Fes to Chefchaouen Day Trip: Explore Morocco’s Blue City

Summary

Private Chefchaouen Tour from Fes: Blue Streets & Local Life

If you want to see Morocco’s famous blue city without any hassle, this private day trip from Fes is perfect. You’ll stroll through Chefchaouen’s colorful alleys, meet local artisans, and relax in lively squares—all with a friendly driver and easy hotel pickup.

What’s the experience like?

We left Fes just after sunrise, the city still quiet and a bit chilly. Our driver, Youssef, was already waiting outside the riad—he greeted us with a big smile and some quick tips for the road. The drive north felt like watching Morocco wake up: olive groves rolling by, then suddenly those sharp mountain peaks in the distance. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch the scent of wild herbs when the windows are down.

Chefchaouen isn’t just blue walls—it’s a whole mood. The first thing I noticed was how the morning light bounced off every shade of blue you can imagine. We wandered through alleys where old men sold handwoven blankets and women chatted over baskets of mint. Our guide stopped at a tiny shop selling wool hats with wild colored tassels—he said you won’t find these anywhere else in Morocco. I picked one up for my niece back home.

Plaza Uta Elhammam is right at the heart of things. We grabbed mint tea at Café Clock (the owner’s cat was napping on a chair) and watched locals drift by. The kasbah sits just off the square—a fortress with thick walls and a garden that smells faintly of orange blossoms. Inside, there’s a small museum and some shady spots to cool off. The Grande Mosque is close by too; our guide explained it was built by the founder’s son back in the 1400s. You can’t go inside unless you’re Muslim, but even from outside, it’s impressive.

We had time to poke around little shops—lots of them sell woven rugs or soft wool capes. If you ask, shopkeepers will tell you stories about their families or how they learned their craft. Around mid-afternoon, we started heading back to Fes. The drive home felt quieter—maybe because we were all a bit tired, or maybe it was just that mountain air sticking with us.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Day trip from Fes to Chefchaouen

• Pick up from hotel in Fes
• Travel to Chefchaouen
• Explore blue city and local handicrafts
• Visit Plaza Uta Elhammam
• See kasbah and its garden
• Visit Grande Mosque
• Learn about Moroccan culture and history
• Return to hotel or Riad in Fes

Top questions

Is there time for lunch in Chefchaouen?

Yes, you’ll have free time to grab lunch at one of the cafés or restaurants around Plaza Uta Elhammam. Our driver can suggest good spots if you ask.

Do I need to book a guide in advance?

A local guide isn’t included but can be arranged on arrival if you’d like more history or help finding hidden corners.

Are there stops along the way?

The drive goes straight to Chefchaouen but your driver will stop for breaks or photos if you ask—just let him know what you need.

What’s included

You get private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional multilingual driver, hotel or riad pickup and drop-off in Fes, and info about key monuments. Local guide services and meals aren’t included but can be arranged on request.