Algeria Travel Guide: Algiers, the Casbah and the Great Sahara

Algiers, the white city, rises in tiers above its bay. The Casbah is a maze of Ottoman-era houses, mosques and stairways; below it, broad French-era boulevards, the Grand Post Office and the Jardin d'Essai botanical garden give the capital a Mediterranean grandeur. The Great Mosque of Algiers, opened in 2024, has the world's tallest minaret. See our guide to things to do in Algiers.

Constantine, the city of bridges, sits on a dramatic rocky plateau split by a gorge. Oran, in the west, is lively and musical, the home of raï. Tipasa, an hour west of Algiers, places Roman ruins right on the sea, while Djémila and Timgad in the east are among the best-preserved Roman towns in the world.

In the south, Djanet is the gateway to the Tassili n'Ajjer, a sandstone plateau of stone forests and thousands of ancient rock paintings. Tamanrasset leads to the Hoggar Mountains and the hermitage at Assekrem, famous for its sunrise. Timimoun, the red oasis, and Ghardaïa in the M'zab Valley complete a classic desert circuit. For more desert stays across the region, see desert camps and lodges.

US citizens need a visa for Algeria. The standard route is a tourist visa from an Algerian embassy or consulate, supported by a hotel booking or an invitation from a licensed travel agency. Allow several weeks.

For trips that include the Sahara, Algeria offers a visa on arrival for tourists traveling on a program organized by an accredited Algerian travel agency. The agency registers your trip in advance and sends a boarding authorization; you then receive the visa on arrival, for stays of up to 30 days. The itinerary must include at least one of the southern provinces, such as Djanet, Tamanrasset, Timimoun, Ghardaïa or El Oued. Rules can change from season to season, so confirm details with your agency or the consulate before booking.

Dress. Algeria is a conservative country. Modest clothing, covering shoulders and knees, is appreciated everywhere and especially in religious sites and the south. Women may wish to carry a light scarf for mosque visits.

Alcohol. Alcohol is available in international hotels and some licensed restaurants, mainly in the large cities. It is not widely sold elsewhere.

Ramadan. Many restaurants close during daylight hours and the rhythm of the day shifts to the evening. Hotels continue to serve guests. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around February 8, subject to the moon.

Money. Algeria is largely a cash economy and cards are accepted mainly at large hotels. Bring euros or US dollars to exchange at official counters. Hotel rates at the best addresses in Algiers run from roughly 30,000 to 50,000 DZD a night (approximately US$230 to US$380).

Algeria divides neatly into two travel seasons. The Mediterranean north is at its best in spring, when the hills are green and wildflowers cover the Roman sites, and again in early autumn, when the sea is still warm. The Sahara season runs from October to April; December and January bring crisp nights and very clear skies, perfect for stargazing in the Tassili and the Hoggar.

A first ten-day journey might begin with three nights in Algiers for the Casbah, the museums and a day trip to Tipasa. Fly east to Constantine for two nights, with excursions to Djémila and Timgad, then return through Algiers for a domestic flight to Djanet. Spend four nights in the Tassili n'Ajjer with a private guide and camp crew before flying home through Algiers.

Travelers with more time can add the red oasis of Timimoun or the M'zab Valley around Ghardaïa, both reachable by domestic flight. Algeria pairs naturally with its neighbors: many visitors combine it with Tunisia or Morocco on a longer North African journey. A specialist agency will handle permits, domestic flights and the visa process, and a private concierge can add security and family arrangements; see concierge and family travel.