Akchour waterfalls.

Thought I had finished Morocco off but no – i find an unpublished post!!

A final walk around Chefchaouen and then we’re heading to the Akchour waterfalls.

Plus another visit to the refreshing fruit baths!!

Akchour waterfalls are a 45 minute drive away from Chefchaouen.

A paradise of clear streams and cascades of waterfalls.

Lots of cafes and restaurants line up alongside the river, some even setting up tables in the clear waters themselves.

There are a series of natural swimming pools to dip in along the way.

Plus an iconic rock formation known as God’s Bridge. This 100m natural bridge is almost worth the hike!

The beautiful colours of the water are very inviting.

Tangier

Our epic trip ends in the seaside city of Tangier.

There is not as much of the hustle and bustle here.

It is more of laid back beach resort but there are still pockets of colour to be found.

Plus some giant bobble hats!!! Deep joy!!!

Food and beach time, although the wind is so strong that it’s a veritable sand blasting for us!!

Below is the entrance to Tangier Kasbah.

The final stop of this immense trip is where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic.

Literally showing the meeting of different waters, mirroring the delicate cultural clash that this fascinating country offers.

And what better ending to our incredible Morrocan adventure than with an ubiquitous camel and a baby!!

Rock the kasbah

Plaza Uta El Hammam is the main square in Chefchaouen.

It’s where you can take a break, people watch amd sit in the shade of a large tree.

The large kasbah offers an orche coloured break from the other blue architecture.

It dates back to the 15th century and has a varied history of use including being a prison, a military arsenal and a governor’s residence.

Inside its cooling interior is a garden, museum and patios.

Alluring alleys

Drift along the moody blue alleyways with us.

Place El Haouta is a beautiful little square with a lovely old fountain in the centre.

Brightly dyed fabric contrasts wonderfully against the ubiquitous blue walls.

A woman wearing sunglasses and earrings poses in front of a patterned pink textile against a blue background.

Another snap of my favourite things- colourful dyes.

A display of colorful powdered pigments arranged in trays, showcasing shades of yellow, purple, red, pink, green, and blue.
A vibrant blue door with a circular knocker, surrounded by peeling white walls. Colorful brooms hang to the left, adding a touch of color to the scene.
A man stands in a blue-painted alley, surrounded by colorful rugs hanging on the walls.

This wall is so vivid it is almost luminous!!!

A woman stands beside colorful rugs draped on a blue wall in a vibrant architectural setting.

Bobble hats, gorgeous glorious bobbles!!

Colorful traditional hats decorated with pom-poms displayed against a blue wall.
A person standing in front of a blue wall decorated with colorful, pom-pom adorned straw hats and woven bags.
A woman with sunglasses and statement earrings smiles in front of a wall decorated with colorful straw hats adorned with fluffy pom-poms.

Babouches and traditional fabrics line the walls.

Heading to the top

We’re heading up to the Spanish mosque for a panoramic view over Chefchaouen.

A riverside restaurant scene with a waterfall, colorful textiles hanging on a building, and patrons dining under umbrellas amidst lush greenery.

Enroute we pass these fresh fruit vendors who are washing oranges and pomegranate in the stream.

High up on the hill side you can see the blue of the town winding its way upwards.

A panoramic view of a hillside town featuring buildings painted in shades of blue and white, surrounded by greenery and mountains in the background, under a cloudy sky.
A smiling couple posing for a selfie with a blue-painted town in the background, surrounded by mountains and clouds.
A man with glasses smiling in front of a panoramic view of a blue-painted village surrounded by hills and mountains.

The viewpoint also acts as a perfect sunset spot. But we’re a bit too late to catch it!

I love the traditional Sheshia hats that can be found in every colour.

And we get a closer look at the sellers washing the fruit ready to be freshly squeezed.

Tiny artworks are tempting souvenirs and more of the traditional Sheshia reed hats.

In love with this colourful shopping nook.

A vibrant shop interior filled with shelves displaying colorful soaps, oils, and beauty products.

Coloirful dyes in every shade, plus perfume and other traditional makeup.

A couple taking a selfie in front of a picturesque town with blue-painted buildings and a mountainous landscape in the background.

A final few snaps of the two of us. Very happy snappers.

A couple sitting on a wall, smiling with a view of a blue cityscape in the background.
Two people standing in a blue-painted alley, smiling at the camera.

Bathing in blue

There are many ideas as to why Chefchaouen is so blue.

The most common is that it was Sephardic Jews, fleeing the Spanish Inquisition.

Representing the sky and their connection to God.

The name “Chefchaouen” is of Arabic and Berber origin coming from “Chef” – a derivation of the Arabic word “to look” and the Berber term “Echaouen”, meaning “antlers” or “horns” and is a term used to indicate the peak of mountains.

So Chefchaouen means ‘look at the horns’, referring to the two mountain peaks overlooking the area.

As well as being a kaleidoscope of every blue hue known to man, Chefchaouen is also cat paradise!! Perfect for us kitty lovers.

Whether it’s local crafts and artwork, or just people watching. This town is crammed full of character.

I love the stalls selling vivid coloured dye, used for traditional clothing.

A woman sitting on the ground beside a variety of fresh vegetables and produce, with colorful garments displayed on mannequins against a blue wall.
Shelves displaying colorful powder pigments in small trays, with traditional woven bags hanging beside.

I’m blue.

Ready to explore Chefchaouen with us?

Then let’s go on a dreamy blue hued tour of the winding alleyways of this photographic dream!

If you thought I had a problem with taking too many photos before.. you ain’t seen nothing yet!!

A woman stands next to a wall adorned with colorful bags and a blue wooden door in Chefchaouen, Morocco, surrounded by flowers and blue-painted buildings.
A man stands in front of a blue wall adorned with colorful bags and a flowering tree in Chefchaouen, Morocco.

Chefchaouen was founded in 1471 by the Moulay Ali Ben Rachid.

The original settlement consisted of just a small fortress, now referred to as Chefchaouen’s Kasbah. 

Now it’s sprawling, endless alleyways are lined with leather shops, traditional arts and crafts and tiny cafes.

This is literally only the first hour!!! You will be so bored of blue by the time I am through!!

A vibrant blue storefront in Chefchaouen featuring various packaged goods and snacks displayed in windows, with colorful bags hanging outside.

Chefchaouen

It’s bucket list time now as we hop in the hire car and hit the road to the stunning town of Chefchaouen.

Known as the Blue Pearl, this incredible town is nestled in the Rif Mountains of northwest Morocco.

It won’t take you long to figure out why it has its moniker!

We’re staying in the slightly bonkers Residence Hotel Chez Aziz.

Ideally situated just ten minutes from the old town walls. This colourful, quirky hotel has apartments decorated in local style, each one totally unique.

Cozy interior view of a lounge with patterned cushions, overlooking the picturesque blue town of Chefchaouen and surrounding mountains.

I’m itching to get out and start snapping!! But first a coffee and tea break to give us the necessary stamina for what will be a truly epic photo session!

Vibrant blue and white entrance to a traditional Moroccan building, adorned with lush green plants and decorative lanterns.

Colourful corridors

You can run out of superlatives to describe Fez.

The colours, the smells, the sounds, all are overwhelming.

A man sitting at a table in a sewing machine shop, surrounded by sewing machines and equipment, with an open doorway framed by wooden shutters.

Whether it’s a man tucked in amongst his sewing machines, or the craftsmen working their traditional trades

Place Seffarine is a leafy plaza known for its copper and bronze workers who make and sell their items straightfrom their workshops.

So let’s immerse ourselves, once again, in the centuries old traditions of this beautiful city.

Colourful Babouche slippers beg to be bought.

Every herb, spice, mineral or pigment you can want can be found in the spice souks.

This corridor is smothered in tiny artworks.

A person wearing sunglasses and a patterned shawl poses for a selfie in front of a vibrant wall adorned with various colorful artworks.

Exhausted yet? We are!

Lost in Fez

After the whiffy tanneries we clear our nostrils by exploring some more of Fez’s labyrinthian souks.

Plus fuss the obligatory fluffy cats!!

Fez is a candy shop for photographers with every wall a colourful, patterned delight.

It’s also distinctly less chaotic than Marrakech with far fewer people trying to lure you into spending money.

Joy of joys we find another colourful wool dying street!

Every colour of the rainbow is festooned across wires.

Who knew wool could create such happiness..

Colorful yarn hanging in a traditional Moroccan souk, showcasing various shades.
Vibrant and colorful hanks of dyed yarn hanging in a traditional Moroccan souk.