Slightly out of breath from the long trek up the mountainside you look up ahead and see that it is not too much further. You pass a goat herder who, despite his age, does not seem to be feeling the effects of the climb as much as you are, he nods and smiles kindly as you pass by. Determined to make it all the way you put your head down and trudge those last few yards, turning around you suddenly forget your aching muscles and try to take in the scene.
The view from the mountainside is breathtaking. The whitewashed houses of Chefchaouen sparkle in the sunlight dotted with vivid blues, reds, and oranges from carpets and clothes hanging out to dry. All around the village goats and their herders wander aimlessly under the herder dogs’ watchful eye. Sipping on the famed Rif Mountain water you sit back contentedly and watch as this beautiful day passes.
Chefchaouen is a picturesque village built into the Rif Mountains in Morocco. With its characteristic whitewashed buildings and brightly painted blue doors this little village is a must-see for travelers. While certainly a popular spot for visitors many find that Chefchaouen has been able to maintain its traditional Moroccan identity and the cafes and restaurants serve authentic food and drink from the region. The spot is also popular with backpackers and many younger travelers because of the relatively inexpensive hotels and hostels available.
A recent traveler to Chefchaouen was told by a local that when a road or a flight of stairs are painted blue, rather than the traditional white, it means that they lead to a dead-end. Locals found that because the village is built up into the side of a mountain it is very hard to see where you are going so they solved this problem by painting the road or stairs a brilliant bright blue! A very creative and certainly very beautiful alternative to street signs!
