Nouakchott Sightseeing Planner

Advisory, October 2026: The UK FCDO issues no warning for Nouakchott. The US State Department rates Mauritania Level 3, Reconsider Travel, and Canada advises avoiding the Cinquième district after dark, so schedule sights for daylight. Read the Canada advice for current detail.

Sights in Nouakchott are spread out, and a taxi between them is more realistic than walking. This planner groups them by what you can do at each one, including the places where non-Muslims stay outside.

Where you can go inside

National Museum. Located near Hotel Marhaba and the town hall, it shares a building with the manuscripts conservation centre and the national library. Two permanent rooms and one temporary room hold Saharan archaeology, including finds from the medieval towns of Azougui, Koumbi Saleh and Aoudaghost, and nomad ethnography such as tents, saddlebags, ardin and tidinit instruments, jewellery and wooden padlocks. Labels are in French and Arabic. Budget 45 to 60 minutes. One listing gives a fee of about 50 ouguiya (MRU), while hours are quoted differently, so ask locally.

Markets. Marché Sixième, in El Mina, is the place for cloth: melhafas, damask boubous and Senegalese wax prints, with tailors working at pedal machines. Marché Capitale, around Carrefour BMD, sells spices, dried hibiscus, dates from Atar and perfumes. Both are crowded, and cash is expected.

Where you view from outside

Saudi Mosque (Grande Mosquée). This is an active mosque, and non-Muslims are not admitted inside. Its sandy-yellow facade, dome and twin minarets can be seen from the perimeter. Dress conservatively and do not photograph worshippers.

Moroccan Mosque. It stands in the southern commercial area near Marché Capitale. Its minaret, around 55 m high, is covered in white, blue and green tiles in a style that echoes the Koutoubia in Marrakech. It is a view from the street.

What not to photograph

The Presidential Palace, ministries, military compounds, the police headquarters and embassies are off limits to cameras and lingering, and guards detain people who photograph them. Ask permission before photographing individuals, especially women, fishermen and vendors.

A suggested order

  1. Museum in the morning.
  2. Mosque exteriors before midday prayer.
  3. Marché Capitale and Marché Sixième by taxi after lunch.
  4. Tea and pastries in Tevragh-Zeina in the late afternoon.

Five tips

  • Carry small ouguiya notes. The currency has been MRU since 2018.
  • Private taxis cost a few hundred ouguiya, and the fare must be agreed first.
  • Women should carry a headscarf for markets.
  • Avoid shorts, and cover shoulders and knees.
  • Mauritanians stay in groups after dark, which is a good habit for visitors.

Read more: Walking tours in Nouakchott has two short district routes.

Booking help

Compare city sightseeing on Viator . The Wikivoyage Nouakchott page lists current notes.