Laayoune

Laayoune (Laâyoune) is the largest city of Western Sahara, a territory under Moroccan administration whose status remains disputed, set on the edge of the Saqia al-Hamra valley about twenty kilometres inland from the Atlantic. Built up largely in recent decades, it has wide avenues, the Mechouar square, a large mosque and a lively market where nomad traders sell tea, dates and camel wool. The Spanish colonial cathedral still stands in the old centre. At the coast, the port and beach of Foum El Oued lie below high dunes, and tours head out to the Khnifiss lagoon and into the desert. Most visitors stop a night or two on the coastal road.