The location of the city along the Rif mountain range furthers its beauty and offers outdoor enthusiasts plenty of hiking opportunities outside of the blue city. There are a series of waterfalls set into a dense forest along the ridgeline that you can trek to for scenery that is unlike many other natural settings in the country. The hills are also home to some of the main sites, such as a Spanish Mosque, outside of which tourists and locals alike tend to gather to watch the sunset over the city.

In true Morrocon form, the city centers around the prominent Medina, a bustling center where you can shop for handmade Berber rugs, metal and leather crafts, and a huge variety of spices and tea. The medina can be overwhelming at its busiest times, but this is a great place to shop alongside the locals and experience an authentic taste of Moroccan culture.

For the culinarily inclined, this city is known for its goat cheese, and many of the local restaurants incorporate it into their dishes. Travelers can look forward to enjoying a meal in one of the hillside eateries that prioritizes delicious food with an excellent view.

Consider a private car

While the mountains around Chefchaouen are stunning, they also mean that the roads into town are fairly hilly and winding. For those that are prone to motion sickness, taking a private car service into town may give you a much more comfortable experience than you’ll have on the hot and often crowded bus.

With Daytrip, your journey will take place in a climate-controlled car with an English-speaking driver who will be happy to take the trip at your pace and do everything possible to ensure your comfort along the way.

Prepare for the medina

Visiting the medina is a quintessential Moroccan experience, but this vibrant, busy center of life can also be overwhelming to some due to the noise and excitement. To prepare for your visit, consider learning about the bargaining culture in medinas, as well as some basic phrases in Arabic or Spanish for Chefchaouen (given its proximity to Southern Spain, many people speak conversational Spanish here.)

Private transfer from Tangier to Chefchaouen

The best choice for your trip from Tangier to Chefchaouen is a Daytrip private transfer. Your stress-free door-to-door service will take just 2 hours, and the price starts at $26 per person, an incredible value for the level of comfort and convenience provided.

With a private transfer, you will also have the opportunity to turn your travel day into an exciting sightseeing tour with optional stops en route. This is a great way to see more of the country than might have otherwise fit in your itinerary.

The flexibility of Daytrip’s booking also makes it possible for travelers to be picked up directly at the Tangier airport and enjoy the peace of mind that some changes can be made in the event of flight delays. As there are no flights to Chefchaouen, a private transfer from the airport is the fastest and most convenient option for those flying into Tangier.

Taxi from Tangier to Chefchaouen

There are taxis from Tangier to Chefchaouen, but the prices tend to be very high (averaging around $70 to $90.) The cost may also vary across different taxi companies. Travelers should keep in mind that taxis are not as easily booked as a private driving transfer and that they can become difficult to find or more costly during peak travel times.

Bus from Tangier to Chefchaouen

There is a direct bus from Tangier to Chechaouen, and it takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes of drive time. This does not include the time travelers will spend navigating to and from the bus station in either city, which can extend the travel time to around 3 hours or longer depending on where your accommodation is located in each place.

The bus tickets vary in price but are generally around $4 to $7 per person. This option is budget-friendly but may not be the best choice for those prone to motion sickness, those with limited mobility, or travelers with excess luggage.

Watch the sunset at Bouzafer Mosque

This incredible Spanish Mosque sits atop a hill overlooking the city. It takes about 20 minutes to climb to the top of the hill where the mosque is, and the hike is well worth the incredible views. While the building itself is picturesque, the views this area offers of the valley below are unforgettable.

Travelers should visit around sunset in order to watch the city below be bathed in golden light, as well as to enjoy the lively atmosphere around the mosque as people gather for the Maghrib prayer and to enjoy the panoramic views.

Explore Chefchaouen Medina

The mesmerizing Chefchaouen Medina is full of remarkably well-preserved architecture and intricately detailed examples of the city's iconic blue buildings. Here, travelers can shop alongside the locals for handmade goods as well as food, spices, and tea. The medina can be somewhat labyrinth-like with its many twisting alleyways and variety of shops, but it is well worth getting lost in the beauty of this place.

Many visitors here also report that the medina is less overwhelming than it is in other Moroccan cities and that the charming blue streets tend not to become as crowded.

Visit Grande Cascade D'akchour

One of the biggest draws of Chefhaouen is its proximity to the spectacular range of waterfalls and hiking trails in the surrounding Rif mountains. The Grande Cascade (“Big waterfall”) is one of the most famous of these falls, and it is located within a series of cascades known as the Akchour waterfalls.

From Chefchaouen, you can take a taxi or a private car to the town of Akchour, where you will be able to hike to the falls. There are a few small local restaurants on the way, and visitors who don’t want to hike the full 2 hours to Grande Cascade can still enjoy the smaller waterfalls on the way.