CHEFCHAOUEN DAY TRIP FROM FEZ: OUR TOP TIPS.
One of the most popular day trips from Fez is a visit to Chefchaouen, the famous blue town in the north of Morocco. We knew we wanted to see Chefchaouen, but we weren’t convinced we’d want to spend too long there. I’ll admit I was slightly worried it might feel more like an Instagram fad than somewhere worth an overnight stay on our itinerary. So instead, we chose to take a day trip from Fez.
In this blog post, we’ll share our experience of visiting Chefchaouen on a day trip, whether we think it was worth it, and, most importantly, how to get the most out of your day.
Is a day trip from Fez to Chefchaouen worth it?
Looking back, I still have mixed feelings. On one hand, we really loved Chefchaouen. Yes, it’s gimmicky. Yes, it’s full of tourists. But it was genuinely lovely to get a glimpse of the Rif Mountain region of Morocco. It definitely made us realise that if we return to Morocco, we’d love to explore the hiking in this area.
As a day trip, Chefchaouen is right on the cusp of being a little too far. The drive takes around 3.5–4 hours each way, so you’ll be out from early in the morning (we were picked up at 08:00) until around 19:00 or 20:00. You’ll spend close to eight hours of that time in the back of a van. Throw in a bit of crazy driving – and it can feel a little hectic.
But overall, we would say that Chefchaouen is worth visiting if you have a day spare.
So the next question is: is it worth staying longer than a day?
Honestly, for us, visiting in winter, probably not. There’s only so much wandering you can do in cold weather, and while the town is very pretty, we wouldn’t have wanted to stay overnight. That said, if you’re visiting in spring or summer, it may well be worth staying longer and exploring the wider Rif Mountains.
13 tips for taking a day trip to Chefchaouen
If you do decide to take a day trip to Chefchaouen, here are our top tips for making the most of your day.
1/ Ask for an early breakfast in your hotel
If breakfast is included at your hotel or riad, ask in advance whether you can have it early.
We’d hoped to find somewhere to grab coffee and food before 08:00, but unfortunately nothing was open near us in Fez.
That said, most drivers will stop around two hours into the journey, and you’ll usually have a chance to buy something then.
2/ Motion sickness can be an issue
The journey involves winding mountain roads, often taken at speed. If you suffer from motion sickness, I’d strongly recommend coming prepared with anything you usually need, like tablets or wristbands.
On our trip, more than one person fell victim to it and ended up throwing up (outside the van, luckily for us).
3/ Prepare for some crazy driving
I don’t know if it was just our driver, but he seemed determined to overtake absolutely every vehicle on the road. We arrived in Chefchaouen at around 11:00, so he was definitely making good time!
This seems fairly common on organised trips in Morocco, but if it’s something you’re concerned about, check reviews carefully before booking (see tip 6).
4/ Pack layers for Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is in the north of Morocco and sits at altitude in the mountains, so it’s noticeably cooler than Fez.
Pack layers, or be prepared to buy some there (half our group came back with new jumpers).
5/ Download some podcasts for the trip
Four hours each way, means lots of time to get bored. I’d suggest downloading some podcasts or an audiobook in advance.
6/ Check tour reviews thoroughly
One thing we noticed when booking hotels and tours in Morocco is that many of them have incredibly good reviews. I’m not suggesting anything dodgy, but some of the glowing five-star reviews with extremely long comments did feel a little too perfect.
Our trick was to read the bad reviews first. If there was a clear pattern in the complaints, we took that as a sign to avoid booking. For our visit to Chefchaouen we noticed (after the visit) that the somewhat enthusiastic (bordering on unsafe)driving had been called out by a lot of the reviewers.
Of all the trips offered – we think this one run by Sami Trip may be the best. There are far fewer comments about unsafe driving than the one we booked.
7/ Wear sensible shoes
Chefchaouen is hilly and full of pathways that have potential to get very slippery if it’s been raining. I’d recommend sensible shoes with a good grip – sandals probably aren’t ideal.
8/ Pick a colour that pops
I don’t usually think too much about outfits, but let’s be honest – one of the main reasons people visit Chefchaouen is for photos.
Since the town is entirely blue, choose something that stands out: pink, orange, yellow, red, or white all look great. Just avoid blue!
9/ Head for the medina
When you’re dropped off, make your way straight to the medina – the old town. Keep in mind that day trips tend to include transport but not a tour guide.
The medina is where you’ll find the blue streets, shops, cafés, and most of the photo spots.
To help you orient yourself:
- Plaza Uta el Hamman is the main square with the fortress and lots of restaurants.
- Place El Haouta is a smaller square further downhill.
Beyond that, just wander. And look out for signs telling you about the historic significance of certain buildings.
10/ Shopping is relaxed
If you’d like to shop but found Fez a bit overwhelming, Chefchaouen is a lovely alternative.
You’ll find the usual Moroccan homewares and clothing, plus some beautiful knitwear. We found the shopkeepers much gentler with bartering, and far fewer people trying to drag us into their shops.
11/ Visit the fortress for something different
If you are done with shopping and taking pictures of everything blue, you might like to visit Kasbah Chefchaouen. A small fortress with a garden and views of the town. Entry is 80 MAD per adult (pay inside the entrance.)
12/ Manage your energy
Chefchaouen is a mountain village, so expect hills. With just four hours to explore on a day trip, it can be tempting to keep walking the entire time. But be sure to take some breaks – stop at a patisserie (Pain Chaouen just off the main square is delightful) and pause for multiple mint teas.
13/ Pick a spot for lunch
It really helps to choose somewhere for lunch ahead of time. There are some great restaurants, but some serious tourist traps.
You’ll also find plenty of people trying to usher you into their cafés. Without a plan, it’s easy to end up somewhere underwhelming.
We chose Café Clock, which has a beautiful interior, multiple levels, lounge areas, and a rooftop terrace. It was a perfect place to relax before the long journey back to Fez.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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Here are a few great books for your Morocco adventures:
CLASSIC TRAVEL GUIDE:Lonely Planet – Morocco
ESCAPASIM: Night Train to Marrakech by
Dinah Jefferies
SET IN MOROCCO: Secret Son by Laila Lalami
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