Algiers – The White Mediterranean between the Casbah and modernity

CapitalHeritageHistoricalMediterranean
Region
Center (Wilaya d'Alger)
Access
International airport, train station, freeway
Time difference
GMT+1 toute l’année
Currency
Dinar algérien (DZD) — cash essentiel
Formalities
Passeport valide, Visa requis selon nationalité
Algiers, a mosaic of cultures between sea, jasmine and Haussmann architecture
Majestic and multifaceted, Algiers - nicknamed the White City - stretches between sea and hills, blending Ottoman heritage, colonial influence and contemporary energy. From the UNESCO-listed Kasbah to the Haussmann-style streets of the city centre, each district is an invitation to travel. Stroll through the narrow streets, watch the boats in the port, breathe in the scent of jasmine in the Jardin d'Essai... Algiers is a living book, to be leafed through as you explore its squares, staircases and sunsets.
Share

A BIT OF HISTORY

Inhabited since ancient times (Icosium), Algiers took off in the 10th century under the Zianides, before becoming a Mecca of Ottoman power in the XVIᵉ century with the Casbah as its pulsating heart. Colonized in 1830, it became a showcase for French power before bursting into flames during the War of Liberation. Today, the city reflects this plural heritage, between tradition and modernity.

  • Spring: 15-25 °C – Ideal for walks in the Casbah and Jardin d’Essai.
  • Summer: 25-35 °C – Hot and lively, beaches and festivals.
  • Autumn: 18-26 °C – Mild temperatures, peaceful atmosphere.
  • Winter: 10-18 °C – Cool, perfect for cultural visits.
  • SNTF train: National lines (to Blida, Oran, etc.).
  • Metro & Tramway: Reliable downtown network.
  • ETUSA buses: Cover all neighborhoods.
  • Shared cab: Economical for urban trips.
  • Useful applications
    • SNTF (train timetables)
    • Yassir / Heetch for VTCs
    • Google Maps to track buses.
  • Locally: Yellow cabs (bring cash), car rental available.
  • Kasbah: UNESCO-listed, narrow streets, artisans, Ottoman mosques.
  • Jardin d’Essai du Hamma: Mythical botanical garden, film setting.
  • Basilique Notre-Dame d’Afrique: panoramic view of the bay.
  • Musée des Beaux-Arts: Algerian and international art.
  • Seafront (la Corniche): Promenade, cafés, street food.
  • Rue Didouche Mourad & Place Audin: Shopping, cafés, local life.
  • El Madania-El Hamma cable car: spectacular views of the city.
  • Accommodation: 4,000-10,000 DA/night
  • Meals: DA 500-2,000
  • Casbah guided tour: 3,000-6,000 DA
  • Local cab: 400-1,000 DA/journey
  • Museum/garden entrance: 100-500 DA
  • Don’t litter in the Kasbah, alleyways or along the seafront.
  • Always ask permission before photographing anyone.
  • Support local artisans: ceramics, calligraphy, traditional textiles.
  • Respect places of worship, their atmosphere and prayer times.
  • Be a curious and respectful traveler, and an active participant in sustainable tourism.
  • Offer a little food and water to stray animals, especially in hot weather. It’s a simple gesture that can save their lives.

Last Stop

Algiers can't be visited. You discover it, slowly, layer by layer, like a confidence whispered at the turn of a staircase. In the alleyways of the Kasbah, a black coffee in hand, time suspends its breath. From Notre-Dame d'Afrique, the sun gilds the bay in a sacred silence. Further down, the Jardin d'Essai breathes between palm trees and memories. Algiers is a sensation: raw, luminous, indelible. You think you're passing through. But it remains.

Local Activities

Notre-Dame d’Afrique – Breathtaking view over the Bay of Algiers

Overlooking the sea from the heights of Bologhine, Notre-Dame d’Afrique is a neo-Byzantine jewel. An emblematic place of worship, it symbolises the coexistence of religions in Algeria. Its richly decorated interior and dome attract visitors and pilgrims alike. From the forecourt, you can enjoy a panoramic view over the entire bay of Algiers. A cultural and spiritual site not to be missed, open to all all year round.

Restaurant Al Jardino – Mediterranean getaway in Algiers

Nestling in Aïn Taya, to the east of the capital, Al Jardino is a confidential address by the sea. Mediterranean charm, white walls, greenery and a terrace overlooking the horizon. Here you can enjoy homemade cuisine: grilled fish, fresh salads and new dishes. Ideal for a peaceful lunch or romantic dinner, with your partner, family or friends. The view is soothing, the service is attentive, and the atmosphere suspends time. A discreet must for those in search of elegance and authenticity.

Jardin d’Essai – A green oasis in the heart of Algiers

The Jardin d’Essai d’El Hamma is a botanical gem in the heart of Algiers. Stroll among palm trees, giant bamboos and rare exotic plants. Ideal for a nature break, with the family or as a couple, all year round. An emblematic place combining relaxation, culture and living heritage. A stone’s throw from the cable car and the Algiers Museum of Fine Arts.

The Kasbah of Algiers – A journey through time

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Kasbah of Algiers is a jewel of living history. Its narrow streets, white houses and hidden palaces tell the story of Ottoman Algeria. An authentic immersion in the soul of the capital. Discover it on foot, guided or on your own, between heritage and scenes of life.

Other cities in the region

Blida – The Oasis of the Atlas Gates

Nestling at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, Blida – nicknamed the City of Roses – is a refreshing stopover just 50km south-west of Algiers. Surrounded by orchards of orange, lemon and jasmine trees, this town with its Andalusian soul …

Médéa – Balcony of Tell between vineyards, history and nature

90 km south of Algiers, perched at an altitude of 1,000 m, Médéa is an elegant town with the air of a balcony overlooking the Mitidja. Steeped in history, it combines Ottoman heritage, colonial architecture, Berber traditions and rolling natural …

Bouira – Between the Kabyles Mountains and unspoilt nature

Nestling in the heart of the Atlas Mountains, Bouira is a green pearl at the gateway to Kabylia. Less well known than its coastal neighbours, it nevertheless offers the curious a spectacular natural setting, wooded peaks, authentic Berber traditions and …

Algiers – The White Mediterranean between the Casbah and modernity

Majestic and multifaceted, Algiers – nicknamed the White City – stretches between sea and hills, blending Ottoman heritage, colonial influence and contemporary energy. From the UNESCO-listed Kasbah to the Haussmann-style streets of the city centre, each district is an invitation …

Chlef – A land of history, fertile plains and Roman secrets

Situated between the foothills of the Tellian Atlas and the shores of the Mediterranean, Chlef remains one of Algeria’s best-kept secrets. A land of contrasts and authenticity, it appeals to travellers in search of history, raw nature and deep-rooted experiences. …

Tipaza – Eternal Algeria between sea, ruins and legends

Less than an hour from Algiers, Tipaza is an enchanting interlude between the turquoise sea and ancient treasures. Facing the Mediterranean, this uniquely charming town fascinates with its open-air Roman ruins, its coastal Kabyle culture, its wild beaches and its …

Boumerdès – Between golden beaches and Andalusian heritage

Just a few kilometres east of the capital, Boumerdès has long golden beaches, picturesque fishing ports and a peaceful atmosphere. Set between sparkling seas and green hills, this coastal town combines maritime traditions, Andalusian heritage and modernity. It’s an ideal …

Discover other regions

East Region – Land of history and wilderness

Eastern Algeria fascinates with its diversity: suspended cities, ancient sites, deep forests, secret beaches… Constantine, majestic over its gorges, converses with the remains of Timgad and the trails of the Aurès. From Jijel to El Kala, national parks rub shoulders …

Western region – Between a sea of olive trees and Mediterranean waves

Western Algeria is a blend of Andalusian refinement, urban dynamism and Mediterranean mildness. From majestic Tlemcen to effervescent Oran, from the wild beaches of Béni Saf to the verdant mountains of Sidi Bel Abbès, this region reveals another face of …

Southern Algeria – Algeria at the gateway to the desert

Immense, mystical, sculpted by the wind and the ages, southern Algeria is more an experience than a destination. From Tamanrasset to Timimoun, from the oases of the M’zab to the rock engravings of the Tassili n’Ajjer, the desert can be …

Contacting Guide Algérie

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory.