Chefchaoen |
| Tuesday, 05 May 2009 00:00 |
|
The first thing one might notice about Chefchaouen, Morocco is that it’s extremely unique. Situated picturesquely in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen was founded in 1471 by mostly Jewish settlers. The first inhabitants painted their houses white and bright blue, a tradition that is still practiced today. The vibrant colors of the houses jump out from the landscape and provide an unusually gorgeous scene. With just under 36,000 inhabitants, Chefchaouen has a reputation as one of the safest cities in Morocco, and a must-see, off the beaten path location for tourists.Located in north-west Morocco, Chefchaouen can easily be reached by bus from Tangier or Fes. A cheap bus ride from either of these cities will give a fabulous tour of rural Moroccan roads and untouched lands. After reaching Chefchaouen by bus, an inexpensive blue taxi can take you into the city center.  Walking though the medina, or city center of Chefchaouen, you might start to feel like it’s your home. The locals are extremely friendly and will often invite you into their homes and shops for some freshly prepared mint tea, an important part of Moroccan culture. Tea is prepared used fresh mint leaves and lots of sugar! In the medina, one can find many types of handicrafts including leather goods, such as purses, wallets and shoes, as well as clay pots, wool clothing and woven blankets. Tourists often stock up on souvenirs from Chefchaouen because they are different than those found in large cities, such as Fez or Marrakesh. Finding a place to stay also isn’t hard. There are numerous family-run guest houses and hotels to suit every budget. During the summer, one should probably have a reservation before arriving. Those visiting Chefchaouen in the off season will have no problem finding a place to stay without making reservations.
Chefchaouen is a great place to sample some authentic Moroccan cuisine. Some great Tangine, named after the type of pot it’s cooked in, can be found in most restaurants in Chefchaouen. The dish is made of meat, vegetables and spices and is slow cooked at low temperatures making the meat very flavourful and tender. The shape of the tangine pot also adds to the flavour. The cone-shaped lid allows all condensation to be returned to the dish, contributing to the tenderness of the meat. Many locals also suggest sampling many of the native goat cheeses in Chefchaouen. Cheeses can be sampled in my restaurants and bought in small grocery stores in the medina. For those wishing to venture out of the city, there are plenty of options. For example, many tourists venture into the mountains for a magnificent, bird’s eye view of the city and a challenging hike. The springs and small streams in the mountains also make for a good swim. The water sources here are extremely fresh, so it’s even safe to drink straight from the streams! Chefchaouen has it all! |
Top