Morocco Must: Chefchaouen (Chaouen) the Blue City

If you plan to go to Morocco, I hands down without a question recommend that you visit the beautiful blue city of Chefchaouen.

Sometimes abbreviated to Chaouen, the city is truly unique and other-worldly. Imagine blue walls, blue walkways, and blue stairs everywhere you look. That is Chefchaouen. Every door is a unique design display, and these doors are everywhere throughout this walled in city. The city is unlike any other in the world, and not just for its color alone, though the all-encompassing light blue hue does draw many visitors for its vibrance and beauty.

While you're there, take loads of pictures of epic blue doors.

LonelyPlanet says the city is blue for religous reasons, as the color blue is considered to be God-like in some traditions (such as Judeo-Christian ones). However, I spoke with Moroccans there who told me the city was painted blue to prevent mosquitos, who associate the color with water, and therefore tend to avoid it. I also was told the color keeps the city feeling cool. The latter reason could prove to be very helpful if it is true, as I visted in February and it was already quite warm (I wore lightweight tops and jeans). I can only imagine how hot it must get in the summer if I was quite warm in the winter.

The blue color alone, I think, makes this city worth a visit as it is such a unique sight to see. The maze-like alleyways really make you feel like you are in another world.

The city itself is kind of touristy, but does not quite match the tourism hub of Marrakech (which draws many more tourists). As a visitor to Morocco, you'll be pleased to see the how this city maintains its culture and authenticity despite the influx of Western tourists to this city growing in popularity as a destination.

Scattered throughout these winding alleys are small shops selling amazing goods. If you've got some money to spend, I strongly urge you to purchase unique items here. These marketplaces are famous attractions, and with the right negotiating skills, you can leave Chefchaouen with great finds you cannot get anywhere else. There are many different kinds of goods to buy—from beautiful painted ceramic plates and bowls, to clothing, to shoes, to spices—Chaouen will satisfy your desire for something exotic (I that's what you're looking for!)

My favorite purchase was a leather backpack with an Aztec print, which I've been known to take travelling with me everywhere ever since buying it in Chaouen. I get compliments on it all the time, and also have the priveledge of answering prententiously, "Oh, thanks. I got it in a marketplace in Morocco." It's a real conversation starter. I'm obsessed with it honestly.

In addition to amazing goods to buy, these marketplaces will also teach you something about what a mix of culture the city is. This is most obviously demonstrated by the fact that your average shopkeeper in Chefchaouen can speak four languages very well. As a lover of all languages, I was truly envious to see the same shopkeeper switch between French, Spanish, English, and Arabic, all without any strong accent that I could pick up on.

That's because as a Northwest region, Morocco is quite close to Spain. Additionally, some French people fled to Morocco during the second World War, so there are many people of French decent there as well. Additionally, France also colonized some parts of North Africa, and well, English is culturally dominant throughout the world. As a result, the average Moroccan Northerner (I haven't been to the south) is experienced in cultural hybridization. Spanish is the most common second language, but in my experience any shopkeeper can speak at least four languages. It is likely that, to get your attention, the shopkeeper will try a few languages to see which one you prefer.

So, don't be surprised when someone offers you hash faster than you can use google translate to figure out what's happening.

Wait what?

Sorry. That was a terrible segue. I am now going to talk about drugs and safety in Chefchaouen.

But before I do, I want to clarify that I kind of hate that I have to do this. I don't love the idea of reaffirming people's ideas that certain parts of the world are more dangerous, or somehow filled with people who are inherently more criminal than people in some other place. I do not want you to travel in order to take situations such as drug use in Morocco to self-fulfill some negative stereotype that you have about Arabs or people with brown skin. If that's something you like doing, well, let me save you some time here: you're going to hate my blog.

That being said...

You will probably get offered hash or marijuana in Chaouen. You can do whatever you want, though in general I suggest not to flirt with something illegal in a foreign country. You have no idea what the legal repercussions are, and needless to say, when buying drugs at all, unless its a regulated substance, you don't actually know what you're getting. I'm trying to be cool here, but I am telling you to say no to drugs (high five mom!) That is, unless the drug is regulated, such as in Amsterdam or Washington State (I imagine my mom is withdrawing from the high five at this point), in which case, do whatever your heart desires ideally in moderation and with friends. Just try to be smart, kiddos.

Okay, we can put our fun non-preachy hats back on now!

A beautiful panoramic view if you walk outside of the winding city streets

Go enjoy Chefchaouen. Buy yourself something colorful and open your eyes to the thrilling world of Morocco's blue city. Explore and be inspired by the mix of cultures in the marketplaces!

But please, wait to do illegal drugs until you're back in your home country.

#morocco #chefchaouen #femaletravel #safety