Steinruinen der Zaouia von Scheich Ma al-Aynayn in Smara Smara, Marokko Smara, Marokko Smara, Marokko
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Gateway to Saharan history

Smara

The fossilized zaouia in the desert

Deep inland lie the ruins of the zaouia of Sheikh Ma' al-Aynayn — founded in the early 20th century as a religious and political center of the Sahara, today a field of stone arches and pillars in the middle of the desert. Smara itself is a quiet, sparse garrison town; the real draw is the silent force of this half-ruined complex, telling of a time when the Sahara had centers of its own.

Best moment shortly before sunset, when the stone arches cast long shadows See hotels → Rent a car → Compare package deals → Compare on Trip.com → Weather ↗

TryKhobz bread and camel milk, simple desert cooking of the garrison town.

VisitThe riverbed of the Saguia el-Hamra, which gives the region its name and briefly carries water after rain.

At a glance

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