Major city · Western Sahara
Smara
Spend a half‑day in Smara for a quick look at the mosque ruins and market; longer stays are not recommended due to security and limited services.
Smara is a small oasis town on the Moroccan‑controlled side of the Berm. Its sights are limited to a historic mosque, a local market and a few cafés. Security checks, land‑mine zones and scarce accommodation mean a brief visit (half‑day to one full day) fits most itineraries.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MAD
- Best months
- check
- avoid check
- Airport
- EUN
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
- North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
- Western Sahara ↗In practice, entry is through Morocco and Moroccan entry rules apply; check them for your passport before booking.
- Western Sahara ↗Stay on main roads west of the berm; the area around and east of it contains landmines and unexploded ordnance.
- Western Sahara ↗Expect frequent police checkpoints on the coastal road; carry your passport and copies.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Smara19 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Smara, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is used in the Moroccan-administered areas.Western Sahara-wide
- SIM or eSIMMoroccan SIMs (Maroc Telecom, Orange, inwi) work; buy in town with your passport.Western Sahara-wide
- Tap waterDrink bottled water; desalinated tap water tastes salty.Western Sahara-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10%.Western Sahara-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Western Sahara-wide
- SafetySmara is generally safe for brief visits if you stay on the main road, respect military checkpoints and avoid the mine‑risk zone west of the Berm.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and camps.Western Sahara-wide
- Emergency numbers19 police · 177 Gendarmerie · 15 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysFriday midday prayers; Ramadan shortens hours.Western Sahara-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportEUN Hassan I Airport (Laayoune) (Closest commercial airport, about 120 km (75 mi) north on N1).EUN Hassan I Airport (Laayoune) (Closest commercial airport, about 75 mi (120 km) north on N1).
- Getting aroundWalk is easiest; small taxis and mini‑buses run within town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in caféMAD 8–12
- Street or quick mealCamel meat kebabMAD 20–35
- Budget bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomMAD 150
- Mid-range bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomMAD 300
- High-end bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomMAD 500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MAD 200 · Mid MAD 350 · High MAD 600
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- EUN Hassan I Airport (Laayoune) (Closest commercial airport, about 120 km (75 mi) north on N1)EUN Hassan I Airport (Laayoune) (Closest commercial airport, about 75 mi (120 km) north on N1)
Weather and climate
Smara: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Jun
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Jul
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
0 rd
Aug
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
0 rd
Sep
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0 rd
Dec
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk is easiest; small taxis and mini‑buses run within town. No public transport beyond the town centre.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Akhfenir
cautionDoor to door: ≈ 2 h each way
Ask police for direction; road is paved but no signage
Follow official guidance; risk of land mines if deviating.
Laayoune
goDoor to door: ≈ 3 h each way
N1 coastal road, bus or shared taxi
Main town with more services; safe route.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotels on Boulevard Hassan II
Basic rooms about USD 15 per night (≈ 150 MAD); ask for recommendation if a place declines.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- MAD 150–250 excl. bed
- Mid
- MAD 250–400 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic hotel room1 × 3 nights × MAD 300 | MAD 900 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × MAD 350 | MAD 2,100 |
| Trip total≈ MAD 500 per person per day, bed included | MAD 3,000 |
Rooms on Boulevard Hassan II, basic amenities
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bottled water (0.5 L) | MAD 5–8 |
| Coffee in café | MAD 8–12 |
| Camel meat kebab | MAD 20–35 |
| Maro (rice & camel stew) | MAD 30–45 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Land‑mine fields lie 30–50 km (19–31 mi) west of the Berm; stay on the main road.Land‑mine fields lie 19–31 mi (30–50 km) west of the Berm; stay on the main road.
- Police and military may stop you; avoid residential neighbourhoods and photography of everyday life.
- Roads to remote destinations lack signs; follow police advice.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 19
- Gendarmerie
- 177
- Ambulance
- 15
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
SmaraSmara
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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إلى هذا العنوان من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police19
- Gendarmerie177
- Ambulance15
Embassy
US consular services are in Laayoune; other nations use the Moroccan embassy in Rabat.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Laayoune → Smara bus (CTM/Supratours): about MAD 120, 2 h (check)
- Taxi within Smara (10 km): ≈ MAD 30
Say or show
- سمح لي — Excuse me / Sorry (samḥ li)
- شكرا — Thank you (shukran)
- بكم هذا؟ — How much is it? (bikamm hādhā?)
- ممكن ماء؟ — Can I have water? (mumkin māʔ?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Smara. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: check · avoid check · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Use Laayoune as base for longer stays; day‑trip to Smara via N1.
- Carry extra water and a reliable GPS; keep phone charged.
Sources
Ask about Smara
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