The capital and the coast
Most trips begin in Algiers, the white capital on its bay, with the Kasbah, the best museums and the main airport. An hour or so west, Tipaza holds Roman ruins by the sea and the Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania.
The west
Oran is the country's second city, a lively port with Spanish forts, raï music and the best beaches of the west. Tlemcen, with its medieval mosques, is within reach.
The east
Constantine clings to a rock above a deep gorge, linked by spectacular bridges. It is the gateway to the Roman cities of Djemila and Timgad.
The Sahara
At the edge of the desert, the five towns of the M'zab valley around Ghardaia are a UNESCO site of living architecture. Far to the south, the Tassili n'Ajjer around Djanet holds rock art, stone forests and red dunes, visited with licensed agencies.
How to combine them
A first trip of ten days often runs Algiers and Tipaza, then Constantine by train or plane, then a flight south to Ghardaia. In the cooler months, add a week in Djanet for the deep desert. Distances are huge, so domestic flights save days. Check current travel advice for each region, and use the free trip planner to shape a route that fits your dates.