Visit Algiers: what are the best things to do and see in the capital of Algeria?
The French, charmed by the clear light that spreads throughout the country and the white hue of the buildings that climb on the hill, called it “Algiers, the white”, a name that could not better adapt to this lively big city, which faces the Mediterranean and turns its back in the desert, between Morocco and Tunisia. A capital of one of the largest and richest countries in Africa, Algiers has one of the largest ports in the entire continent. With more than three million inhabitants, the city is divided into two areas: one modern, plunging on the coast, the other old, the Casbah, the old medina, approaching at the top of a hill, 120 meters above sea level.
If you decide to leave visit Alger for your next trip, here are the best things to do in Algiers:
1. La Casbah
Wikimedia – Lamine Bensaou
The Casbah means "the citadel." This is the historic district of Alger which includes the old city, listed in the UNESCO World Heritage of Humanity. We visit her on foot through a maze of alleys between houses that sometimes contain hidden treasures. The most beautiful mosques in the city are found in the Casbah (see below). The Casbah is surrounded by a citadel that dates back to the 16th century. Medersas (schools) and mausoleums will mark your visit. You can easily spend the day there.
2. The mosques of the Casbah
Wikimedia – Bachounda1
Stay in the heart of the casbah to discover the Algiers mosques, starting with the Ketchaoua Mosque. Built first in 1436, it was rebuilt in 1794. From 1832 to 1962, she became a Catholic cathedral called Saint-Philippe but returned to a mosque in 1962, at the time of Algeria’s independence. We recognize her with her two miranets.
Jamaa al-Jdid Mosque is located in the Lower Casbah, near the sea, which earned it the nickname Mosque de la Pêcherie. It was built in 1660 in the Ottoman style. Its domes recall those of Istanbul, but its high minaret of 27 meters is in a Maghreb style with a clock that comes from the old palace of the Jenina.
mosque Jemaa Kebir , or Grande Mosque of Algiers, is the oldest mosque in Algiers, built in 1097. Its minaret dates from 1324. It is one of the only three monuments of the Almoravid dynasty to remain, with the Great Mosque of Tlemcen and the Great Mosque of Nedroma.
Ali Betchine Mosque is distinguished by its vast central dome. Smaller than the other mosques, it was built in 1622 by a renegade of Italian origin converted to Islam whose real name is Picenio.
Other smaller mosques are in the casbah.
3. The palaces of Dar Aziza and Jenina
Also at the Casbah, Dar Aziza is a palace located place of the Martyrs. Located in front of the Ketchaoua Mosque, it is the very type of the 16th century Algero house. He served as a residence for Algiers’ regents. Although it is officially closed to the public, it is sometimes possible to enter the court according to the guardian’s wishes.
The Jenina Palace is the oldest in Algiers. Until 1817 he was the centre of power. Destroyed in 1844 by a fire, there are only parts left, including Dar Aziza.
4. Essai Garden of Hamma District
Wikimedia – Ludovic Courtès
The Hamma Test Garden is considered one of the most important test and acclimatization gardens in the world. It is a botanical gem of more than 3,000 plant species offering a real breath of oxygen in the centre of Algiers. Founded in 1832, these gardens are said to be the oldest of the genre in Algeria and are one of the main attractions of the capital. Divided in a French garden, an English garden and a zoo, statues and many animals are also found.
5. The Basilica of Algiers: Our Lady of Africa
Flickr – Magharebia
This impressive Roman Catholic church overlooks Algiers Bay, perched at the top of a cliff a few 125 meters above the sea. Built in the 19th century, his French architect (Jean-Eugène Fromageau) used the same techniques and styles (romano-byzantin) used at the time in France. She is considered “the twin sister of the Marseillaise Church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde. A daily mass in French is given, but the many visitors come here simply to admire the superb architecture and views.
6. La Grande Poste
Wikimedia – Ludovic Courtès
In addition to sheltering the services of the Algiers station, the Algiers Grande Poste is a magnificent building that you must see absolutely. Its neo-mauresque style is admired both inside and outside. Enjoy your postcards!
7. The Memorial of the Martyr
Wikimedia – Unknown
It is an imposing monument to the deaths of the Algerian War of Independence erected in 1982 on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the event. It is located on the heights of Algiers, in the commune of El Madania, and overlooking, among other things, the Garden of Essai.
8. The National Museum of Fine Arts
Credit – musee-beauxarts.dz
This museum is not to be missed under any pretext if you visit Algiers. It is indeed the largest museum of art in Maghreb and Africa with 8,000 works. Built from 1927, it dominates the Essai Garden in the Hamma district and contains painted works, drawings, engravings and antique prints, a beautiful set of sculptures, antique furniture and decorative art, ceramics, glassware, as well as a collection of numismatics.
Other ideas for visits to Algiers or its surroundings
If you are staying in Algiers for more than 3 or 4 days, you may want to travel around or see other sights in the area. Here are some ideas:
- National Bardo Museum (prehistoric collection)
- The ruins of the Roman city of Tipaza (Tipasa de Maurétanie) 70 km from Algiers, on the coast. It is classified at Unesco to be one of the most beautiful archaeological complexes in the Maghreb
- The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Algiers
- A lot further you have the archaeological site of Kalâa des Béni Hammad
How do I get to Algiers? Where to sleep in Algiers?
Arriving in Algiers, the ideal is to go to the national tourist office (126 rue Didouche Mourad) to have as much information as possible on the visits and eventually take a guide with you for some places.
To get there by plane, there is nothing simpler: direct flights with Air France and Air Méditerranée regularly depart from Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux etc. Ryanair also offers a cheap flight from Paris Beauvais with a stopover. To compare the best prices for Algiers, use Skyscanner .
To find the best hotels in Algiers, use this Compare hotels .
Have you visited Algiers?
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