Things to Do in Algeria

About Algeria

The first thing you notice about Algiers isn't the skyline—it’s the smell. It hits you on the ferry from Marseille or in the arrivals hall of Houari Boumediene Airport: a dry, mineral heat carrying the scent of orange blossoms from the Jardin d'Essai, diesel from the port, and a faint, persistent note of sea salt from the Mediterranean below the Casbah. This is a city built in layers, physically and historically: the Ottoman-era Casbah, a crumbling white labyrinth where the alleyways are so narrow you can touch both walls, sits above the French-built arcades of the Quartier Français, where men smoke in cafés that haven't changed their tilework since the 1930s. For 300 dinars (about $2), you can get a paper cone of fried sardines at the Port d'Alger fish market, watching the blue-hulled boats unload their catch while stray cats weave between your ankles. But Algeria doesn't make it easy: visas are a bureaucratic marathon, intercity trains are infrequent, and the Sahara—the reason most travelers come—requires a guide, a 4x4, and a tolerance for days without a shower. Go anyway. The moment you stand in the Roman ruins of Timgad, its perfect grid of streets appearing suddenly from the scrubland, or watch the sunset turn the dunes of the Grand Erg Occidental from gold to violet, you'll understand why the hassle is part of the point.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Getting around here tends to require a mix of patience and planning. The SNTF train network connects major cities—Algiers to Oran, Constantine to Annaba—with comfortable, affordable wagons. A first-class ticket from Algiers to Constantine (a 6-hour journey through the Tell Atlas mountains) might run you 2,500 DZD (about $18). For anything off the main lines, you're looking at shared grands taxis (old Mercedes sedans that depart when full) or hiring a car with a driver. Renting your own vehicle is possible, but the paperwork is labyrinthine and police checkpoints are frequent. The real insider move? For day trips from Algiers, like to the Roman ruins at Tipasa, the local bus from Place des Martyrs is cheaper and faster than negotiating with a taxi.

Money: Cash is king. Credit cards are accepted at maybe one out of ten upscale hotels in Algiers or Oran, and ATMs can be unreliable outside major cities. You'll want to arrive with euros or dollars to exchange at banks or official bureaux de change—the rates at the airport are notoriously poor. A decent meal of couscous and merguez in a local restaurant will likely set you back 800-1,200 DZD ($5.50-$8.50). Tipping isn't deeply ingrained, but rounding up the bill or leaving small change is appreciated. One potential pitfall: the black market for currency exchange exists, but it's illegal and carries serious risk. Stick to the banks; the difference in rate isn't worth the trouble.

Cultural Respect: Algeria is a conservative, Muslim-majority country where social codes matter. Dress modestly, especially outside Algiers—long trousers or skirts, covered shoulders. When visiting mosques (like the stunning modern Great Mosque of Algiers), non-Muslims are generally not permitted inside prayer halls. During Ramadan, the rhythm of life shifts completely; eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours is deeply disrespectful. That said, Algerians are famously hospitable. If you're invited for tea—which you will be, especially in the Kabylie region—accept. It's a ritual: the mint tea poured from a height to create foam, served with dates. Refusing is seen as rude. A simple "Saha" (to your health) goes a long way.

Food Safety: You eat phenomenally well here, and cheaply, with minimal risk if you follow a couple of rules. The street food is among the best and safest in North Africa—look for stalls with a high turnover. A savory, flaky brik (a fried pastry with egg and tuna) from a cart in the Casbah will cost about 80 DZD (around $0.55) and is almost certainly fine. Stick to bottled water, even in restaurants. The real star is the communal meal. In a Saharan oasis town like Taghit, you might be served a vast platter of méchoui (slow-roasted lamb) with your hands for 1,500 DZD ($10). It's the kind of experience you can't buy in a sterile hotel restaurant. Just avoid unpasteurized dairy and pre-cut fruit from street vendors.

When to Visit

When you go depends entirely on what part of Algeria you're after. For the north—Algiers, Constantine, the Roman coast—April through June and September through October are ideal. Temperatures hover around 22-28°C (72-82°F), the hills are green, and the Mediterranean is swimmable. July and August in Algiers are hot (30-35°C / 86-95°F) and humid, and many locals head to the coast, crowding beaches like Sidi Fredj. For the Sahara, it's the opposite: winter (November to February) is prime. Daytime highs in the desert around Djanet or Tamanrasset are a pleasant 20-25°C (68-77°F), but nights can plunge to near freezing. Summer in the desert is brutal, with temperatures easily exceeding 45°C (113°F)—most reputable tour operators simply won't run trips. Ramadan shifts yearly; traveling during it means limited daytime dining options but incredible, festive evening atmospheres. Flight prices from Europe tend to spike around French school holidays. For the best balance of weather and value, late September is a sweet spot: the summer crowds have thinned, hotel prices in Algiers might drop by a third compared to August, and the desert is just becoming tolerable again.