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Photography Guide
10 Best Viewpoints in Chefchaouen
Blue lanes, mountain panoramas, waterfall trails, and the Spanish Mosque sunset: the most photogenic spots in Morocco's Blue City.
Blue City Photography Tips
Top viewpoint: Spanish Mosque — the definitive Chefchaouen panorama
Best blue lanes: Rue Targui and Rue el-Andalous at 7am
Light: Mountain light is soft and diffused — overcast days enhance the blue
Etiquette: Always ask before photographing people, especially women
1
Spanish Mosque Hilltop
Hilltop PanoramaFree Hill east of the medina Best: Sunset (arrive 30 min early)
The defining viewpoint of Chefchaouen — a hilltop mosque above the medina with a panoramic view that appears on every Morocco poster. The view from the hilltop encompasses the entire blue medina: blue-washed buildings cascading down the hillside, the twin horn-shaped peaks of Jebel el-Kelaa and Jebel Meggou rising behind, and the red-tiled rooftops of the kasbah in the centre. The mosque itself (built by the Spanish during the colonial period, hence the name) is modest but the location is spectacular. The hike from the Ras el-Ma spring takes 20 minutes on a clear path. The hilltop is spacious with room for dozens of people. Sunset is legendary — the blue medina turns purple and gold.
Tip: Arrive 30 minutes before sunset to secure a front-row position — the golden hour is short and spectacular
2
Rue Targui Blue Lanes
Medina PhotographyFree Rue Targui, central medina Best: Early morning (7–9am)
The most photographed lanes in Chefchaouen — narrow steps between walls painted in every shade of blue, with potted plants, flower pots, and the occasional cat adding colour. Rue Targui and the surrounding lanes near the old kasbah are the epicentre of the blue: doorways in cobalt, walls in powder blue, steps in cerulean, and overhead vines creating green accents against the blue. The best photos are taken in the early morning when the lanes are empty and the light enters from low angles, creating beautiful shadows on the blue walls. By mid-morning, tour groups arrive and the lanes are crowded. The blue is so saturated that photos need minimal editing.
Tip: The 7am light is transformative — low-angle sun creates diagonal shadows across the blue walls
3
Ras el-Ma Spring
Cultural ViewpointFree Upper edge of medina, near Bab Onsar Best: Late morning
The spring at the edge of the medina where the mountain stream emerges and women wash laundry on ancient stone terraces. The scene is iconic: colourful textiles spread over rocks to dry, mountain water cascading over stone steps, and the Rif Mountains rising behind. The spring has been used for centuries and the tradition of communal laundry washing continues daily. The terraces create natural platforms for photography. The water is clear and cold — many visitors splash their faces or fill bottles. The spring is also the starting point for the hike to the Spanish Mosque. The combination of water, stone, mountains, and traditional activity makes this one of Morocco's most photogenic everyday scenes.
Tip: Ask permission before photographing women — most will smile and wave you on, but respect matters
4
Place Outa el-Hammam
Town SquareFree (cafes from 10 MAD) Place Outa el-Hammam, central medina Best: Evening
The central square of Chefchaouen — surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and the old kasbah with its ochre walls and garden. The square is the town's social hub: locals sit for hours over mint tea, children play, and cats patrol the cafe terraces. The composition is unique: blue-washed buildings on three sides, the red-brown kasbah on the fourth, and the Rif Mountains visible above. The cafe terraces offer comfortable viewpoints of the square life. In the evening, the square is lit by cafe lanterns and the kasbah is illuminated. The Grand Mosque's octagonal minaret — unique in Morocco — rises from the corner. The kasbah garden (entry 10 MAD) has good elevated views.
Tip: The kasbah garden has an elevated viewpoint over the square — worth the 10 MAD entry
5
Kasbah Tower
Fortification Lookout10 MAD Place Outa el-Hammam, central medina Best: Mid-morning
The tower of the old kasbah (15th-century fortress) in the centre of the medina offers an elevated view over Place Outa el-Hammam and the surrounding blue rooftops. The kasbah itself has a small museum and an Andalusian garden with orange trees and roses. The tower's height — modest by fortress standards but elevated above the surrounding buildings — gives a bird's-eye view of the medina's blue rooftops. The mountain peaks frame the view to the south and east. The garden is photogenic: geometric pathways, central fountain, and the blue walls of the medina visible above the garden hedges. A calm, accessible viewpoint in the heart of town.
Tip: The Andalusian garden at the base of the tower is a photogenic scene in its own right
6
Rue el-Andalous Stairways
Medina PhotographyFree Eastern medina, above Bab el-Ain Best: Early morning or late afternoon
The steep stairway lanes on the eastern side of the medina — where the blue paint is deepest and the stairways create dramatic perspective lines. These lanes are steeper and narrower than Rue Targui, with sharper angles and deeper blue. The homes here have decorated doorways: painted wooden doors in green, yellow, or brown against blue walls. The stairways create natural leading lines for photography. Flower pots line the steps, adding bursts of red and pink against the blue. The eastern exposure means morning light illuminates these lanes directly. Fewer tourists find this area — the eastern medina is more residential and quieter than the Targui zone.
Tip: Look for the decorated doorways — green and yellow doors against deep blue walls create striking contrasts
7
Jebel el-Kelaa Trail Lookout
Mountain ViewpointFree Jebel el-Kelaa, accessed from upper medina Best: Morning (clear skies)
A hiking trail on Jebel el-Kelaa — the horn-shaped peak that looms over the medina — offers the highest viewpoint of Chefchaouen. The trail starts from the upper medina and climbs through pine and cedar forest. After about 45 minutes of hiking, a clearing offers a panoramic view of the entire town far below: the blue medina, the surrounding agricultural valley, and the Rif Mountains stretching in every direction. The perspective from this height makes the medina look like a blue jewel set into the mountain. The trail continues to the summit (more challenging) but the intermediate viewpoint is sufficient for photography. Wear good shoes — the trail is steep and rocky in places.
Tip: The 45-minute mark has the best composition — the full medina is visible but still close enough for detail
8
Bridge Over Oued Laou
River ViewpointFree Eastern edge of Chefchaouen Best: Late afternoon
The small bridge over the Oued Laou river on the eastern edge of town — a viewpoint that captures Chefchaouen from the outside. The view from the bridge shows the blue medina climbing the hillside with the Rif Mountains rising steeply behind. The river adds a foreground element (flowing water in winter/spring, dry riverbed in summer). The composition includes the medina, the mountains, and the valley — a wider landscape view than the usual tight-lane photography. Afternoon light illuminates the medina from the west, creating warm tones against the mountain shadow. Less visited than the Spanish Mosque but equally photogenic for landscape shots.
Tip: In spring, the river flows and wildflowers add colour to the foreground — the best season for this viewpoint
9
Hotel Casa Hassan Rooftop
Rooftop TerraceFree with drink (15–25 MAD) Rue Targui, central medina Best: Sunset
A rooftop terrace at one of Chefchaouen's oldest guesthouses — offering an intimate view over the medina rooftops toward the mountains. The terrace is small but well-positioned: you can see the kasbah tower, the Grand Mosque minaret, and the Rif peaks from one spot. The blue rooftops of the surrounding houses create a sea of blue in every direction. The terrace serves mint tea and simple drinks. Non-guests welcome. The atmosphere is calm and residential — you're seeing the medina from a lived-in perspective, not a tourist lookout. Sunset here is beautiful: the blue walls catch the warm light and turn purple as the sun drops behind the western mountains.
Tip: A quieter sunset alternative to the Spanish Mosque — closer, calmer, and with mint tea included
10
Akchour Waterfalls Trail
Nature PhotographyFree (30 min drive + hike) Akchour, Talassemtane National Park (30 km) Best: Morning
Not in Chefchaouen itself but 30 minutes away in the Talassemtane National Park — the Akchour waterfalls and God's Bridge (Pont de Dieu) are among the most dramatic natural viewpoints in northern Morocco. The small waterfalls (45-minute hike) cascade into turquoise pools. The God's Bridge (2-hour hike) is a natural stone arch over a gorge. The trail follows the Oued Farda river through pine and oak forest. The turquoise water against the reddish rock creates striking colour contrasts. The trail is well-marked but can be slippery — proper shoes essential. Combine with a day trip from Chefchaouen. Several local guides offer the trip.
Tip: The small waterfalls are enough for most visitors — the God's Bridge hike is longer and more demanding
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best viewpoint in Chefchaouen?
The best panoramic viewpoint in Chefchaouen is the Spanish Mosque — a hilltop mosque above the medina reached by a 20-minute hike from the Ras el-Ma spring. The view encompasses the entire blue medina nestled against the twin peaks of the Rif Mountains. Sunrise and sunset are the best times. The hike is easy and the hilltop is spacious. For views within the medina, the narrow blue lanes around Rue Targui and Rue el-Andalous are the most photogenic. The Ras el-Ma spring area where women wash laundry on stone terraces is another iconic viewpoint.
Why is Chefchaouen painted blue?
Several theories explain Chefchaouen's blue colour. The most accepted is that Jewish refugees who settled here in the 1930s introduced the tradition of painting buildings blue, as blue is considered a sacred colour in Judaism representing the sky and heaven. Others say the blue repels mosquitoes, or that it keeps buildings cool. Whatever the origin, the tradition has been maintained and expanded — today the medina is almost entirely blue-washed, with varying shades from powder blue to deep cobalt. The blue paint is lime-based and reapplied regularly. The colour creates extraordinary photographic conditions, especially in the soft mountain light.