Spanish Mosque
An abandoned mosque on the opposite hill, with the whole blue town below.
Duration
1 hr 30 min – 2 hrs
Difficulty
●●○○○
Best time
An hour before sunset
Open
Every day
Entry price
Free
The mosque was built by the Spanish in the 1920s, during the protectorate, on the hill facing the town. Locals never used it — it has stood empty since it was built, and it is now restored but still has no religious use.
So its interest is purely its position: it is the one place from which you see the whole blue medina, backed by the Rif, and where everyone photographs Chefchaouen at sunset. The climb takes half an hour on a path of earth and stone.
Getting there
The path starts east of the medina, beyond the river. Half an hour of steady climbing, with no technical difficulty.
What to bring
- Walking shoes
- 1.5 L of water
- Headlamp
- Cap
Rules on site
The path is unlit: come down before full dark, or bring a torch. There is no shade and no water on the way up.