Chefchaouen, the blue city, is one of the most photographed places in Morocco, and many travellers ask whether they can see it as a trip from Marrakech. The honest answer is that northern Morocco is a separate journey, not a day trip. Chefchaouen is about 600 kilometres from Marrakech, and a sensible plan needs at least five or six days. This guide explains the real distances, the best way to travel, what to see in Chefchaouen, Tangier, Tetouan and the Mediterranean coast, and how to combine the north with your time in Marrakech. We run day trips from Marrakech ourselves, so we do not pretend this is one of them, but we can help you plan it.
The honest answer: this is not a day trip
Marrakech and Chefchaouen are on opposite sides of the country. By road the distance is roughly 600 kilometres, which is eight to nine hours of driving without stops. Any offer for a one day Chefchaouen tour from Marrakech is either misleading or built around a flight. A good plan treats the north as its own trip with a few nights there, and a Marrakech stay before or after.
That said, the north is worth the effort. It is green, it is cooler than the south, and its character is very different: Andalusian architecture, Spanish and Mediterranean influences, and the mountains of the Rif.
How to get from Marrakech to the north
- By train: from Marrakech to Casablanca, then the high speed Al Boraq line to Tangier. Allow roughly six to seven hours in total with the change. It is comfortable and the most relaxing option.
- By air: check current flight schedules between Marrakech and Tangier, since routes change from season to season. A flight saves a long day.
- By road: a private driver can take you from Marrakech to the north in a long day or in two stages. It is flexible but tiring.
From Tangier, the road to Tetouan takes about an hour and from Tetouan to Chefchaouen about another hour or a little more. Plan from Tangier or Tetouan, not from Marrakech.
A 6 day plan from Marrakech
- Day 1: Travel from Marrakech to Tangier by train or plane. Sleep in the medina or near the sea.
- Day 2: Tangier. Walk the old medina and the kasbah, drink mint tea at a clifftop café, then visit Cap Spartel and the Caves of Hercules.
- Day 3: Tangier to Tetouan, with a stop in the whitewashed coastal town of Asilah if you go south first. Spend the afternoon in the UNESCO medina of Tetouan.
- Day 4: Tetouan to Chefchaouen. Arrive for lunch and wander the blue lanes in the soft evening light.
- Day 5: A full day in Chefchaouen and the Rif. Walk to the Spanish Mosque viewpoint at sunrise or sunset, visit the Ras el Maa spring, or hike to the Akchour waterfalls.
- Day 6: Return to Tangier or Fes and onward to Marrakech by train or plane.
Give the trip a seventh day if you want a slower pace or a night on the Mediterranean coast.
Chefchaouen: the blue city
Chefchaouen sits in the Rif Mountains, and its old town is painted in shades of blue and white. Nobody agrees on exactly why. Some say Jewish refugees brought the tradition in the fifteenth century, others say the colour keeps insects away, and others simply like it. Whatever the reason, the effect is calm and photogenic.
The best hours are early morning and evening, when the lanes are quiet and the light is gentle. Most visitors stay one night, but two nights give you time for the mountains. Walk up to the Spanish Mosque for the view, stroll around the main square and the old kasbah, and drink a glass of fresh orange juice in a café. Rugs, woollen garments and local goat cheese are typical purchases.
If you like to walk, the Akchour area, in the Talassemtane National Park, has waterfalls and a natural rock arch known as God's Bridge. Expect a moderate hike on uneven paths, and bring water and closed shoes.
Tangier: where Africa meets Europe
Tangier sits at the Strait of Gibraltar, with Spain visible on a clear day. It has been a crossroads for centuries, and a famous home for writers and artists. The medina and kasbah are good for a slow walk, and you can see the ocean and the Mediterranean meet near Cap Spartel. Allow a full day.
Tetouan and the Mediterranean coast
Tetouan is less visited and more local. Its whitewashed medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was rebuilt by Andalusian refugees, and it feels quiet and authentic. The nearby Mediterranean coast has beach towns such as Martil and M'diq. They are busy in July and August and calmer in spring and autumn.
When to go
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons. Winter can be wet and cold in the Rif, with snow in the higher hills. Summer is warm on the coast but crowded. Chefchaouen is lively on weekends and holidays.
Our guide to the best time to visit Morocco covers the whole country.
How to combine the north with Marrakech
Treat Marrakech as the start or the finish, and give it at least two nights. If you arrive tired, begin with the Marrakech city tour and a hammam. At the end, add a day trip such as Essaouira before you fly home. For a longer route, see our 10 days in Morocco itinerary.
What to pack and what to know
- Layers: mornings in the Rif are cool even in spring.
- Comfortable shoes for steep lanes and mountain paths.
- Cash in dirham, since many small shops and cafés do not take cards.
- A little French or Spanish helps in the north, where both languages are widely understood.
Plan the north with Marrakech Atlas
We cannot run this trip as a day tour, and we will not pretend otherwise. What we can do is help you plan how to connect Marrakech and the north, and tell you honestly what is realistic in your dates. Write to us and you receive an answer by email.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Chefchaouen from Marrakech in one day?
No. The distance is about 600 kilometres each way. Plan the north as a separate trip of at least five days.
What is the best way to travel from Marrakech to Chefchaouen?
Take the train or a flight to Tangier, then a car or transfer for the final two hours to Chefchaouen.
How many days do I need in Chefchaouen?
One night is enough to see the blue lanes. Two nights give you time for a hike in the Rif mountains.
Why is Chefchaouen blue?
Several explanations exist, from a tradition brought by Jewish refugees to the belief that the colour deters insects. All we can say is that the blue lanes are beautiful.
When is the best time to visit northern Morocco?
Spring and autumn. Summer is crowded on the coast and winter can be wet in the mountains.
