Center region – Algeria between sea, mountains and medinas

Atlas MountainsHistoryKasbahMediterranean
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Between heritage, modernity and contrasting reliefs
The Centre region, the historical and political heart of Algeria, is a melting pot of heritages. Algiers, the capital, combines the Ottoman Casbah, colonial architecture and vibrant modernity. As you head further inland, the landscapes rise up: Kabylia, the Atlas Mountains, Berber towns and lush green valleys. A land of contrasts, alive with life, where the sea meets the cedars, and each medina tells its own story.
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A BIT OF HISTORY

Occupied since antiquity (Icosium, Tipasa), the Central region is the cradle of Algiers and many civilizations: Phoenician, Roman, Muslim, Ottoman and colonial. The Casbah embodies this stratified wealth. It was also one of the strongholds of the resistance during the War of Independence. Today, the region remains the cultural, political and economic heart of the country.

  • Region: Center (Algiers, Blida, Boumerdès, Tizi Ouzou, Médéa, Béjaïa…)
  • Access: Algiers Airport (Houari Boumédiène) + railway station + highways
  • Currency: Algerian Dinar – provide cash
  • Security: Good, overall. Classic vigilance in urban areas.
  • Formalities: Passport + visa according to nationality
  • Spring / autumn: mild climate, perfect for exploring cities and mountains
  • Summer: ideal for the coast (Algiers, Tipasa, Béjaïa), warmer indoors
  • Winter: mild on the coast, snow possible at altitude (Kabylie, Medea)
  • Metro, tram and bus in Algiers (ETUSA)
  • Train (SNTF) to connect Algiers to Blida, Bouira, Béjaïa…
  • VTC and taxis available (Yasir, Heetch)
  • Car rental to radiate independently
  • Useful apps: SNTF • Yassir • Moovit • Google Maps
  • ALGIERS THE WHITE
    • Casbah of Algiers (UNESCO)
    • Hamma Test Garden
    • Basilica of Notre-Dame d’Afrique
    • Didouche Mourad Street & waterfront
  • TIPASA & CHERCHELL
    • Roman ruins by the sea
    • Archaeological Museum of Cherchell
  • KABYLIA (TIZI OUZOU, BÉJAÏA)
    • Berber villages, handicrafts and gastronomy
    • Yemma Gouraya and coast of Béjaïa
    • Djurdjura Mountains
  • BLIDA & MÉDÉA
    • Chiffa Gorges and Barbary macaques
    • Dams, forests, scenic routes
  • Accommodation: 4,000 to 10,000 DA/night (≈ 26 to 65 €)
  • Meals: 500 to 2,000 DA (≈ 3 to 13 €)
  • Guided tour of the Casbah: 3,000 to 6,000 DA (≈ 20 to 40 €)
  • Local taxi or VTC: 400 to 1,000 DA/ trip (≈ 3 to 7 €)
  • Museum entrances, sites: 100 to 500 DA (≈ 0.7 to 3.5 €)
  • Do not throw waste in the Casbah or in the mountains
  • Respect local traditions, especially in rural Kabylia
  • Ask before taking a photo of a person
  • Prefer local handicrafts (jewelry, pottery, weaves)
  • Avoid driving at night on mountain roads
  • Give food to stray animals, it is a small gesture that gives them dignity and shows compassion

Last stop

The Center of Algeria does not cross... it listens to itself.
In the sloping alleys of the Casbah, at the top of the Djurdjura or facing the sea from Tipasa, time stops.
Where stone and water tell of centuries of human presence, the traveler leaves enriched.
Not only images, but looks, stories, silences.

Discover the cities of 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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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. …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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