3 Best Sights in Chefchaouen, Tangier and the Mediterranean

Chefchaouen boasts one of the most picturesque medinas in Morocco. It's a delight to explore, with almost every building along its tangle of alleyways painted in a dazzling blue hue. Photo opportunities abound at every turn and you may have to wait in line to take your shot. At its heart is the cobbled main square, Place Outa el Hammam. Looming over the medina are the dusky red walls of the 13th-century kasbah, now home to a lovely Andalusian garden and a small ethnographic museum. Just beyond the medina's northeastern gate, is the Ras El Ma waterfalls and the public laundry; over the bridge steep steps lead to the Spanish Mosque, a popular sunset-watching spot.  Climb the kasbah tower for incredible views of the medina and the mountains beyond.

The village of Akchour in Talassemtane National Park—a 50-minute grand taxi ride northeast of Chefchaouen—is the starting point for two beautiful and relatively easy hikes. Take the left-hand path at the hydroelectric dam, and the Akchour waterfall is around a 45-minute walk away. From there you have the option of continuing on a four- to five-hour round-trip hike to another, much larger waterfall. You can also choose to go right at the dam; on the other side of the river, you can head up on a steep path to God's Bridge, a natural stone arch. Several small cafés offering mint tea and tagines sprinkle the paths, as do wildflowers. Be aware that some locals might try to sell you things, some of them illegal.

Established in 2004, the 145,000-acre Talassemtane National Park is a beautiful 45-minute drive from Chefchaouen. Its Mediterranean ecosystem hosts a unique variety of Moroccan pine as well as more than 239 plant species, many of which are endangered, such as the black pine and the Atlas cedar. The numerous trails include the popular hike to the Akchour Waterfall and God's Bridge.  It's recommended to use a guide on longer hikes.