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🇪🇭Things to Do in Western Sahara
From Dakhla's wind-swept lagoon to the coastal town of Laayoune - the essential sights, and how to keep your own record of them.
Travel guide - last updated September 2026
Western Sahara is a disputed, sparsely populated territory on the Atlantic coast of North Africa, with sovereignty contested between Morocco (which administers most of the territory) and the Polisario Front. Most current tourism in the region centers on Dakhla, which has developed a significant reputation as a kitesurfing and windsurfing destination. Checking current conditions and understanding the territory's disputed status is worth doing before planning any visit.
Top attractions
The sights most first-time visitors build an itinerary around.
Dakhla Lagoon
A large, shallow lagoon known as one of the world's best kitesurfing and windsurfing destinations, with consistent strong winds and flat water suited to all skill levels.
📍 Dakhla
🚉 Dakhla has an airport with flights from Casablanca and Las Palmas, and Supratours coaches run the 1,200km down from Marrakech in about 20 hours - the kitesurf camps are on the lagoon, 25km from town.
Laayoune
The largest city in the territory, with a Spanish colonial-era history reflected in some of its older architecture, and a base for exploring the surrounding coastline.
📍 Laayoune
🚉 Laayoune has an airport and coach links to Agadir and Marrakech, about 10 and 16 hours respectively - the city is administered by Morocco and travelled the same way as the rest of the country.
Sahara Desert Excursions
The vast desert interior offers camel trekking and desert camping, similar in style to excursions offered in neighboring Morocco's own Sahara regions.
📍 Western Sahara interior
🚉 Desert trips leave from Dakhla and Laayoune with local operators; the territory is disputed and parts of it are restricted or mined, so independent desert driving is not advisable.
Mark Western Sahara, get the stamp
In MyPassportStory, every country you mark - visited, lived in, or still on the list - becomes a stamp like these in your own travel passport. Add the cities you stopped in, draw the route between them, and turn the whole trip into a shareable passport-style image.
Open MyPassportStoryPlanning questions
How many days do you need in Western Sahara?
A kitesurfing-focused trip to Dakhla typically runs a week or more, since many visitors come specifically to spend consecutive days on the water.
What's the best time to visit Western Sahara?
Dakhla's kitesurfing season runs strongest March-November, with consistent trade winds; winter months can be cooler with lighter, less reliable wind.
Is Western Sahara good for a first-time visit?
Dakhla specifically has a well-established kitesurfing tourism scene; it's worth understanding the territory's disputed political status and checking current travel advisories before planning a visit.
Do I need a visa to visit Western Sahara?
Entry to the Morocco-administered areas, including Dakhla, generally follows Moroccan visa rules for most nationalities. Check the official information for your nationality: diplomatie.ma.
What are some things to do in Western Sahara on a tight budget?
Dakhla has a range of kitesurfing camps and hostels at different price points, and local food is inexpensive relative to mainland Morocco's more touristed cities.
Can I rent a car in Western Sahara, and what licence do I need?
In practice this means renting under Moroccan rules, since the territory west of the berm is administered by Morocco and rental companies operate from Dakhla and Laayoune on the same terms as Agadir. A national licence is accepted with an International Driving Permit recommended alongside it, and the minimum age is generally 21 to 25. Two cautions specific to here: the territory is disputed and the status is unresolved, so check your government's travel advice, and land mines remain in areas near the berm and off the main roads - stay on tarmac. Moroccan official guidance is at maroc.ma.