Chefchaouen, Morocco: The City of Your Dreams

The Blue Pearl

I was recently blessed with the opportunity to travel to one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Chefchaouen, also known as the Blue Pearl.

Chefchaouen is a small city in Northwest Morocco. Although I traveled to Morocco once before, I didn't get to explore this beautiful blue city because it is about seven hours away from Marrakech. This time, we were in Tangier, Chaouen, which is only a two hour drive from Chefchaouen.  

As you can see, about 95 percent of Chefchaouen is painted in numerous shades of blue. In the 1930's, the Sephardic Jewish refugee population painted their houses with blue paint to create a reminder of God's power.

While exploring Chefchaouen, I was pleased to see that there were not a large number of tourists. This is total opposite of Marrakesh and Fez, which are two very popular cities in Morocco.

Shopping in Chefchaouen was a breeze! No crowds, no lines, just perfect! There were shops left and right with locals selling everything from leather goods to wool clothing. Did I mention the prices? Everything was inexpensive and there was never a set price, so you are open to bargain with the salesmen for the perfect deal! They accept Euros and Durhams, which is the currency in Morocco.

In between shopping, we grabbed a bite to eat from a local restaurant in the city. Almost every meal in Morocco is served in three courses: a traditional Moroccan Soup, your entree, and desert. You also end every meal with traditional Mint Tea, which I actually enjoyed.

When visiting Chefchaouen, be prepared to take a ton of pictures, since everywhere you turn is a unique gorgeous blue scene. Once you make it through the city, take a small hike up the hill towards the Jemaa Bouzafar Mosque, for the most breathtaking view of your life.

Overall, visiting The Blue Pearl was an amazing experience and one that I will never forget!