Chefchaouen’s old town tells its story in different ways: the Kasbah brings together distinctive architectural features, while Bab Souk and Souika represent the market and traditional handicrafts. These focal points help you organize the themes of your trip—from architecture and trade history to the landscape around Ras El Ma.

The Kasbah: Towers, Garden and Handicrafts

The Kasbah was built in 1471 and is located in the northwestern part of the old town. Its 13 towers are connected by a passageway made of rammed earth. The largest and tallest tower is the four-story Portuguese Tower, which formerly served as a watchtower. These details make it easy to describe the complex as a combination of different elements: the connecting passageway, the many towers and one particularly tall structure historically used as a watchtower.

The Kasbah also includes an Andalusian-style garden. Another part of the complex is devoted to handicrafts: the Heritage Centre, formerly the Kasbah Ethnographic Museum, houses three workshops for woodwork, zellij and plasterwork. These crafts are used for artistic decoration in northern Morocco and al-Andalus. Thus, both architecture and different craft materials are in focus within the Kasbah.

The site has also had several uses over the years. In 2005, part of the Kasbah was converted into an open-air theater. The towers, the Portuguese Tower and the rammed-earth passageway are especially distinctive points of reference for understanding its architectural history; the garden and workshops complement this architectural focus with design and handicrafts.

Bab Souk and Souika: Market and Old Town History

Bab Souk is the most recently built quarter of the old town and dates to 1609. A market is held at the historic Bab Souk gate every Monday and Thursday. If you want to plan your visit around one of these market days, check the days locally before relying on this information.

Souika is also a quarter of the old town. It is an important place for selling traditional handicrafts to the mountain population and is associated with Chefchaouen’s first market. The two quarters therefore have different points of emphasis: Bab Souk offers a specific weekly schedule for visiting the market, while Souika links handicrafts with the city’s trade history. If markets and handicrafts are part of your trip, it is worth bearing this distinction in mind when planning your schedule.

Ras El Ma and the Valley

The Ras El Ma spring provided abundant clear fresh water, enabling lush gardens and fertile orchards along the surrounding valley. This broadens the picture of Chefchaouen beyond the lanes and buildings of the old town: alongside its historic quarters, the relationship between water and horticulture, as well as the orchards in the valley, are among the place’s defining themes.

Highlights for Your Trip

The market days provide two specific days of the week, while the Kasbah brings together historic architecture, a garden and workshops for various crafts. If you plan to visit the market, check the days locally. This will help you decide which of the aspects of Chefchaouen described here are most important for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Oued Laou, Larache, Brikcha, Derdara, Marina Smir, Khandeq Ezzeraraa, Cabo Negro, Aouchtame Bni Said

For the broader travel overview: Tanger-Tétouan.