Chefchaouen: Is Morocco's Blue City a Secret Smurf Village?
Watch this Video for a Smurf Guided tour of Morocco's "Blue"tiful City
Is Chefchouen a Hidden Smurf Village?
Ok, so lets be realistic. Smurfs are probably not real…right? Despite Colombia Pictures’ attempt to make us believable that these adorable blue mini-people could be real – most rational level headed adults would agree with that statement. Still, the Smurfs were a cartoon staple that impacted the lives of many 90s kids like myself.
There isn’t one of us smurf lovers who didn’t, at least for a moment, consider the possibility that Smurfs could exits in a secret hidden magical village. That was exactly the first though that crossed my mind when I arrived in Chefchaouen, Morocco.
Why is Chefchaouen Blue?
Chefchaouen is a city hidden deep in the Rif Mountains of Morocco. It is a popular tourist destination in Morocco, mainly because of it’s most strikingly definitive feature. A large majority of the houses in the city are painted blue.
There are two major speculations for why the city was painted in this color. Firstly, due to the location of Chefchaouen, there is often humidity from the mountain air that attracts mosquitoes. As a result, it is believed that the city was painted blue as a method of bug repellent.
The second theory is that blue was introduced by Jewish refugees who were fleeing from the Spanish Inquisition. In the Jewish faith, the color blue represents the sky (obvious) and heaven. Many believe that the color was meant as a reminder of hope and faith during those dark times.
Exploring the Medina
The Medina of Chefchaouen is actually quite small and quaint. Therefore, it doesn’t take more than a day to explore the narrow “blue”tiful streets. It’s a city to wander in, up and down the sometimes steep stairs that lead away from the main street.
A fairly short labyrinth-like walk through the Medina leads to the main square. In it, there is an old kasbah that I swear could be mistaken for Gargamel’s Castle. It is the most defining non-blue feature of an otherwise very blue city.
Along the way there are many different local craft shops selling everything imaginable. From basic souvenirs to silk carpets handwoven by Berber women, the variety is wide. Furthermore, the locals are much less pushy and aggressive than in many other Moroccan places. It is undeniably a quiet and peaceful city.
But really though...Smurfs?
My impression of Chefchaouen was that if a secret smurf village really did exist somewhere, it would be there. The aesthetic of the city undoubtedly lends itself to that possibility. However, to be fair (and reasonable), there were no actual smurf sightings during my trip. That’s not to say that the idea isn’t possible.
Here’s what lead me to that conclusion. Firstly, Chefchaouen is a quiet and peaceful city, very in line with the Smurf way of life. Obviously it is extremely blue, making it easy for Smurfs to blend in. Also, the streets are narrow and provide ample hiding places.
Furthermore, as mentioned, the kasbah could pass for Gargamel’s Castle and I could swear I saw him lurking around. Plus, the city is full of cats, any one of which could have been Azrael. All coincidences? I’ll let you be the judge of that.
Helpful Tips for Chefchauen
1. Lodging at Dar Echchaouen
Chefchaouen is good for a day trip. However, if you find the need to overnight in this blue oasis, Dar Echchaouen is a good option. It is located just outside of the footbridge leading into the Medina, but still along the main road that can be driven up to. This makes it much more convenient than lodging inside the Medina and schlepping your belongings with you.
Dar Echchaouen is a nice, clean, affordable place to spend a night. The staff is wonderful and helpful. In addition, the grounds are beautiful, and breakfast is fantastic. My only note was that the lighting in the room was a bit dim for my liking, but truthfully that seemed pretty trival in the grand scheme.
2. Getting to and from Chefchaouen
Here’s the thing. The road to Chefchaouen is not exactly the easiest to drive, given that it is narrow and winds around cliffsides. Furthermore, having a car in Chefchaouen is absolutely pointless since the majority of the streets are walking only. If you’re not a fan of buses or organized tours, Morocco Colourful Tours is the way to go.
Not only were they the ones to suggest adding Chefchaouen to my itinerary, but they also arranged private transportation for me to and from the city. Plus, Yousef (my driver) was hands down one of the best drivers I have ever had. For someone like me who is prone to car-sickness, he was a godsend. Highly recommended.
3. Eat at Sindibad Restaurant
This place is amazing. Not only do they have some of the best traditional Moroccan food, but the ambiance of this restaurant is absolutely lovely. There are several terraces with outside seating that overlook the Medina (and Gargamel’s Castle).
In addition, the workers of this adorably quaint restaurant were phenomenal. Kind and generous, the food comes quick but you never feel rushed. If it’s chilly out, they will bring you a blanket so you can enjoy the view without freezing. It was undoubtedly one of the best culinary experiences I had in Morocco.
4. Shopping for a Flying Carpet
There are many options for local crafts available in Chefchaouen. However, one of the more unique finds were the carpet shops that sells silk and wool carpets handwoven by a Berber women. The carpets are beautiful, plus you could swear they fly like in the movie Aladdin.
If you’re looking for a great souvenir that screams Morocco, this would be it. Worried about how to pack it? They are wrapped so tightly that they fit in your suitcase without taking too much room. Just remember that bargaining is customary all over Morocco, so don’t be afraid to haggle over price. It’s a buy you definitely won’t regret.
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Like!! Really appreciate you sharing this blog post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
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