The Monday market (souk) is the commercial heart of Atar and the best place in town to observe the meeting of desert cultures. Traders come from across the Adrar region with livestock, vegetables, dates, dried fish from the coast, cloth, metalwork, and the general merchandise that isolated desert communities depend on.
The livestock section is particularly alive — camels, goats, and sheep change hands alongside bags of grain and cans of cooking oil. The handicraft section has traditional Moorish leatherwork (sandals, bags, cushion covers), silver jewellery, and tent-pole decorative work. Prices are low and bargaining is universal. The market is most active before noon; it begins winding down by early afternoon.