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Voykit pocket guide · Western Sahara
El Aaiún
العين
Spend 1 day in El Aaiún to see the cathedral, mosque and beach; longer stays rarely add new sights.
El Aaiún is the largest city in Western Sahara, offering a compact historic centre, a beach and a few museums that can be covered in a single day on foot, with cheap hotels for overnight if needed.
- Country
- Western Sahara
- Local name
- العين
- Best months
- Oct–May
- Avoid
- Jun–Sep (high heat)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- MAD
- Money
- The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is used in the Moroccan-administered areas. Cards work in larger hotels and kite camps; elsewhere use cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget 150 MAD–250 MAD excl. bed · Mid 250 MAD–400 MAD excl. bed · High 400 MAD+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Moroccan SIMs (Maroc Telecom, Orange, inwi) work; buy in town with your passport.
- Emergency
- Police 19 · Gendarmerie 177 · Ambulance 15
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 220 V · 50 Hz · European plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 5–10%.; Kite instructor: MAD 50–100 per session if you wish.
- Water
- Drink bottled water; desalinated tap water tastes salty.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels and camps.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | 10–15 MAD |
| Petit taxi (short hop) | 5–6 MAD |
| Camel meat (butcher) | 30–50 MAD per kg |
| Beer at Hotel Al Massira | 30–45 MAD |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- EUN · Hassan I Airport
- Royal Air Maroc and Binter Canarias flights from Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir and Gran Canaria
Typical fares
- Petit taxi within town
- ≈5–6 MAD for a short hop
- Grand taxi to Laayoune Plage
- ≈30 MAD (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk the central sights; petit taxis cost 5‑6 MAD for short trips; grand taxis reach the port and beach.
See and do
Known for
- St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral
- Al‑Zawiya Mosque
- Laayoune beach and lagoon
- Bird park (currently closed)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Smara | Bus north on N1, about 2 h; check CTM schedule | ≈2½ h |
| Tarfaya | Bus north on N1, about 1 h 30 min | ≈2 h |
Sleep
- Hotel Rimal Sahara
- 150 MAD per night (120 MAD if negotiated); across from bus station
- Cheap south‑of‑airport hotels
- ≈150–200 MAD ($15‑20) for a single room; popular with locals
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | سمح ليsmah li |
| Thank you | شكراshukran |
| How much is it? | بكم هذا؟bikam hatha? |
| Where is the bathroom? | أين الحمام؟ayn al‑hamam? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Salam alaykum', handshake with men; avoid: Political small talk
- Tea: Accept the three glasses; avoid: Refusing
- Photos: Ask first; avoid: Checkpoints and police
Scams and watch-outs
- Public transport is minimal – rely on taxis or walk.
- Frequent N1 road check‑posts can cause delays.
- Bird park appears permanently closed – verify before planning a visit.
Generally safe for tourists; stay aware of N1 checkpoints and keep valuables secure.
One and two days
No timed day plan for El Aaiún yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral
- Al‑Zawiya Mosque
- Laayoune beach and lagoon
- Bird park (currently closed)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – El Aaiún: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345
- Wikivoyage: El Aaiún, revision 5243367 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5243367
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/el-aaiun). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.