Algeria
Africa's largest country runs from a Mediterranean coast of Roman ruins and French-era boulevards to Saharan sandstone plateaus, where Tassili n'Ajjer's rock paintings record a greener past. Algiers' Casbah, Constantine's gorge-spanning bridges and the dunes around Djanet see a fraction of Morocco's visitors, and trips to the deep south are usually arranged through a licensed local agency.
Overview
Algeria is Africa's largest country, yet most of its 46 million people live on a narrow strip between the Mediterranean and the Atlas mountains. A first trip usually has two halves. The north means Algiers' Casbah and French-era waterfront, then east to Constantine's gorge bridges and the Roman cities of Djémila and Timgad, or west to Oran and Tlemcen's Moorish mosques. The second half is the Sahara: a stop in the M'zab valley's ochre towns around Ghardaïa, then a flight south to Djanet for Tassili n'Ajjer's rock art and dunes, or to Tamanrasset for the volcanic Hoggar.
Tourism infrastructure is thin, which is both the appeal and the challenge. Northern hotels are often aimed at business travellers, Roman sites can be all but empty, and English is rarely spoken outside the travel trade, so French goes a long way. Day-to-day costs are low by European standards; guided desert trips with a 4x4, driver and cook are where the money goes. Algerians are hospitable and curious about visitors, and showing your passport at road checkpoints is routine. It suits travellers who have done Morocco or Tunisia and want somewhere less packaged, and who can handle paperwork and a slower pace.
Map of Algeria
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Tassili n'Ajjer
A UNESCO-listed sandstone plateau of eroded rock 'forests' and canyons holding more than 15,000 prehistoric paintings and engravings of cattle, giraffes and hunters from when the Sahara was green. Trek up from Djanet with a guide and pack donkeys.
- 2History
Casbah of Algiers
A UNESCO-listed hillside medina of Ottoman palaces, stepped alleys and small mosques above the port. Dar Mustapha Pacha and the Ketchaoua Mosque stand out; a local guide makes sense of the maze and its role in the independence war.
- 3History
Timgad
Trajan founded this Roman colony around AD 100, and its near-perfect grid of colonnaded streets, theatre, library and triumphal arch survives on a plateau below the Aurès mountains. Visitors are few, so you may have it almost to yourself.
- 4Architecture
M'zab Valley
Five fortified ksour built by the Ibadi Mozabite community from the 11th century, each climbing a hill to a single minaret. Ghardaïa's market square and the carefully guarded streets of Beni Isguen, visited with a local guide, are the highlights.
- 5Nature
Assekrem, Hoggar Mountains
Charles de Foucauld's stone hermitage sits at about 2,780 m among the volcanic peaks of the Hoggar, a long, rough 4x4 drive from Tamanrasset. Stay overnight at the refuge for sunrise over the jagged Atakor, one of the Sahara's great views.
Biggest cities
Algiers
The Casbah's stepped lanes, the hilltop Notre-Dame d'Afrique basilica and grand French-era boulevards curving above the bay make the capital worth two or three days.
Oran
A port city with a looser, Spanish-tinged feel and the birthplace of raï music. Climb to Fort Santa Cruz for views over the bay, then use it as a base for Tlemcen.
Constantine
Built on a rock split by the Rhumel gorge and stitched together by vertiginous bridges, the 'City of Bridges' is also a good base for day trips to the Roman ruins of Djémila and Timgad.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Algeria
Best time: Mar–May, Oct–Nov.
Average climate in Algiers
Festivals & events
- JanYennayer (Amazigh New Year)
A national holiday since 2018, celebrated on 12 January with family feasts of couscous, dried fruit and sweets, and music and craft fairs, especially in Kabylie.
- Feb–MarRamadan and Eid al-Fitr
Days are quiet and many cafés close until sunset, then streets and pastry shops fill until late. Eid al-Fitr ends the month with new clothes, sweets and family visits.
- JunSebiba, Djanet
A UNESCO-listed Tuareg ritual held at Ashura, when rival quarters of Djanet compete in drumming, chanting and dance. It follows the Islamic calendar, currently falling in June and moving earlier each year.
How much does Algeria cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Couscous
Steamed semolina piled with lamb or chicken, chickpeas and vegetables in a spiced broth; the Friday family meal and Algeria's national dish.
Chakhchoukha
A speciality of the east, especially Biskra and the Aurès: torn flatbread soaked in a peppery tomato, lamb and chickpea stew.
Chorba frik
Lamb and tomato soup thickened with cracked green wheat and finished with coriander and mint; it breaks the fast every evening during Ramadan.
Getting around
Air Algérie's domestic flights are the practical way to reach the Sahara, linking Algiers with Djanet, Tamanrasset and Ghardaïa and saving days of driving. In the north, SNTF trains connect Algiers with Oran and Constantine, while buses and shared long-distance taxis cover the rest. Algiers has a metro, trams and cable cars, and the local ride-hailing app Yassir works in big cities. Most visitors hire a driver rather than self-drive.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CF230V — bring a UK-to-C/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +213
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Varies — bottled or filtered is safer
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave 5–10% in sit-down restaurants, and tip desert guides, drivers and cooks at the end of a trip.
- Etiquette
- Dress conservatively, covering shoulders and knees, especially outside Algiers. Ask before photographing people, never photograph police or military sites, and during Ramadan avoid eating or drinking in public by day.
- Main airports
- Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG), Algiers; Ahmed Ben Bella Airport (ORN), Oran; Mohamed Boudiaf International Airport (CZL), Constantine
Visas & entry for Algeria
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must have a visa to visit Algeria.
Check your visa details, including validity dates, before you travel. If you overstay, it is likely Algerian immigration police will detain you at the airport on departure. You may face criminal prosecution and up to 3 months in prison.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Hepatitis BMeaslesPolioRabiesTuberculosisTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Algeria
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 1 Nov 2026 | Revolution Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Tue 12 Jan 2027 | Amazigh New Year |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Thu 11 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Tue 18 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Sun 6 Jun 2027 | Islamic New Year (date may shift) |
| Tue 15 Jun 2027 | Ashura (date may shift) |
| Mon 5 Jul 2027 | Independence Day |
| Sat 14 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday (date may shift) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Algerian Arabic (Darja)
| English | Algerian Arabic (Darja) | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | السلام عليكم | as-sa-LAAM a-LAY-kum |
| Thank you | شكرا | SHUK-ran |
| Please | يعيشك | ya-AY-shek |
| Excuse me | سمحلي | SMAH-lee |
| How much is this? | بشحال هذا؟ | besh-HAL HA-da |
Know before you go
- Cards are accepted in few places beyond large hotels and foreign cards often fail at ATMs, so bring enough euros in cash for the trip and change them as you go.
- Trips to Djanet and Tamanrasset are usually organised through a licensed agency that arranges the guide, vehicle and paperwork; book a few months ahead for the October–March season.
- Check the FCDO travel advice before booking, especially for desert and border areas, and learn some French: it is far more widely understood than English.
Algeria travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Algeria?
The best time to visit Algeria is generally Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Peak months are March, April, May, October and November. Average highs in Algiers range from 17°C to 33°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Algeria cost per day?
Roughly £35 a day on a tight budget, £80 mid-range and £180+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Algeria?
Algerian dinar (DZD).
What plug type does Algeria use?
Type C and F sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Algeria?
Traffic drives on the right in Algeria, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Algeria?
Varies — bottled or filtered is safer.
Do I need a visa for Algeria?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a visa to visit Algeria. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Algeria before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/algeria/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Algeria?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A and Tetanus for most travellers, with Hepatitis B, Measles, Polio, Rabies, Tuberculosis and Typhoid sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
