the best places to visit in algeria
Note: Governments such as the US and UK advise against travel to Algeria due to risk of kidnapping, crime and terrorism.
Algeria is the largest country by land size in all of Africa, and has a population of ~48 million people. While most of it is just desert, you can find some stunning natural wonders and lively cities. It is a chaotic country to visit, and is recommended for more experienced travelers. In Algeria, you’ll hear various dialects of Arabic, as well as some French being spoken. This guide showcases the best places to visit in Algeria for those willing to visit.
Best time to visit?
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November)
1) algiers
Algiers is the capital of Algeria, and you’ll likely find yourself here as its the main airport tourists fly into. It’s a pretty chaotic city, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The city feels both European and African at the same time, and has many cultural sites for you to visit.
Things to do:
Make sure you walk to the Casbah of Algiers (essentially the Old Town) where you’ll find big crowds and markets. Prepare yourself accordingly for this. Martyr’s Memorial is also a cool, and very big monument worth seeing. In terms of Mosques you can visit, Ketchaoua Mosque is nice, and the Great Mosque of Algeria is the largest in the country. You can always of course stroll along the sea front as well. Make sure to step into one of the many many cafes and see what they have to offer.
How to get there:
Direct flights to Algiers Airports are available, with the best options being from places in Europe like Spain, France or Italy. You’ll find a good selection of African countries offer the service too.
For extreme travelers, you can take a ferry from a port city such as Marseille.
It’s fairly well connected to the rest of the country.
2) oran
Oran is a lovely port city, about 420km from Algiers on the North West part of the coast. It is a lively cultural city, sometimes known for its music. It has some old Spanish and Ottoman history nestled throughout the city.
Things to do:
Make sure to visit Santa Cruz Fort, the Spanish Fort with hilltop views of the whole city. It is probably the main highlight of Oran. A good spot for sunset views. Visit some of the beaches nearby, and also go to Place du 1er Novembre, it has some beautiful architecture. On the topic of architecture, Abdullah Bin Salem Mosque is a place of significance in the city.
How to get there:
You can take a train from Algiers to Oran, and its definitely the best way to go about traveling from the capital to other cities like Oran. It leaves from Algiers Central Station.
You can also fly domestically around Algeria with the countries airline.
3) constantine
Nicknamed ‘the City of Bridges,’ Constantine is going to be the first city on the list not located on the coast. Its very hilly and ancient, and is a great city for people who want to see something pretty unique. It is 100% a city worth visiting if you’re in Algeria.
Things to do:
See the numerous amazing hanging bridges around the city. Revel in the marvels of the ravines that the city is built on and just take in the historical architecture. Ahmed Bey Palace is a traditional palace you can visit, and you can never skip an Old Medina in an African city. 30 minutes outside Constantine are the Roman Ruins of Tiddis, which depending on your schedule could be a worthwhile trip.
How to get there:
You can fly from Algiers (~1hr), or take a long train (8-9hrs). There may be Trains/Bus options from some closer cities like Annaba.
4) bejaïa
Back to the beauty of the coast of Algeria, Bejaïa is a city on the North-Eastern coast of the country known for its amazing natural beauty (which is just on the outside of the city). In itself, Bejaïa city is known for being an important port city with some very cool sights lying inside.
Things to do:
In the actual city area, of course see the Old Casbah, the best views of it come from Fort de Le Casbah, which is a nice architectural location. As well as this, Museum Bordj Moussa is historical Spanish fort converted into a Museum. Outside the city, the natural beauty can be found in Cap Carbon, Pic des Signes, and Yemma Gouraya Mountain.
How to get there:
Algiers to Bejaïa by train takes ~4hrs, and is a solid easy option. You can fly too, but the train is convenient enough.
5) timgad
Timgad is one of the most significant historical sites tourists visit when in Algeria. It was a city founded in around 100 AD and is seen as a well planned Roman City. It features remains of temples, theatres and beautifully preserved temples and squares. Best seen with a guided tour to properly understand the history, Timgad is a stunning site to visit.
Where is it:
About 110km south of Constantine, close to a city called Batna.
How to get there:
Batna is the best base to visit Timgad. Guided tours and/or local buses can get you there and bring you back.
6) the sahara desert
The most iconic and well-known desert in the world covers 80% of Algeria’s land. Best for extreme excursions to see the vast landscapes which really can’t be found anywhere else.
Where is it:
While it pretty much covers the whole country, most tourists fly into towns like Djanet or Tamanrasset.
How to get there:
From the desert towns, book an excursion/tour with a guide.
7) ahaggar national park
Ahaggar National Park is home to a beautiful and extraordinary mountain range in the Central Sahara region. The Hoggar Mountains (seen in the picture) are the largest mountains in the park. In the region you can find rock paintings from as far back as 600 BC, and even very rarely, cheetah sightings.
Where is it:
The National Park is located very far south in Algeria, close to the border with Niger and Mali.
How to get there:
You can fly from Algiers to Tamanrasset Airport, the closest airport. From there, guided tours are recommended to get into the mountains.