Spanish ’Blue Village’ Aims to Rival Morocco’s Chefchaouen as Tourist Destination

The "Blue Village" of Spain, formerly known for the Smurfs, displays its ambition to attract more tourists. This destination could become a direct competitor for Chefchaouen. Like the Moroccan city, the village is painted blue. It was in 2011 when it was chosen to host the new Smurfs movie that year. In total, more than 1,000 paint cans were used to cover all the buildings in the village, according to The SUN. A hotel, as well as restaurants and bars, are located near the buildings. A mushroom museum and a playground welcome children who visit the village. This operation has boosted tourism in this village. The number of tourists has increased from a few hundred to 80,000 per year.

"I am convinced that the tourist appeal will continue, as we reinvent ourselves with blue, thanks to the contributions and creativity of each local inhabitant," said Pilar Tabuyo, owner of the village pharmacy, who created Bienvenidos a La Aldea Azul (Welcome to the blue village) to explain the history of this unusually colored town.

The competition could be tough, as Chefchaouen has much to attract tourists. Founded in 1471 by Jews and Moors fleeing Spain, the blue city captivates with its typical traditional architecture, its multiple natural landscapes, and its blue buildings. The most iconic places include, among others, the Kasbah – a 15th-century fortress and keep – and the Great Mosque – one of the most important religious sites in the city with an octagonal minaret. In 2010, the medina of Chefchaouen was inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.