Money and payments
Tipping
Tipping is customary but modest in the region.
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Africa · Northern AfricaOutline guideDisputed territory in north-western Africa
Photo: Alexander Leisser, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Western Sahara (Arabic: الصحراء الغربية, Spanish: Sáhara Occidental, Berber: ⵜⵉⵏⵉⵔⵉ ⵜⵓⵜⵔⵉⵎⵜ) is an area on the west coast of North Africa. A former Spanish colony, its governance is disputed between Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). After a UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991 ended a war between the two, Morocco ended up de facto controlling about 80% (and almost the entire coast) of the disputed area, with SADR controlling the region around the Mauritanian and Algerian borders. The Berm is the de facto border between the two administrations, and the areas around it are full of landmines.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Western Sahara.
Tipping
Tipping is customary but modest in the region.
Berber, Hassaniya, Spanish
The native language of the majority is Hassaniya Arabic. It is not mutually intelligible with Standard Arabic, which is not widely spoken.
The quality of tap water is variable; ask before drinking it, or just drink bottled water.
No matter whether you travel in a private car or on a bus, always take enough water for at least 24 hours to be prepared if the vehicle breaks down.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
El Aaiun (Laayoune, Arabic العيون) is the biggest city in Western Sahara, in its northern part. It has a population just over 210,000.
Boujdour is in Western Sahara.
Ad Dakhla (Dakhla, Dajla) is a city in southern Western Sahara.
Smara is a town in Western Sahara. There is a strong Sahrawi presence in the town.
Akhfenir (also Akhfennir, Sidi Akhfenir and Sidi Akhfennir) is a small town in Tarfaya Province, Morocco. It is located between Tan-Tan and Tarfaya.
the only official border crossing between Morocco (Western Sahara) and Mauritania,
Public transport and paid services in Western Sahara.
Traveling by car is probably one of the most convenient means of transport in Western Sahara, as public transport restricts one to larger settlements. Though there are some precautions one should take:
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Western Sahara.
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Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
El Aaiún · International · EUN
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in El Aaiún
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 22° | 25° | 28° | 31° | 33° | 36° | 40° | 40° | 37° | 33° | 27° | 23° |
| Avg. low | 8° | 9° | 12° | 14° | 16° | 18° | 21° | 22° | 21° | 18° | 13° | 9° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 13 | 21 | 3 | 2 |
| Humidity | 45% | 47% | 42% | 43% | 41% | 39% | 35% | 36% | 40% | 45% | 48% | 48% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
No advisory found from this source.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all travel FCDO advises against all travel to: Areas in Western Sahara within 40km North and West of ‘the Berm’ boundary line, including the city of Es Semara Areas in Western Sahara the territory south and east of ‘the Berm’ boundary line Western Sahara is a disputed territory. The Berm is the militarised boundary between Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara and territory to the east controlled by the Polisario Front. Cross border rocket fire has occurred which cannot be ruled out in the future. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO:…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Western Sahara.
ItinerariesThe 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)…
Wikivoyage
Food & drinkTea 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…
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ItinerariesFor 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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ItinerariesItineraries in Africa
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