can one book online if your French and/or Arabic are half decent. Regarding comfort? Look: very basic, kind of bare bones. Think lots of stops along the route to either pick up or drop off locals, plus occasional blaring Moroccan pop tunes coming from the driver. Very, very “authentic”, you could say. That having been said, you need to brace for five or more hours on the road. The price for bus can average somewhere like 80-120 MAD. Like your American Dollar will go so, so much further over there, just you wait. On average one dollar in USD exchanges to over ten Dirhams or MAD. To be fair though that can vary based on conversion rate!

Grand Taxi

Okay, so that if you don’t care that you have to spend a lot more and are looking to cut transit in half and gain comfort—a grand taxi is an interesting idea. In the Moroccan context, these tend to be old Mercedes-Benzes (often creaky, honestly), and each generally shoves maybe six passengers into its cabin to go between cities. Anyway it makes a funny old time! It would usually be like you more or less chartering a space or the whole vehicle that can also get arranged, right? However that does mean that the prices hike correspondingly! Getting shared will average like, say, 250 MAD per person; and a complete rental is more or less 1200 MAD. Factor, that if the car is fully packed, expect it is that space will be a luxury and privacy nil. It’s also rather quick–4 hours usually. The upside: it’s less bumpy, normally quicker than those buses.

Private Transfer

A rather seamless idea, maybe, would be, just say, a private driver: think of that as pricier alright (around 800-1500 MAD!), very much better, I might say. Very clearly pre-booked rides also assure pickup whenever you want along with either door-to-door stuff coming with proper amenities. Is that you don’t need to wrestle for space with everyone else makes things attractive too if carting, just say, big luggage, so too for folk who aren’t eager for bus commotion, or grand cab share squashing.

Things To Do in Chefchaouen

Yeah? So you have reached Chefchaouen. So what stuff is now begging for being seen, okay? Between gorging down tagines, the following are, like, unmissable bits. Even if only spending but 48 hours—plan strategically!

Wander the Medina

You may be ready for this part. The town’s Medina? Well, is that *is* your typical labyrinth of little alleys. But the place gets colored cobalt. Every kind of building will boast all its shades from periwinkle to sky hues! To take pictures one has to get right up at daybreak, really; or try it late in afternoon, alright? You will not catch those Instagram photo crowds then.

Kasbah Museum

So if the notion of dodging tourists every minute and posing nonstop looks terrible—you can retreat temporarily within. A walled fortress in middle of Chefchaouen also happens, you know, as somewhere historic. The site gives you insight of both this locale’s history. Expect an extremely peaceful patch: a calming spot in relation to the Medina that surrounds.

Spanish Mosque

This old Spanish Mosque– you will find it there. But that might demand a trek on a hillside trail. That said the old thing is pretty darn well unused and kinda sits vacant these days! But very arguably you should head here anyway just for epic views of this blue city and, naturally, surroundings. Get over near sunset? Anyway it’ll justify completely. As your background snaps come alive so vividly at these times.

Ras El Ma Source

Want some actual everyday real Moroccan local vibe? Okay! The spot draws locals getting water for daily needs plus washes. Very picturesque views surround here, also– very decent for pictures away somewhat removed of Chaouen mania in the core.

Where to Eat

Your stomach’s growling is getting insistent at about that point, huh? Well I would highly recommend not missing to fully wolf some really tasty plates.

Bab Ssour

Fair, fair Moroccan food at, say, an alright cost— Bab Ssour might please the palate. Its patio can offer amazing town scenery as accompaniment that gets your grub down very nice, you understand?

Restaurant Aladdin

Alright, what is that is somewhere extremely tempting? That restaurant offers not merely a spread so savory, and delicious, yet rather those stunning town overlooks also. Try tagines very flavorful, so too mint tea. Really, there’s nothing half-bad found across this spread, frankly!

Souk Food Stalls

For very real eats get off within Chaouen proper so deeply within those vendor stalls all packed very close, selling grilled meats to then, oh wow, pastry piles: totally tempting snacks going so affordably right when that little snacking thing kicks into motion.

Tips and Recommendations

Alright, some rather super things now so you nail it as well and do so wonderfully that 48 hour foray is what follows now…

• The Light. Okay, this can sound very banal. Any case just watch for it so well regarding any photos you wanna shoot out right within that Medina! The sun really pours in really early–then gets intense–as afternoon gets on in any real heat there! Plan accordingly so well depending upon exactly when things snap ideal.
• Get Lost A Little! Ok it’s almost the streets tend, yes, to look totally familiar. Do it, okay? Anyway there ain’t better chances anywhere as you hunt small alleys, or stairs leading absolutely no place else and then that place where beauty’s found?
• Bargaining Game. Well what occurs in Morocco tends now at souks—very fairly all expected; always propose costing way, less whatever things get marked down by these vendors as they name cost points coming rather excessively upfront as prices all stand.
• Modesty, Right? Remember even for someone foreign it’s important dressing well rather carefully once inside areas where faith stays a sensitive factor over anything. This means clothing shouldn’t reveal excessive skin amounts; and that applies even once venturing out and near houses located, basically, about these spots all told!

Possible Itinerary: 2 Days in Chefchaouen from Fez

Needing some idea what schedules tend just realistically to then be just right by now so Chaouen really sings so very greatly inside forty eight? Is that you tend, I feel now too personally, right, regarding things, alright very reasonably if doing these, ok!

Day 1: Arrival and Medina Exploration

1. Early Start: Departing Fez comes rather earlier tends guaranteeing lots time reaching by ten local once things happen so wonderfully on site over here.
2. Check and Relax: Once you arrive then place that rucksack safely inside whatever lodging so pleasantly found here, is, as you come. After things set out slowly exploring rather nearby, OK??
3. Afternoon Stroll & Kasbah: Walking about inside Chaouen ancient section will just fully make these alley corners. Is Kasbah close. And well those histories. Look around. Take snapshots, anyway. Is awesome to tell!
4. Evening Dinner: Seek very charming food joints or restaurants for a supper. Make them traditional if fully doable—those will wow much fully—right here for keeps!

Day 2: Views and Departure

1. Sunrise Mosque Visit: Ras El Ma’s fountain gives perfect frames, and scenes! Try seeing it those, just a very smidge away.
2. Free Morning: After sunrise those hours till say around those twelve comes so so calm really so wander a trifle slowly and easily; hit what shops might exist while those exist locally too. Then take breaks occasionally when necessary. Those places where art dwells can seem pleasant… and pretty for always; buy things at Souk.
3. Afternoon Meal and Prepare for Trip Back: Having lunch those spots serving anything you will choose now; prepare very well next heading finally out just after whatever looks fun to spend some pennies onto, honestly!!! Book a thing just earlier that thing from either Taxi Grande; try grabbing seat just with Taxi there: expect heading by two-three those afternoon spans finally off away back from Fez.

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