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Atar
Africa · Mauritania
See also
Overview
Atar is a quiet Saharan town of 25,000 people serving as the practical gateway to the Adrar region. It tends to be slightly cheaper than nearby Chinguetti while offering access to the same desert landscapes, ancient oases, and dune systems.
Languages: Arabic
Why go?
Atar is a quiet Saharan town of 25,000 people serving as the practical gateway to the Adrar region. It tends to be slightly cheaper than nearby Chinguetti while offering access to the same desert landscapes, ancient oases, and dune systems. The 1674 Atar Mosque is one of the oldest in Mauritania, and the town has a regional hospital and airport, making it the most connected interior base.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get in
Atar International Airport (also called Mouakchott Airport) previously had daily flights from Marseille, France, but now primarily serves small charter flights due to security concerns in other parts of Mauritania. Bush taxis (taxis brousses) and 4x4s can be arranged from the Garage, the market, or most hotels for overland arrival.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get around
Atar is small enough to walk, though auberges and resorts lie quite far from the centre. Taxis are available around the central traffic circle with fares ranging from 100-300 ouguiyas depending on distance.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
Atar has a hot desert climate with excessive heat year-round; average temperature is close to 30°C (86°F). Rainfall is minimal, averaging no more than 35mm annually, falling mainly in August and September. The best travel windows are cooler months, though even these are warm by Western standards.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
Atar has a good range of auberges, hotels, and resorts for its size. The Auberge Bab Sahara, about 1 km outside town on the road to Choum, offers terrace/tent spots from 2,000 ouguiyas (1,500 for students and cyclists) or stone huts from 5,000 ouguiyas, with hot water and genuine hospitality. The owners help arrange bush taxis and tours.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and drink
Restaurant Agadir in the town centre serves Moroccan fare for around 600 ouguiyas per plate. The harder-to-find Restaurant De la Coin is a Senegalese hole-in-the-wall with plates around 300 ouguiyas. Auberge Bab Sahara offers home-cooked lunch from 700 ouguiyas or dinner (3-course menu) at 3,500 ouguiyas. The occasional beer can be found at Auberge Bab Sahara.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
Atar has markets of interest to souvenir hunters with lower prices than Chinguetti; bargaining is expected. Day trips from Atar can reach oases (Terjit, Mhaireth), dunes (Valle Blanche, Amatlich), and old towns (Azougi, Chinguetti). Arrange bush taxis, 4x4s, or bike rentals through your hotel, auberge, or by negotiating in the market.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Buy
The Galerie Artisanale Chez Picasso on Route vers Choum sells typical Mauritanian and African souvenirs. La Boutique d'Adrar pour la Fabrication Traditionnelle et les Météorites on Rue Wilaya offers meteorite rocks and geological curiosities unique to the region. Prices tend to be lower than Chinguetti.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
See
The Atar Mosque dates from 1674 and is one of the oldest mosques in Mauritania. The Musée Universitaire Atar on Rue Wilaya, next to BAMIS, displays local culture and is open 09:00-13:00 and 16:00-18:00.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Connect
Elmejd Info, south of the NP petrol station, is the only internet cafe in town.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
Bush taxis (taxis brousses) or 4x4s run from the Garage, market, or most hotels to Choum, Chinguetti, Terjit, and Nouakchott. Many natural sites in the Adrar region are reachable as day trips: oases at Terjit and Mhaireth, dunes at Valle Blanche and Amatlich, and historic towns like Azougi and Chinguetti.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
The Auberge Bab Sahara
Has rooms ranging from mattresses on one of two terraces to a number of traditional tents or stone huts. Plentiful bathroom and shower facilities (including hot water). The hospitality of the owners is genuine and they will gladly help arrange bush taxis or tours.
Recorded price: Terrace/Tent spots start at 2,000 ouguiyas (1500 for students and cyclists) and 5,000 for huts.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Auberge Bab Sahara
On the pricier end, try a home-cooked lunch (from 700 ouguiyas) or dinner (3,500 ouguiyas for a 3-course menu)
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Restaurant Agadir
In the center of town, it serves typical Moroccan fare for around 600 ouguiyas a plate.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Restaurant De la Coin
A little harder to find, this hole-in-the-wall Senegalese restaurant dishes out plates at around 300 ouguiyas.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Atar Mosque
One of the oldest mosques in Mauritania, dating from 1674.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Musée Universitaire Atar
Museum with displays on local culture.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Chinguetti Day Trip
Visit the historic Saharan town of Chinguetti, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- buy
Galerie Artisanale Chez Picasso
Souvenir shop selling the usual Mauritanian and African items.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Culture
Bargaining is expected in markets. Dress modestly respecting Islamic traditions. Be aware that alcohol is limited to occasional servings at establishments like Auberge Bab Sahara.
Money
Mauritania uses the ouguiya (MRO). ATMs are limited in Atar; bring sufficient cash from larger cities. Prices are quoted in ouguiyas throughout the region.
Safety
Atar is safer than other parts of Mauritania but remain cautious. Avoid travel to eastern and southern regions due to security concerns. Petty bargaining disputes are the main friction point.
Transport
Atar's airport has limited charter flights. Overland arrival via bush taxi from Nouakchott or other regional towns is common. Local taxis cost 100-300 ouguiyas depending on distance.
Weather
Extreme heat year-round with average temperatures near 30°C. Rainfall minimal; August-September are slightly wetter. Travel during cooler months if possible.