How many days in Chefchaouen?

Chefchaouen is a town to savour slowly rather than to tick off, but in terms of actual sights it is small. One unhurried day covers it well: wander the blue-washed lanes of the medina, climb up to the Spanish Mosque for the classic panoramic sunset, walk out to the Ras el-Maa waterfall where locals do their washing, and browse the woollen goods and local crafts. The Kasbah and its little garden in the main square round things out.

A second day is worth it if you want to do more than stroll. The surrounding Rif Mountains offer rewarding hikes — Akchour and its waterfalls and "God's Bridge" rock arch are the most popular, a short drive away — and the slower rhythm of a second morning is where the town's relaxed magic really lands. For photographers and people who simply want to decompress, two nights beats one.

The key factor is travel time. Chefchaouen has no airport or train; you arrive by road, around four hours from Fes or Tangier. Because getting there is a commitment, doing it as a single packed day rarely makes sense — plan at least one overnight so the long drive is justified and you catch the town in the quiet early morning and evening light.

My usual recommendation: two nights, one and a half days of exploring. That gives you a full afternoon and sunset on arrival, a relaxed full day, and a leisurely departure — without feeling you have over-committed time to a small (if gorgeous) town.