The information below applies to the 2026-2027 holiday season and was checked at the end of October 2026.
New Year's Eve on 31 December
As of late October 2026, no public celebration or fireworks have been announced in Chefchaouen for New Year's Eve, and no festival takes place in December. New Year's Eve is spent in hotels, riads and the town's restaurants, some of which hold a dinner with music; their programmes are usually published only in December. Book your table and your room in advance.
Where to stay for New Year
In the medina, Casa Perleta has a terrace with views over the medina and the mountains.
Casa Perleta
Casa Perleta is a beautiful riad in the heart of the medina. This charming establishment is renowned for its peaceful atmosphere, central location, traditional Moroccan interior design and, of course, its delicious breakfast.
Riad Cherifa serves breakfast on its terrace, above the medina. See also our selection of riads in Chefchaouen.
Riad Cherifa
Beautiful accommodation not far from the Kasbah, Riad Cherifa is a new hotel in Chefchaouen, only 2 minutes from Outa El Hammam square, in the centre of the medina.
Outside the town, Auberge Dardara is in Derdara, about 10 km away. Its restaurant also draws customers from Chefchaouen, and parking is free.
Auberge Dardara
The establishment is praised for its friendly staff and quality service, offering a peaceful place to relax and recharge your batteries. The meals served are local, delicious and entirely organic.
For other places to stay, see our guide to hotels in Chefchaouen.
The medina in winter
Outa El Hammam square is the centre of the medina, with the kasbah, its inner garden and its museum. In the morning, the blue lanes are quieter; in the afternoon, walk up to the Spanish Mosque, on the hill above the medina, for the view over the town.
Trips into the Rif depend on the weather. After heavy rain, the river at Akchour can rise and the paths become slippery: ask locally, at your accommodation or a guide, before setting off. For more ideas, see our guide to things to do in Chefchaouen.
Weather and public holidays
In December, it averages 15 to 16°C during the day and 6 to 7°C at night, and it is the wettest month of the year. Snow is rare in the medina, but it falls on the higher ground of the province: in December 2025, roads were cut around Bab Berred. Pack warm clothes and a raincoat (see when to go to Chefchaouen).
31 December is an ordinary working day in Morocco, but 1 January is a public holiday, as are 11 January (Independence Manifesto) and 14 January, the Amazigh New Year, which became a national public holiday in 2023. On these days, government offices and banks are closed.
Getting to Chefchaouen at the end of the year
Chefchaouen has no railway station: you arrive by road. CTM buses take about 2 hours 30 to 2 hours 45 minutes from Tangier and 4 hours 15 to 4 hours 45 minutes from Fez, and the journey from Tetouan takes about 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes.
The nearest airports are Tetouan-Sania R'mel, about 47 km away, and Tangier-Ibn Battouta, about 85 km away. Direct winter flights to Tetouan are uncertain this season: check with the airlines before booking. If you are coming by car, see our advice on parking in Chefchaouen.
Practical information
- New Year's Eve: dinners in hotels, riads and restaurants, to be booked; no public celebration announced.
- Weather: 15 to 16°C during the day, 6 to 7°C at night in December, the wettest month.
- Public holidays: 1, 11 and 14 January; 31 December is not a public holiday.
- From Tangier: CTM bus, about 2 hours 30 to 2 hours 45 minutes.
