CityOutline guide

Smara

Place in Western Sahara

Photo: Bertramz, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Smara is a town in Western Sahara. There is a strong Sahrawi presence in the town. There is an equally strong Moroccan military presence in the town. This situation creates some tension. Tourists are rare in Smara. You will therefore get some attention, but not pushy or aggressive, as in some parts of Morocco. Consider not venturing into residential neighborhoods or peripheral areas: being there and taking photographs (of anything mundane) attracts pressure and uncomfortable attention. This effort seems well coordinated. Occasionally, people do get turned away from the city, and expect not to be able to travel onward to Laayoune.

Sights and activities

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Mosquée Cheikh Maelainin
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Zawiy Maalainin
Remains of a stone fortress, which enclosed a mosque. This is what is left after Sahrawi rebellions against Spanish and French colonial rule.
Details

Getting there and around

Getting there

CTM, Supratours and Satas companies have daily travels to Smara to Agadir. Supratours have daily travel to Smara from Laayoune.

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Getting around

The town is small and most places can be reached by foot. There are also small taxis running within the town. The bus station may have small mini-buses going to local destinations.

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Airports and nearby hotels

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Smara Airport

Smara · Regional · SMW

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Read before you go to Smara

Articles and travel topics about Smara and Western Sahara.

Itineraries

Cycling the Western Sahara

The Western Sahara cycle route runs from Guelmim in Morocco via Mauritania to Saint-Louis in Senegal. It is 2,100 km (1,300 mi) through the Western Sahara, crossing the westernmost part of the Sahara (bordering the sea)…

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Food & drink

Tea

Tea is a drink made from either fresh or dried leaves of Camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub native to Asia. Because it normally requires very hot water to steep, it is a healthy way to drink water contaminated with…

Wikivoyage

Itineraries

Silk Road

For modern-day trade in China, see Shopping in China The Silk Road (丝绸之路 sī chóu zhī lù), also known as the Silk Route, is not a single road, but a network of historical trade routes across Asia from China to Europe.

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Itineraries

Africa itineraries

Itineraries in Africa

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Full travel guide

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UnderstandSmara was founded as an oasis for travellers in 1869. Later, in what was then Spanish Sahara, Smara become a garrison town. In 1975, Morocco took control of Saguia Elhamra province as Spain withdrew.

Get inCTM, Supratours and Satas companies have daily travels to Smara to Agadir. Supratours have daily travel to Smara from Laayoune.

Get aroundThe town is small and most places can be reached by foot. There are also small taxis running within the town. The bus station may have small mini-buses going to local destinations.

SeeRemains of Smara as Spanish garrison town can be seen in the domed military barracks, at the west end of Boulevard Hassan II.

DoVisit Zaouyya of Cheikh Malainine. This used to be a school, where the Quran and Arabic were taught. Families picnic inside the grounds. Get henna of a local design.

BuyMelhfa/melhef is a veil coverup for women that is great to protect yourself from the sun.

EatSome cafés along the town's main road, Boulevard Hassan II, serve omelettes, sandwiches and pizza. Across that street, in the market area, are a couple of places serving barbecued meat (camel, sheep) and fresh salad.

DrinkBottled water or boil tap water and make tea. Water out of the tap is only for the brave.

SleepThe town's main road is Boulevard Hassan II, and most hotels are on it. If one does not want to host you, for any reason, ask them for a recommendation: you'll be pointed at a decent place which should cost about USD15.

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Smara" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Smara", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Bertramz, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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Overview

Sights and activities

Mosquée Cheikh Maelainin