"Western Sahara: a real country if you ask me" Top 5 Page for this destination Western Sahara by Pieter11

Western Sahara Travel Guide: 230 reviews and 573 photos

A road disappearing under desert-sand - Western Sahara

Western Sahara: a difficult case

Western Sahara in Northwest Africa

In the northwest of the African continent you will find the often discussed territory Western Sahara. The territory is bordered by Morocco in the north, Algeria in the northeast, Mauretania in the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean in the west.

For a long time Western Sahara was a place for nomads and tradesmen, since the area was/is an important route for goods coming from Western Africa towards Europe and vice versa. In this period the area was under continous Arabic control.

In 1884, after the Berlin Conference, the Spanish took over the control. Until 1979 the territory was named Spanish Sahara. The Spanish were the first ones to built real, steady settlements in the area. El Aiyun (today Laayoune) became the capital and main port in the area and other villages were built to keep control over the area and to make its natural resources easily accessible.

After 1979, when the Spanish left, Morocco immediately took over the control in the area. Although the UN have always been present since this time, and never agreed on the Moroccan occupation, the Moroccan army and police clearly have control here. Plans of letting a referendum decide about a possible independance have been prosponed several times already and King Mohammed IV of Morocco clearly gives his opinion about Western Sahara saying "We shall not give up one inch of our beloved Sahara, not a grain of its sand".

For the next couple of years Western Sahara will probably stay the difficult case on the world map it has been for such a long time already. To me, it is a real country.

Travelling in Western Sahara

Western Sahara's map

Western Sahara doesn't see a lot of tourists. The only ones you see here a lot are people that are on a Trans-Africa trip using a 4x4. Sometimes they stop here, but most of the times they are just on their way towards Mauretania.

If you are checked at one of the many Police Checkpoints in the country, they react surprised if you tell them that you are just a tourist staying in Western Sahara. Understandable on one hand, but strange if you know what a great area it is.

The country has a lot to offer for tourists: beaches, the strange but interesting city of Laayoune, sanddunes all along the coastline, old Spanish remainings both inside and in the area of Laayoune and a fantastic, impressive desert landscape everywhere you come.

On this page I'll try to show a good image of this forgotten country: not even an official country but absolutely worth a visit!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Unspoiled, hardly visited and therefore very surprising
Cons:A lot of police and military everywhere, public transportation is difficult
In a nutshell:Western Sahara: too interesting to be forgotten

Last visit to Western Sahara: Apr 2008
Intro Updated Aug 4, 2008
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Reviews (33)

Spectacular valley in the desert - Western Sahara

Landscape in the north Off The Beaten Path (2)

Although there are definitely some places where you can see the typical "Sahara-sanddunes" in Western Sahara, the... more travel advice

A shipwreck in the waves of Tarfaya - Western Sahara

Tarfaya: the Beach Things to Do (20)

Like all places in Tarfaya, its beach is a very special place as well. Just to the north of the town you'll find a large... more travel advice

Souvenir-shopping: the easy way Shopping (1)

Morocco is known for its fantastic artwork and is a great place for souvenir-shopping. Basically there are only two... more travel advice

The Spanish Fort in Tarfaya - Western Sahara

Tarfaya: the Seaside Things to Do (20)

Walking along the "boulevard" of Tarfaya is a real treat for your imagination. Just like the boulevards in touristic... more travel advice

Warnings Or Dangers (2)
See All Sand everywhere!
Restaurants (3)
See All Fresh fish

Hotels (2)
See All Laayoune: It's cheap, but...
Transportation (3)
See All Rent a car

Comments (9)

Wafro Sep 17, 2011 at 9:55 AM Report Abuse

The last colony in Africa as they call it, love to read about it.
hunterV Feb 1, 2010 at 8:07 AM Report Abuse

Hello, Pieter!@ Thanks for your story about that remote place...
hindu1936 Apr 20, 2009 at 11:06 PM Report Abuse

What wonderful information about a country I had only planned on racing through as fast as the scooter would carry me. You just changed that into a sightseeing trip. thanks much
yumyum Apr 17, 2009 at 9:04 AM Report Abuse

What a fantastic page, Pieter! Excellent tip writing :)
marielexoteria Mar 31, 2009 at 4:28 AM Report Abuse

Very dumb question: what language do they speak there?
iris2002 Mar 23, 2009 at 2:44 PM Report Abuse

OH I was soo close to see the Sahara, but didn't manage to hop over to WS as the whole group (apart from me) had - ahem, immpodiumplus urges... -well it's on my to do list still - great pages... !
toonsarah Mar 19, 2009 at 2:12 PM Report Abuse

An interesting page about a place I had never thought of visiting, despite my love of deserts! I loved the Dchira-valley scenery and was fascinated by Tarfaya, the exporting of sand and the beach resort waiting to happen ...
jumpingnorman Jan 26, 2009 at 7:13 AM Report Abuse

I was wondering where people stay when in the Sahara, and I am glad it's not a hut in the desert - hehehe...nice tips on the Sahara! You have travelled so much at your age! Norman :)
brewjohnson Sep 2, 2008 at 2:39 PM Report Abuse

Great Western Sahara info. Thanks!