50 Best Places to Visit in Mauritania: The Ultimate Travel Guide

Mauritania, situated at the crossroads of North Africa’s Maghreb and Sub-Saharan West Africa, is a land of vast, ethereal landscapes and deep Saharan heritage. Dominated by the dramatic dunes of the Sahara Desert, rugged sandstone plateaus, and pristine Atlantic coastlines, Mauritania offers intrepid travelers ancient trade cities, historical manuscript libraries, legendary desert railways, and rich nomadic traditions.

Why Visit Mauritania

Mauritania provides an extraordinary voyage into untouched desert wilderness, ancient Islamic scholarship, and dramatic coastal reserves.

• Ancient Saharan Ksour Cities: Explore UNESCO World Heritage desert trading posts with ancient stone mosques and manuscript libraries.
• The Legendary Iron Ore Train: Experience one of the world's most dramatic open-air railway adventures across the Saharan sands.
• Banc d'Arguin Coastal Sanctuary: Witness millions of migratory birds along pristine Atlantic mudflats and coastal dunes.

Quick Facts

50 Best Places to Visit in Mauritania

1. Ancient Ksour of Chinguetti

• Location: Adrar Region, Central Mauritania
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Category: UNESCO World Heritage / Ancient Holy City
• About the Place: The 7th holy city of Islam, famous for its dry-stone minaret, ancient manuscript libraries preserved by desert families, and surrounding golden sand dunes.
• Travel Instructions: Travel by 4x4 overland from Atar along the desert track across the Amogjar Pass.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Chinguetti

2. Banc d'Arguin National Park

• Location: Atlantic Coast between Nouadhibou and Nouakchott
• Best Time to Visit: November to April
• Category: UNESCO World Heritage / Marine & Bird Sanctuary
• About the Place: A vast coastal national park featuring mudflats, island sandbars, and millions of migratory wintering shorebirds, flamingos, and pelicans.
• Travel Instructions: Accessible via 4x4 vehicle from the main Nouakchott–Nouadhibou highway, followed by traditional Imraguen sailboat tours.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Banc d'Arguin National Park

3. Ancient Ksour of Ouadane

• Location: Adrar Region, Eastern Edge
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Category: UNESCO World Heritage / Desert Ruins
• About the Place: A dramatically terraced medieval caravan city perched on a cliff edge, historically prosperous from Saharan salt and gold trade routes.
• Travel Instructions: Drive 2 hours northeast across sand dunes via 4x4 from Chinguetti.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Ouadane

4. Richat Structure (Eye of the Sahara)

• Location: Near Ouadane, Adrar Region
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Category: Geological Wonder / Desert Landmark
• About the Place: A deeply eroded, 40-kilometer-wide prominent circular geological dome visible from space, surrounded by flat Saharan plains.
• Travel Instructions: 4x4 desert expedition required departing from the town of Ouadane.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Richat Structure

5. Port de Pêche (Nouakchott Fish Market)

• Location: Waterfront, Nouakchott
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round (Late afternoon around 4:00 PM)
• Category: Cultural Market / Oceanfront
• About the Place: A vibrant, bustling Atlantic fishing harbor where hundreds of hand-painted wooden pirogue boats land daily with fresh catches.
• Travel Instructions: Located on the western coast of Nouakchott; reached by local taxi from city center.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Port de Pêche

6. The Mauritania Iron Ore Train (Train du Désert)

• Location: Zouérat to Nouadhibou Railway
• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Category: Extreme Railway Travel / Saharan Adventure
• About the Place: One of the longest and heaviest trains in the world, stretching over 2 kilometers, allowing adventurous travelers to ride atop open-air iron ore hopper cars across the desert.
• Travel Instructions: Board open hopper cars at Choum, Zouérat, or Nouadhibou railway stations.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Mauritania Iron Ore Train

7. Terjit Oasis

• Location: Adrar Region, South of Atar
• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Category: Desert Oasis & Spring
• About the Place: A lush Saharan oasis nestled inside a deep sandstone gorge, featuring natural freshwater springs, date palm groves, and shade pools.
• Travel Instructions: Drive 45 minutes south along the paved road from Atar towards Nouakchott.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Terjit Oasis

8. Oualata (Walata)

• Location: Hodh Ech Chargui Region, Southeastern Mauritania
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Category: UNESCO World Heritage / Traditional Architecture
• About the Place: Famous for unique, ornate traditional wall paintings intricately painted onto clay houses by local women, set in a historic Saharan trade town.
• Travel Instructions: Reachable via 4x4 from Néma town near the southeastern border.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Oualata

9. Atar City & Central Market

• Location: Adrar Region
• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Category: Gateway Town & Market
• About the Place: The chief gateway town to the Adrar plateau, offering lively markets selling nomad crafts, silver jewelry, dates, and traditional robes.
• Travel Instructions: Connected to Nouakchott by a 5-hour paved road journey (Route de l'Espoir/N1).
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Atar

10. Ben Amera Monolith

• Location: Near Choum, Northern Mauritania
• Best Time to Visit: November to March
• Category: Geological Monolith / Outdoor Art
• About the Place: The world's second-largest single-piece granite monolith, rising dramatically out of the desert sands, flanked by carved stone sculptures.
• Travel Instructions: 4x4 desert trip off the railway route near the border town of Choum.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Ben Amera Monolith

11. Nouadhibou & Cap Blanc (Ras Nouadhibou)

• Location: Dakhlet Nouadhibou Region
• Best Time to Visit: October to April
• Category: Coastal Peninsula & Wildlife Reserve
• About the Place: Mauritania's economic peninsula city, home to Cap Blanc marine reserve protecting the world's last colony of Mediterranean monk seals.
• Travel Instructions: Accessible via paved national highway N2 north from Nouakchott or domestic flight.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Nouadhibou

12. Diawling National Park

• Location: Trarza Region, Senegal River Delta
• Best Time to Visit: November to March
• Category: Wetland Reserve & Birding
• About the Place: A lush delta ecosystem along the Senegal River border, home to pelicans, cormorants, warthogs, and mangrove marine life.
• Travel Instructions: Located south of Rosso near the border town of Rosso and Diama dam.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Diawling National Park

13. Tichitt Ancient Ksour

• Location: Tagant Plateau, Central-Southern Mauritania
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Category: UNESCO World Heritage / Cliffside Citadel
• About the Place: A striking 12th-century stone fortified town set against cliff faces, celebrated for dry-stone architecture and ancient trade history.
• Travel Instructions: Remote 4x4 desert drive east from Tidjikja across sandstone tracks.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Tichitt

14. National Museum of Mauritania

• Location: Central Nouakchott
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Category: Archaeological & Cultural Museum
• About the Place: Displays prehistoric stone artifacts, Berber and Moorish ethnographic collections, traditional musical instruments, and manuscripts.
• Travel Instructions: Located in central Nouakchott next to the Saudi Mosque.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to National Museum of Mauritania

15. Pass of Amogjar & Cave Paintings

• Location: Adrar Plateau, near Chinguetti
• Best Time to Visit: November to March
• Category: Canyon Landscape & Rock Art
• About the Place: A sweeping canyon pass featuring natural rock shelters containing prehistoric Neolithic cave paintings of cattle, giraffes, and human figures.
• Travel Instructions: Positioned along the rugged dirt mountain track between Atar and Chinguetti.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Amogjar Pass

16. Choum Junction

• Location: Northern Border Region
• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Category: Desert Crossroads & Railway Tunnel
• About the Place: Historic desert rail junction town where the iron ore train loops through mountain rock formations near the Western Sahara border.
• Travel Instructions: Reached by 4x4 road from Atar or via the iron ore train route.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Choum

17. Saudi Mosque (Grand Mosque of Nouakchott)

• Location: Downtown Nouakchott
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Category: Architectural & Religious Landmark
• About the Place: Prominent central mosque featuring elegant twin minarets and Islamic architecture gifted to Nouakchott by Saudi Arabia.
• Travel Instructions: Situated in central business district of downtown Nouakchott.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Saudi Mosque

18. Tidjikja Oasis

• Location: Tagant Region, Central Mauritania
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Category: Historic Oasis Town
• About the Place: Known as the palm capital of Mauritania, famous for expansive date palm plantations, mud-brick architecture, and quiet desert wells.
• Travel Instructions: Driven south from Atar across the Tagant plateau highway.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Tidjikja

19. Mhaireth Oasis

• Location: Adrar Canyon Network
• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Category: Desert Canyon Oasis
• About the Place: One of the longest dense date palm oases in the Adrar region, nestled beneath high red sandstone cliffs.
• Travel Instructions: 4x4 dirt track excursion south from Terjit or Atar.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Mhaireth Oasis

20. Zouérat Iron Ore Mines & Kediet ej Jill

• Location: Tiris Zemmour Region, Far North
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Category: Mining Landscape & Highest Peak
• About the Place: Massive open-pit iron ore mining operations set beneath Kediet ej Jill, Mauritania's highest mountain made almost entirely of iron magnetite.
• Travel Instructions: Northern terminus of the iron ore railway line from Nouadhibou.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Zouérat

21. Nouakchott Beach (Plage de Nouakchott)

• Location: Western Coast, Nouakchott
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Category: Atlantic Beach
• About the Place: Wide, endless stretches of sandy Atlantic shore where locals gather during evenings for breezes, tea, and beach soccer.
• Travel Instructions: 5 km west drive from downtown Nouakchott.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Nouakchott Beach

22. Kiffa City & Kiffa Beads Crafting

• Location: Assaba Region, Southern Mauritania
• Best Time to Visit: November to March
• Category: Historic Artisanal Town
• About the Place: Famous worldwide for unique hand-painted glass powder beads ("Kiffa beads") created by female master artisans using ancient glass techniques.
• Travel Instructions: Located along Route de l'Espoir, roughly 600 km east of Nouakchott.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Kiffa

23. Aoukar Basin (El Aoukar)

• Location: Southeastern Desert Depression
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Category: Saharan Geological Basin
• About the Place: A massive dry geological lake basin surrounded by red sand dunes, historically fed by extinct rivers where ancient human settlements once thrived.
• Travel Instructions: Extreme 4x4 desert expedition south of Tichitt.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Aoukar Basin

24. Kaédi & Senegal River Valley

• Location: Gorgol Region, Southern Border
• Best Time to Visit: November to March
• Category: River Valley City & Unique Architecture
• About the Place: Largest town along the Senegal River, featuring the famous regional hospital with innovative earthen brick dome architecture.
• Travel Instructions: Connected by paved highway south from Boghé along the river corridor.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Kaédi

25. Azougui Ruins

• Location: Adrar Region, Northwest of Atar
• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Category: Historic Almoravid Citadel Ruins
• About the Place: 11th-century capital citadel site of the Almoravid Empire, surrounded by ancient palm groves and petroglyphs.
• Travel Instructions: Located just 10 km northwest of Atar town.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Azougui Ruins

26. Cansado Ghost Neighborhood & Ship Graveyard Viewpoints

• Location: Nouadhibou Bay
• Best Time to Visit: October to April
• Category: Coastal Maritime History
• About the Place: Historic bay district where hundreds of rusted ocean vessels once formed the world's largest ship graveyard, with scenic ocean bluffs.
• Travel Instructions: Short drive south from central Nouadhibou town.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Cansado

27. Ayoun el Atrous

• Location: Hodh El Gharbi Region
• Best Time to Visit: November to March
• Category: Desert Oasis & Granitic Rock Hills
• About the Place: Scenic southern town framed by granite rock formations, date palms, and bustling markets along the Trans-Sahel highway.
• Travel Instructions: Situated on Route de l'Espoir highway, 800 km east of Nouakchott.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Ayoun el Atrous

28. Marche Capitale (Nouakchott Central Market)

• Location: Downtown Nouakchott
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Category: Central Market
• About the Place: The commercial pulse of the capital, lined with vendors selling traditional Hassaniya textiles (Melhafa), silver daggers, spices, and leathercraft.
• Travel Instructions: Located in central business district near Saudi Mosque.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Marche Capitale

29. Néma City & Gateway to Oualata

• Location: Hodh Ech Chargui Region
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Category: Historic Terminus City
• About the Place: The easternmost paved terminus town of Route de l'Espoir, serving as the launching point for desert journeys to Oualata.
• Travel Instructions: Eastern end of Route de l'Espoir highway from Nouakchott.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Néma

30. White Dunes of Azefal

• Location: Northern Desert Region
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Category: Saharan Dune Field
• About the Place: Sweeping fields of fine white wind-sculpted sand dunes contrasting against dark sandstone mountain ranges.
• Travel Instructions: 4x4 desert route heading towards the Western Sahara border zone.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to White Dunes of Azefal

31. Rosso & Senegal River Border Crossing

• Location: Trarza Region, Southern Border
• Best Time to Visit: November to March
• Category: Border River Town
• About the Place: Historic river ferry crossing connecting Mauritania and Senegal across the green agricultural Senegal River corridor.
• Travel Instructions: Drive 200 km south from Nouakchott along paved highway N2.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Rosso

32. Ben Aicha Sand Sculptures

• Location: Near Ben Amera Monolith
• Best Time to Visit: November to March
• Category: Desert Art Installation
• About the Place: A collection of stone sculptures carved by international artists in 1999 at the foot of massive Saharan monoliths.
• Travel Instructions: Located right beside the Ben Amera monolith near Choum.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Ben Aicha Sculptures

33. Boghé River Port

• Location: Brakna Region, Southern Border
• Best Time to Visit: November to March
• Category: Agricultural River Town
• About the Place: Peaceful riverside town known for rice paddies, vegetable farming, and traditional Peul (Fulani) river communities.
• Travel Instructions: Located along the main southern river highway between Rosso and Kaédi.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Boghé

34. Kiffa Sandstone Plateau

• Location: Assaba Region
• Best Time to Visit: November to March
• Category: Mountain Scenery & Treks
• About the Place: Dramatic sandstone cliffs and rock escarpments rising above acacia savanna plains, popular for scenic driving.
• Travel Instructions: Accessible from Kiffa town along the main southern highway.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Kiffa Plateau

35. Iwi Islet (Banc d'Arguin)

• Location: Banc d'Arguin National Park
• Best Time to Visit: November to April
• Category: Coastal Islet & Bird Watching
• About the Place: A serene coastal village islet within Banc d'Arguin, famous as a staging point for pelican and flamingo watching.
• Travel Instructions: Traditional felucca boat trip organized from Mamghar or Iwik village.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Iwi Islet

36. Akjoujt Copper Mining Town

• Location: Inchiri Region
• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Category: Historic Mining Town
• About the Place: Ancient copper mining site dating back to 850 BC, set in a desert basin between Nouakchott and Atar.
• Travel Instructions: Located midway on the paved highway between Nouakchott and Atar.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Akjoujt

37. Agrour Rock Art Shelters

• Location: Near Chinguetti, Adrar Region
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Category: Archaeological Rock Art
• About the Place: Natural rock overhangs containing ancient red-pigment Neolithic rock art depictions of wild animals and hunters.
• Travel Instructions: 4x4 detour off the Chinguetti desert track.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Agrour Rock Art Shelters

38. Tenoumer Meteorite Crater

• Location: Northern Sahara Desert
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Category: Impact Crater / Extreme Desert
• About the Place: A remarkably circular 1.9-kilometer meteorite impact crater with walls rising 110 meters above the flat desert plain.
• Travel Instructions: Remote desert 4x4 expedition requiring experienced guides north of Ouadane.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Tenoumer Meteorite Crater

39. Guellala Lake & Oasis

• Location: Tagant Plateau
• Best Time to Visit: October to February
• Category: Desert Guelta & Springs
• About the Place: A hidden desert guelta (rock pool) tucked inside a sandstone canyon where migratory birds and livestock water.
• Travel Instructions: 4x4 trek from Tidjikja town.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Guellala

40. Friday Mosque of Chinguetti

• Location: Old Town Chinguetti
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Category: Historic Earthen Mosque
• About the Place: Iconic dry-stone minaret topped with ostrich egg decorations, standing as an enduring symbol of Saharan architectural heritage.
• Travel Instructions: Centrally located in Chinguetti's ancient old town quarter.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Friday Mosque of Chinguetti

41. Koumbi Saleh Archaeological Site

• Location: Hodh Ech Chargui, Far South
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Category: Ancient Empire Capital Ruins
• About the Place: The ruined 9th-century capital of the medieval Ghana Empire, featuring excavated stone mosques and residential complexes.
• Travel Instructions: 4x4 expedition south from Ayoun el Atrous towards the Mali border.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Koumbi Saleh

42. Galerie Zeinart

• Location: Tevragh-Zeina, Nouakchott
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Category: Modern Art & Craft Gallery
• About the Place: Contemporary art gallery promoting Mauritanian painters, silver jewelry artisans, leatherworkers, and carpet weavers.
• Travel Instructions: Located in the diplomatic Tevragh-Zeina neighborhood of Nouakchott.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Galerie Zeinart

43. Mamghar Fishing Village

• Location: Southern Entrance to Banc d'Arguin
• Best Time to Visit: November to April
• Category: Traditional Imraguen Village
• About the Place: A traditional coastal village of the indigenous Imraguen fishermen who historically teamed up with wild dolphins to herd mullet fish into nets.
• Travel Instructions: 4x4 beach drive along the ocean coast north of Nouakchott.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Mamghar

44. Matmata Guelta & Desert Crocodiles

• Location: Tagant Region, Southern Mauritania
• Best Time to Visit: November to February
• Category: Desert Guelta & Relict Wildlife
• About the Place: A rare permanent desert waterhole sheltering relict populations of dwarf West African crocodiles adapted to desert canyon survival.
• Travel Instructions: Guided 4x4 trek departing south from Tidjikja or Tamcheket.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Matmata Guelta

45. Place des Martyrs

• Location: Central Nouakchott
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round
• Category: National Civic Monument
• About the Place: A prominent national square and monument in downtown Nouakchott honoring Mauritania's national heroes and independence heritage.
• Travel Instructions: Located along Avenue Gamal Abdel Nasser in downtown Nouakchott.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Place des Martyrs

46. Passe de Tifoujar

• Location: Adrar Plateau, Western Edge
• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Category: Scenic Sand Canyon Pass
• About the Place: A breathtaking mountain canyon pass where golden sand dunes pour over sheer dark rock cliffs into dry river valleys.
• Travel Instructions: 4x4 desert route southwest of Atar town.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Passe de Tifoujar

47. Selibaby & Karakoro River Valley

• Location: Guidimaka Region, Far South
• Best Time to Visit: November to March
• Category: Tropical Savanna & River Valley
• About the Place: Mauritania's greenest southern region featuring baobab trees, lush agricultural valleys, and diverse Soninké cultures.
• Travel Instructions: Drive south from Gouraye near the Senegal and Mali border points.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Sélibaby

48. Oued el Abiod (White Valley)

• Location: Adrar Region, South of Atar
• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Category: Saharan Riverbed Valley
• About the Place: A dramatic wide valley of white sand dunes framed by black volcanic rock mountains, home to traditional nomad encampments.
• Travel Instructions: Positioned along the desert route between Terjit and Chinguetti.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Oued el Abiod

49. Marche aux Chameaux (Nouakchott Camel Market)

• Location: El Mina District, Nouakchott Outskirts
• Best Time to Visit: Year-round (Morning hours)
• Category: Livestock & Cultural Market
• About the Place: One of West Africa's largest camel trading markets where bedouin traders buy, sell, and trade thousands of Saharan camels daily.
• Travel Instructions: Located 10 km south of downtown Nouakchott off the Rosso highway.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Nouakchott Camel Market

50. Guerou Oasis

• Location: Assaba Region, Near Kiffa
• Best Time to Visit: November to March
• Category: Agricultural Oasis Town
• About the Place: A picturesque oasis nestled at the base of sandstone escarpments, famous for henna, dates, and trade bazaars.
• Travel Instructions: Situated right along Route de l'Espoir 45 km west of Kiffa.
• Explore More: Read our full guide to Guerou Oasis

Featured Image

Saharan Dunes and Ancient Stone Architecture in Chinguetti, Mauritania