Chefchaouen, the blue city in Morocco

Chefchaouen, a small Moroccan town nestled in the Rif Mountains, is perhaps one of the country’s most unique destinations. The city’s narrow streets, houses, and walls are covered in every shade of blue—from sky blue to turquoise to deep, dark indigo. It’s no wonder it’s become a favorite photo spot for travelers from all over the world.

Getting from Tangier to Chefchaouen by public transport is quite complicated, even though it is the closest big city, as Fes or Casablanca are much further away, not to mention Marrakesh.

There is no train service, but you can find a bus, but Grand Taxi is simpler and more practical. This mode of transport is similar to a taxi, cheap and relatively fast, it collects people traveling in one direction, and then makes the trip in about 2.5 hours. Of course, you can also book a private transfer.

Fortunately, I didn't get bored while driving, because the sights were varied and sometimes surprising. The road led past olive trees and laurel forests, with small settlements or random ceramic vendors breaking the monotony of the vegetation. You could also sense the animals as you went up into the mountains: at first horses and cows grazed within sight, then sheep and mountain goats could be seen.

What was surprising to me was that school children were standing in groups, but sometimes individually, by the side of the road, waiting for some form of transportation, hitchhiking. It seemed like this was the standard way to get home after school.

As we arrived in the blue city, the buildings somehow transformed from one moment to the next: the dominant color was noticeable everywhere. We got out of the car at Bab Souk and our host was already waiting for us to show us the way to the riad in the medina, which would be our home for the next few days.

We rented a small independent riad, which was an authentic experience and, last but not least, very cozy. In the morning, the hostess prepared breakfast on site, but otherwise we were the only ones staying in the building. Stepping out of the blue-painted door, we immediately found ourselves in the hustle and bustle of the medina, where we could start walking and, of course, marveling, because in this city everything is really blue - the various shades of the color lend the settlement a magical, slightly fairy-tale atmosphere.

History of Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen was founded in 1471 by Moulay Ali Ben Moussa Ben Rached El Alami, a distant descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. The original settlement consisted of a small fort, now known as the Kasbah of Chefchaouen. The fort was built to defend the area from the Portuguese, who were at the time launching a series of attacks on the northern cities of Morocco.

Outside the fortress, the medina, a traditional walled city area with houses and other buildings, was built over time. During the Middle Ages, the area was populated by local tribes, as well as Moors and Jews from Spain.

Many years later, in 1920, the Spanish occupied Chefchaouen and made it part of the Spanish territory of Morocco. During World War II, a significant number of Jews fled here from Europe, fleeing Hitler's persecution. However, the majority of the Jews moved to Israel in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The city was returned to Morocco in 1956, when the country gained its independence.

Why is Chefchaouen blue? The secrets of Morocco's "Blue City"

There are several explanations for why the city walls were painted blue.

1. Following Jewish customs and culture

According to Jewish belief, the color blue symbolizes the sky, reminding people of Heaven and God. For this reason, there is a strong tradition of using the color blue in Jewish communities: various objects were often painted blue, and blue dye was used to color fabrics, especially prayer rugs. Blue walls therefore served as a reminder that above earthly life there is always heaven and transcendence.

But what caused the "blue fever" to spread throughout the medina?

Some believe that Chefchaouen's first Jewish inhabitants introduced the custom of painting walls blue, in keeping with their religious and cultural traditions. However, many locals say that until recently, Chefchaouen's blue-painted walls were found only in the city's Jewish quarter, the mellah. Older residents say that when they were young, most of the buildings in the medina were still white.

2. Keeping insects away

Another interesting explanation is that the color blue keeps mosquitoes and other insects away. It is believed that insects do not like reflective surfaces like water, so the blue walls may have also served to protect the inhabitants.

3. Cooler effect

Some locals believe that the blue color helps keep their homes cool during the warmer months. While this was probably not the original intention, it is a reasonable explanation for why the painting continues into modern times. In the summer heat of the Rif Mountains, the color blue may have had a practical role.

Light shades help create a cooler feeling in the narrow streets, making summer more bearable for residents.

4. Symbol of water

Others believe that Chefchaouen’s walls were painted in all shades of blue simply to evoke the shimmering Mediterranean Sea. Still others believe that the blue colors symbolize the importance of the city’s Ras el-Maa waterfall, from which the residents obtained their drinking water. This essential source of water once allowed the community to survive in the otherwise harsh, dry mountainous environment.

If you ask some locals why the city is blue, they might simply say: because blue is beautiful and has a calming effect. In Islamic culture, blue is considered the color of happiness and optimism. Others add that it is simply “the custom” here, perhaps suggesting that Moroccans like to think in terms of community and unity.

Perhaps some residents of houses near the mellah liked the color originally used by Jewish settlers and copied it – starting a new trend that spread from house to house? In fact, there is no way to know for sure. It is a fact that houses are regularly repainted, as this is the city’s tourist attraction.

Besides nearby natural attractions and activities, such as mountain hikes or visiting the Akchour waterfalls, one of the main attractions of Chefchaouen is exploring the city's medina, where picturesque scenes unfold around every corner and staircase. The city is less bustling than other Moroccan cities, such as Marrakech or Fes, so it is convenient to choose from traditional Moroccan goods. Blue and white paintings on canvases of various sizes, depicting scenes from the city and local life, are especially nice souvenirs. Of course, you don't have to buy anything, it is also a perfect program to just walk around aimlessly, marveling at every second, how many shades of blue there can be...

One thing is for sure: the Blue City is worth a visit when in Morocco; if you don't have time to stay here, it's worth at least planning a day trip to see this wonder.