Places to Visit in Nouakchott, Mauritania, Western Africa, Africa

Places to Visit in Nouakchott, Mauritania, Western Africa, Africa

Nouakchott is the capital and largest city of Mauritania, situated on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in the western part of the country. It is the economic hub of the country, covering an area of 1,000 sq. km. Nouakchott headquarters Air Mauritanie and also gets the larger revenue from the production of cement, insecticides, rugs, carpets and salt. Nouakchott is also the site of the only university of Mauritania, the University of Nouakchott. Nouakchott coordinates with 18°6′ N latitude and 15°57′ W longitude and experiences a hot desert climate with an average annual precipitation of 94 millimeters.

History of Nouakchott:

The name of Nouakchott may be derived from the Berber language term, Nawākšūṭ, which literally means “place of the winds”. Until 1960, Nouakchott was a small fishing town and it turned towards development becoming the capital of the independent of Mauritania from the French Empire in 1960.

How to reach Nouakchott?

Nouakchott hosts the most important airport of the country, Nouakchott International Airport, is located within the city premise and operates flights from and to Istanbul, Dakar, Gran Canaria, Madrid, Abidjan, Casablanca, Bamako, Brazzaville, Casablanca, Conakry, Paris, Algiers and many other European and African cities.

By bus, Nouakchott connects all the important cities of the country from north to south and east to west.

Buses are highly used for local travel in Nouakchott and in addition of availing buses, visitors can also use rental vehicles like cars and bicycles for local travel.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Nouakchott:

Nouakchott is the site of the University of Nouakchott and also houses the Nouakchott Museum and the National Library. The Nouakchott Silver Market is famous for traditional shopping.

List of the famous restaurants in Nouakchott include:

The Sun House
Pizza Italia
The Sahara Cafe
Cafe Liban

What to do in Nouakchott?

Exploring beaches
Visiting museums
Day tours

What to see in Nouakchott?

University of Nouakchott:

The University of Nouakchott is the Mauritania’s only university, which was inaugurated in the year 1981. It currently trains around 8000 students from the different regions of country.

National Museum of Mauritania:

The National Museum of Mauritania is home to a great collection of sherds, arrowheads, and traditional costumes showcasing the archaeological and ethnographical features of Nouakchott and Mauritania. The museum is located in the proximity of Hotel Mercure Marhaba.

Banc d’Arguin National Park:

The Banc d’Arguin National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recives thousands of migratory birds like broad-billed sandpipers, terns and flamingos occasionally. It was established in 1978 and covers an area of 12,000 km².

Terjit:

Terjit is an oasis in Mauritania, famous among local tourists, especially nature lovers. It is situated around 400 km northeast of Nouakchott and can be reached by rental cars. It also holds significant historical background.

Beaches in Nouakchott:

Due to its position on the coastline, Nouakchott houses many spectacular white sandy beaches, frequented by tourists during dry season. Because of treacherous and strong current, swimming is not recommended at Nouakchott’s beaches.

List of other attractive places to see in and around Nouakchott include:

Franco-Mauritanian Cultural Center
Stade Olympique
Nouakchott Museum
Nouakchott Silver Market
National Library
Cathedral of St. Joseph

When to visit Nouakchott?

The beaches and historic attractions of Nouakchott can be enjoyed best during the months between January and May.

Where to stay in Nouakchott?

Being the capital city of Mauritania, Nouakchott boasts many well facilitated modernized hotels that are spread up all around the city. The city also houses many camping options that are ideal for budget travelers. Here are some upgraded hotels in Nouakchott in Mauritania: