In 2026, the world of travel will be looking to a destination that has long remained on the sidelines of major tourist flows.
In its official ranking of the best destinations to visit in 2026, CNN Travel has placed Algeria among the 20 must-see countries.
This is a major accolade, confirming an underlying trend: Algeria is becoming one of the most promising emerging destinations of the decade.
At a time when global tourism is saturated, standardised and sometimes meaningless, Algeria is emerging as a rare alternative: vast, authentic, spectacular and still unspoilt.
Travelling to Algeria in 2026 is no longer a daring gamble, but a strategic choice for travellers in search of true experiences.
Why Algeria is a must-visit destination in 2026
If the CNN recommends Algeria as a 2026 destination, it’s not because it’s fashionable.
The American media is addressing a demanding international audience, tired of over-tourism and in search of territories that are still sincere.
Algeria today meets several key criteria sought by modern travellers:
– unspoilt natural landscapes
– low tourist density
– a thousand-year-old cultural heritage
– a rare sense of freedom
In a world where travel can sometimes be a constraint, Algeria gives new meaning to the word “adventure”.
A destination still untouched by mass tourism
CNN Travel clearly contrasts two visions of travel.
On the one hand, saturated, overcrowded, standardised European capitals.
On the other, the vastness of Algeria, silent, raw and still largely off the radar.
“You could stroll through overcrowded cities… or choose to lose yourself in the sandy infinity of the Sahara”, writes CNN.
This sentence perfectly sums up Algeria’s positioning in 2026:
discreet luxury, away from the crowds.
To travel to Algeria today is to enjoy a temporary privilege: that of discovering a country before its tourism boom.
The Algerian Sahara: CNN’s flagship experience
It’s impossible to talk about tourism in Algeria without mentioning its absolute mainstay: the Algerian Sahara.
With its monumental dunes, rocky plateaux, oases and stellar skies, it is one of the most beautiful deserts in the world.
CNN Travel insists on the almost unreal dimension of these landscapes, capable of provoking a real break with everyday life.
Here, time slows down. Silence prevails. Space dominates.
The Algerian Sahara is not a setting, it’s an inner, physical and sensory experience.
The Tassili n’Ajjer, the “Louvre of prehistoric art”
Among the sites highlighted by CNN, the Tassili n’Ajjer occupies a central place.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this national park in south-east Algeria is one of the world’s most important archaeological treasures.
Its lunar sandstone landscapes are home to more than 15,000 rock paintings and engravings dating back several millennia.
They tell the story of a green, inhabited Sahara, teeming with life.
CNN calls it a veritable “Louvre of prehistoric art”.
A powerful phrase, but perfectly justified.
Travelling in the Algerian Sahara: an extraordinary adventure
Barry Neild, International Editor at CNN Travel, is clear:
“Yes, it’s isolated. The facilities are rudimentary. But this tranquillity without a mobile network is now a five-star luxury
Travelling in the Algerian Sahara means accepting :
– the absence of standardised comfort
– total disconnection
– slowness
– simplicity
But this is precisely what makes the experience so valuable.
Desert foxes, jackals, gazelles… the Saharan fauna reminds us that these spaces are alive, powerful and fragile.
The ultimate show: dunes, light and starry skies
One of the most memorable moments of a trip to the Algerian Sahara is sunset.
A sea of golden sand slowly sets ablaze, before giving way to a night of absolute purity.
With no light pollution, the sky becomes a cosmic theatre.
For many travellers, it’s the first time they’ve seen the Milky Way so clearly.
A memory that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Algeria receives rave reviews from the major international media
CNN’s recommendation is not an isolated one.
For several years now, Algeria has been attracting the attention of the world’s leading travel publications.
At the end of 2025, Condé Nast Traveller was already ranking Algeria as one of the destinations to watch in 2026.
Lonely Planet, Petit Futé and the BBC confirm this trend.
The BBC even refers to a country “long off the tourist radar, but finally waking up”.
The signal is clear: Algeria is entering a new tourism phase.
Travelling to Algeria in 2026: visas, flights and accessibility
This media recognition is accompanied by concrete changes.
Since the introduction of visas on arrival in 2023, travelling to Algeria has become simpler for many visitors.
In terms of transport, there are now direct flights between Algiers and several major European cities as well as Montreal.
Algeria has a clear ambition: to become a major destination while controlling its tourism development.
Algeria vs. other North African destinations: the real differentiator
Compared with other North African destinations, Algeria stands out for one key reason:
it has not yet been consumed by mass tourism.
Where some countries offer a very formulaic experience, Algeria offers :
– more space
– more authenticity
– more cultural depth
For experienced travellers, this is precisely what makes all the difference.
Why visit Algeria before the tourism boom
Choosing Algeria as your 2026 destination means :
– discover a country that is still unspoilt
– avoid the crowds
– benefit from prices that are still affordable
– enjoy an authentic experience
– taking part in more responsible tourism
History shows that these windows close fast.
2026 is a pivotal year.
Who is Algeria addressing in 2026?
Algeria is not a destination for tourists in a hurry.
It is for :
– curious travellers
– nature and culture lovers
– responsible adventurers
– travellers in search of meaning
CNN does not recommend Algeria to everyone.
It recommends it to those who know why they travel.
Algeria guide: prepare an informed trip
At Guide Algeria, we support this dynamic with an expert, hands-on approach:
– practical guides
– visa files
– destination files
– Sahara tours
– cultural advice
Travelling to Algeria in 2026 takes preparation.
And that’s exactly what we do.
