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All Mauritania

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Mauritania

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

Updated March 9, 2026
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An ancient Quran in Chinguetti.
Chinguetti
Port de Pêche.
Nouakchott
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Unusual Attractions in Mauritania

Riding atop the train.

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.
An ancient Quran in Chinguetti.

Chinguetti, Mauritania

The Libraries of Chinguetti

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

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.
Port de Pêche.

Nouakchott, Mauritania

Port de Pêche

Thousands of colorful pirogues showcase ingenious craftsmanship at the largest fishermen port in Nouakchott.
Monument to the Battle of Oum Tounsi

Mauritania

Monument to the Battle of Oum Tounsi

Initially meant to immortalize the valor of the colonizer, this monument is now a symbol of Mauritanian resistance.
See All 15 Things To Do in Mauritania
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Mauritania

Deserts 5
Shipwrecks 2
Ship Graveyards 2
Mosques 2
Geological Oddities 2
Ships 2
Geology 2
History 2
Colonialism 2
Architecture 2
Markets 2
Boats 1
Monuments 1
Animals 1
Tunnels 1
Transportation 1
Military History 1
Ancient 1
Object Cemeteries 1
Art 1

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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, Atlas Obscura
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, Atlas Obscura
July 10, 2018
Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
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