Up for adventure? If so, there’s one place you can now easily visit that’s almost certainly never been on your radar.
Set near Spain’s Canary Islands lies a disputed city with a history of controversy. Is it Morocco? Is It Western Sahara? You be the judge.
Point being, despite governmental conflicts, tensions are nowhere near the level of Morocco and Algeria, where land borders have been closed since the mid-90’s, or even worse, Russia and Ukraine.
More on par with disgruntled family members at Thanksgiving dinner, we’ll go with Western Sahara because that’s technically the location, and just know it’s widely considered a safe destination for tourists.
Regardless of quite possibly never knowing the city of Dakhla existed, new flights, ritzy resorts, and old world culture await on virtually untouched shores lining North Africa’s unknown slice of paradise.
Note: The United Nations considers Western Sahara, including Dakhla, a Non-Self-Governing Territory not classified as “Morocco”.
Why Visit Dakhla?
As Fodor’s just released 9 destinations to avoid, largely in part due to overtourism concerns, travelers are beginning to open their eyes to new possibilities and adventures off-the-beaten-path.
Rather than following what you know about, say, Spain’s plethora of popular islands, Dakhla lies on the opposite end of the spectrum, embracing visitors rather than pushing them away.
In the same vicinity as the Canary Islands, your journey will only be a tinge longer by air. Better yet, Dakhla’s pristine coastlines are largely undiscovered except for locals in the know.
In fact, Dakhla’s claim to fame, if any, is a kite-surfing destination.
Beyond this, a new playground for explorers is calling, with city streets full of ornate buildings reminiscent of Morocco’s sprawling cityscapes.
Buzzing markets, eye-popping mosques, and an array cultural subtleties will have you magnetized to the Sahrawi way of life and warm welcoming to visitors.
Set along a ready-to-be-discovered peninsula overlooking the Atlantic, one very important reason to consider visiting is Dakhla is already equipped with high-end resorts, boutique stays, and easy-to-navigate streets, such as the tranquil Corniche promenade.
You never know what surprising delights you’ll find, from hidden alleyways to charming cafes, such as Cafe Anastasia, set bayside with a breezy patio.
Plus, Dakhla boasts splendid weather year-round despite being located just out of range of a very desolate region of African desert.
Expect the 70s from winter through the low to mid-70s winter months through July and a slight uptick to the 80s late summer and early fall.
Dakhla Is Taking Flight In More Ways Than One
When airlines begin taking notice of a particular place, that usually means there’s something brewing.
In Dakhla’s case, the potential has simply long been ignored, and all it takes is one airline to shine a light.
Ryanair is doing just that by offering not one but two new routes to Dakhla for the first time in its history.
Known as being one of the stricter budget airlines in terms of luggage allowance, seat assignments, and downright hilarious social media feeds, Ryanair is well-connected and safe, so there’s no need to worry about booking with them.
Ryanair’s new routes are as follows:
- Starting January 8, 2025: Madrid (MAD) to Dakhla (VIL) twice weekly
- Starting January 11, 2025: Lanzarote (ACE) to Dakhla (VIL) twice weekly
Better yet, you don’t have to wait until January as there are already easy connections from Paris and Casablanca through Transavia and Royal Air Maroc.
Another development to keep an eye on is Air Oasis, a new airline expected to be headquartered in Dakhla, but there is no official word on when or where it will take to the skies.
Dakhla’s Affordable Beach Resorts
One of Dakhla’s most notable bright spots is that the city’s ritzy resorts have yet to benefit from supply and demand, making them very budget-friendly.
Dakhla’s beachfront hotels are scattered across the peninsula, but these 5 are ones to consider for amazing value and prime real estate:
3-star properties:
Bavaro Beach Dakhla – $84
Dakhla Attitude – $94
4-star properties:
Hotel Oasis Dakhla – $103
Dakhla South Bay – $107
Dakhla Club Hotel & Spa – $151
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
