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Blue-painted steps and doorways in the medina of Chefchaouen Private

Chefchaouen Day Trip from Fes: The Blue City of the Rif Mountains

Spend a day in the blue streets of Chefchaouen, with the Rif mountain road, the Ras El Ma spring and the view from the Spanish Mosque.

  • 1 day
  • Fes
  • Private
  • From J$ 16,992 (€95) per person

Overview

Every shade of blue, from sky to indigo, painted on steps, doors and walls: that is Chefchaouen, the little mountain town that has become one of Morocco’s most photographed places. This private Chefchaouen day trip from Fes takes you through the green hills of the Rif to spend the day in its medina, then brings you back to Fes in the evening.

Founded in 1471 and shaped by Andalusian refugees, Chefchaouen feels calmer and cooler than the big imperial cities. You wander alleys lined with potted plants, sit on Outa el Hammam square facing the red-walled kasbah, and follow the stream to the Ras El Ma spring. To finish, walk up to the Spanish Mosque for a panoramic view over the blue roofs.

With your own driver, you set the timing: early for empty photo spots, or later for golden light. Love the north? Our 10-day Morocco tour gives you two full nights in Chefchaouen.

Highlights

  • Scenic drive through the Rif mountains
  • Blue-washed medina of Chefchaouen
  • Outa el Hammam square and the kasbah
  • Ras El Ma spring and waterfall
  • Spanish Mosque viewpoint over the town
  • Free time for photos, lunch and shopping

Itinerary

  1. Day 1 Fes – Rif Mountains – Chefchaouen – Fes

    Early morning: pickup at your riad or hotel in Fes around 7:30. Drive north through olive groves and the foothills of the Rif, about three and a half to four hours with a coffee stop.

    Late morning: arrive in Chefchaouen and start at Outa el Hammam square, the heart of the medina, facing the kasbah and the octagonal minaret of the Great Mosque. Lose yourself in the blue alleys with your camera.

    Lunch: on a terrace in the medina, at your own expense. Try goat cheese or a fish tagine.

    Afternoon: walk to the Ras El Ma spring, then take the 20 to 30 minute path to the Spanish Mosque viewpoint for the classic panorama. Drive back to Fes, arriving around 20:00.

    Overnight: — (day trip) Meals: Lunch not included (pay locally)

Prices

Price per person by group size
TravelersStandard
1 traveler J$ 33,984 (€190)
2 travelers J$ 16,992 (€95)
3 travelers J$ 11,448 (€64)
4 travelers J$ 8,586 (€48)
5 travelers J$ 6,797 (€38)
6 travelers J$ 5,724 (€32)
7 travelers J$ 5,009 (€28)
8 travelers J$ 8,586 (€48)

Prices in euros per person. The amount in your currency is an estimate; payment is processed in USD. Some peak-season dates carry a supplement; you will see it when you pick a date.

Included

Included

  • Pickup and drop-off at your riad or hotel in Fes
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking driver
  • Fuel, parking and tolls
  • Free time in Chefchaouen with local tips from your driver

Not included

  • Lunch and drinks
  • Local guide in Chefchaouen (available on request)
  • Entrance to the kasbah museum
  • Tips
  • Travel insurance

Tips for your Chefchaouen day trip

It is a long day, about 12 hours, with seven to eight hours of driving, but the road through the Rif is beautiful. Wear good shoes: the medina is built on a slope with many steps. Bring a light jacket, as the mountains are cooler than Fes.

Chefchaouen is relaxed and safe to explore on your own. Some residents prefer not to be photographed, so ask before taking portraits and avoid blocking doorways. If you can, consider staying a night to see the town at dawn, when the streets are empty and the light is soft.

What our travelers say

Highly recommended!

We had an amazing 4-day overland trip from Fes to Marrakech with Morocco Excursions, and I can’t recommend this company highly enough — especially our guide and driver, Hassan. From the moment he picked us up, we felt completely safe and taken care of. Hassan is a fantastic driver — something we appreciated even more after meeting other t…

Spencer R

Moroccan journey

My family and I planned our own 10-day itinerary in Morocco. We hired a car with a driver to travel with us and enjoy everything Morocco has to offer. Salem, our driver, was a great person: kind, always available, and not just our driver — he suggested things to do, places to see and where to stay, and explained his traditions and culture…

Translated from Spanish · See original

Viaje marroquí

Mi familia y yo organizamos nuestro propio itinerario durante 10 días en Marruecos. Alquilamos un coche con conductor para acompañarnos en el camino y disfrutar de todo lo que Marruecos tiene para ofrecer. Salem, nuestro conductor, era una gran persona: amable, siempre a disposición, y no solo era nuestro conductor, sino que fue capaz de sugerirnos cosas que hacer, lugares para ver y dónde dormir, y de explicarnos su tradición y cultura. El vehículo era espacioso y cómodo, y la ruta fue genial. Realmente recomiendo esta agencia para viajar por Marruecos de la manera más fácil posible.

Luca B

Amazing trip in Morocco

We are 4 of us joining a 6-day private tour with our driver Hassan from Morocco Excursions, exploring from Marrakesh, desert, Fez, Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen and Tangier. Hassan is our super driver, he is professional, smart, patient and full of fun. He was on time and took us to wherever we liked to explore and he provided us good su…

Escape31939768217

See all reviews (9) →

Frequently asked questions

How far is Chefchaouen from Fes?

About 200 km, or three and a half to four hours each way on winding mountain roads. The total day lasts around 12 hours.

Why is Chefchaouen blue?

Nobody agrees on a single reason. Popular explanations include a Jewish tradition, keeping mosquitoes away and staying cool. Today the blue is maintained partly for tourism, and residents repaint every year.

Can we stay overnight in Chefchaouen?

Yes. Private tours are flexible, and a night in town gives you calm mornings for photos. We can also continue to Tangier or return to Fes the next day.

Is a guide necessary in Chefchaouen?

No, the medina is small and easy to explore alone. A local guide can be added if you want stories about the town's history and Andalusian roots.

Any questions about this tour?

Send us a message, no commitment: we reply personally, usually within 24 hours. We can also adapt the route to your dates.

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