East of Atar, through Amojjar Pass, is the difficult way to Chinguetti, Ouadane and the astonishing Richat Structure.

The annual average temperature is close to 30 °C (86 °F), meaning that excessive heat persists year-round.

Today, the Atar is best known to outsiders as an entryway for tourists to visit the ruins of the ancient Moorish cities of Ouadane and Chinguetti.

It was a key stop in the world's longest off-road race, the Paris Dakar Rally, held every January.

In 2012, an air force school was founded in Atar to train pilots and crew for the Military of Mauritania.