Things to do in Adrar Plateau
Discover the best attractions and experiences Adrar Plateau has to offer
Historic Monuments
Explore centuries of desert civilizations along Mauritania's Adrar plateau, where ancient towns and fortified ksars rise from the sands.
Chinguetti Mosque
A centuries-old mosque in Chinguetti, dating to the 11th–12th centuries, and a symbol of desert architectural heritage.
Old City of Chinguetti
A UNESCO-listed desert town with ancient walls, caravan-era streets, and historic libraries.
Old Town of Ouadane
Historic caravan town with slender towers and centuries-old stone houses perched above the plateau.
Museums
Learn about the Sahel’s long literary and cultural history in the plateau towns that preserve old manuscripts and artifacts.
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We're currently working on adding museums recommendations for Adrar Plateau. Check back soon for curated suggestions in this category.
Religious Monuments
Delve into Mauritania’s Islamic heritage through historic mosques and spiritual centers dotting the plateau towns.
Chinguetti Mosque
A centuries-old mosque and a key landmark of Mauritania’s religious architecture.
Great Mosque of Ouadane
A historic place of worship in Ouadane, reflecting desert Islam’s enduring presence.
National & Theme Parks
The Adrar plateau is about landscapes more than formal parks, with vast desert scenery and oasis pockets.
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We're currently working on adding national & theme parks recommendations for Adrar Plateau. Check back soon for curated suggestions in this category.
Neighborhoods
Wander through the towns and quarters that texture the plateau with life, trade, and history.
Atar
Gateway town to the Adrar plateau, full of market stalls and desert views.
Chinguetti Old Town
A labyrinth of ancient streets and ksar houses cloaked in desert charm.
Ouadane Old Town
Historic neighborhood perched on the plateau with stone houses and minarets.
Free Things to Do
You can enjoy vast desert vistas, oases, and starlit skies without an entry fee.
Stargazing in the desert
Gaze at a sky full of stars on clear Mauritanian nights.
Terjit Oasis hike
Walk to a palm-fringed oasis tucked in a rocky gorge.
Dune sunset walk near Atar
Watch the sun set over rolling dunes from a high overlook.
Gastronomy
Taste hearty Sahelian dishes and desert specialties made for nomadic living.
Thieboudienne (fish and rice)
A flavorful dish featuring fish cooked with rice and tomatoes.
Mafé (peanut stew with meat)
Rich peanut-based stew with tender meat and spices.
Mint tea and dates
Traditional sweet tea served with dates in a desert setting.
Nightlife
Evenings in the plateau are peaceful with desert camp dreams and starlit skies.
Desert camp evenings with traditional drumming
Live rhythms around a campfire after sunset.
Stargazing in the desert
Clear skies offer spectacular night-time views.
Evening market stroll in Atar
Browse crafts and snacks after dark in a small-town market.
Entertainment
Cultural evenings often feature music, storytelling, and dance under desert skies.
Traditional nomadic music performances
Live tunes from local musicians in ksar settings.
Desert storytelling nights
Hear ancient tales of caravans and desert legends.
Campfire cultural evenings
Relax with locals around a warm fire with simple performances.
Sports
Active travelers can ride, explore, and push across the dunes.
Camel trekking
Ride with camels over the red dunes to remote oases.
4x4 desert safari
Journey through dune fields and rocky plateaus.
Sandboarding
Glide down sandy slopes for a quick adrenaline boost.
Off the Track
Venture beyond the usual routes to remote ruins and hidden oases.
Visit Terjit Oasis from a canyon trail
A scenic hike to a sheltered oasis with palm groves.
Explore Ouadane and Chinguetti ksars
Walk through ancient stone-dwelling neighborhoods.
Remote dune field exploration
Trek across unmarked dunes for solitude and views.