Best time for Chefchaouen and Tangier
Season, time of day, Ramadan and the two clocks on either side of the strait.
The day trips run all year. What changes with the season is the heat in the minibus, the rain in the Rif and, on the Spanish side, the wind over the strait. Late spring and autumn are the most comfortable months for Chefchaouen.
Month by month
| Chefchaouen | |
|---|---|
| May and June | Most comfortable |
| July and August | Hot |
| September to November | Most comfortable |
| December to February | Cool and often rainy |
| March | Wettest month |
Rain and heat in the reviews
Chefchaouen sits on a mountainside, and rain changes the visit: an October review describes a wet day in the lanes and a replacement guide. July and August are hot, though the mountain town stays milder than the south of Morocco, and in summer the bigger issue is the vehicle. On the trips from Fes, with four hours on the road each way, reviewers comment on the air conditioning more than on anything in town, some with praise and some with complaints. Ask about it if you travel in July or August.
Time of day in the medina
Every day trip reaches Chefchaouen around midday and leaves in the late afternoon, so you see the town at its busiest. A reviewer of a Fes trip found it overwhelmed by vendors and crowds. The early morning and the evening are much quieter, and only a night in town gets you those hours. See from Tangier, from Fes or overnight.
Ramadan 2027
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin in February and end in early March; the exact dates depend on the sighting of the moon and are confirmed only shortly before. The day trips keep running. Some cafés and restaurants in Chefchaouen stay closed during the day, which matters on the trips where lunch is up to you. Morocco also turns its clocks back by an hour for the month.
Two clocks across the strait
Morocco is an hour behind Spain from late March to late October and during Ramadan. For a ferry day this matters twice: the trip starts on Spanish time in Tarifa and the return sailing may be given in Moroccan time, as Baleària does. Check which clock your ticket uses.
Wind in Tarifa
Tarifa is one of the windiest places on the Spanish coast, and the ferries can be delayed. Viajes Travelsur warns that in bad weather the return can leave from Tanger Med instead of the city port, and APARTRIP TRAVELS writes that its private tour may be cancelled or moved. If your dates are flexible, keep a spare day.
Akchour after rain
At the Akchour waterfalls the water level changes with the season and with rain. Chefchaouen Adventures notes that this can change the hiking plan, and swimming in the pools is only possible when the level allows.
Fridays and Sundays on the coast
Reviewers of the Asilah trip from Tangier note that many shops in Asilah close on Fridays and that the beach is busy on Sundays.
Travellers on weather and season
A crossing cancelled by wind that still ended well, a quiet Friday in Asilah and a smooth drive from Fes with strong air conditioning. Two guests describe a rainy day and a hot, crowded midday in Chefchaouen.
“Chefchaouen in the rain. Bad luck. The planned live guide seems to have cancelled. The replacement did her best, but it was difficult with the rain.”
“I was dreading a 4 hrs drive on a bumpy road as outlined by others. This was not the case as Youssefi Aziz managed to miss all the bumps, holes he encountered. Well done Aziz. Excellent driver by day and night. Felt really safe at the front of the bus with powerful AC both ways. …”
“Was a wonderful trip for our family of 5, we were joined by only 2 persons so it was a very small group. To be noted, we took the trip on a Friday, which made a big difference since it was prayer day at Asilah; streets were therefore mostly empty. Great for …”
“4 hours for the outward journey and 4 hours for the drop-off in a bus with minimal air conditioning. On arrival in Chefchaouen, the town is very beautiful and green, but completely overwhelmed by vendors and a huge crowd of tourists, so it was an average experience.”
“This was the highlight of our trip! We got to see everything we wanted, got to try Tagine Chicken, and despite the ferry being cancelled for winds, we were in good hands and they took care of any anxieties I had! …”
“The trip was really worth it, the views were stunning and our guide Youssef did an awesome job.”
Traveller reviews of these day trips, from GetYourGuide.
FAQ
What is the best month for a Chefchaouen day trip?
May, June and September to November are the most comfortable. July and August are hot, though milder than in the south of Morocco. Winter is cool and often rainy, and March is the wettest month.
When is Ramadan in 2027?
It is expected to run from February to early March 2027. The exact dates depend on the sighting of the moon. Day trips continue, but some cafés in Chefchaouen close during the day and Morocco turns its clocks back by an hour.
What time difference is there between Spain and Morocco?
Morocco is an hour behind Spain from late March to late October and during Ramadan. Check which clock your ferry ticket uses.
Can the ferry from Tarifa be cancelled because of the wind?
Crossings can be delayed in strong wind, and some operators move the return to Tanger Med. All the trips on this site list free cancellation up to a day before.