Algeria · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Algeria
These are the places worth your time in Algeria, from the Kasbah of Algiers and Oran's seafront to Roman Tipaza, the bridges of Constantine and the rock art of Djanet. Classics sit beside quiet corners few travellers ever see, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Algiers
Things to Do
- Kasbah of Algiers (Casbah)
The UNESCO listed Ottoman old town of stepped lanes, palaces and courtyard houses. - Notre Dame d'Afrique (Bologhine)
A clifftop basilica with a striking interior and the best sunset view over the bay. - Maqam Echahid (El Madania)
The towering Martyrs' Memorial above the bay, with the army museum beneath it. - Grande Poste d'Alger (Centre)
The neo Moorish main post office, the city's most photographed building. - Les Sablettes (Hussein Dey)
A long seafront promenade with play areas, cafés and sea views, busy on summer evenings. - Tamentfoust (Bordj El Bahri)
A small fishing port on the eastern bay with an old fort and seafood restaurants. - Algiers cable car to Notre Dame d'Afrique (Bab El Oued)
A short cable car ride up the cliffs to the basilica with views of the sea. - Sidi Fredj marina (Staouéli)
A marina and beach resort west of Algiers, popular for summer evenings.
Arts and Culture
- Dar Mustapha Pacha (Casbah)
An Ottoman palace with tiled courtyards, now home to the national museum of miniature and illumination. - Palais des Rais (Bastion 23) (Bab El Oued)
A cluster of restored Ottoman corsair houses on the seafront below the Kasbah. - Ketchaoua Mosque (Casbah)
An Ottoman mosque at the foot of the Kasbah, beautifully restored and full of history. - Djamaa El Djazair (Mohammadia)
The vast Great Mosque of Algiers, with one of the tallest minarets in the world. - Bardo National Museum (El Mouradia)
Prehistory and Saharan rock art finds displayed in an elegant Ottoman villa. - National Museum of Fine Arts of Algiers (Belouizdad)
One of Africa's largest art collections, set above the Jardin d'Essai. - MAMA Public Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (Larbi Ben M'hidi Street)
Contemporary Algerian and African art in a restored colonial department store. - Opera of Algiers Boualem Bessaih (Ouled Fayet)
The modern national opera house, with concerts, ballet and Andalusian music. - Théâtre National Algérien Mahieddine Bachtarzi (Port Said Square)
The historic national theatre, staging plays in Arabic, Tamazight and French. - Musée National des Antiquités et des Arts Islamiques (Parc de la Liberté)
Roman, Byzantine and Islamic treasures in a quiet park setting.
Nature and Outdoors
- Jardin d'Essai du Hamma (Belouizdad)
A grand botanical garden of palms, ficus avenues and French and English gardens. - Chréa National Park (Blida)
Cedar forests and cool mountain air above the plain, with snow in winter. - Parc de la Liberté (Centre)
A shaded hillside park between downtown streets, good for a quiet break.
Shopping and Markets
- Rue Didouche Mourad (Centre)
The city's main shopping street of boutiques, bookshops and cafés under the arcades. - Marché Meissonnier (Centre)
A busy covered food market for fruit, olives, spices and cheese. - Marché Clauzel (Centre)
A neighbourhood market full of everyday life, produce and household goods. - Riadh El Feth (El Madania)
A shopping and craft complex beneath the Martyrs' Memorial.
Cafés
- Le Tantonville (Port Said Square)
A grand old brasserie café facing the national theatre, perfect for people watching. - Milk Bar (Emir Abdelkader Square)
A famous old café on the central square, known for coffee, ice cream and its history.
Restaurants
- La Pêcherie fish restaurants (Port of Algiers)
Simple harbourside restaurants grilling the day's catch below the Kasbah.
Stays
- El Djazair Hotel (El Mouradia)
The historic former Saint George hotel, set in lush Moorish gardens. - Sofitel Algiers Hamma Garden (Belouizdad)
A large hotel overlooking the Jardin d'Essai and the bay. - El Aurassi Hotel (Centre)
A landmark hotel on the heights with sweeping views over the city and port.
Events
- Algiers International Book Fair (SILA) (Pins Maritimes)
The country's biggest cultural event, a huge book fair each autumn.
Places to Visit in Oran
Things to Do
- Fort Santa Cruz (Mount Murdjadjo)
A Spanish fort high above Oran with the best view over the bay and port. - Front de Mer (Centre)
The seafront balcony boulevard where Oran strolls every evening. - Place du 1er Novembre (Centre)
The main square, with the lion guarded town hall and the regional theatre. - Sidi El Houari old quarter (Sidi El Houari)
The historic heart of Oran, with Spanish gates and Ottoman buildings. - Miloud Hadefi Olympic Stadium (Bir El Djir)
The stadium built for the 2022 Mediterranean Games, home to big matches.
Arts and Culture
- Chapel of Santa Cruz (Mount Murdjadjo)
A pilgrimage chapel beside the fort, crowned by a statue of the Virgin. - Ahmed Zabana National Museum (Centre)
Archaeology, natural history and art in a classic museum building. - Bey's Palace (Sidi El Houari)
The faded Ottoman palace of the Beys in the old quarter, slowly being restored. - Pasha Mosque (Sidi El Houari)
An Ottoman era mosque in the old town with a fine octagonal minaret. - Théâtre Régional Abdelkader Alloula (Place du 1er Novembre)
A beautifully restored theatre named after Oran's great playwright. - Oran Cathedral library (Centre)
The former Sacred Heart cathedral, now a public library with a striking façade.
Nature and Outdoors
- Les Andalouses beach (Ain El Kerma)
A long sandy beach west of Oran, the classic summer escape. - Ain El Turk beaches (Ain El Turk)
A strip of beaches and seafront cafés that buzz on summer nights. - Cap Falcon (Ain El Turk)
A rocky cape with a lighthouse, clear water and quieter coves. - Madagh beach (Ain El Kerma)
A beautiful cove backed by pine forest at the end of a winding road. - Forest of Les Planteurs (Mount Murdjadjo)
Pine woods on the mountain, popular for walks and picnics.
Shopping and Markets
- Médina Jedida market (Médina Jedida)
Oran's big traditional market for spices, cloth, clothes and everything else.
Cafés
- Seafront cafés of Front de Mer (Centre)
Terraces for coffee, juices and ice cream with views over the port.
Stays
- Sheraton Oran Hotel (Akid Lotfi)
A large modern hotel near the seafront and the convention centre. - Le Méridien Oran Hotel (Akid Lotfi)
A tall hotel with sea views next to the convention centre. - Royal Hotel Oran (Centre)
A restored grand hotel in the heart of the old city centre.
Places to Visit in Constantine
Things to Do
- Sidi M'Cid Bridge (Old town)
A suspension bridge swaying high above the Rhumel gorge. - Sidi Rached Bridge (Old town)
A great stone arched bridge, one of the city's defining sights. - Salah Bey Viaduct (Constantine)
A modern cable stayed bridge sweeping across the valley. - Monument aux Morts (Mount Sidi M'Cid)
A memorial arch above the gorge with sweeping views over the city. - Souika old quarter (Old town)
Steep lanes of workshops and markets in the oldest part of the city. - Constantine cable car (Constantine)
A cable car crossing the gorge with views of the bridges.
Arts and Culture
- Palace of Ahmed Bey (Old town)
The last Ottoman governor's palace, with painted tiles and garden courtyards. - Emir Abdelkader Mosque (Constantine)
One of Africa's largest mosques, with twin minarets and a university. - Cirta Museum (Coudiat)
Numidian and Roman treasures from ancient Cirta and the region. - Tiddis Roman ruins (Near Constantine)
A small Roman town carved into a red hillside, rarely crowded. - Djemila (Setif province)
A UNESCO listed Roman city in the mountains, one of the best preserved anywhere. - Timgad (Batna province)
A vast Roman city laid out in a perfect grid, with Trajan's arch.
Stays
- Marriott Constantine Hotel (Constantine)
A large modern hotel with views towards the city. - Novotel Constantine (Constantine)
A reliable central hotel near the tram. - Hotel Cirta (Centre)
A historic hotel in a classic building near the old city.
Places to Visit in Tipaza
Arts and Culture
- Tipasa Archaeological Park (Tipaza)
Roman ruins among pines on headlands above the sea, a UNESCO site. - Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania (Sidi Rached)
A mysterious circular royal tomb on a hill between Tipaza and Algiers. - Camus memorial stone (Tipasa western site)
A simple stone with a line from Camus, looking out to sea. - Cherchell Museum (Cherchell)
Exceptional Roman statues and mosaics from ancient Caesarea. - Basilica of Saint Salsa (Tipasa eastern site)
The remains of an early Christian basilica on a headland above the bay.
Things to Do
- Roman ruins of Cherchell (Cherchell)
Baths, a theatre site and harbour remains of Juba II's capital. - Tipaza harbour promenade (Port)
A relaxed waterfront walk lined with cafés and fishing boats.
Nature and Outdoors
- Chenoua beach (Chenoua)
A long beach beneath Mount Chenoua, busy and friendly in summer. - Mount Chenoua (Chenoua)
A coastal mountain with trails and wide Mediterranean views. - Matares beach (Tipaza)
A sandy beach near the ruins, quieter outside high summer.
Restaurants
- Port of Tipaza fish restaurants (Port)
Small restaurants grilling sardines and bream steps from the boats.
Places to Visit in Ghardaia
Things to Do
- Ghardaia market square (Ghardaia)
The arcaded heart of the town, busy with traders, carpets and dates. - Beni Isguen (M'zab valley)
The holy walled town of the valley, visited with a local guide. - El Atteuf (M'zab valley)
The oldest of the five towns, quieter and full of character. - Melika (M'zab valley)
A hilltop town with a striking cemetery and valley views. - Bou Noura (M'zab valley)
The smallest town of the valley, perched on a rocky outcrop.
Events
- Beni Isguen auction market (Beni Isguen)
An afternoon auction where a crier sells goods around the square.
Arts and Culture
- Sidi Brahim Mosque (El Atteuf)
A gem of sculpted, simple architecture that inspired Le Corbusier. - Ksar Tafilelt (Beni Isguen)
A modern eco ksar built by residents using traditional design.
Nature and Outdoors
- Palm groves of the M'zab (M'zab valley)
Shaded date gardens with old wells and irrigation channels.
Shopping and Markets
- M'zab carpet shops (Ghardaia)
Woollen carpets woven in strong geometric patterns.
Places to Visit in Djanet
Nature and Outdoors
- Tassili n'Ajjer National Park (Djanet)
A UNESCO listed plateau of stone forests and prehistoric rock art. - Tadrart Rouge (South of Djanet)
Red dunes, sandstone towers and some of the finest engravings in the Sahara. - Erg Admer (Near Djanet)
Golden dunes close to town, ideal for a first night under the stars. - Essendilene gorge (Near Djanet)
A canyon with pools and greenery hidden in the desert. - Tamrit cypresses (Tassili plateau)
Ancient Saharan cypress trees thousands of years old. - Djanet palm groves (Djanet)
Shady oasis gardens along the wadi, lovely at golden hour.
Arts and Culture
- Sefar (Tassili plateau)
A vast painted rock city reached on foot, the jewel of the Tassili. - Jabbaren (Tassili plateau)
Famous painted shelters full of giant figures on the high plateau. - Crying Cows of Terarart (Near Djanet)
A famous rock engraving of cattle that appear to weep.
Things to Do
- Ksar El Mihan (Djanet)
The old mud brick quarter on a hill above the palm groves.
Events
- Sebiba festival (Djanet)
A Tuareg ceremony of drums, song and dance held around Ashura.
Shopping and Markets
- Djanet market (Djanet)
Tuareg silver jewellery, leather and spices in the town centre.
Restaurants
- Tuareg tea and bread under the stars (Tadrart Rouge)
Taguella bread baked in the sand, the classic desert meal on any trek.
Places to Visit in Tamanrasset
Things to Do
- Assekrem hermitage (Hoggar mountains)
Charles de Foucauld's mountain hermitage with an unforgettable sunrise.
Nature and Outdoors
- Ahaggar National Park (Hoggar mountains)
Volcanic peaks and desert valleys in Algeria's far south.
Places to Visit in Tlemcen
Arts and Culture
- Great Mosque of Tlemcen (Tlemcen)
An Almoravid mosque with a superb carved mihrab dome. - Mansourah ruins (Tlemcen)
The towering half ruined minaret of a medieval Marinid city. - Sidi Boumediene mosque complex (El Eubbad)
A shrine, mosque and madrasa of rare beauty on the hillside.
Nature and Outdoors
- Lalla Setti plateau (Tlemcen)
A park above the city with a cable car and wide views.
Places to Visit in Béjaïa
Nature and Outdoors
- Gouraya National Park (Béjaïa)
Cliffs, forest and Barbary macaques above the Mediterranean. - Cap Carbon (Béjaïa)
A dramatic headland with one of the world's highest lighthouses.
Things to Do
- Tichy beaches (Tichy)
Long sandy beaches east of Béjaïa beneath the Kabylie hills.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Karantika stalls of Médina Jedida (Médina Jedida, Oran)
The best place to taste Oran's hot chickpea flan in a sandwich. - Seafood restaurants of the port of Oran (Port, Oran)
Fresh fish and shrimp grilled to order near the harbour. - Chemin des Touristes (Rhumel gorge, Constantine)
A path cut into the gorge wall below the bridges, when it is open. - Souk El Asr (Old town, Constantine)
An old market quarter for spices, copper and fabrics. - Chakhchoukha restaurants of the old town (Old town, Constantine)
Simple eateries serving Constantine's signature torn bread stew. - Pastry shops of Constantine (Centre, Constantine)
Famous for nougat and delicate pastries, perfect gifts for family. - Malouf Festival of Constantine (Constantine, Constantine)
An annual festival of Andalusian malouf music in the city of its tradition. - Djebel El Ouahch forest (Constantine, Constantine)
Wooded hills and lakes above the city, a favourite for family picnics. - Metlili (Metlili, Ghardaia)
A Chaamba oasis town south of the valley with a traditional ksar. - Guesthouses of Ksar Tafilelt (Beni Isguen, Ghardaia)
Stay with a local family in the eco ksar. - Market restaurants of Ghardaia (Ghardaia, Ghardaia)
Simple spots for chorba, couscous and grilled meat near the square. - Tea houses of Ghardaia (Ghardaia, Ghardaia)
Strong Saharan tea poured from a height in small glasses. - Agency desert camps of Djanet (Djanet, Djanet)
Tents and huts run by licensed agencies at the start and end of trips. - Sunset at Moul Naga (Tadrart Rouge, Djanet)
A dramatic dune and rock landscape that glows red at sunset. - Tamanrasset market (Tamanrasset, Tamanrasset)
Trade from across the Sahara, from spices to silverwork.