Nouakchott Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
capital of Mauritania
About Nouakchott
Nouakchott is built around a large tree-lined street, Avenue Gamal Abdel Nasser, which runs northeast through the city centre from the old airport. It divides the city into two, with the residential areas in the north and the medina quarter, along with the kebbe, a shanty town formed due to the displacement of people from other areas by the desert. Nouakchott was a large, fortified fishing village(ksar)in pre-colonial times and under French rule. As Mauritania prepared for independence, it lacked a capital city and the area of present-day Nouakchott was chosen to be a symbol of modernity and national unity. The village was selected for its central location and to avoid the sensitive issue of whether the capital was built in an area dominated by the Arab-descended Moors or Black Africans.
Top Attractions in Nouakchott
Explore the best things to see and do in Nouakchott:
- ★National Museum of Mauritania
Where to Stay in Nouakchott
- 🏨Auberge Menata
- 🏨Azalaï Hotel (Marhaba)
- 🏨Complexe Sabah
- 🏨Hotel Halima
- 🏨Hotel Tfeila
Nouakchott Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 12 sections including: