Your guide to Algiers
Algiers highlights
Fight for freedom
The 1966 film ‘The Battle of Algiers’ brought the city’s independence struggle to the screen. Walk through the Casbah, and you’ll still spot filming locations that look much as they did at the time. Above the city, the Makam Echahid (Martyrs’ Memorial) marks that history, with a cable car linking it to the surrounding neighbourhood and museum.
Epic views
A visit to Algiers comes with no shortage of vantage points. From the Martyrs’ Memorial, the city stretches towards the Mediterranean with hills rising behind it. Elsewhere, Notre Dame d'Afrique looks out over the coastline, while rooftop cafes in the Casbah offer closer, lived-in views across the harbour and surrounding neighbourhoods.
Old and new mosques
Ask for directions to the ‘Great Mosque of Algiers’, and you might get two different answers. Both Djamaa El Kebir and Djamaa El Djazaïr lay claim to the title. Gorgeous and medieval, Djamaa El Kebir is Algiers’s oldest building. Massive Djamaa El Djazaïr, on the other hand, is home to the world’s tallest minaret. Which is the greatest? You be the judge.
Algiers: Know before you go
| Language | Arabic, Tamazight |
|---|---|
| Currency | Algerian dinar (DA) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| High season | June - August |
| Low season | January - February |
Find the best time to go to Algiers
Weather in Algiers
March – May: Spring weather is mild and pleasant, though you’ll probably want a jumper or light jacket for cool evenings and cloudy days.
June – August: Warm and sunny, summer is the perfect time to hit the beach. Even in the city, sea breezes keep it from getting too hot. Enjoy long evenings on rooftop cafes and strolling along boulevards without the crowds.
September – November: Nights grow cooler and the days become cloudy. It’s still warm enough to enjoy a drink or meal outside, but keep an eye out for rain.
December – February: Although winter is the coldest season, it almost never gets below freezing. Early afternoon showers can make the Casbah’s steep steps tricky to navigate.
Events in Algiers
Yennayer (January): The Amazigh people are the original inhabitants of North Africa. Every January, families and communities across the region gather to celebrate Yennayer, the Amazigh New Year. Join in the fun in Algiers with special events and meals at local restaurants, plus a big celebration outside the Grande Poste.
International Cultural Festival of Symphony Music (April or May): Part concert series, part cultural exchange programme, this music festival brings together orchestras from as far away as South Korea and Venezuela. Prepare for a week of stirring performances.
Algiers International Film Festival (December): This celebration of movie magic showcases a diverse slate of films from Algeria and around the world, with screenings and juried awards.
The best neighbourhoods in Algiers
Casbah
Built on a hilltop overlooking the ocean, this historic, UNESCO-recognised citadel was made famous in the film ‘The Battle of Algiers’. Climb winding, narrow streets between whitewashed buildings to discover lively cafes, fascinating museums and street markets. The neighbourhood can be confusing for first-time visitors, so look for local guides to show you around.
Good for: Cafes, markets, museums
Alger Centre
At the administrative and geographic core of the city, Alger Centre is where to stay in Algiers for convenience. It sits next to the Casbah, with easy access to public transport and a range of moderately priced hotels. Elegant Parisian-style buildings, shops and cafes give the area its character, while the square outside Grande Poste often hosts events.
Good for: Transport, shopping, landmarks
Bab Ezzouar
A fast-growing suburb east of the city centre, Bab Ezzouar is home to many of Algiers’ international hotel chains. Its location near the airport makes it a practical starting point for day trips to Boumerdes and other beach towns. Back in the neighbourhood, casual ‘chwa’ barbecue spots offer an easy way to end the day.
Good for: Hotels, barbecue, beaches
Things to do in Algiers
Family friendly
The Hamma Botanical Gardens are an easy win with kids, thanks to wide paths, shaded areas and plenty of space to run around. The Bardo National Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography adds something different, with fossils, carvings and an Ottoman-era summer palace to explore. For fresh air by the sea, the Promenade des Sablettes combines a long waterfront walk with street vendors and a small carnival.
Take in the culture
Museums in Algiers showcase the region’s rich artistic legacy, from antiquity to today. At the National Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Art, Roman statues and Islamic art tell the story of the region’s cultural influences. The National Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions celebrates Algerian handicrafts, while the Fine Arts Museum’s collection includes treasures from European masters.
Places to eat
From street food to upmarket waterfront dining, restaurants in Algiers combine local and global influences into something irresistible. Start your morning with iced ‘mazagran’ coffee and a pastry at a trendy cafe in Hydra. Or sip sweet green tea followed by fried fish in the Casbah. Savoury couscous is a must, or try ‘chtitha batata’, a spicy potato stew.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Algiers tends to centre on hotel bars, with spots like the terrace at El Aurassi drawing a steady evening crowd. Elsewhere, cafe culture carries through the day and into the night, often set to ‘chaabi’ or ‘raï’ music. During Ramadan, the rhythm shifts, with evenings marked by communal iftars and live performances.
Shopping
Rue Didouche Mourad is the main shopping artery in Alger Centre. Lined with cafes and boutiques, it’s a great place to window-shop, people-watch and pick up souvenirs. Near the Grande Poste, you’ll find jewellery and handicraft stores. In the Casbah, Marché Trik El Madina sells everything from spices to textiles.
Beaches
For a quick swim or an evening walk, Algiers has a handful of urban beaches, including the family-friendly Sablettes. For clearer water and a more resort-style set-up, head out to coastal towns like Zéralda or Sidi Fredj. Here, you’ll find private beach clubs offering sun loungers, pools and access to water sports such as windsurfing.
Get ready for Algiers
Budget
Though you can certainly splash out on fine dining and luxury resorts, cheap trips to Algiers are very accessible. You can usually get an inexpensive meal for less than 400 Algerian dinars (DZD). Grab a cappuccino or a green tea in a cafe for around DZD 200. A short taxi ride should cost around DZD 310.
Day trips from Algiers
Around an hour west of Algiers, coastal Tipasa is one of the city’s most popular day trip destinations. Its extensive Roman ruins, including the original resting place of Cleopatra’s daughter, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you’re visiting in the winter, head south to Chréa National Park, one of the few places in the country that gets snow.
Getting around Algiers
Getting around Algiers is straightforward once you’re out of the Casbah, whose narrow streets can be tricky to navigate. Alger Centre is easy to explore on foot, and the metro offers an affordable way to cover longer distances. Shared taxis run along fixed routes, while ride-hailing apps like Yassir and inDrive are widely used.
