Private Day Trip to Chefchaouen from Fez: Blue Medina & Ras Elma

The blue alleyways of Chefchaouen and the waterfall at Ras Elma in one day from Fez

A private day trip from Fez to Chefchaouen, Morocco's blue-painted mountain town, with a professional English or French-speaking driver and air-conditioned transport. You'll pass through the Rif Mountains, stop at Ras Elma waterfall, then spend free time walking the Medina's blue alleyways lined with traditional shops, exploring the main square and eating lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Fez. The drive takes nine to eleven hours total, including stops and time in town.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day trip from Fes to Chefchaouen

• Pickup from accommodation in Fes
• Drive through Moroccan countryside
• Stop for panoramic pictures and fresh air
• Arrive at Chefchaouen and pass Ras Elma waterfall
• Free time to explore blue alleyways and Medina
• Relax and discover local culture
• Enjoy local meal in traditional restaurant
• Drive back to Fes city

The experience

If you're staying in Fez and want to see Chefchaouen without arranging your own transport, this trip handles the driving and the route. Your driver picks you up from your accommodation in the morning, and the journey crosses the Rif Mountains with stops along the way for views and mountain air. The road itself is part of the day: the countryside unfolds as you climb toward the blue city.

Once you arrive in Chefchaouen, the first stop is Ras Elma, the waterfall that feeds the town's water supply. From there you have free time to move through the Medina at your own pace. The blue-painted buildings and alleyways are the main draw, and the shops sell handmade handicrafts. You can sit in the main square near the 15th-century Grand Mosque, walk the narrow streets, or simply stand still and absorb the place. Lunch happens at a traditional restaurant of your choice. The driver knows the area but the meal is on you.

The return drive to Fez follows the same mountain route in reverse, so you see the landscape change as the light shifts. The whole day is nine to eleven hours from pickup to drop-off. Your driver speaks English or French, the vehicle is air-conditioned, and bottled water is included. This is a private tour, so the pace and the stops are yours to set within the day's frame.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transport from your Fez accommodation.
• professional driver speaking English or French.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• stops at scenic viewpoints and Ras Elma waterfall on the way to Chefchaouen.

Before you book

Lasts 9h–11h, runs every day at 07:30, 08:00 and 08:30, from US$ 98 per person, with a live guide in English and French, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30, 08:00 and 08:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (4 to 90 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Nice Morocco Trips

Is this one for you?The drive is long, nine to eleven hours total, so this suits someone with a full day free and the stamina for mountain roads. You're not hiking or climbing. You're sitting in a vehicle and walking at your own pace through town, which means the physical demand is low, but the time commitment is real. Choose this if you want Chefchaouen as a day trip from Fez without renting a car or navigating the route yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 4): free.

How far is Chefchaouen from Fez, and how much of the day is spent driving?

Chefchaouen sits in the Rif Mountains roughly 60 kilometers from Fez, but the mountain road means the drive takes several hours each way. The total day is nine to eleven hours, which includes the drive there, stops along the way, time in Chefchaouen itself, and the return journey.

What is there to do in Chefchaouen during the free time?

The free time is yours to spend walking the Medina's blue alleyways, browsing the traditional shops that sell handmade handicrafts, sitting in the main square near the Grand Mosque, or simply resting and taking in the town. Ras Elma waterfall is the first stop after you arrive, and then the rest of the afternoon is unscheduled.

Is lunch included in this day trip?

Lunch is not included, but your driver can recommend traditional restaurants in town where you can eat. You choose where and when to eat during your free time in Chefchaouen.

What happens if I arrive in Fez late or need to leave early?

Pickup is from your accommodation in Fez, so the timing depends on when you're ready. Let the operator know your arrival time or schedule when you book, and they'll arrange a pickup that works for your day.