Districts · Nouakchott
Nouakchott by district
Nouakchott is a grid of wide avenues on flat sand, running parallel to the coast. The Ksar and the centre are near the middle, the Sebkha depression and market to the south, the wealthy Tevragh Zeina and the embassies to the north, and the fishermen's beach on the coast to the west. The airport is about 25 km north.Nouakchott is a grid of wide avenues on flat sand, running parallel to the coast. The Ksar and the centre are near the middle, the Sebkha depression and market to the south, the wealthy Tevragh Zeina and the embassies to the north, and the fishermen's beach on the coast to the west. The airport is about 16 mi north.
About these names
- KsarseesleepeatSuits: A first stay: hotels, restaurants and the museumThe old core of the city, with the National Museum, the Grande Mosquée and many restaurants; the easiest short walks by day.4 sights · 4 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Tevragh ZeinasleepeatSuits: Quieter stays, embassies, upmarket restaurantsThe wealthy embassy district north of the centre; calmer streets but every ride is a car.1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- SebkhaseeSuits: A busy market by carA low-lying district with the Cinquième market and dense housing; go with a driver before noon.1 sightsDistrict guide →
- Fishermen's Beach (Plage des Pêcheurs)seeeatSuits: Boats landing the catch late in the dayA working beach on the Atlantic coast; go with a driver at 15:30–17:00 and be back before dark.A working beach on the Atlantic coast; go with a driver at 3:30 PM–5:00 PM and be back before dark.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Arafat and Dar Naimskip as a baseSuits: Local lifeLarge residential districts south and east; not set up for sightseeing.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- El Mina and Teyarettskip as a baseSuits: Local lifeWorking districts with markets and workshops; only with a local host.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport (NKC) (45–70 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Arafat and Dar Naim, El Mina and Teyarett. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Ksar: The old core of the city, with the National Museum, the Grande Mosquée and many restaurants; the easiest short walks by day. Suits: A first stay: hotels, restaurants and the museum. Price band $$$.
- Tevragh Zeina: The wealthy embassy district north of the centre; calmer streets but every ride is a car. Suits: Quieter stays, embassies, upmarket restaurants. Price band $$$.
- Sebkha: A low-lying district with the Cinquième market and dense housing; go with a driver before noon. Suits: A busy market by car.
- Fishermen's Beach (Plage des Pêcheurs): A working beach on the Atlantic coast; go with a driver at 15:30–17:00 and be back before dark.A working beach on the Atlantic coast; go with a driver at 3:30 PM–5:00 PM and be back before dark. Suits: Boats landing the catch late in the day.
- Arafat and Dar Naim: Large residential districts south and east; not set up for sightseeing. Suits: Local life.
- El Mina and Teyarett: Working districts with markets and workshops; only with a local host. Suits: Local life.
- Sleep area Ksar (hotel): suits A first stay: hotels, restaurants and the museum, price band $$$.
- Sleep area Tevragh Zeina (hotel or guesthouse): suits Quieter stays, embassies, upmarket restaurants, price band $$$.
- Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport (NKC), 45–70 min by the usual route.