Things to do in Western Sahara

25 things to do in Western Sahara

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Kitesurf across the legendary Dakhla Lagoon

  Ride the steady winds and shallow flat waters of this world-renowned kiteboarding spot, framed by golden dunes and the Atlantic horizon.

  Dakhla

• Visit the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Laayoune

  Step inside this striking Spanish-built cathedral, an unexpected colonial landmark with simple whitewashed walls and a serene interior in the heart of the territory’s largest city.

  Laayoune

• Climb the colossal White Dune (Duna Blanca)

  Scale this towering white sand dune rising abruptly near the industrial port, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic and a surreal desert-meets-ocean landscape.

  Laayoune

• Decipher prehistoric rock art at Rekeiz Lemgasem

  Examine ancient petroglyphs etched into sandstone slabs, depicting ostriches, cattle, and enigmatic symbols left by early Saharan inhabitants thousands of years ago.

  Near Laayoune

• Stroll the breezy Corniche of Laayoune

  Walk along the seaside promenade lined with palm trees and cafés, watching local families and fishermen against a backdrop of endless ocean.

  Laayoune

• Eat freshly grilled fish at Laayoune’s port market

  Watch boats unload their catch and choose glistening sea bass or sardines to be grilled on the spot at simple harbour-side stalls, seasoned with cumin and salt.

  Laayoune

• Watch flamingos wade in Dakhla Bay

  Observe flocks of pink flamingos feeding in the shallow, nutrient-rich waters of the bay, a vital stopover on their migratory route along the West African coast.

  Dakhla

• Tour the historic Boujdour Lighthouse

  Visit this iconic white-and-red lighthouse perched on the rugged Atlantic cliffs, guarding the treacherous Cape Bojador that terrified medieval sailors.

  Boujdour

• Camp beneath a sea of stars in the Adrar Souttouf desert

  Set up a bivouac among rolling sand dunes and wind-sculpted rocks, where the lack of light pollution reveals the Milky Way in stunning clarity.

  Smara region

• Wander the Spanish colonial streets of old Laayoune

  Lose yourself in the grid of low-rise white buildings with arched windows and faded painted tiles, a quiet echo of Spain’s decades-long presence.

  Laayoune

• Enter the Zawiya Ma al-Ainin in Smara

  Visit the historic religious centre and mosque founded by the influential Sahrawi leader Ma al-Ainin, a rare example of traditional stone architecture deep in the desert.

  Smara

• Ride a camel over the dunes near Smara

  Trek on a dromedary across undulating golden sands as the sun sets, led by a nomadic guide who shares stories of the land.

  Smara

• Share a traditional Sahrawi tea ceremony

  Sip three glasses of sweet mint tea from tiny cups in a local home or tent, following the ritual that symbolises hospitality and friendship.

  Laayoune

• Birdwatch on Dragon Island in Dakhla

  Take a boat to this uninhabited sandy islet teeming with terns, gulls and occasional ospreys, a peaceful sanctuary in the middle of the bay.

  Dakhla

• Photograph the shipwreck at Laayoune’s port

  Capture the dramatic skeleton of a rusting freighter stranded on the rocks, with waves crashing around its hull – a ghostly relic of maritime mishap.

  Laayoune

• Explore the Museum of the Resistance in Laayoune

  Learn about the Sahrawi struggle for self-determination through photographs, artefacts and personal testimonies housed in a modest but impactful collection.

  Laayoune

• Haggle for silver jewellery at Laayoune’s central souk

  Browse colourful stalls laden with handcrafted Berber and Sahrawi silver pendants, camel-wool rugs and aromatic spices in the lively market quarter.

  Laayoune

• Surf the Atlantic breaks at Laayoune Plage

  Paddle out at the vast sandy beach north of the port where consistent swells attract local surfers, and you can ride waves with the desert wind at your back.

  Laayoune

• Witness sand meeting sea at Plage Blanche

  Stand on this pristine white-sand beach south of Dakhla, where imposing desert dunes run directly into the turquoise Atlantic, untouched and nearly deserted.

  South of Dakhla

• Walk the entire Dakhla peninsula to its tip

  Hike the narrow strip of land that divides the lagoon from the ocean, ending at a remote lighthouse with sweeping views and a sense of sublime isolation.

  Dakhla

• Step inside the Spanish colonial church of Dakhla

  Discover the small but beautifully maintained Nuestra Señora del Carmen church, a whitewashed reminder of Dakhla’s past as Villa Cisneros.

  Dakhla

• Master kitesurfing at the ‘Attitude Point’ spot

  Launch from this dedicated kite camp on the lagoon’s edge, where flat water and reliable sideshore winds make it ideal for both beginners and pros.

  Dakhla

• Discover the ghost town of La Guera

  Explore the eerie abandoned settlement on the Ras Nouadhibou peninsula, where crumbling Spanish buildings and a quiet bay evoke a forgotten outpost at the end of the world.

  La Guera

• Drive a 4x4 into the White Desert of El Argoub

  Bounce over chalky white hamadas and isolated dunes in this stark, lunar-like landscape west of Laayoune, a photographer’s dream of raw mineral beauty.

  East of Laayoune

• Sip mint tea at a Dakhla oceanfront café

  Unwind at a breezy terrace overlooking the lagoon, sipping strong tea while kite sails colour the sky and the call to prayer drifts from a nearby mosque.

  Dakhla