Major city · Western Sahara
El Aaiúnالعين
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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MAD
- Best months
- Oct–May
- avoid Jun–Sep (high heat)
- Airport
- EUN
- Nights
- 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
Emergency numbers for El Aaiún19 ▾
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 El Aaiún, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; stay aware of N1 checkpoints and keep valuables secure.
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 (Royal Air Maroc and Binter Canarias flights from Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir and Gran Canaria).
- Getting aroundWalk the central sights; petit taxis cost 5‑6 MAD for short trips; grand taxis reach the port and beach.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee10–15 MAD
- BeerBeer at Hotel Al Massira30–45 MAD
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Petit taxi (short hop)5–6 MAD
A day, not counting the bed: Budget 150 MAD–250 MAD · Mid 250 MAD–400 MAD · High 400 MAD+
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 (Royal Air Maroc and Binter Canarias flights from Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir and Gran Canaria)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Feb
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Oct–May. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
El Aaiún: 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
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Aug
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1 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 the central sights; petit taxis cost 5‑6 MAD for short trips; grand taxis reach the port and beach.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Smara
goDoor to door: ≈2½ h
Bus north on N1, about 2 h; check CTM schedule
Historic fortress town deeper in the Sahara.
Tarfaya
goDoor to door: ≈2 h
Bus north on N1, about 1 h 30 min
Small port village with a wind‑surf scene.
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.
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
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
- 150 MAD–250 MAD excl. bed
- Mid
- 250 MAD–400 MAD excl. bed
- High
- 400 MAD+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| 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 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 19
- Gendarmerie
- 177
- Ambulance
- 15
Pocket card
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El Aaiúnالعين
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police19
- Gendarmerie177
- Ambulance15
Embassy
US consular services are in Laayoune (check the official website); other nations use the consulate in Casablanca.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Petit taxi within town: ≈5–6 MAD for a short hop
- Grand taxi to Laayoune Plage: ≈30 MAD (check)
Say or show
- سمح لي — Excuse me / Sorry (smah li)
- شكرا — Thank you (shukran)
- بكم هذا؟ — How much is it? (bikam hatha?)
- أين الحمام؟ — Where is the bathroom? (ayn al‑hamam?)
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 El Aaiún. 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: Oct–May · avoid Jun–Sep (high heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about El Aaiún
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