Is Chefchaouen expensive to visit?
Chefchaouen is a small yet inviting destination that captivates travelers with a mix of travel preferences, spending habits, and budgetary ranges. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.
Chefchaouen can certainly rack up expenses, but there are strategies to minimize costs, including looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $30 (MAD297) per day, mid-range travelers spend $71 (MAD703) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $151 (MAD1,495) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Chefchaouen.
Within Africa, Chefchaouen is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Diani or Hibiscus Coast.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Chefchaouen Expensive?
Moroccan Woman
How much money do I need for a trip to Chefchaouen?
The average Chefchaouen trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Chefchaouen travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Chefchaouen cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to set realistic expectations for your travel budget. Many assume they can get by cheaply in Chefchaouen, but most people don't enjoy traveling on a very tight budget. Think about how you like to travel, and whether you prefer resorts, hostels, or vacation rentals. Do activities like sightseeing and dining out matter to you? These factors will help shape your travel budget.
What Does It Mean to Be a Budget Traveler?
You might think you're a budget traveler, but unless you're willing to sacrifice many comforts, expect to spend a lot more than the average of $30 per day that backpackers typically manage.
Younger budget travelers sometimes stick to a shoestring budget, which usually means staying in hostel dorms, eating at budget restaurants or fast food, relying on public transportation or walking, and limiting activities to free attractions.
Fortunately, there's plenty of hostels in Chefchaouen, like Aline Hostel, Dar Hadra (Torre Hadra), and Hotel Chams. Here, you can score affordable dorm accommodation along with a vibrant social scene, though amenities may be lacking.
What Makes You an Average Traveler?
If you're a family or couple enjoying a vacation, you'll most likely want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at trendy restaurants, and check out the main museums and attractions that charge for entry. Tourists visiting Chefchaouen generally aim to explore the major attractions, museums, and significant landmarks. Keep in mind that most activities have costs associated with them. Hence, you should realistically expect your daily budget to hover around $71 per person, per day.
In Chefchaouen, you can find a variety of hotels and vacation rentals. If you're traveling with others, you can share the costs of your hotel with a partner, friend, or children, which can help you save money. Families will want to seek out hotels and restaurants that are kid-friendly. Hotel Alkhalifa is a great choice for families, and Dar Meziana is another great option. To discover more family- and couple-oriented hotels, visit our hotel guide for Chefchaouen.
Looking to Travel in Luxury?
If you want an all encompassing getaway with top-notch amenities and exceptional service, get ready for a daily cost around $151. Staying in upscale hotels, dining at acclaimed restaurants, indulging in lavish activities, and using taxis or private drivers to navigate the destination will require a more luxurious budget. Many luxury travelers also enjoy unique experiences such as Private walking tour of Chefchaouen - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Chefchaouen
The range of hotel prices in Chefchaouen can be pretty surprising. Luxury hotels tend to offer more amenities, but come with higher price tags, especially during peak season. The average off-season room is $53, but during peak season the average price can reach $99. From $30 for budget hotels to $235 for luxury, there's something for everyone. Hostels are cheaper, especially dorms. Book early or travel during the off-season to save money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Chefchaouen for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $49 (MAD482). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $24 (MAD241) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Chefchaouen? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Chefchaouen include:
- Villa Rita Guesthouse starting at $103
- Hotel Alkhalifa starting at $49
- Dar Meziana starting at $58
- Hotel Dar Mounir starting at $55
- Hotel Casa Miguel starting at $40
Traveling during the shoulder or low season, instead of , can save you money on accommodations and spare you the heavy tourist crowds.
Transportation Budget in Chefchaouen
Unfortunately, Chefchaouen does not provide a solid public transit network.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $16 (MAD154) per person, per day, on local transportation in Chefchaouen. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Chefchaouen is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$16
MAD154
A few of the typical hotel transfers and transportation services include:
- Daily Guaranteed round trip Transfer Tangier to Chefchaouen for $49 details
- Vip Private Transfer from Chefchaouen to Fes Vice Versa for $173 details
- One-Way Transfer from Chefchaouen to Fez via volubilis for $131 details
How much does it cost to go to Chefchaouen? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Chefchaouen will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
The numbers below highlight common transportation expenses in Chefchaouen, gathered from actual travelers. These prices give a good estimate of what you're likely to spend while getting around the city. However, your personal costs will depend on your travel style, since taxis and hired cars tend to be much pricier than public transportation.
Food Budget in Chefchaouen
One of the biggest draws for travelers is the food, so be sure to savor the local flavors.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in Chefchaouen can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Chefchaouen is $31 (MAD307) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$31
MAD307
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Chefchaouen is around $31 (MAD307) per person, with previous travelers spending from $13 to $64. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Chefchaouen are as follows:
- Breakfast: $3 to $9
- Lunch: $5 to $12
- Dinner: $9 to $22
- Coffee: $2
- Fast Food or Street Food: $5
The local specialty in Chefchaouen is baissara, but unfortunately, many restaurants don't serve this dish. So if you see it, take advantage. You'll also find Moroccan staples like the vegetable stew with goat or sheep known as tajine, the tomato soup known as harira, the kofte meatballs and the fish called tagras. When touring the city, you won't want to miss olives, olive oil and goat cheese sold in most shops around town.
If you find yourself searching for food in the medina, avoid restaurants in the Kasbah square. Many are overpriced and rather low quality kofte or harira.
Some hotels include breakfast in the overall cost, while others add it as an extra charge. The quality and price of breakfast can vary greatly depending on the hotel. Being informed beforehand can help you determine if you need to set aside additional funds. The hotel's buffet may be worth it, or you might consider visiting a local bakery or cafe for a more budget-friendly option.
Keep a water bottle handy instead of buying drinks everywhere. It's also a great way to reduce waste.
If you're going to take a tour, make sure you understand which meals are included. You could end up paying for some food yourself, which might affect your budget.
If you're looking to experience the culinary culture in Chefchaouen, taking a food tour or cooking class is a terrific way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. Some of the best food-related activities here include:
- 3-Hour Cooking Class overlooking the Blue City for $55 details
- Chefchaouen Private Cooking Class with Mountain View for $65 details
- Chefchaouen Food Tour for $67 details
Typical prices for food in Chefchaouen are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the food prices in Chefchaouen. However, your individual costs will vary based on your travel style, selected restaurants, and the items that you order.
-
Lunch for Two
MAD90
-
Dinner for Two
MAD100
-
Cupcake
MAD3.00
-
Nutella and Yogurt
MAD20
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Chefchaouen
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Chefchaouen typically cost an average of $17 (MAD166) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$17
MAD166
Like in many Moroccan cities, the medina, or old town, is the main attraction for most visitors of Chefchaouen. Originally decorated by Jewish immigrants, the whitewashed walls of the town instantly calm tourists looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the larger cities in the country.
The waterfall, known as Ras el Maa, on the east side of the medina is a spot to witness the local culture and life of those who live in Chefchaouen. Many of them will meet here to cool off, chat and do their laundry.
If the tourists in Chefchaouen are getting to be too much, find an escape in the gorgeous Kasbah. This heavily restored fortress is surrounded by giant walls, and contains a small garden, Ethnographic Museum and a tiny art gallery showing the work of local artists. Have a look even it's just to see the lush green garden against the mountain setting.
For a stunning view of the whole medina, visit the ruins of the Jemaa Bouzafar mosque. On a hill just behind the waterfall, this mosque was restored in 2013, and offers a breathtaking view that's worth the hike.
But if that's not enough to quench your thirst for stunning photos, visit the hill of the Hotel Atlas. This outlook gives visitors a fantastic view of the town and valley - especially during sunsets. With plenty to see and do, you'll have no trouble filling your time here, even if you just wander around the town. Here's more things to do in Chefchaouen on a 2-day itinerary.
Being situated right in the middle of the Rif Mountains makes Chefchaouen the perfect destination for any hiker. There is a popular backpacker path leading into mountains located just behind the waterfall. Just ignore the vast amounts of marijuana plantations and the farmers trying to sell it to you.
If you're feeling ambitious, you can attempt the challenging hike up Jebel al-Kalaa - the peak overlooking the whole city. It's a fun trip, but can take up to 9 hours round trip. You'll also be walking through large marijuana plantations. Maybe that's a good thing? The route is also not well marked so you may have to find your own path back to the trail at times. Pack plenty of water and snacks for this strenuous and "high" journey.
A nice way to explore destinations in Chefchaouen is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Private photo tour with a local pro photographer for $60 details
- Tour by local guide for $16 details
- Chefchaouen Tour with Aman for $20 details
Blue Door, Chefchaouen, Morocco
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.