Algiers, the capital city of Algeria, also called Algiers the white is one of the major Mediterranean cities. Known for its whitewashed buildings, breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, and hectic streets, Algiers is the perfect start of a trip to Algeria.
Spend about 2 or 3 full days in Algiers because there are some great things to do here. Use this Algiers travel guide to plan your visit.
My two decades of living in Algiers have brought me to every corner of this city. As a result, this Algiers travel guide is aimed to help you plan your trip. I’ve summarized everything you need to know before and during your visit and also included my personal tips for your time in Algiers.
- Top Things To Do in Algiers
- Getting in and out of Algiers
- Getting Around
- Best areas to stay in
- Best time to visit Algiers
- Nightlife
- Safety
- Possible Day Trips From Algiers
Top Things to Do & See in Algiers
If you’re hoping to have a memorable trip, here is a list of all the places and iconic sights to visit in Algiers.
1. Marvel at the Central Post Office
The distinctive Central Post Office absolutely belongs at the top of your list of things to do in Algiers. Known as La Grande Poste, this beautiful building is the most iconic monument in Algiers. It’s located right in the middle of the city center and is a fine example of French-designed, early 20th-century Moorish architecture. Inside the building, the ceiling is decorated with stunning mosaics.
2. Enjoy The Urban Landscape
One of the main attractions in Algiers is the urban landscape itself. The historical city of Algiers has plenty of Haussmann style buildings to admire and numerous walking streets to have a stroll and explore the street scene!
Didouche Mourad St and Larbi ben Mhidi St form the most popular district in Algiers. Here you will find numerous shopping stores, souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafes.
To enjoy an urban walk while enjoying the sea breeze, I recommend you walk along Ernesto Che Guevara and Zighout Youcef boulevards. These two boulevards are lined with beautiful Haussmannian buildings and offer a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea.
Highlights of Algiers
- Jardin de l’Horloge Florale (The flower clock garden): to enjoy the view of Algiers and the sea
- Emir Abd El Kader Square
- Port Said Square
- National theater Mahieddine Bachtarzi
- El Djedid Mosque
- El-Kebir Mosque
- Sahat E’shouhada (Martyrs square)
3. Sip Mint Tea & People watch
Didouche Mourad street, the Place Maurice Audin, and the Central Post Office square are popular meeting points among locals. This is where the main part of the city center lies. Order a drink or a dessert, grab an outdoor table, and enjoy watching the crossroad teeming with people heading to different destinations.
4. Visit the Museum of Modern Art (MAMA)
Located in close proximity to the Emir Abdel Kader Square, the MAMA Museum is a great place to visit if you want to get insight into the work of local artists.
The museum hosts many different exhibitions throughout the year with a focus on painting, drawing, and photography. Also, the gallery aims to present both famous and emerging artists.
Aside from artworks, the exhibition is housed in an elegant Neo-Moorish building that was once a department store, historically known as the Galeries de France.
- Entry fee: DA 200
5. Get lost in the Upper Casbah
The heart of Algiers is its Casbah, a collection of whitewashed Ottoman-style houses and palaces overlooking the sea. The citadel is also known for its enchanting mosques and narrow alleys. Although some parts of this ancient medina are not very well preserved, the Casbah is definitely worth a visit. In fact, Unesco named the Casbah World Heritage.
The best way to get around the Casbah is by joining an informative guided tour or hiring a private tour guide. The guide will know which buildings are open to the public and where you can get the best view of the city.
The Casbah is also fine to walk around if you decide not to hire a tour guide but keep in mind that it’s a real maze.
Although many people advise to exercise caution when visiting the citadel, I have never felt in danger there. I visited the Casbah many times with and without a tour guide, with friends, and also with my parents-in-law when they visited Algeria, and I have never had a bad experience.
- The price of a guided tour is around DA 1000 -1500 per person. The guided tours usually start at 10:00 and last around three hours.
6. Plan ahead and get inside Ketchaoua Mosque
The most famous Mosque in Algiers, Ketchaoua was built during the Ottomans rule in the 17 century. It’s not only one of the highlights of Algiers but also a Unesco Heritage Site. Located in the lower Casbah, just two minutes’ walk from Sahat E’shouhada (Martyrs Square), Ketchaoua mosque is easily recognizable by its facade and color.
If you’re lucky, you can tour the interior, but opening times have a tendency to change. Basically, what you need to do is to check Algier’s prayer times and go there just before the call to prayer or right after people finish praying. The mosque is closed in between prayer times to keep the people who have the habit of taking naps in mosques out.
Dress code: Women should wear ankle-length skirts or loose fit pants. Sleeves should reach to each wrist and the hair should be covered by a headscarf. Men should wear long pants and plain shirts or T-shirt
7. Tour the Palais des Rais
Visiting the Palais des Rais, also known as Bastion 23 may just be one of the coolest things to do in Algiers. This 16th-century complex is one of the last surviving quarters of the lower Casbah.
Following the restructuring of the Casbah during the French era, the Palais des Rais is now completely detached and isolated from the Casbah.
This gorgeous complex consists of three palaces and six houses and is considered as one of the most important historical monuments of Algiers.
- Entry fee: DA 200
8. Head Over to the Basilica of Notre Dame d’Afrique
Notre Dame d’Afrique also called Madame l’Afrique which means Our Lady of Africa is a neo-byzantine basilica and one of Algiers’s most famous landmarks. This 1872 Basilica, which sits just outside Algiers city center is perched on a cliff at 407 feet, offering panoramic views of Algiers and the Mediterranean Sea. It can be reached by cable car from Bab El Oued or by taxi from the city center.
Visiting Notre Dame d’Afrique is free of charge.
9. Relax in the Botanical Garden Hamma
Known as Jardin d’Essai, the Botanical Garden Hamma is the green lung of Algiers. It’s a nice and quiet break from the busy streets of the city. This gorgeous green space was specifically designed in 1832 as a model farm and test garden. It spreads out over 5 hectares and includes fountains and beautiful sculptures. In the 1930s, the botanical garden had been used for filming Tarzan of the Apes.
- The entry fee is DA 150.
10. Wander Around The National Museum of Fine Arts
If art is your thing, the National Museum of Fine Arts, known as Musée des Beaux-Arts is one of Algiers’ top cultural sights and Africa’s greatest art galleries.
Spread over three floors, its permanent collection contains 8000 artworks and varies from statues and paintings to ceramics, sculptures, and fabric art. The collection also contains works by world-famous artists such as Delacroix and Monet. It’s said that over 300 works of art were brought to the Louvre in Paris from the Museum in 1962.
If you are not a big fan of art, then go there for the view. Climb to the rooftop for one of the most enchanting views of Algiers. You’ll be able to see the Botanical Garden and the Mediterranean Sea.
Entry fee: DA 200
11. Step inside Dar Abd-el-Tif
Dar Abd-el-Tif just near the National Museum of Fine Arts is another Moorish house and historical monument. During the Ottoman era, Dar Abd-el-Tif was a residence for the notables of the Casbah. The villa also housed many artists and famous personalities during the French occupation. Today, it’s home to the Institute of Cultural Evolution. Don’t be surprised if there is a live concert when you arrive!
12. Take The Cable Car
Another thing to do in Algiers when you visit the city as a tourist is to see it from a unique perspective aboard a cable car. After visiting the National Museum of Fine Arts and Dar Abd-el-Tif, and winding through the Botanical Garden, head to the cable car station that is located just near these three attractions. This short cable car ride is not only an attraction but it will hoist you up to the perched Martyr’s Memorial.
13. Learn About The Occupation of Algeria
Algeria has a long history of being occupied by foreign powers but the French rule was the most notorious one. Located on a hill overlooking Algiers, the Martyr’s Memorial (Makam E’shaheed) is a significant symbol as it’s dedicated to the Algerian heroes who died during the war of independence from France.
If you want to learn about the French occupation from 1830-1962, you can head to the Museum of Occupation (Mudjahid Museum), which is located underneath the Memorial. The entry fee is DA 20
Other Top Things To Do in Algiers
If you’re still wondering what else to do in Algiers, here is my final round-up of the best things to do in Algiers!
14. Enjoy a beer at Seventy Five bar
After touring the city, relax and enjoy a drink at the Aurassi Hotel bar.
When I used to live in Algiers, one of my favorite things was to have a drink here after work or on weekends, so this one is my personal advice.
The Seventy-Five bar is one of the outdoor bars with the finest views in town. Not only you get the chance to enjoy a drink and the view here but you also get the chance to witness the beautiful Algiers sunset. Definitely be sure to add it to your list when deciding what to do in Algiers!
15. Picnic in Parc Beirut
Take advantage of Algiers sunshine and warm temperature and lay out a blanket in Parc Beirut. The relaxed environment of the park is perfect for reflecting on your experience in Algiers. Pack local snacks that you can get in a bakery.
16. Admire Other Panoramic views of Algiers
You guessed it, there’s something about the views in Algiers. The city has many fabulous lookout points and most of them are free.
Tip: Aeroabitat is a building located on the upper side of downtown and is another sure bet for gorgeous views that not a lot of visitors know about. Pay a small fee (10 dinars) to take the lift to the 10th-floor. From the 10th floor, you take another lift (free) which takes you to the top floor. Enjoy the view!
17. Spot the world’s tallest minaret
After seven years of construction, the great mosque of Algeria was completed in 2019, breaking new global records. The mosque houses the world’s tallest minaret and is the third-largest mosque in the world after the Holy mosque of Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in the Medina in Saudi Arabia.
18. Stroll Along Sablettes Promenade
Located just outside Algiers, facing the great mosque of Algiers, the Sablettes promenade provides a great, one-of-a-kind place to spend the remaining hours of the day and witness the setting sun.
Strolling along this seaside promenade will also give you an authentic view of how the locals spend their leisure time – Lots of families, lots of kids, a few joggers, and soccer enthusiasts.
19. Taste Algerian Cuisine
When visiting Algiers, food is something that must be experienced. Although there are many restaurants that serve traditional food, the best way to sample the Algerian cuisine is in the homes (i.e. by making friends). Why? Because preparing couscous and other traditional dishes needs time and the freshest ingredients, and the restaurants simply don’t have the time to put love in their cooking to make it tastes as it should.
Back in downtown, there are a few foodie experiences that you will probably want to try. Keep in mind that the restaurants that serve traditional food are usually quite expensive and that’s because they also serve alcoholic drinks.
Here’s are some restaurants ordered by price range:
- Keimat Essaouira: DA 2000
- Restaurant El Djazair : DA 2800
- Djnina : DA3500
20. Hit up the food markets
wandering around Algiers’s food markets are absolutely among the top things to do in Algier to sample the local life. Food is an important part of Algerian culture, and the markets are an excellent place to get a taste of it, whether that’s through picking up fruits and veggies, tasting olives, getting traditional bread or a few merguez sausages ( Algerian mutton- or beef-based sausage) Prepare to feast your senses with the variety of smells and the noise from the vendors selling their products.
Here are four popular markets in Algiers:
- 1er Mai Market (Champs des Maneuvers)
- Ferhat Boussad marker (Meissonier)
- Clauzel Market (Agha)
- Marché Tnach, Belcourt (Belouizdad)
21. Attend a Chaabi concert
The music in the culture of Algeria is as important as the food. The country claims rich and vibrant styles of traditional music, and the Chaabi-the traditional music of Algiers is one of the most famous styles of music that continues to be an integral part of Algeria culture.
Originally from the Casbah, the Chaabi which means “for the people” includes songs about everyday life: work songs and traveling songs, as well as songs for celebrations and milestones- like weddings and religious commemorations, friendship and love songs, songs for dancing, and songs about the motherlands.
There are various types of Chaabi shows in Algiers. You can either go to Algiers Opera House or the Palace of Culture or spend one of your evenings in a restaurant that includes a live concert. You can also attend a private dining event in the Casbah which is the best way to discover this traditional music.
Here are a few restaurants that offer Chaabi shows
- Villa Arena
- Le Baroque
- Albies’
- Seven Times
Important to know: The music venues and restaurants are located outside Algiers city center. I recommend calling them or checking their Facebook pages or websites to be updated about upcoming events.
Private dining events in the Casbah
The following tour operators offer dining events in the Casbah:
- Guide Nomad
- Aventurable
You can check out their websites or Facebook pages for information about dates, prices, and reservations.
22. Visit Bardo National Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography
If you enjoy visiting museums or like wandering around Moorish villas, then you should add the Bardo National Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography to your list of places to visit in Algiers. The museum was opened in 1927 and is housed in a beautiful Moorish villa formerly located in the countryside and now encompassed in the modern city.
Entry fee: DA 200
23. Get Pampered in a Hammam
Visiting a hammam is one of the great things to do in Algiers if you want to experience the local culture. It’s also an opportunity for you to enjoy a break from the craziness of the city.
For centuries, hammams have been a popular method of relaxing and cleansing that Algerians inherited from Ottomans. Though there are numerous private and intimate spa experiences, the most authentic and adventurous way to experience this special cultural ritual is to head to the communal public bath- Public hammams are clean and inexpensive but be prepared to share the space with other visitors.
Good to know: there is no mixing of both sexes in hammams. Usually, there are two sections– one for each sex, or they admit men and women at separate times throughout the day.
Getting In and Out of Algiers
To get into Algiers city center from Algiers Houari Boumediene Airport, you can take the train or bus, get into the taxi line or book a ride with Yassir App. A metro line from Algiers city center to the airport will be inaugurated soon.
The best option is to take the train. Tickets for the train cost DA 80 one way, and the journey is approximately 20 minutes. Then there is the bus. This takes longer than the train but costs only DA 20-45.
If you take a taxi or book a Yassir, a ride from the airport to the city center will cost you around DA 600- 1500.
➵Must read: Algeria travel Guide
Getting Around
Algiers is really easy to visit. Here are the best ways to get around :
Walking: seems quite obvious! You can walk most places in central Algiers and it’s the best way to experience the city. Just keep in mind that Algiers was sited on high ground, so you will encounter some hilly streets.
Tip: Since tourist attractions are spread out over different areas of the city, take public transport to a neighborhood and then set off on foot to explore.
The Subway is the most popular way to travel around the city. It’s also the fastest and the smoothest.
- Each ride costs DA50
- One day pass costs DA 150
- To save even more money and reduce the waste of getting a new ticket each time, there are 10, 20, 30, and 40 ride options which respectively cost DA 400, DA 700, DA 1020, and DA 1320.
The tram covers all the northern part of Algiers. It’s safe and reliable. Keep in mind that it gets quite crowded during rush hour.
- Each ride costs DA40
- You can also buy a metro+tram ticket. One pass costs DA70
- One day pass (metro+tram) costs DA 200
Cable car: If you want a fun way to get around Algiers than the cable cars are the way to go. The city is dotted with 6 lines, some of them can take you to the most popular tourist attractions in Algiers.
- Each ride costs DA30
Taxis are ideal for traveling to destinations that aren’t possible on the subway, tram, and cable car map, however taking a taximeter in Algiers is quite an experience. I don’t recommend hailing a taxi on the street and here’s why:
You cannot get into a taxi and just tell the driver where to go. Depending on your destination, it’s the driver who decides whether to take you or not. Aside from that, meter taxis carry several passengers at a time. If you want the taxi for yourself, you will have to agree on the price first as the meter will not be used.
I recommend using Yassir app instead, it’s much cheaper and reliable. If you have used Uber before, it works the same way.
Best Areas to Stay In
Algiers’ city center comprises several neighborhoods, most of them are compact and walkable. So, even if you stay in one part of town, you can easily reach most places of interest in other neighborhoods on foot or via a short metro ride.
Didouche Mourad street, Place Audin , Pasteur Avenue, Dr Saadane street, Mohamed V Bvd: This is the best area to stay in Algiers city center as they are very central and the metro stations are within walking distance.
Sacré Coeur and Telemly districts are located on the upper side of downtown, around 15 minutes’ walk from the metro stations and are two nice neighborhoods to stay in if you want to be in a quiet area but still in the city center.
Best time to visit Algiers
The city has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. My favorite seasons to visit Algiers are spring (between April and June), and autumn (September and October) as they are best for walking and sightseeing. Winter can also be a great time to visit Algiers. The average temperature is around 18°C and the sun still shines even during winter. Less ideal time to visit Algiers as a tourist is the summer. Hot and humid weather make this season somewhat inhospitable. Also, the capital city may be emptier as the scorching sunshine keeps everyone indoors.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Algiers is different from what you have already experienced in other capitals or big cities. Algiers city center gets sleepy way early but there are still opportunities to enjoy an evening out, dance and have a drink in the capital city of Algeria. You just need to look a little closer.
Nightclubs and bars
Yes, there are night clubs in Algiers! On the west coast of Algiers, you will find a club called La Rose Bleue which plays western and modern music. You can also check the Triangle nightclub, located near the Martyr’s Memorial (Makam E’chahid) Most of the nightclubs in Algiers are in hotels, such as Hilton, Saint Geroge hotel (hotel El Djazair), Sheraton, and Sofitel.
If you are looking for a bar where you can spend the night, head to The Bois des Arcades, you will find some of Algiers’s best bars such as Piano Piano and the Cosmopolitan. There are also some nice restaurants that serve alcohol. Also, most hotels feature bars, they are quite refined and very relaxing.
Lively neighborhood
Popular with young and trendy people, Sidi Yahiya road asserted itself as the city’s coolest hang-out in Algiers. It’s located a few miles away from downtown and is the place where you can enjoy a casual evening at the restaurant or chicha bar.
Shows and live music
Most festivals and cultural events in Algiers take place in summer and during Ramadan. Listing of local events can be found in the local press.
Safety
Algiers is a safe city to visit. You can sightsee and wander around without worrying about your safety. Also, locals are hospitable and they will make sure you feel like you are home! However, just like any other big city, you should keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas as pickpocketing can occur.
Possible Day Trips From Algiers
Algiers is a modern city so if you’re looking for the traditional Algerian experience or want to see other landmarks, you can take a day trip to one of these nearby places:
- Tipaza (1 hour): probably the most popular day trip, Tipaza is a seaside town famous for its Roman ruins.
- Dellys (1,30 hours): another seaside town located in Bourmeds, in the northern part of Algeria, and during a day trip you can visit its Casbah, get lost in its narrow streets, and enjoy the beautiful sea views.
- Chrea (1,45 hours): located in a mountainous area named Tell Atlas, Chrea is a nice place to visit in winter when it’s covered in snow.
- Tikedja (2 hours): it has long been a popular high-altitude destination. It’s a great place to hike and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery.
- Tigzirt (2,30 hours): located in the Kabylie region, Tigzirt is a seaside town where you can find beautiful Roman ruins and enjoy the stunning coastal scenery.
➵ Read my interview with Hear it from Locals: Algiers, everything you need to know
Algiers Travel Guide: This is Algiers!
Watch this video to get a glimpse of Algiers!
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If there is anything else you would like to know about visiting Algiers, ask me in the comments section below.
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Danny Louis says
Hello Nesrine, what a wonderful blog. Best info I found so far! If you have time, could you also send me the info f a tourguide in Algiers, preferably someone w a sense of humor and open mind? And if you have one that does tours out of Constantine, a bit hesitant to drive myself even if cars and fuel are cheap f European standards. Thanks
Mitchell S says
Your posts are incredible. You are a fantastic writer and an incredible storyteller. Thank you for sharing your gifts. I am planning a trip to Algiers in March 2022. I PREFER to use a local guide and PREFER to do business with a local Algerian travel company. I want to help the local Algerian economy instead of paying some large corporate travel agency. Do you have a recommendation for a local travel guide or a local travel trip planner that I could use? I am so eager to visit this amazing country. Keep sharing your wonderful writings! – Mitch from Texas
Nesrine says
Hi Mitchell, thanks for reading. I sent you an email, I hope you saw it 🙂
Zina says
You covered it all very neatly. Super useful guide!
admin says
Hi Zina, thank you! I really appreciate it 🙂
Alicja Aleksandra says
Hi, I never thought of visiting Algeria until now.
Thank you for lovely guide and beautiful pictures.
admin says
You are very welcome! I hope we can all travel again soon
Bri says
Thank you for all your useful posts. Algeria is still on my travel wishlist, and since the travel advisory was just changed I’m thinking I might give it a shot later this year. Your blog was a great way to read a bit more about how to organize it and where to go!
admin says
Hi; thank you, happy to read that!
Have a great time