The Rif Mountains towering over Chefchaouen resemble a pair of goat’s horns, and, perhaps not coincidentally, the creamy native goat cheese is one of the most popular regional treats. Chefchaouen is a hilly town. Lanes within the town aren’t paved and are bumpy.

The town is small enough to accommodate a short visit, but it compensates with unparalleled vibrancy and culture.

Legend has it that Chefchaouen was founded in 1471 by a Muslim lord who sought to appease his Spanish wife, Zhora. After the Moors were expelled from Spain in the late 15th century, Mulay Ali Ben Rachid whisked Zhora off to Morocco where he created the city in the likeness of her Spanish hometown, Vejer de la Frontera.

Architecture enthusiasts will marvel at the Jewish-inspired blue-tinted buildings, octagonal mosque and Spanish ruins.