Algeria travel guide
Algeria Tourism | Algeria Guide
You're Going to Love Algeria
The largest country in Africa is a short trip away from Europe, making it one of the preferred destinations for European travelers.
Cosmopolitan cities contrast with desert landscapes in Algeria, where it is also possible to marvel at well-kept Roman ruins and snow-capped mountains.
What to do in Algeria
1. Explore Roman Ruins
Well-preserved and with fewer crowds than elsewhere in the world, visiting the Roman Ruins in Algeria is a one-of-a-kind experience. Djemila, Cherchell, and Timgad are just some of the sites to add to a must-see list.
2. Experience the Sahara Desert on the Sebkha Circuit
Take a tour of the Sebkha Circuit in Timimoun for stunning views of the Sahara desert, the ksars, and the salt lake.
3. Explore Algier's Casbah
The city center of Algeria's capital city is a web of steep and narrow streets with typical houses and grand Ottoman palaces. Hire a local guide to explore the unforgettable Casbah.
4. Visit the Oldest City in Algeria
Don't expect to find lots of tourist attractions in Constantine, because that's not what draws travelers to Algeria's oldest city. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, this cliff-top city is an attraction on its own.
5. Attend the Timgad Music Festival
This unmissable summer music festival celebrates world music and Algerian music in the gorgeous scenery that is the Roman ruins of Timgad.
When to visit Algeria
The best time to visit Algeria is in the spring (February to May) or the fall (October to November) for milder temperatures.
How to Get to Algeria
Entry requirements
Aside from citizens of Tunisia, Morocco, and Malaysia, all other tourists will need a visa to enter Algeria.
Visas will be issued for 30 days and the documents required to obtain one vary according to nationality.
Plane
Algeria is served by two main international airports: Houari Boumediene Airport in Algiers and Es-Sénia Airport in Oran.
The airport in Algiers has the most international connections, while the airport in Oran is served mostly by flights from Europe and other destinations in North Africa.
Bus
It is possible to enter Algeria by bus from Tunisia. There are daily connections to Annaba (Algeria) from the capital of Tunisia, Tunis.
Boat
There are several ferry options connecting Marseille (France) and Alicante (Spain) to Algeria, but trips take 10-20h.
Getting off the boat to clear customs and immigration is usually a slow process.
Popular airports in Algeria
Popular airlines serving Algeria
Where to stay in Algeria
Expect to find large chain hotels in the main cities in the north of Algeria: Algiers, Oran, Annaba, and Constantine.
Where to stay in popular areas of Algeria
How to Get Around Algeria
Public Transportation
Public transportation is rare in most cities in Algeria, except in the north. There, cities are served by shared taxis ("louages"), which are a faster alternative to buses.
Trains
Trains in Algeria are operated by SNTF. There are regular and comfortable connections from Algiers to Bejaia, Annaba, Constantine, Tlemcen, and Oran. It is also possible to catch a train between Oran and Béchar, and Constantine and Touggourt.
Bus
The long-distance bus network is larger in the north than in the south, reaching more cities and towns. Buying tickets as far in advance as possible is advised.
Car
It is necessary to hire a local escort to be able to drive in Algeria, although this rule is hardly enforced in the cities in the north.
Plane
Taking a domestic flight in Algeria is often the easiest and most comfortable way to get around in the country.
Local airlines Air Algérie and Tassili Airlines operate regular flights between the main cities.
The Cost of Living in Algeria
ATMs are easy to find in large towns and cities and cash is the preferred payment mode. Credit cards can be used in large chain hotels and car rental companies. A one-way ticket on public transportation costs approximately 25 DZD (0.20 USD). Shopping for vegetables, fruit, bread, milk, and rice at a supermarket costs around 1,200 DZD (10 USD). An average meal costs about 350 DZD (2.90 USD).