Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra Travel Guide
Laâyoune (El Aaiún), the largest city of the southern provinces. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra is the northern of Morocco's two southern Atlantic regions. Laâyoune, on the Atlantic coast, is the largest city of the southern provinces; the region's economy runs on fishing and phosphates, including the long conveyor that carries phosphate from the Bou Craa mine to the coast.
For travelers, the draw is the emptiness: the Khnifiss lagoon, a national park and flamingo stop on the East Atlantic flyway, long empty beaches like Foum El Oued, and desert that meets the ocean.
Key destinations in Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra
Khnifiss lagoonThe national park lagoon: flamingos, dunes and migratory birds.
Foum El OuedLaâyoune's beach on the Atlantic.
LaâyouneThe largest city of the southern provinces.
BoujdourThe fishing port on Cap Bojador.
Hover a region to explore it. Click a city pin to open its guide.
Top Cities & towns in Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra
Getting there
Hassan I Airport (EUN) serves Laâyoune with flights from Casablanca. The coastal road runs south from Agadir; distances are long, so allow full driving days.