Place · Grande Mosquée & National Museum
Grande Mosquée (Saudi Mosque), exteriorالجامع الكبير
The city's main mosque with a tall minaret: view it from outside for ten minutes; non-Muslims are not admitted.
Key facts
- Time on site
- 10–15 min
- p95 25 min
- Price
- Not open to non-Muslims
- adult, 2026 estimate
- Hours
- unknown
- see note below
- Best time
- 09:00 or 17:00
- desk crowd estimate
- 28″ bags
- No
- Grande Mosquée & National Museum: forbidden
- Getting there
- Rue Mamadou Konaté, from the Ksar hotels
- Landmark mosque
- Exterior only
- Next to the museum
- Works with kids
Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.
Rules in force · 10Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…There is no meter or ride-hailing
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
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- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Mauritania ↗Apply for the e-visa on the official ANRPTS portal and print the approval; visas on arrival ended in January 2025 and the fee is paid in cash at the airport.
- Mauritania ↗Travel advice differs by region: check your own government's advice for each area on your route, especially in the east and near the Mali border.
- Mauritania ↗Alcohol is prohibited; do not import or carry it.
- Nouakchott and the coast ↗Travel advice differs by region and changes: check your own government's advice for Nouakchott and every region on your route before you book.
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Map & directions
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Plan
Open now, what it costs, what to know, how long it takes
Go now?
hours and prices: check on the day- Open
- Hours unknown
- Crowds
Quietest around 09:00 or 17:00
MonTueWedThuFriSatSunQuietest Sat · busiest Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun · desk estimate
- Tickets
- Adult: Not open to non-Muslims
- Time to spend
- 10–15 min · up to 25 min if you linger
Know before you go
- View it from outside: non-Muslims are not admitted.
- Go in the morning or late afternoon; midday heat and prayer times make the pavement empty and hot.
- Do not photograph worshippers, the imam or people entering; ask before any photo near the gate.
- Dress conservatively even outside: shoulders and knees covered.
Best time of day
Plan 10–15 min inside.
quietlightbusyheavypacked· Desk estimate for an ordinary weekday; not counted.
Weather here, next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Time on site
Minimum
5min
Worthwhile
10min
Typical
15min
p95
25min
Opening hours are not printed until verified.
Tickets & entry
- Where to buy
- Buy at the entrance on the day.
- Buy from the official site or the ticket desk; resellers add a fee for the same ticket.
- Dress code
- Shoulders and knees covered.
- Bags & lockers
- Keep the camera low.
- Photos
- Ask; never photograph worshippers.
- What's closed
- Prayer timescheckFriday midday is busiest.
- RamadancheckHours and crowds change.
“Check” dates move year to year: confirm on the official page for your date.
| Ticket | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Not open to non-Muslims | Exterior view only; free. |
On the ground
Getting in, crowds, and where to go if it does not work
Getting in
- Stop
- Rue Mamadou Konaté, from the Ksar hotels
- Exit
- —
- Ticket
- on site · official site
- Stairs
- none of note
- Shoes
- Shoes on.
Crowds and switching
- Crowd clock
- Busiest around Friday midday prayer.
- Sensory load
- 2/5
- Exposure
- high
Bailouts
heat
Hotel lobby café (AC)
Nearest rescue anchor: D — Mosque-side shade (field-verify)
Step-free check
- Step-free entrance: yes · yesnone of note
- Lifts: no · no
- Accessible toilet: no · no
- Wheelchair: yes · yes
- Stroller: yes · yesok
Seen from the pavement; no interior access.
Combine with
- 5 minRestaurant Zeitouna · eat
- 6 minNational Museum
- 6 minMint tea café · eat
Walk the Grande Mosquée & National Museum area · the cluster page has the walking order, rescue stops and after-dark notes
Best photo time today
Sun times for today load in your browser.
Red lines
- Do not enter the mosque grounds; do not photograph worshippers.
More on the groundWho it suits · Skip it if · With kids
With kids
- with kids
- A short stop.
- child price
- free
Who it suits
| Traveler | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | good | A quick landmark next to the museum. |
| Photographers | caution | Photo etiquette applies. |
Skip it if
- You expect to go inside.
Deep dive
Questions, what is nearby, photos and sources
Questions and answers
Is it open to visitors?
Not to non-Muslims.
Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk
Is there a dress code?
Yes.
Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk
Can I go inside?
No: non-Muslims are not admitted.
How long do I need?
About ten minutes.
When is best?
Mid-morning.
Nearby
Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.
Sources
- secondaryWikivoyage — Nouakchott
- officialUK FCDO foreign travel advice: Mauritania