Despite spending most of our time in the south of Morocco, we drove eight hours north from Marrakech just to see Chefchaouen. Surrounded by the Rif Mountains, the entire town is painted in varying shades of blue. Some say it was the Jews who brought the tradition when they fled from Spain in the 15th century. Others say the blue drives the mosquitos away. Or that it keeps the homes cool in the summer. Whatever the reason, it is what makes the city unique and undeniably photogenic.
We stayed at the Lina Ryad & Spa, which is located near the top of the old town. Our room opened up to the terrace, where we had an amazing view of the blue city below. When we weren’t exploring hidden passages and getting lost in the medina, we were at the spa for a traditional Moroccan hammam. We also hiked to the Spanish Mosque to watch the sun set over the city. What we’ll remember most about Chefchaouen though is hearing the call to prayer echo throughout its blue cobbled streets.
