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Exploring Chefchaouen, Morocco

Morocco Honeymoon :: What to Do and Where to Stay in Chefchaouen Morocco

Here are a few more places and things we enjoyed doing while staying in Chefchaouen, Morocco. For the rest of our adventure there, check out this post.

Morocco Honeymoon :: What to Do and Where to Stay in Chefchaouen Morocco

I highly recommend paying the 10 Dirhams ($1.20 USD) to explore the Kasbah, located off the place Outa Hammam. It has a lush garden, which I expect is especially nice in the summer months, and has a tower you can climb up that affords you an excellent view of the city. We coincidentally timed it with the call to prayer, which was very memorable.

Morocco Honeymoon :: View from the Kasbah - Chefchaouen Morocco

One of our favorite dinners that we had in Chefchaouen was at Tissemlal. For a fixed price of 80 dirhams ($10 US), you could choose from soup or salad, a traditional Moroccan entree and dessert of either flan or custard. Both my chicken couscous and Pat’s vegetable tagine were delicious! The surroundings were also very nice, albeit a bit drafty, despite the small wood fire and heat lamps.

Morocco Honeymoon :: Tissemlal Restaurant - Chefchaouen Morocco

Morocco Honeymoon :: Tissemlal Restaurant - Chefchaouen Morocco

Morocco Honeymoon :: Tissemlal Restaurant - Chefchaouen Morocco

Morocco Honeymoon :: Tissemlal Restaurant - Chefchaouen Morocco

Morocco Honeymoon :: Exploring the Medina at Night - Chefchaouen Morocco

Morocco Honeymoon :: Exploring the Medina at Night - Chefchaouen Morocco

We also stopped in La Botica de la Abuela Aladdin (Aladdin’s Grandmother’s Boutique), enticed by the smells and the pretty bar soaps available for purchase. Although the prices definitely leaned towards more Western, I couldn’t resist picking out several bars of argan oil soap for family and friends.

Morocco Honeymoon :: La Botica de la Abuela Aladdin Soaps - Chefchaouen Morocco

Morocco Honeymoon :: La Botica de la Abuela Aladdin Soaps - Chefchaouen Morocco

Our first two nights, we stayed at Hotel Madrid. For 300 ($36 USD) Dirhams a night (off-season rates), we got the enjoy the luxury of beautifully-painted (ahem…gaudy) details and leopard-patterned bedding. The included buffet breakfast that we enjoyed in bed was an extra perk.

Morocco Honeymoon :: Don't Stay at Hotel Madrid - Chefchaouen MoroccoMorocco Honeymoon :: Don't Stay at Hotel Madrid - Chefchaouen Morocco

I cannot give Hotel Madrid the A Side of Sweet stamp of approval however. It failed because it was extremely loud. Our first night, we were awakened at 10:30pm with the loudest banging drums that I have ever heard. It was literally the second night in a row being awakened by music in Morocco! Completely disoriented, we crept down the stairs to see what the fuss was about. There were young Moroccan women dancing and men playing the drums! So bizzare!

More Noises in the Night – Chefchaouen, Morocco from Kelly H. on Vimeo.

When we inquired about it at breakfast, the only information we could get is that these women book the hotel every year and part of it is this request for drum music. Hmmm…. We were also woken up by our friend, the rooster at 5am again. They were right outside our window! We packed our bags after the second night and headed elsewhere.

Luckily, we found the quiet and beautiful Riad Yazid, that was the same price as Hotel Madrid and we had the place to ourselves. It was tastefully decorated and a peaceful oasis – plus we had the place to ourselves! I absolutely recommend checking it out. They have only been open a few months and don’t have an online presence, so I would just ask around at the main square.

Morocco Honeymoon :: Stay at Riad Yazid - Chefchaouen Morocco

If you find yourself in Morocco, I highly recommend making arrangements to see Chefchaouen. It’s best accessed from Tangier by bus or by renting a car (easy, cheap and safe to do in Morocco).

Morocco Honeymoon :: What to Do in Chefchaouen MoroccoMorocco Honeymoon :: What to Do in Chefchaouen Morocco

Our progress so far:Moroccan Adventure Map

Other stories from our Moroccan adventure:

A Day by the Sea in Asilah, Morocco
Magical Blue-Hued Chefchaouen

You can also see what we’re up to, while we’re up to it on Instagram!

December 13, 2013  â€¢  Filed Under: Chefchaouen, Morocco, Travel No Comments

Magical Blue Chefchaouen, Morocco

Morocco Honeymoon :: Magical Blue-Hued Chefchaouen Morocco

The second stop on our Northern Morocco roadtrip was Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen is definitely a darling of the people hear. Whenever people hear that we’ve visited, inevitably the response is some variation of “Oh, how beautiful,” or “What a wonderful city!”

Blue City - Visiting Chefchaouen MoroccoBlue City - Visiting Chefchaouen Morocco - Children in the Medina

Tucked away in the mountains, the small city is most famous for the winding, blue-painted streets of its old medina. They were painted blue by Jewish immigrants. Other than a few short treks, the best thing to do in Chefchaouen is to wander the streets and relax.

Blue City - Visiting Chefchaouen Morocco - Children in the Medina

Blue City - Visiting Chefchaouen Morocco - The Details

Blue City - Traveling in Chefchaouen Morocco - The MedinaBlue City - Traveling in Chefchaouen Morocco - The Medina

It’s relatively inexpensive and is a good place to buy a Berber rug or a hand-woven picnic blanket, in our case.

Traveling in Chefchaouen Morocco - Buying a Rug

There is also a good assortment of dishware and the usual touristy trinkets

Traveling in Chefchaouen Morocco - Buying Dishware

Traveling in Chefchaouen Morocco - Buying Pottery

As you can see, Chefchaouen is also home to several glamourous feral cat models.

Traveling in Chefchaouen Morocco - Moroccan Feral Cats

Traveling in Chefchaouen Morocco - Moroccan Feral Cats

Traveling in Chefchaouen Morocco - Moroccan Feral Cats

All is not glamorous in Chefchaouen however, there is still the day-to-day drama that exists elsewhere. We witnessed a minor physical scuffle between some local men over something. They were not happy with us photographing this, but I did manage to get a little photojournalistic proof.

Traveling in Chefchaouen Morocco - A Scuffle

Most of the local old men seem content to relax on a park bench and just enjoy life.

Traveling in Morocco - The Sights of Chefchaouen - Old Men in Jalabas on a Park BenchTraveling in Morocco - The Sights of Chefchaouen

Our progress so far:

Morocco Adventure Map

Other stories from our Moroccan adventure:

A Day by the Sea in Asilah, Morocco

You can also see what we’re up to, while we’re up to it on Instagram!

Chefchaouten Morocco Cobblestone Streets

December 10, 2013  â€¢  Filed Under: Chefchaouen, Morocco, Travel No Comments

Welcome!

San Francisco Food, Fashion, Travel Blogger

Hi! I’m Kelly. I live in San Francisco with my husband, Pat, and our puppy, Maddie. Here you’ll find recipes, DIYs, style, travel & a glimpse into our adventures. To learn a little more about me, Click Here.

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