A day in the Rif

Chefchaouen, often simply called Chaouen, nestles in the Rif mountains at the foot of two peaks that shape its skyline. Founded in 1471, the small town became famous for the walls of its medina painted in every shade of blue. From Tangier or Tetouan it makes an excellent day trip, provided you set off early and have a comfortable car for the mountain road.

The road from Tangier or Tetouan

From Tangier, allow about 115 kilometres, roughly two and a half hours depending on traffic. The route usually goes through Tetouan, then climbs through the hills of the Rif. From Tetouan the drive is shorter: about 60 kilometres, a little over an hour. The last stretch is winding; an automatic gearbox and a comfortable SUV make those bends far more pleasant.

What to see in Chefchaouen

  • Outa el Hammam square, the heart of the medina, lined with cafés and overlooked by the Great Mosque.
  • The kasbah, an ochre-walled fortress with a garden and views over the rooftops.
  • The blue lanes of the medina, best wandered on foot without a set route.
  • Ras el Ma, the spring at the edge of the medina where water flows down from the mountain.
  • The small Spanish Mosque on the hillside, reached on foot for the sunset view.

The medina can only be visited on foot. Park outside the walls before heading in.

Planning the day

Leave early in the morning to enjoy the lanes before the tour groups arrive. Have lunch on the square, visit the kasbah in the afternoon, then walk up to the Spanish Mosque late in the day. Plan to drive back before dark: the Rif road is more pleasant in daylight. If you would rather not return the same day, the rental lasts at least three days anyway, so nothing stops you from staying the night.

Which car to choose?

The nearest pick-up point is Tangier airport. Several models in the fleet can be collected there, for example:

  • Mercedes CLA 220: from 1000 MAD/day.
  • Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: from 1300 MAD/day, compact and at ease on mountain roads.
  • Maserati Grecale: from 1800 MAD/day.
  • Audi Q8: from 2100 MAD/day, for five travellers with luggage.

There is no pick-up point in Tetouan or Chefchaouen: travellers based in Tetouan collect the car at Tangier airport. All cars have automatic transmission and unlimited mileage, with a minimum rental of 3 days and a deposit of 30000 MAD for these models. Return takes place during the agency's opening hours.

Book

To plan your day in Chefchaouen, message us on WhatsApp at +212 646 618 020 or book directly on loccor.com from the page of the car you choose.