Walking in Nouakchott

Advisory, October 2026: Canada advises avoiding the Cinquième district after dark and unpatrolled beaches, and the US State Department rates Mauritania Level 3, Reconsider Travel. The UK FCDO has no warning for Nouakchott. Walk in daylight, and see the FCDO warnings for current detail.

Nouakchott is not a walking city. It is a wide, low, sandy sprawl with almost no paved pavements, deep sand at the roadside, erratic traffic and few places to cross. Midday heat often goes above 40 degrees. Long walks across town are tiring, so use a taxi between districts and keep walking for two compact areas. Do them early in the morning or in the late afternoon.

Ksar craft walk, 1.5 to 2 hours

Ksar is the district where the post-independence town began, east of Tevragh-Zeina.

  1. Start at the Marché Artisanal on the Route de Nouadhibou. Walk the alleys where jewellers hammer silver and leatherworkers make saddles and travel chests.
  2. Continue east into the old brick quarter that grew from the original settlement, founded in 1957.
  3. Look for the small bakeries that make round Mauritanian bread, mbourou, and buy it warm.

Haggle calmly if you buy, and ask before photographing people. Some craftspeople will refuse.

The north-western district is leafy, with embassies, cafes and quiet tree-lined streets. It is the most comfortable area for an unhurried stroll.

  1. Begin at Galerie Zeinart at Ilot C, an art space and boutique founded by Isabel Fiadeiro. It shows contemporary Mauritanian painters, sculptors and artisans’ jewellery in a garden. The gallery website has current exhibitions.
  2. Walk the quiet avenues to the Institut Français de Mauritanie, which holds rotating photography exhibitions and has an outdoor cafe.
  3. Finish with pastries and espresso at Pâtisserie Charlotte or Restaurant Le Prince.

Places to keep off your route

  • The Presidential Palace. Lingering or photographing near it leads to detention.
  • Ministries, the National Assembly and police or military compounds.
  • Embassies. Guards will stop anyone photographing them.
  • Port de Pêche’s open water. The beach can be visited to watch boats land, but nobody should swim or wade.

Practical tips

  • Wear a hat, light long sleeves and sturdy closed shoes. Carry water.
  • Dress conservatively. Men should avoid shorts, and women should cover shoulders, arms and legs.
  • Mauritanians stay in groups after dark, so plan to be back at your hotel by dusk.
  • Cash is the norm, in ouguiya (MRU). Private taxis cost a few hundred ouguiya, so agree the fare first.

Read more: Sightseeing in Nouakchott covers the museum, mosques and markets that can be added to a walk.

Booking help

Compare guided city walks on GetYourGuide . The Wikivoyage Nouakchott page has current taxi and safety notes.