Overview
Built on the hill east of Chefchaouen during the Spanish protectorate of the 1920s, the Spanish Mosque is no longer in use but remains the best vantage point over the medina. A gentle 30-40 minute hike from Ras el-Maa waterfall leads to the summit, where blue Chefchaouen unfolds beneath the Rif Mountains. Sunset turns the city gold and blue at once - the most photogenic moment, when photographers line the hilltop. Free entry. 30-40 minutes on foot from Ras el-Maa.
Opening Hours
24 hours (depart an hour before sunset)
Travel Tips
Set off an hour before sunset to grab a comfortable spot. Bring a head lamp or phone flashlight for the dark walk down.
Hotels near Spanish Mosque
Hotels and guesthouses in Chefchaouen, East of Medina, Chefchaouen
Other attractions in Chefchaouen
Blue Medina
A labyrinthine old town drenched in blue - the world's most photogenic alleyways.
Ras el-Maa Waterfall
A small waterfall at the eastern edge of the medina, a local laundry spot and gathering place.
Kasbah Museum
A museum inside a 15th-century fortress with an Andalusian garden and Chefchaouen's history.
Plaza Uta el-Hammam
The medina's heart square, framed by the Kasbah and the Grand Mosque.
Akchour Waterfalls
Emerald valleys and waterfalls in the Rif Mountains - a popular day-hike destination.
Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen
A 15th-century mosque famed for its rare octagonal minaret.