Shafshawan in Morocco. Blue city. What to see in Chefchaouen?
Shafshawan is one of the most photogenic cities in Morocco and one of the most beautiful cities in the world! This blue city was built as a mountain fortress, and today it is famous for its blue medina, the Old Town, and a calmer atmosphere than the larger Moroccan metropolises. Azure, cobalt, sapphire or indigo reign here. In addition, there are cats everywhere, and there are especially many sweet golden redheads. I'm sure this city will delight you. It often gets on the lists of the most Instagram points in Morocco! Check out the practical information and what to see in our guide to the miraculous Shafshawan!
Shafshawan - the blue city of Morocco. Location in the Rif mountains and access
Shafshawan, also known as Chefchaouen, is a small town located in the north of Morocco, in the picturesque Rif mountains. It impresses not only with the intensely blue walls of the houses, but also with its picturesque location and local climate. The location on the slopes of the mountains significantly affects its character and landscape. Travelers from Tangier, Tetouan, Fez or Marrakech most often arrive here. It is best to get here by car, but getting there by train requires transfers, because the city does not have a railway station. From Tangier you can take a bus in about 2.5 hours, but from Marrakech the journey is much longer and usually combines a train and a bus. If you are planning a tour of Morocco, it is best to combine Shafshaw with a visit to Tangier or Fez. We just got to Shafshawan from Fez, on the N13 road, which took 3 hours and 45 minutes. The car helped us park the resident, the parking under his house cost30 dirhams (about PLN 11 for the whole night.)
Shafshawan attractions. What is worth visiting and seeing?
The biggest attraction is the medina itself, with narrow streets, stairs, blue facades and numerous viewpoints. Here, every corner is intimidating with beauty, so photos take themselves. All the more so when cute kittens enter the frame. It is also worth knowing that it is best to visit Schafshawan first thing in the morning. And for 2 reasons. First of all, there are definitely fewer tourists, and secondly, later some streets and nooks even become more beautiful, because they additionally decorate them with hats and other colorful ornaments, but then signs are displayed that the photos are paid. What to visit specifically? Here are the top attractions of Shafshawan!
The medina and the blue of the streets. That's what Shafshavan is famous for!
The medina, or streets of the old town, is boiling with blue and all shades of blue. Entire houses are painted blue, including stairs and thresholds. Sometimes historical mosaics are painted blue. There are just a lot of narrow streets with stairs and blue and turquoise doors. It's a kind of labyrinth of alleys like taken out of a fairy tale! On top of that, souvenir shops and ceramics come to these streets charmingly. Well, swings and decorative benches are set up in places. The charm of this place is undeniable.
Uta el-Hammam Square (Pigeon Square). Kasba and Mosque
Uta el-Hammam Square, or Pigeon Square, is the heart of the medina, although it is one of the few places in the city where the blue color disappears. It is dominated by the Great Mosque with an octagonal minaret, which is rare. The monument dates back to the 16th century and although it is not accessible to non-believers, like all Moroccan mosques (except for one in Casablanca), it impresses from the outside. Next to the attention, there is a clay kazba, i.e. a fortress surrounded by city walls. Kazba or kasba can be visited behind a ticket and from the top of the fortress you will see a nice view of the city. Everyday life revolves around the square, there are cafes, restaurants and shops. It is a place where you can experience the famous Moroccan solicitation, but you just have to refuse and you can move on.
El Haouta Square in Chefchaouen
In my opinion, El Haouta Square is a nicer square of the city. More atmospheric and definitely more suitable for this town. It is an oasis of peace enclosed in blue walls. There are benches here, you can sit down and enjoy the charm.
Viewpoints in Shafshawan
One vantage point with a heart is located by the access road, in front of the city. It allows you to admire the whole town as if in the palm of your hand. A viewpoint on the hill next to the white mosque is a bit more difficult to access. It's about a 20-minute walk from the center uphill. You can climb the slope to admire the beautiful blue panorama. There is a path that crosses the rushing river. Interestingly, you can find washing machines here, which, like 100 years ago, still make quick nappies at the feet of Ras el-Ma.
Ras el-Maa – Shafshawan Waterfall
Ras el-Maa is a beautiful corner of Shafshawan, where a small waterfall with clean mountain water flows down the rocks. It has been giving life to the inhabitants for centuries. It is a popular place for walks, where fresh fruit awaits and from where you can go to the viewpoint next to the white mosque. It is here that it happens that female residents do laundry.
Knocking on the door. The hand matters!
When walking around Shashawan, pay attention to the beautiful knocking machines. As in Malta, there are a lot of them here and they decorate wonderfully. They have different shapes, but one in particular matters, or at least it used to. It is a hand that is often found throughout Morocco. If that hand was bare, it meant there were women inside ready to marry. And when the ring was on your hand, it meant that only married women live here and you have nothing to look for here.
The history of the blue city. Andalusian climate and entry ban for Europeans
Shafshawan was founded in 1471 as a small kasba, or mountain fortress, by Moulay Ali ibn Rashid al-Alami. Initially, it served a defensive function and was intended to protect northern Morocco from Portuguese invasions. The town has a different climate than other Moroccan cities. Much more Spanish and Andalusian. Probably because after the fall of Grenada in 1492, Shafshawan became a refuge for Muslim and Jewish refugees from Spain. Probably that is why the city was closed to Christians and foreigners for a long time. The first European to enter Shafshaw legally was Charles de Foucauld. This took place only in 1883.
In the 1920s, Spain exercised a protectorate over the northern part of Morocco, consolidating its influence here. After full independence after the year 56, the city gradually opened up to tourism, becoming today not so much a mandatory point as an extremely expected one. The Shafshawan Medina has retained its traditional character to this day, attracting tourists from all over the world. Historical buildings and location in the mountains make the city have a very expressive, authentic atmosphere.
Where did the blue color of Shafshawan come from?
It is said to be a Jewish tradition. The influx of Jews from Spain caused houses to be painted blue as a symbol of heaven and God. This is how they imagined paradise. The practical dimension is that this color is supposed to repel mosquitoes and optically cool narrow streets. And today, this colorful town is still cared for mainly because color attracts tourists. It's a real magnet! The Andalusian climate with its blue hue combined with the Berber culture create a perfect tandem. You can walk these streets for hours!
Where did the name of Morocco's most beautiful city come from?
The name Shafshawan comes from the Berber language and means "look at the horns" or "see the horns". It is about the two peaks of the Rif mountains, dominating over the town. If you look at them, they are associated with horns or antlers. They are clearly visible from the main Pigeon Square.
Accommodation in Shafshawan. Dishes in Morocco
In Shafshawan, we slept in the Darel-Fanne kitchen. It is a nice and interesting place located in the heart of the medina. Breakfast, which was included, was served on the rooftop terrace, with a wonderful view of the mountains and the city. Dishes are usually more expensive accommodation options, but also very varied in price and differing in the proposed offer. They are all centered around the inner courtyard with a skylight in the roof. They are usually beautiful and richly decorated. Dishes are traditional Moroccan houses with an internal patio. Their interiors are often full of mosaics, ceramics, colorful fabrics and Moroccan details, and the layout of the building itself gives shade, peace and privacy, because the windows of the rooms overlook the courtyard, not the medina. It's a good choice if you want to feel the local vibe and stay in a place more unique than a standard hotel. In more popular crockery, it is worth booking your accommodation in advance, because the best places fill up quickly. Breakfasts are often served in the dishes, and there are even restaurants.
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When is the best time to visit Shafshawan?
The best time to visit Shafshawan is spring and autumn, which is roughly April-May and September-October. We were at the beginning of April. Then the temperatures are the most pleasant to explore, usually around 20°C, and a walk on the blue medina is much more comfortable than in summer. Then there are the most comfortable days for hiking in the hills, photographing the streets and trips to viewpoints. In spring, an additional plus is more water at Ras El Maa, which makes the area look more spectacular. It can be hot in the summer, and the evenings can be very cold in the winter, especially in the mountainous surroundings of Shafshawan. If you want calmer sightseeing and pleasant weather, it is better to avoid the peak of the holiday season.
Shafshawan is one of those places that will be remembered for a long time. The blue streets, mountain surroundings, traditional medina and peaceful atmosphere make the city seem almost fairy-tale. This is a perfect spot on the map of Morocco for people who want to combine sightseeing, photography and relaxation in a unique environment.
What else is there to see in Morocco?
We spent 7 days in this country and saw some unforgettable gems. We spent sunset and sunrise in the Sahara, the world's largest hot desert. We visited the vibrant Marrakech, called the red city because of the color of the walls and the Moroccan spiritual capital, i.e. Fez with its characteristic green roofs. We were also enchanted by Tetuan with a white medina. The amazing gem was Ajt Bin Haddu - a clay city, or ksar, where the Gladiator or the Kingdom of Heaven were filmed.
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