Things to do & places to visit in Nouakchott, Mauritania

The Saharan city of Nouakchott was a small fishing village until 1957, when Mauritania attained independence. The new capital city of a young country, Nouakchott has changed quite a bit since the Sixties, with mosques, government buildings, and street markets rising up out of the desert sand. Spread out over land that constantly being encroached upon by massive dunes, and inhabited by a nomadic people that don't keep their tents pitched in one place for very long, the city is always in flux.

Nouakchott #1 destination in Mauritania 2023. The average rating score is 4.43 based on 653 traveler reviews, of 29 attractions. Timezone: Africa/Nouakchott, current date and time: Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 19:26.

Nouakchott Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in May

89°F - 69°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Pleasantly warm and breezy

Feels like

Chance of rain

1.0 millimeters

Amount

17.8 mph

Wind speed

50%

Humidity

13.0

Daylight length

6:31 AM

Sunrise

7:29 PM

Sunset

75%

Cloud cover

Sleeveless shirt

What to wear

Top things to do (40)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Time4mauritania Tours (71 reviews)
- Magical, awe-inspiring, and peaceful
Multi-day Tours • Cultural Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Private Tours • Rail Tours

Time4Mauritania is locally-owned and employs locals as well, which is personally a big plus for me. Our guide Sidamar was accommodating as he was hospitable. He patiently answered all our questions and always made sure our group was well-stocked with water (essential in the desert!) and that no one was left out of the group. Our Time4Mauritania drivers added to the fun and honestly deserve a medal for their driving-skills, and even put on a dance party for us! We camped under the stars, visited ancient cities, got to know the locals and their lifestyles, visit oasises and ride the famous iron ore train. I booked as a group tour but I was informed you can craft your own itinerary with Time4Mauritania as well for a more personalized experience. Not once did I feel unsafe or uncomfortable, and logistics were handled very professionally despite the lack of modernized amenities. If you're looking to visit a country with spectacular landscapes untouched by mass tourism, go to Mauritania, and go with Time4Mauritania. See more..
5.0 Desert Mauritanie (64 reviews)
- Fantastic trip with great impressions completely tailored to us.
Multi-day Tours • Eco Tours • Private Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Day Trips

In preparation for our one-week desert tour, we met Idoumou and named as destinations, of course, the well-known places Atar, Chinguetti and Terjit. In addition, as artists, we were looking for impressive landscapes to work in situ. The route that Idoumou finally put together for us showed us the special beauty and diversity of the Mauritanian desert. Each of us was allowed to experience and connect with this magnificent nature in different ways. Our companions took first-class care of us: Adama was an excellent driver on rough terrain and Hamudi provided us with delicacies. The Mauritanian desert made three new friends who look forward to seeing it again. We highly recommend Desert Mauritanie for a desert trip. See more..
5.0 T'Ore Mauritania (58 reviews)
- By far the best tour operator in Mauretania! They manage to be best AND cheapest at the same time!
Multi-day Tours • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Taxis & Shuttles • Hiking & Camping Tours • Private Tours • Day Trips

T‘Ore Mauretania, managed by „Baba“ is definitely your choice if you‘re planning on visiting Mauretania. This tour agency really cares about its customers experiences. Their guide is absolutely passionate about his job, 100% reliable and well prepared for whatever problems might arise. The cars they use are very new, clean and in great condition (you can be sure that the AC always works. Very important in mauretania!). Traveling through mauretania with T‘Ore Mauretania was so far my highlight of 2022 :) See more..
5.0 Mauritania desert voyages (40 reviews)
- Why Mauritania is worth a visit
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Multi-day Tours • Motorcycle Tours • Coffee & Tea Tours • Private Tours • Rail Tours • Bus Tours • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Bike Tours • Walking Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Running Tours • Air Tours • Day Trips

Mauritania was an awesome experience! It has so much to offer for a country that isnt visited a lot (yet), Ali and his team of great and experienced drivers made it even better. We did so many great things, from visiting Terjit oasis to visiting the ancient city of Chinguetti, where they still got some books that are over 500 years old which are conserved by the foundation there, and also riding the sand dunes with the hiluxes. Best part of this trip was riding the iron ore train through the sahara desert for 12hours/500km, and boy do you get dirty if you dont wear the proper gear. Why should you visit Mauritania you ask? because youll be one of the few to experience awesome stuff like this, and you got stories to tell to your friends/family. See more..
5.0 10 day Tour In Mauritania (23 reviews)
- Nice
Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 11:30 PM Multi-day Tours • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Walking Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Private Tours • Day Trips

Service was excellent, one should definitely have a experience with them fun time with them. Go for it See more..
5.0 Mauritania Best Tours (21 reviews)
- Well organized, professional, and trustworthy tour company
4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Taxis & Shuttles • Boat Rentals • Private Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Self-Guided Tours & Rentals • Day Trips

Mohamed and his team organized an excellent custom tour to the Zouerate area and facilitated our successful climb of the highest mountain in the country, Kediet ej Jill. Mohammed, trip manager, was very professional, responsive to email, and well-organized throughout the planning process. Our English-speaking guide, Cheikh, did a fantastic job of translating, advising, and coordinating permission to climb with local authorities in Zouerate, involving many delicate negotiations. His negotiation skills, kindness, and honesty all contributed to the success of the trip. Our driver, Mukhtar, was very safe, professional and his 4x4 was in excellent condition with working seatbelts. We could comfortably sleep as he drove. Finally, the entire team was conscientious to COVID protocols. We highly recommend this company for future travelers. See more..
5.0 Sidi Tours Mauritania (11 reviews)
- Great experience, professional tour operator
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Walking Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Self-Guided Tours & Rentals

Sidi is very reliable person, who’s priority is to fulfill customer expectations. He is not just professional in his field, but also great person by himself. Very knowledgeable about the country with more than 20 years of experience. Very honest, without the tendency to rip off tourists at the very first possibility He trained a lot of local guides, organizes trips for journalists and embassies, what already should speak by itself regarding quality of his work. As solo female, I felt very comfortable and respected while dealing with Sidi and can definitely recommend his tour. See more..
5.0 Dahid Jdeidou (3 reviews)
- Great tour guide
Multi-day Tours • Motorcycle Tours • Private Tours • Rail Tours • Bus Tours • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Taxis & Shuttles • Bike Tours • Walking Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Running Tours • Day Trips

Dahid is a great tour guide and we mat him several times during our different tours trough Mauritania. He assisted us where he could such at the boarder to enter with 3 trucks and 14 people. Visited several places with Dahid and he really knows a lot of is country and showed us very interesting places. He also assisted us to search for our trucks to stay in Mauritania for 6 months. Great guy, uh guide! See more..
5.0 Marche Turc (2 reviews)
- Marche Turc Clothing Store For Men, Women and Kids
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM Department Stores

Marche Turc Clothing Store For Men, Women and Kids in Nouakchott Mauritania #clothing #nktt #nouakchott See more..
5.0 Time4mauritania Tours (71 reviews)
- Magical, awe-inspiring, and peaceful
Multi-day Tours • Cultural Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Private Tours • Rail Tours

Time4Mauritania is locally-owned and employs locals as well, which is personally a big plus for me. Our guide Sidamar was accommodating as he was hospitable. He patiently answered all our questions and always made sure our group was well-stocked with water (essential in the desert!) and that no one was left out of the group. Our Time4Mauritania drivers added to the fun and honestly deserve a medal for their driving-skills, and even put on a dance party for us! We camped under the stars, visited ancient cities, got to know the locals and their lifestyles, visit oasises and ride the famous iron ore train. I booked as a group tour but I was informed you can craft your own itinerary with Time4Mauritania as well for a more personalized experience. Not once did I feel unsafe or uncomfortable, and logistics were handled very professionally despite the lack of modernized amenities. If you're looking to visit a country with spectacular landscapes untouched by mass tourism, go to Mauritania, and go with Time4Mauritania. See more..
5.0 Desert Mauritanie (64 reviews)
- Fantastic trip with great impressions completely tailored to us.
Multi-day Tours • Eco Tours • Private Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Day Trips

In preparation for our one-week desert tour, we met Idoumou and named as destinations, of course, the well-known places Atar, Chinguetti and Terjit. In addition, as artists, we were looking for impressive landscapes to work in situ. The route that Idoumou finally put together for us showed us the special beauty and diversity of the Mauritanian desert. Each of us was allowed to experience and connect with this magnificent nature in different ways. Our companions took first-class care of us: Adama was an excellent driver on rough terrain and Hamudi provided us with delicacies. The Mauritanian desert made three new friends who look forward to seeing it again. We highly recommend Desert Mauritanie for a desert trip. See more..
5.0 T'Ore Mauritania (58 reviews)
- By far the best tour operator in Mauretania! They manage to be best AND cheapest at the same time!
Multi-day Tours • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Taxis & Shuttles • Hiking & Camping Tours • Private Tours • Day Trips

T‘Ore Mauretania, managed by „Baba“ is definitely your choice if you‘re planning on visiting Mauretania. This tour agency really cares about its customers experiences. Their guide is absolutely passionate about his job, 100% reliable and well prepared for whatever problems might arise. The cars they use are very new, clean and in great condition (you can be sure that the AC always works. Very important in mauretania!). Traveling through mauretania with T‘Ore Mauretania was so far my highlight of 2022 :) See more..
5.0 Mauritania desert voyages (40 reviews)
- Why Mauritania is worth a visit
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Multi-day Tours • Motorcycle Tours • Coffee & Tea Tours • Private Tours • Rail Tours • Bus Tours • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Bike Tours • Walking Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Running Tours • Air Tours • Day Trips

Mauritania was an awesome experience! It has so much to offer for a country that isnt visited a lot (yet), Ali and his team of great and experienced drivers made it even better. We did so many great things, from visiting Terjit oasis to visiting the ancient city of Chinguetti, where they still got some books that are over 500 years old which are conserved by the foundation there, and also riding the sand dunes with the hiluxes. Best part of this trip was riding the iron ore train through the sahara desert for 12hours/500km, and boy do you get dirty if you dont wear the proper gear. Why should you visit Mauritania you ask? because youll be one of the few to experience awesome stuff like this, and you got stories to tell to your friends/family. See more..
5.0 10 day Tour In Mauritania (23 reviews)
- Nice
Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 11:30 PM Multi-day Tours • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Walking Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Private Tours • Day Trips

Service was excellent, one should definitely have a experience with them fun time with them. Go for it See more..
5.0 Mauritania Best Tours (21 reviews)
- Well organized, professional, and trustworthy tour company
4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Taxis & Shuttles • Boat Rentals • Private Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Self-Guided Tours & Rentals • Day Trips

Mohamed and his team organized an excellent custom tour to the Zouerate area and facilitated our successful climb of the highest mountain in the country, Kediet ej Jill. Mohammed, trip manager, was very professional, responsive to email, and well-organized throughout the planning process. Our English-speaking guide, Cheikh, did a fantastic job of translating, advising, and coordinating permission to climb with local authorities in Zouerate, involving many delicate negotiations. His negotiation skills, kindness, and honesty all contributed to the success of the trip. Our driver, Mukhtar, was very safe, professional and his 4x4 was in excellent condition with working seatbelts. We could comfortably sleep as he drove. Finally, the entire team was conscientious to COVID protocols. We highly recommend this company for future travelers. See more..
5.0 Sidi Tours Mauritania (11 reviews)
- Great experience, professional tour operator
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Walking Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Self-Guided Tours & Rentals

Sidi is very reliable person, who’s priority is to fulfill customer expectations. He is not just professional in his field, but also great person by himself. Very knowledgeable about the country with more than 20 years of experience. Very honest, without the tendency to rip off tourists at the very first possibility He trained a lot of local guides, organizes trips for journalists and embassies, what already should speak by itself regarding quality of his work. As solo female, I felt very comfortable and respected while dealing with Sidi and can definitely recommend his tour. See more..
5.0 Dahid Jdeidou (3 reviews)
- Great tour guide
Multi-day Tours • Motorcycle Tours • Private Tours • Rail Tours • Bus Tours • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Taxis & Shuttles • Bike Tours • Walking Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Running Tours • Day Trips

Dahid is a great tour guide and we mat him several times during our different tours trough Mauritania. He assisted us where he could such at the boarder to enter with 3 trucks and 14 people. Visited several places with Dahid and he really knows a lot of is country and showed us very interesting places. He also assisted us to search for our trucks to stay in Mauritania for 6 months. Great guy, uh guide! See more..
5.0 Marche Turc (2 reviews)
- Marche Turc Clothing Store For Men, Women and Kids
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM Department Stores

Marche Turc Clothing Store For Men, Women and Kids in Nouakchott Mauritania #clothing #nktt #nouakchott See more..
4.5 Galerie Zeinart (22 reviews)
- Wonderful Gallery in Nouakchott
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Galleries • Farmers Markets

Contemporary art and design, jewelry, fine handicraft. Working directly with local artists, artisans and creators. Monthly exhibitions. A local food market in the garden twice a month. Fair trade. See more..
4.5 Banc d'Arguin National Park (13 reviews)
- Beautiful Desolation
National Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas

A vast wetland has a variety of animals and birds. See more..
4.5 Galerie Zeinart (22 reviews)
- Wonderful Gallery in Nouakchott
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Galleries • Farmers Markets

Contemporary art and design, jewelry, fine handicraft. Working directly with local artists, artisans and creators. Monthly exhibitions. A local food market in the garden twice a month. Fair trade. See more..
4.5 Banc d'Arguin National Park (13 reviews)
- Beautiful Desolation
National Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas

A vast wetland has a variety of animals and birds. See more..
4.0 Port de Pêche (115 reviews)
- Great place for pictures
Piers & Boardwalks

Fishermen return from the sea each evening and sell their fresh catch at this portside fish market. See more..
4.0 Plage de Nouakchott (106 reviews)
- Be careful
Beaches

Hello all visitors It is a good idea to visit the fishing port. Here some advices You should visit at the afternoon in order to see the fishermen caming with their boats and to enjoy seeing fish, and if you want to buy fish it is the best moment. Be careful with your pocket and you better ask people before taking a photo of them because some do not enjoy it. Do not go far or to a place with no body. You better have a guide who will show you the best their. I hope you good luck. See more..
4.0 Saudi mosque (34 reviews)
- The biggest mosque
Religious Sites

One of the biggest mosques in the city, a convenient place to pray with poor maintenance,I went one time on Friday. See more..
4.0 Centre culturel francais St Exupery (25 reviews)
- The best restaurant of the place
Civic Centres

After beeing warmly welcomed by the lovely owner you will enjoy one of the best food at the best price.Quickly served,excellent service.I recommend it to all the visitors of Nouakchott whatever their purposes are.The restaurant is located in the cultural area of the french embassy so you can also have access to conferences,expositions,concerts,and a library. See more..
4.0 Marche aux Khaimas (4 reviews)
- So many to choose from!!
Flea & Street Markets

Traditional Street Market See more..
4.0 Port de Pêche (115 reviews)
- Great place for pictures
Piers & Boardwalks

Fishermen return from the sea each evening and sell their fresh catch at this portside fish market. See more..
4.0 Plage de Nouakchott (106 reviews)
- Be careful
Beaches

Hello all visitors It is a good idea to visit the fishing port. Here some advices You should visit at the afternoon in order to see the fishermen caming with their boats and to enjoy seeing fish, and if you want to buy fish it is the best moment. Be careful with your pocket and you better ask people before taking a photo of them because some do not enjoy it. Do not go far or to a place with no body. You better have a guide who will show you the best their. I hope you good luck. See more..
4.0 Saudi mosque (34 reviews)
- The biggest mosque
Religious Sites

One of the biggest mosques in the city, a convenient place to pray with poor maintenance,I went one time on Friday. See more..