Chefchaouen

Spring (April-May) or fall (September-October) — mild weather for the medina's steps and slopes, and prime conditions for the Akchour hike. Summer is hot for walking/hiking; winter is cold, rainy, and can turn trails muddy.

• Wandering the blue medina around Plaza Uta el-Hammam with no fixed plan - the lanes and stairwells ARE the attraction
• The Spanish Mosque: a ~30-minute uphill walk rewarded with the best sunset view over the city and the Rif
• Kasbah Museum, a small, calm heritage museum in the old town with a pretty surrounding garden
• Ras El Ma river and waterfall just outside the walls, where locals gather over fresh orange juice
• Day trip to Akchour Waterfalls and God's Bridge (Pont de Dieu) - the area's signature nature outing
• Shopping the medina's craft souks for wool weavings, leather, and local handicrafts
• Sunset mint tea on a riad rooftop for the classic view over the blue rooftops

Families: a riad inside the old walls near Plaza Uta el-Hammam or Bab el-Ain, with a courtyard and rooftop, to minimize hauling bags up stairs. Couples: a boutique riad with a rooftop view over the blue medina - the romance is in the details and the view, not luxury scale. Budget: small guesthouses ("Casa") near Bab el-Ain with a simple rooftop breakfast. General tip: book 3-4 weeks ahead, especially spring/fall, and ask if someone can meet you at the bus station so you're not dragging luggage uphill.

Many street touts offer hash or a "family farm visit" - decline politely but firmly and keep walking; don't follow anyone no matter how insistent, as possession/use carries serious legal risk in Morocco. Don't photograph people or someone's doorway up close without asking; some residents expect a small tip for photos of their homes, which is an accepted local norm. The bus station is a 15-20 minute uphill walk from the old town, so take a petit taxi straight to Bab el-Ain. The whole medina is stairs and slopes, so a large wheeled suitcase is a real burden - pack light or use a backpack. Book riads early in peak season (spring/fall) as the good ones fill up fast.

2-3 days

Suggested plan:

1. Day 1: Arrive and settle into the riad; a first unplanned wander through the blue medina and Plaza Uta el-Hammam, then climb to the Spanish Mosque for sunset
2. Day 2: Full day trip to Akchour Waterfalls and God's Bridge with a local lunch en route; back in the evening to unwind on the riad rooftop
3. Day 3: Visit the Kasbah Museum and its garden, shop the craft souks for gifts, and a last rooftop mint tea before departure