The Atlas Obscura Guide To Mauritania

14 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Mauritania

Updated November 7, 2023

Cities

Unusual Attractions in Mauritania

Choum, Mauritania

Mauritania Railway

Climb atop one of the world's longest and heaviest trains for an unbelievable journey across the Sahara Desert.

Mauritania

Richat Structure

A geological bull's-eye visible from outer space.

Chinguetti, Mauritania

The Libraries of Chinguetti

Five ancient libraries, little changed for centuries, preserve a medieval archive of Quranic lore and civic documents

Ouadane, Mauritania

Ouadane Mosque

This remarkably well-preserved mosque stands amid an 11th-century caravansary.

Kaédi, Mauritania

Abandoned Resort

The beehive-like buildings of this abandoned resort reside near the border of Mauritania and Senegal.

Nouakchott, Mauritania

Port de Pêche

Thousands of colorful pirogues showcase ingenious craftsmanship at the largest fishermen port in Nouakchott.

Nouakchott, Mauritania

Galerie Zeinart

The quaint gallery displays works by artists from all across Mauritania.

Mauritania

Moroccan Western Sahara Wall

This fortified sand barrier dividing a contested territory is the longest minefield in the world.

See All 14 Things To Do in Mauritania

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Deserts 5

Architecture 2

Shipwrecks 2

Geology 2

Geological Oddities 2

Markets 2

Ship Graveyards 2

Mosques 2

Ships 2

History 2

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has been to Bay of Nouadhibou Ship Graveyard

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Stories About Mauritania

Podcast: The Belt and the Berm, Part 2

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.

by The Podcast Team

April 29, 2021

The oldest intact pigments ever found are about the color of a sunset.

Found: The First Color Made By a Living Thing

It's 1.1 billion years old, and it's bright pink.

by Cara Giaimo

July 10, 2018

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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Mauritania

14 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Mauritania

Updated November 7, 2023

Cities

Unusual Attractions in Mauritania

Choum, Mauritania

Mauritania Railway

Mauritania

Richat Structure

Chinguetti, Mauritania

The Libraries of Chinguetti

Ouadane, Mauritania

Ouadane Mosque

Kaédi, Mauritania

Abandoned Resort

Nouakchott, Mauritania

Port de Pêche

Nouakchott, Mauritania

Galerie Zeinart

Mauritania

Moroccan Western Sahara Wall

Plan Your Trip

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Mauritania

Mauritania Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Mauritania Activity

Stories About Mauritania

Podcast: The Belt and the Berm, Part 2

Found: The First Color Made By a Living Thing

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads and no pop-ups.