Your day trip from Fes to the Blue City of Chefchaouen will start after your breakfast at about 8am when your experienced, well informed Fes Authentic Tours driver will collect you from your accommodation to drive you in fully air-conditioned, comfortable transport northwards to the Rif mountains and the famous blue walled Chefchaouen. The journey itself is of interest, as you pass through irrigated, green agricultural lands, high-walled gorges and tranquil forested areas up the the Rif Mountains, formed over the last 70 million years as the continent of Africa moves inexorably north and crashes into the Iberian section of the European plate.
| Transport in a comfortable A/C vehicle. | |
| Pick up and Drop off at your accommodation. |
| Pick up | 8 am |
| Drop off | 8 pm |
| Duration | Day Trip |
| Start | Fes |
| Finish | Fes |
Your day trip from Fes to the Blue City of Chefchaouen will start after your breakfast at about 8am when your experienced, well informed Fes Authentic Tours driver will collect you from your accommodation to drive you in fully air-conditioned, comfortable transport northwards to the Rif mountains and the famous blue walled Chefchaouen. The journey itself is of interest, as you pass through irrigated, green agricultural lands, high-walled gorges and tranquil forested areas up the the Rif Mountains, formed over the last 70 million years as the continent of Africa moves inexorably north and crashes into the Iberian section of the European plate.
But your day trip is really about Chefchaouen itself, one of the 'must see' destinations in all of Morocco. Though often known as "The Blue City", it's really only a small town, with a population of just over 40,000 souls. However, it's beauty and splendour are unrivalled.
Your guide won't hurry you and you'll be free to explore as you will through the narrow, blue and white painted streets and alleyways of Chefchaouen that was founded by Moulay Ali ben Moussa back in 1471 as a kasbah, or fortified town. The original kasbah is still there to be visited today and it has its own rather pretty Andalusian gardens attached as well as an excellent ethnographic museum with many interesting antiquities on display that recount the history of the region. You're not far from the Mediterranean Sea here and it can sometimes feel like one is walking under a shallow, tropical ocean as the bright sunlight reflects off the cerulean coloured walls. There are many legends and theories as to why the locals paint their walls blue, but the true reason has now been lost in the depths of time, yet adds to the mystery of Chefchaouen.
There are many souks in Chefchaouen, also known as "The Jewel of the North" or "The Blue Pearl of Morocco", and this day trip allows you to explore them and provides an opportunity to examine and purchase at often more reasonable prices, the genuine locally made products, expertly created by local craftspeople. The area is especially renowned for its woollen goods with fashions, styles and the use of colour not found elsewhere. A broad palette of colours is used across a wide range of clothing, both traditional and more modern. Take particular note of the wide, broad-brimmed hats, decorated with bright threads of many hues, which are often seen worn by local women when working in the fields to protect them from the fierce Moroccan sun.
You'll often end up at the central Chefchaouen town square,the Uta el-Hammam, ringed by quaint cafes and restaurants, where it is advised to taste the famous local goat's milk cheese which is simply delicious. take the chance to relax for a while, have a refreshing mint tea and watch the word go by as you breathe deep of the clear, fresh mountain air. whilst absorbing the hospitable atmosphere of friendly, tranquil Chefchaouen, quite a contrast to the hectic hurly-burly of Fes.
Later, you can ascend to the top of the town to the Rass el Ma (head of the water), where there is a high spring and view the 15th century Grand Spanish Mosque, constructed by the town founder's son, Ali ben Rachid, with its interesting octagonal minaret and visit the Place Mohammed park, where panoramic views of the surrounding countryside are not to be missed.
But all good things must come to an end, and eventually, as the sun sets over the mountains, your Fes Authentic Tours guide, will be driving you back to Fes, where you will be dropped off at your hotel or guest house with memories never to be forgotten of a wonderful day trip to charming Chefchaouen.
