Kiffa is a practical stop on the long east-west crossing of Mauritania rather than a destination in its own right. The market is the main reason to pause — it is the trading hub for the surrounding Assaba region, and the place to find Kiffa beads, the elaborate powder-glass beads made by local women that are among the most distinctive craft objects in West Africa. A canyon near town is worth an excursion if you have a vehicle and a guide.
The town has a lively, unhurried atmosphere in the mornings and evenings; the heat of midday empties the streets. The Route de l'Espoir west to Nouakchott and east towards the Hodh is good paved road and an interesting drive through the Sahelian landscape.