Tangier To Chefchaouen : The Complete guide to Chefchaouen

I saw the famous “blue city” pictures in Morocco, officially known as Chefchaouen, but how do you get there? My main question was when I randomly decided to plan an individual trip to Morocco, and I had little luck in finding information online.

I also didn’t know what most messages were talking about in buses and taxis, but when I finally found out for myself it was so easy! So, this guide will describe exactly how to get to Chefchaouen, where to stay and what to see, from the point of view of someone who has never visited Morocco before!
But first, let me help you write in phoneme how to pronounce Chefchaouen … Say it to me now: “chef-SHAH-when” is “chef” as in the person who cooks your food, “Shah” is like “martyrs of the sunset”, and when is like “when Would you pronounce this name correctly? “You understand? Well go ahead …

Where is Chefchaouen located?

I can show you a map, but what you need to know is that it is located in the Rif Mountains, about an hour from any airport. This means that you must take a bus or taxi to get there. Or you can travel to this nearby airport and take a bus or taxi from there. I will review all of these options.
It is mainly located between Tangier / Tetouan and Fes, which means that you will most likely take a bus or taxi from one of these places. In fact, I started in Casablanca and took a bus to Fez, and I spent the night, then took a bus the next day to Chefchaouen to stop the trip because it is long AF.

Why did Chefchaouen paint in blue?

There are some different stories about why Chefchaouen homes and buildings were painted in vibrant blue colors. It is said to have been a Jewish area, and they painted it in blue to distinguish it as such. Another says that the blue color removes the bug, which I think can be true because I haven’t seen so many errors. A third indicates that blue helps keep homes cool, which is similar to what I heard in the blue city of Jodhpur, India.

Whatever the real reason, I’m really happy that they decided to do it and stick to it, because it’s so beautiful!

Take the CTM bus

CTM Bus was very cheap, easy, clean, and practical!
I have to say that the CTM bus line in Morocco is really cool. Autofocus is not only inexpensive but also safe, clean, comfortable, and reliable. In addition, CTM has its own bus stops, which means that you will not be confused with a host of other bus lines and locals.
You may be a little worried about getting on a bus to a foreign country, but I’ve done this several times, alone, and I can guarantee it’s completely safe. This is the bus that most travelers take anyway, especially to Chefchaouen.

Book CTM bus tickets online

CTM has a website that recently accepts international credit/debit cards (American AKA cards), but you must book travel tickets 72 hours in advance. It’s good if you plan your trip in advance (and it can actually help you plan) but if you love me, you may just want to buy your tickets the day before at the bus station.
However, the website is very useful to show you bus schedules and time. Don’t panic in French, simply translate the page in your browser, and if some words still don’t translate, use your common sense.

Book your tickets at CTM Bus Station

Also easy to do. You just have to specify on Google the CTM station of the city you are in (in general there is only one), go there, tell them that you want to go to Chefchaouen what time (usually there is only one or two trips per day). Since there are few departure times per day, you can go to the bus station a day or two in advance, if full.
When she left Chefchaouen, she forgot to get a ticket in advance, but it was still available a few hours before she left for Tangier.

From Tangier To Chefchaouen / Tetouan

CTM Bus Station: CTM Tanger
Ticket cost: 45 dirhams (about $ 4.50)
Duration: 3.5 hours

Tangier and Tetouan are two different cities, but since they are so close, they are generally grouped together, including a bus ticket. By the way, Tangier is written and spoken in Morocco. In all cases. Tangier has somewhat cheap flights if you are from Europe, which is the closest airport to Chefchaouen. The bus trip takes only about 3.5 hours (compared to 4.5 from Fez) and the ticket is less than $ 5.

For visitors to Tangier, the famous blue Chefchaouen village is a must! A common question regarding the best way to move from Tangier to Chefchaouen. In this article, we will explain the different options for your trip from Tangier to Chefchaouen, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each.

1. Take a private taxi

It is number one on our list because it is the most convenient way to move from Tangier to Chefchaouen, as well as the least stressful. Traveling with a private company like TangierTaxi (you can also read the Tanger Taxi Review) is the preferred option for most travelers. It’s more expensive than taking a large public taxi, but the difference is not that big and it’s generally worth it if you want to reach Chefchaouen with minimal pressure.

Most companies provide a modern private vehicle with air conditioning and an English speaking driver. The quality of private taxi companies in Morocco can vary greatly, from very good to very bad, so it is important to check the opinions and opinions of other travelers before booking. TangerTaxi is an example of a company with a good reputation, but there are other companies. There is more information about the flight from Tangier to Chefchaouen on their website.

2. Take a large public taxi

It is the second on our list because it is the second most convenient way to go from Tangier to Chefchaouen, and it’s also a little bit cheaper than riding a private taxi. Don’t forget to read our tips on big Moroccan taxis in advance if you want to avoid any stressful situation. Remember there is a big difference between public and private large taxis, so if you are used to riding taxis in Europe or America, you may be surprised by the poor condition of most large taxis taxis. Remember that the road from Tangier to Chefchaouen is windy and mountainous, so it is important to make sure your driver is competent and safe! You may need to change your taxi in Tetouan.

3. Take the bus

It is the last option on our list to go from Tangier to Chefchaouen because although it is the cheapest option, it is the least comfortable. This is not a recommended option if you are traveling with children, because buses in Morocco are not safe and drivers drive very quickly for road conditions. On the mountain road from Tangier to Chefchaouen, buses pass curves and assume unnecessary risks. Buses are not air-conditioned, so in summer the passenger doors are left wide open to facilitate traffic. Perhaps there will be no seat belts too, so the bus is only an option for young travelers on a budget. You can buy bus tickets from Tangier to Chefchaouen by CTM Bus Company.

Buy CTM Bus Tickets Here

4. Train to Chefchaouen

Update 12/15/2020: There is a high-speed train service from Tangier to Casablanca, but unfortunately there is no train to Chefchaouen.

Sorry, there is no train between Tangier and Chefchaouen! Transportation options are limited to taxi or bus rides.

This concludes our list with the best way to move from Tangier to Chefchaouen! You can find out more about taxi tips in Chefchaouen on our website.

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From Fes

The famous tannery of Fez, which is the largest in the world! … also a tourist trap.
CTM Bus Station: CTM Fes
Ticket cost: 85 dirhams (approximately $ 8.50)
Duration: 4.5 hours

Fes has the second closest airport, but it is also located in the middle of all the imperial cities, so it is a good choice for bus stops. Plus, I know the AirBnB Palace is really cool to stay in.
But whatever the situation, from the airport or your place of residence, a taxi will take you to the CTM Bus Station, which should not cost you more than 50 dirhams ($ 5).

Here You can Buy CTM Bus Tickets From Fes To Chefchaouen Online

How to get there from Casablanca

The most popular site in Casablanca: the Hassan II Mosque
CTM Bus Station: CTM Casablanca
Ticket cost: 75 dirhams, Casa, Fez, Chefchaouen, 85 dirhams
Duration: about 9 hours in total

This is the way I took, mainly because I didn’t know what I was doing, but if I did it again, I would have started in Tangier and would have gone to Casablanca after Chefchaouen, Fez, and Meknes.

But either way, you will need to get two tickets if you come from Casablanca. The first ticket is for Fez, and the second is for Fes Chefchaouen. If you choose the right time, you can take a full trip in one day, but I recommend that you break it and spend the night in Meknes and another night in Fez (the two imperial cities). Since you’re in the area anyway.
Remember, there are only 2 hours from departure from Fes to Chefchaouen!

WHAT TO DO IN CASABLANCA: MY ADVICE FOR VISITING CASABLANCA IN MOROCCO!

How to get there from Marrakech

You can make it work by visiting Marrakech and Chefchaouen!
I would not recommend taking the bus from Marrakech to Chefchaouen unless you have enough time in Morocco. It takes more than 12 hours on the bus, while you can probably get a cheap flight that takes just two hours. In fact, I went from Chefchaouen to Marrakech by taking the CTM bus from Chefchaouen to Tangier, then by plane from Tangier to Marrakech. It was $ 95 at the last minute.

But if your budget is limited, you have time and don’t mind getting stuck on the bus for too long, the route you want to take is Marrakech to Fes, then you need another ticket to Fez to Chefchaouen.
Or the fastest flying option is:

1. Travel from Marrakesh to Tangier, Tetouan, Fes, or Casablanca
2. Take a taxi from the airport to CTM Bus Station (or where you stay if you decide to stay overnight)
3. Take the CTM bus to Chefchaouen

From Chefchaouen CTM Bus Station to the main blue area

You don’t get off the bus and find yourself in the famous blue city center, you have to take a taxi for 8 minutes to get there. The good news is that taxis cost only 15-20 dirhams ($ 1.50 – $ 2), just be sure to take a “small taxi” (usually blue … sarcasm).
There is a good chance that some people will try to pay you 30 dirhams, especially those who are waiting (for tourists) outside the bus station. If you are not lucky with them, go down the street a bit and report one.

The main taxi drop point is inside the blue city walls of the city near Parador, so if you are not sure where to stay (which is what you should be because the streets are impossible), say Parador and understand from there. By understanding “understanding”, I mean asking the Airbnb host to pick you up.

Where do you stay in Chefchaouen?

The outer blue circle shows the main area of the city where you must search for a place to stay. The light blue line is the place where most of the entire blue lanes are, and the purple circle is where the famous Instagram Street is! At first, I was trying to find hotels to stay in, but trust me when I say, Airbnb is definitely the right way! Not only are the great places, but most of them are in prime locations within the blue city walls of the city! Plus, as I mentioned above, you can call your host to pick you up from the meeting point and accompany you to his place because the streets are so confusing.

By the way, there are no cars on the streets. These are narrow, steep, pedestrian streets. But it’s also very stormy and weird, and the numbers aren’t for the most part. Oh and GPS is usually a little off.

in all cases! I can recommend my AirBnB card that I have stayed at since I love them both: The first would be perfect for a small group or family as it has two bedrooms,. And the second is perfect for a single or an affiliate traveler. The second had a much better view, but the first was just one block from the famous Instagram Street.
You can find these two AirBnBs in addition to all the other places you stayed in Morocco here: 6 AirBnB in Morocco that will amaze you.

Note: I haven’t been paid by AirBnB to say anything,. So if I finish using it and want to show me some love, please use my referral code or an affiliate
Mail links on this post!

Where are Instagram photo locations in the blue city?

In Chefchaouen there are two very distinct sites for Instagram photos. One is a staircase lined with brightly colored pots with plants, and the other is a single, multi-story house. I did my best to show it on the map below where it is, where they technically have no address.
There is also a major ring of blue streets and buildings, drawn by a blue circle. Your best bet is to roam around to find an idea of your photo.

Here are some tips and image ideas

• Wear blue contrasting colors: You will notice in all of my photos that I am wearing white, golden yellow, or light pink. This is because these colors contrast beautifully with royal blue. If you don’t bring anything with these colors, don’t worry; there are many market stalls selling souvenir clothing!

• Be creative with the repetitive things: for example, there are a lot of really cool doors to photograph … As well as cats. Yes, cats. There are kittens and kittens all over the place and they look great against blue backdrops.

• Hire someone to walk with you or make friends: Worry about setting a tripod to take a photo? Hire a local guide (try asking your AirBnB host) or make friends with other travelers. I immediately befriended two New Zealand men. Who was wandering around with me all day in exchange for Instagram professional advice,. And when they left, I paid the kids to see my stuff while I was taking pictures myself.

What about marijuana?

Beautiful mountains, right? Except that she is famous for producing marijuana.
If you are reading this, you are likely interested in Chefchaouen for the same reason as me:. Taking a bunch of really cool pictures. But there is a possibility that it might interest you for other reasons,. Which I didn’t even know of my arrival!
Apparently, the Riff Mountains are famous for cultivating marijuana! For example, people only go to Chefchaouen to smoke cannabis, have or anything you call.

Basic safety tips for Chefchaouen

In general, Chefchaouen is somewhat safe. It is a tourist city, and the people there depend on tourists for their income, whether good or bad. This is good because it keeps crime rates low,. But it’s bad because everyone has an ongoing mission to get you to earn money.

For the most part, the city’s merchants are somewhat marching. If you say no (or better, “La Chokran” which means “no thanks” in Arabic). They will leave you as you go. But if you give an idea that you might be interested, or come back later. They’ll take it literally and wait for you / call you.

A lot of men will give you a segmented show as well (this happened a lot for the guys. I’ve walked with more than I did). I don’t smoke. But I heard someone accepting a local offer to smoke with them for free who was later charged and. Said he ended up paying because the man started getting crazy.

Cover-up is a smart idea (I usually wear a long dress with a jacket and take it off for pictures),. Especially if you don’t want men to call you constantly “sexy” or try to talk to you.
I can go on, and that’s why I wrote a 5,000-word blog post with. The 21 best individual travel safety tips in Morocco that you should check out!

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