Overview

Algiers, the capital city of Algeria, is a bustling place sometimes called the white city. Known for its whitewashed buildings, breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, and hectic streets, Algiers is the perfect start to a trip to Algeria. At the center is the Unesco-listed old Kasbah (medina) with the wonderful old home turned into a museum - Dar Hassan Pasha. The Kasbah is a real maze that you can easily wander through and admire the crumbling houses and cats. The city is also home to the Botanical Garden Hamma with a view of the Monument of the Martyr and then the largest church, the Church of Notre Dame of Africa (Basilique Notre-Dame d’Afrique). And Algiers has some amazing cafes and restaurants. So if you love good food, this is one of the best places to visit in Algeria for authentic Algerian food.

Things to See and Do

If you’re hoping to have a memorable trip, here is a list of all the places and iconic sights to visit in Algiers.

Be awed at the Central Post Office. The landmark Central Post Office, known as La Grande Poste, is a beautiful building and iconic monument in Algiers. It’s located right in the middle of the city center and is a fine example of French-designed, early 20th-century Moorish architecture. Inside the building, the ceiling is decorated with stunning mosaics.

Didouche Mourad street, the Place Maurice Audin, and the Central Post Office square are popular meeting spots among locals. This is where the main part of the city center lies. Take in a drink or lunch at an outdoor table, and enjoy watching the hustle and bustle of people heading to different destinations.

Enjoy The Urban Landscape. One of the main attractions in Algiers is the urban landscape itself. The historical city of Algiers has plenty of Haussmann-style buildings to admire and numerous walking streets to take a stroll and explore the street scene! Here you will find numerous souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafes.

Enjoy an urban walk while enjoying the sea breeze, we recommend a stroll along Ernesto Che Guevara and Zighout Youcef boulevards. These two boulevards are lined with fabulous Haussmannian buildings and offer a lovely view of the Mediterranean Sea.

Visit the Museum of Modern Art (MAMA). Located in close proximity to the Emir Abdel Kader Square, the MAMA Museum is a great place to get insight into the work of local artists.

The museum hosts many different exhibitions throughout the year with a focus on painting, drawing, and photography. Also, the gallery aims to present both famous and emerging artists.

Aside from artworks, the exhibition is housed in an elegant Neo-Moorish building that was once a department store, historically known as the Galeries de France.

Wander through the Upper Casbah. The heart of Algiers is its Casbah, a collection of whitewashed Ottoman-style houses and palaces overlooking the sea. The citadel is also known for its enchanting mosques and narrow alleys. Although some parts of this ancient medina are not very well preserved, the Casbah is definitely worth a visit. In fact, Unesco named the Casbah a World Heritage Site.

The best way to get around the Casbah is by joining an informative guided tour or hiring a private tour guide. The guide will show which buildings are open to the public and where you can get the best view of the city.

Explore the inside of Ketchaoua Mosque. The most famous Mosque in Algiers, Ketchaoua was built during the Ottomans rule in the 17 century. It’s not only one of the highlights of Algiers but also a Unesco Heritage Site. Located in the lower Casbah, just two minutes’ walk from Sahat E’shouhada (Martyrs Square), Ketchaoua mosque is easily recognizable by its facade and color. Keep in mind that opening hours do have a tendency to change, so you’ll need to check Algier’s prayer times and go there just before the call to prayer or right after people finish praying. The mosque is closed in between prayer times to keep the people who have the habit of taking naps in mosques out.

Tour the Palais des Rais. Visiting the Palais des Rais, also known as Bastion 23 is a gorgeous site to see in Algiers. This 16th-century complex is one of the last surviving quarters of the lower Casbah. The complex consists of three palaces and six houses and is considered as one of the most important historical monuments of the city.

Check out the Basilica of Notre Dame d’Afrique. Also called Madame l’Afrique which means Our Lady of Africa is a neo-byzantine basilica and one of Algiers’s most famous landmarks. This 1872 Basilica, which sits just outside Algiers city center is perched on a cliff at 407 feet, offering panoramic views of Algiers and the Mediterranean Sea. It can be reached by cable car from Bab El Oued or by taxi from the city center. It is free to visit this church.

Admire the indigenous flora and fauna at the Botanical Garden Hamma. Known as Jardin d’Essai, the Botanical Garden Hamma is a beautiful and quiet break from the busy streets of the city. This gorgeous green space was specifically designed in 1832 as a model farm and test garden. It spreads out over 5 hectares and includes fountains and beautiful sculptures.

Wander Around The National Museum of Fine Arts. If you enjoy art, the National Museum of Fine Arts, known as Musée des Beaux-Arts is one of Algiers’ top cultural sights and Africa’s greatest art galleries.

Take a Ride on The Cable Car. Another thing to do in Algiers when you visit the city as a tourist is to see it from a unique perspective aboard a cable car. After visiting the National Museum of Fine Arts and Dar Abd-el-Tif, and winding through the Botanical Garden, head to the cable car station that is located just near these three attractions. This short cable car ride is not only an attraction but it will get you up to the perched Martyr’s Memorial.

Food Markets

Strolling through the food markets in Algiers is an amazing opportunity to sample the local life of this city. Food is an important part of Algerian culture, and the markets are an excellent place to get a taste of it, whether that’s through picking up fruits and veggies, tasting olives, getting traditional bread or a few merguez sausages (Algerian mutton- or beef-based sausage) Prepare to feast your senses with the variety of smells and the noise from the vendors selling their products.

Here are four popular markets in Algiers:

1er Mai Market (Champs des Maneuvers); Ferhat Boussad marker (Meissonier); Clauzel Market (Agha); and Marché Tnach, Belcourt (Belouizdad).

Get Pampered in a Hammam

A Hammam is a popular method of relaxing and cleansing that Algerians inherited from Ottomans. though there are many private and intimate spa experiences, the most authentic and adventurous way to experience this special cultural ritual is to visit the communal public bath - Public Hammams are clean and inexpensive but be prepared to share the space with other visitors. Good to know: there is no mixing of both sexes in hammams. Usually, there are two sections– one for each sex, or they admit men and women at separate times throughout the day.