Nouakchott

⚠️ SAFETY WARNING: Due to risks of violent crime and the broader regional threat of terrorism, government agencies (including the US, UK, and Canada) advise travelers to reconsider travel to Mauritania, including Nouakchott. While the capital is considered the safest area, vigilance is required. Families are strongly urged to consult their own government's official travel advisory before considering a trip, as circumstances and risk assessments vary.

Nouakchott, meaning 'Place of the Winds', is a relatively young capital that grew rapidly from a small village to a sprawling metropolis. For visiting families, the city serves as the primary entry point and a place to acclimatize to Mauritanian culture. The undisputed highlight is the Port de Pêche (Fish Market). Late in the afternoon, hundreds of brightly painted wooden pirogues return from the sea, and teams of fishermen haul the catch onto the beach. It is a chaotic, sensory-rich spectacle of sights, sounds, and smells. While it is fascinating, it is best visited with a guide to navigate the crowds, and parents should keep a close hold on younger children.

Away from the coast, the National Museum of Mauritania provides a quiet and educational escape. The exhibits cover archaeology and ethnography, displaying arrowheads, pottery, and traditional costumes that explain the transition from Stone Age settlements to the nomadic Bedouin lifestyle. It is a manageable size for children and offers good context before heading into the desert. The city is also home to several distinctive mosques, such as the Saudi Mosque and the Ibn Abbas Mosque, which can be admired from the outside for their architecture.

Nouakchott offers the most developed infrastructure in the country, with international standard hotels and restaurants in the Tevragh-Zeina district. Families can find supermarkets stocking familiar goods and restaurants serving everything from Lebanese cuisine to fresh local seafood. While the city has long stretches of beach, swimming is often discouraged due to extremely strong currents and undertows; however, the beaches are popular for walking, picnicking, and watching the sunset. Taxis are plentiful, but hiring a private driver for the day is often a more stress-free option for families moving between sights.