Algiers
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Only have a day? See 2 ready-made day plans ↓Show on the map
Tips
10 places on the map
Top 10
- 1
UNESCO-listed Ottoman citadel quarter of steep lanes and old houses.
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Go with a local guide, it is a maze
- Wear sturdy shoes for the stairs
📷 Photos
- 2
Hilltop basilica with sea views over the bay.
- Tip: Sunset
- Tip: Dress code
2 tips
- Take a taxi up the hill
- Best views at sunset
📷 Photos
- 3
Giant concrete monument honouring the war of independence.
3 tips
- Underground museum beneath the memorial
- Great city views
- Open to the public
📷 Photos
- 4
One of the world largest mosques with the tallest minaret.
- Must know: Dress code
2 tips
- Check visiting hours for non-Muslims
- Take the minaret lift if open
📷 Photos
- 5
Botanical garden planted in 1832 with towering trees.
3 tips
- Good for a shaded walk
- Small entrance fee
- Allow about two hours
📷 Photos
- 6
Historic mosque in Moorish-Byzantine style near the Casbah.
- Tip: Dress code
2 tips
- Respect prayer times
- Admire the interior calligraphy
📷 Photos
- 7
Neo-Moorish post office, a symbol of central Algiers.
3 tips
- Photograph the arched facade
- Bustling in the daytime
- Free to enter
📷 Photos
- 8
Museum of prehistory and ethnography in an Ottoman villa.
3 tips
- Check opening hours first
- Allow one to two hours
- Located in the Hydra area, take a taxi
📷 Photos
- 9
Largest art museum in Africa with Algerian and European works.
3 tips
- Set in the Hamma garden area
- Allow two hours
- Combine with the Jardin d'Essai
📷 Photos
- 10
The Great Mosque, one of Algiers oldest, dating from the 11th century.
3 tips
- Admire from outside if closed
- Non-Muslim access limited
- Near the port
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Algiers tips
Transportation
- Ride the metro: Algiers' metro line links the centre at Grande Poste with southern districts; it is clean, cheap and avoids the city's heavy traffic.
- Take the tram east: The tramway runs along the eastern suburbs toward Bab Ezzouar and is handy for reaching the university area and malls.
- Use the cable cars: Short téléphérique lines climb the steep hillsides, for example up to the Martyrs' Memorial area, saving you a sweaty uphill walk.
Security
- Explore the Casbah with a guide: The old Casbah's alleys are a maze; a local guide helps you navigate, respects residents' privacy and keeps you out of trouble.
- Carry your passport: Police checkpoints are common in Algeria, so keep your passport or a copy on you and stay calm and polite if stopped.
- Agree taxi fares first: Many taxis do not use meters for visitors; settle the fare before getting in or ask your hotel to call a trusted driver.
Saving
- Eat at local cafes: Simple eateries serve hearty chorba, grilled meats and sandwiches for far less than hotel restaurants.
- Change money officially: Use banks or official exchange counters and keep receipts; it is the legal route and avoids disputes when leaving the country.
- Walk the colonial centre: Rue Didouche Mourad, Grande Poste and the seafront boulevards are best seen on foot and cost nothing.
Weather/Clothing
- Expect a Mediterranean climate: Summers are hot and humid, winters mild but rainy; pack a light rain jacket for November to March.
- Dress modestly: Long trousers or skirts and covered shoulders are best, especially in the Casbah and when visiting mosques; women may want a light scarf.
- Bring good shoes: The city is built on steep hills with many stairs, so comfortable shoes with grip make exploring much easier.
Cultural
- Learn a few French and Arabic words: French is widely spoken alongside Algerian Arabic; a simple salam or bonjour goes a long way.
- Respect Ramadan: During Ramadan avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public by day; evenings come alive with iftar meals and late-night strolls.
- Ask before photos: Always ask permission before photographing people, and avoid snapping police, military sites or government buildings.
Local Hacks
- Get a local SIM: Buy a prepaid SIM from Djezzy, Mobilis or Ooredoo with your passport; mobile data makes maps and ride-hailing much easier.
- Try Yassir: The Algerian ride-hailing app Yassir works in Algiers and avoids fare haggling with street taxis.
- Visit Notre Dame d'Afrique at sunset: The basilica on the hill offers sweeping views over the bay, best enjoyed late in the afternoon.
1-day itineraries in Algiers
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.
Day 1 of 2
Casbah of Algiers and around
🕘 9:30–17:15📍 5 stops
- 1Casbah of Algiers
- 2Djamaa el Kebir
- 3Ketchaoua Mosque
- 4Grande Poste d'Alger
- 5Bardo National Museum
Day 2 of 2
Maqam Echahid (Martyrs' Memorial) and around
🕘 9:30–16:45📍 5 stops
- 1Maqam Echahid (Martyrs' Memorial)
- 2Musée National du Moudjahid
- 3National Museum of Fine Arts
- 4Jardin d'Essai du Hamma
- 5Plage des Sablettes