Atar

Understand

Atar is growing in importance due to its proximity to an airport and a regional hospital.

Get around

Atar is quite small and can easily be walked, although some auberges and resorts lie quite far out of town. Taxis are available and can usually be caught around the traffic circle in the centre of town, fares are around 100-300 ouguiyas depending on distance.

See

Atar has a few markets which may be of interest to the souvenir hunter and prices tend to be lower than Chinguetti, and bargaining is expected.

Drink

The occasional beer can be found at Auberge Bab Sahara.

Sleep

For its size, Atar contains a good number of auberges, hotels and resorts.

Go next

Bush taxis (taxis brousses) or 4x4s to Choum, Chinguetti, Terjit, or Nouakchott can be arranged in the Garage, the market or at most hotels.

Many of the oases and other natural sites in the region can be seen in day trips leaving from Atar. Ask around at your hotel/auberge to arrange bush taxis, 4x4s, or rent bikes. If you're feeling adventurous, wander into the market and you will doubtless get offers of obliging drivers ready to show you what they consider to be the most interesting sites.

Some of the notable sites in the region include oases (Terjit, Mhaireth), dunes (Valle Blanche, Amatlich), and old towns (Azougi, Chinguetti).