Tassili n'Ajjer, AlgeriaPhoto: IssamBarhoumi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Algeria
Algeria, made simple: white cities, Roman ruins and the deep Sahara
Africa's largest country is still one of its least visited. The whitewashed Kasbah of Algiers, Roman cities by the sea, Constantine's bridges over a gorge and the painted rock and dunes of the Sahara reward travellers who come prepared. This guide takes the guesswork out of visas, cash, safety and getting around so you can travel with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyVisa, cash rules, seasons and travel advice, answered
- LandingAlgiers airport, customs forms and your first evening, explained
- Your days in AlgeriaCoast, mountains, Roman ruins and desert, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesVisa, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain Algeria's cash economy and currency rules so nothing catches you out.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Algeria should feel like a discovery, not a gamble. We answer the worries before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Going home to family in Algiers, Oran or Kabylie for the first time in years, or curious about the Mediterranean's best kept secret? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your AlgeriaCity and coast, Roman ruins, the M'zab valley or the deep Sahara: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsVisa, currency declaration, cash and current travel advice, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for food, culture, nature and stays in each area.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to shape your days and how you move between them.
Everything your Algeria trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Algiers, Oran, Constantine, Tipaza, Ghardaia and the Tassili n'Ajjer, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred restaurants, markets, ruins and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Algiers, Oran and Constantine and stays across the country.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Algeria trip
The coast, then the Sahara
Most first trips start in Algiers, take in Roman Tipaza and the bridges of Constantine, then fly south to the M'zab valley or the rock art and dunes around Djanet. Domestic flights make the huge distances manageable.
- The Kasbah and the bay of Algiers
- Roman ruins by the sea at Tipaza
- Constantine's bridges over the Rhumel gorge
- Ancient rock art and dunes in the Tassili n'Ajjer
Start with the destinations
See how the coast, the high plateaus and the Sahara fit together.
Algeria destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Algeria rewards careful planning: visas, cash and desert permits all matter more here than in busier countries. Our free planner helps you choose a realistic route and pace.
- Realistic travel times
- The right season for coast or desert
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in Algeria
From the Mediterranean cities of the north to the oases and rock art of the Sahara.
Northern Algeria
Algiers
Algeria's capital, a white city of Ottoman lanes, French boulevards and a sweeping Mediterranean bay.
Read the guidePhoto: Boumediene15, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Western Algeria
Oran
Algeria's lively western port, birthplace of raï music, with Spanish forts and summer beaches.
Read the guidePhoto: Terki Hassaine Samir, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Eastern Algeria
Constantine
Algeria's dramatic city of bridges, perched on a rock above the Rhumel gorge.
Read the guidePhoto: Louadfel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Northern Algeria
Tipaza
Roman ruins among pines and sea, an easy escape west of Algiers.
Read the guidePhoto: Vallee, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Northern Sahara
Ghardaia
Five fortified desert towns of the M'zab, a living UNESCO landscape at the edge of the Sahara.
Read the guidePhoto: Camille Gillet, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Southeastern Sahara
Tassili n'Ajjer
Ancient rock art, stone forests and red dunes around the oasis of Djanet, deep in the Sahara.
Read the guidePhoto: Hamdanmourad, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is Algeria safe to visit?
Most visits to Algiers, Oran, Constantine and the northern coast pass without trouble, and violent crime against visitors is uncommon. Governments advise against travel near the borders with Libya, Niger, Mali, Mauritania and parts of Tunisia, and tourism in the deep south runs through licensed agencies. Read your government's current advice before booking.
Do I need a visa for Algeria?
Most nationalities need a visa arranged in advance through an Algerian embassy or consulate, and rules depend on your passport. Some desert trips booked with a licensed southern agency can use a visa on arrival scheme. Always confirm on your nearest Algerian embassy's official site before you book.
Can I use cards in Algeria?
Rarely. Algeria runs on cash dinars, international cards work only in some big hotels and a few ATMs, and the dinar cannot be bought abroad. Bring euros or US dollars, declare them on arrival and change them once you land.
What languages are spoken in Algeria?
Algerian Arabic, known as Darja, is spoken everywhere, and Tamazight (Berber) languages are official and widely spoken in Kabylie, the Aures and the Sahara. French is common in cities, business and hotels. English is growing among young people but is not widely spoken.
What is the capital of Algeria?
Algiers, a white city curving around a wide bay on the Mediterranean. It has the main international airport, the Kasbah, the best museums and most of the hotels, so it is where most visitors start.
How many days do I need in Algeria?
Ten days covers Algiers, Tipaza and Constantine with a short flight south to Ghardaia. Two weeks lets you add Oran or a desert trek from Djanet or Tamanrasset in the cooler months.
Ready to find your Bliss in Algeria?
Use the free trip planner to turn ideas into a route that fits your dates and budget.