Chefchaouen, The Blue Village: A Must-See When Walking In Morocco

As an active holiday destination, Morocco still has some way to go to make the list of most popular spots in the world. While this country’s unique Northern African culture, gastronomy and architecture do attract their fair share of visitors, most of these still come in by coach, and never venture too far beyond Marrakech.

However, those who choose to go on a holiday walking in Morocco – especially those who set out to discover what lies beyond the capital – usually end up discovering exactly what the coach crowd is missing out on. The rural part of the country has its very own unique charms, and keen wanderers who set about exploring the smaller villages and towns are likely not to be disappointed.

The Blue Village

Chafchaouen, the ‘Blue Village’, is a perfect example of what is in store for tourists who choose to explore on a holiday walking in Morocco rather than just stick to the capital city. Combining rustic appeal with a unique and impactful visual effect, this village quietly asserts itself as a must-see for visitors to this fascinating North African country.

The main claim to fame of Chafchaouen (sometimes referred to as Chaouen) is the mostly blue colour scheme of its buildings. Wandering the streets of this town, an outsider may feel like he or she has entered an underwater dream world – everything is blue-tinted, with different hues mixing and inter-mingling to create an almost ethereal effect.

This peculiar choice of colour, which helps lend the village its unofficial moniker, can be attributed to the Jewish population that at one time colonised the medina. It was during their occupation of Chaouen – specifically in the 1930s – that the trend to paint buildings blue began. Once the Jews were gone, the locals kept up the tradition, and to this day it is not uncommon to see the town’s inhabitants outside their homes freshening their coats of blue paint.

A Challenge For Walkers

Aside from its aesthetic appeal, Chafchaouen also constitutes a sizeable challenge for keen hikers on a holiday walking in Morocco. This is because the overwhelming majority of the town’s streets present a steep incline. It is not recommended for those less physically fit, but, conversely, it's an absolute delight for avid walkers seeking a new challenge.

If anything, Chafchaouen is proof that, regardless of what country one may be visiting, it is always worth venturing past the major cities and into the countryside. There are often delightful surprises to be found on a holiday walking in Morocco, of which the ‘Blue Village’ is but one example.

Tony Maniscalco is the Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Join us on a holiday walking in Morocco to see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices. We offer over 140 guided group walking holidays in over 60 different countries.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.