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Algeria

Africa’s largest country lies just a short hop from Europe. The north, with its snow-flecked mountains and stunning coastline, is home to urbane and charismatic cities such as Algiers and Constantine, as well as some of the most magnificent Roman sites in existence including Timgad and Djemila, both vast, perfectly preserved Roman towns with barely another tourist in sight.

Algeria’s other big draw is its extraordinary Saharan region. Whether it’s a glimpse of the sand seas that surround Timimoun, or the burnt-red mountains of the far south, these are the desert landscapes of legend.

But, for all its peach-coloured dunes and grand ruins, it's perhaps the Algerians themselves, who welcome visitors with warmth and curiosity, that are the real highlight of this nation. For accessible adventure and a complex, enthralling cultural odyssey, head for Algeria.

Explore Algeria

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Algeria.

  • Roman Site

    Timgad

    One of the finest Roman sites in existence, the ruins of Timgad stretch almost as far as the eye can see over a plain that in winter is cold and desolate…

  • Roman Site

    Djemila

    The spectacular ruined Roman town of Djemila (or Cuicul as it was then known) is small enough to breeze around in half a day. But spend longer here,…

  • Roman Site

    Hippo Regius

    The vast ruins of the ancient Roman city of Hippo Regius, also known as Hippone, are among the most evocative in Algeria, stretched across a rolling site,…

  • Archaeological Site

    Tipasa Archaeological Park

    The founders of Tipasa (as Tipaza was known during the Roman era) obviously had an eye for aesthetics. The town rolls gently downhill through pine trees…

  • Museum

    Sétif Museum

    This central museum is one of the better museums in Algeria and it alone justifies a stop in Sétif. Displays are well laid out, lit and labelled (in…

  • Museum

    Cherchell Museum

    This museum houses some of the finest sculptures and mosaics in the country. Among the highlights are marble busts of the royal family of Juba II, a rare…

  • Roman Site

    Tiddis

    Hovering on a barren mountain slope, some 30km from Constantine, the ruined Roman town of Tiddis is perhaps the most impressively situated of all Algeria…

  • Area

    Casbah

    The heart of the city is its ancient Casbah, a steep and narrow maze of streets just west of the Pl des Martyrs. There are several magnificent Ottoman…

  • Museum

    National Museum of Antiquities

    The richness of Algeria’s heritage is brought home in this museum. The collection of antiquities is drawn from sites around the city and throughout…

  • Museum

    National Museum Cirta

    Highlighting the numerous finds from excavations in and around Constantine and nearby Tiddis, there are some stunning pieces in this museum. The…

  • Roman Site

    Lambaesis

    Lambaesis once served as the capital of Roman Numidia and was, for a long time, the partner and sometime rival of nearby Timgad. Yet the site has…

  • Museum

    Djemila Museum

    Djemila Museum, which is within the ruins complex, is best visited before the ruins. It contains many of the wonders dug out of the ground here but the…

  • Historic Site

    Dar Hassan Pacha

    Carrying the name of its original owner, Dar Hassan Pacha, this is one of the city's grandest mansions. The building now houses a collection of…

  • Museum

    Annaba Museum

    On the hill above the Hippo Regius site, this museum displays many of the treasures found there and elsewhere in the vicinity of the town. The ground…

  • Museum

    Palais des Raïs

    This palace is in fact a row of several large waterfront houses, joined to form a single compound. It is now home to the Centre des Arts et de la Culture,…

  • Hill

    Djebel Murdjadjo

    Wherever you are in the city, there's no missing Murdjadjo, the wooded hill that dominates the skyline. The most obvious landmark is the fort of Santa…

  • Palace

    Palace of Ahmed Bey

    The palace of Hajj Ahmed, the bey or ruler of Constantine from 1826, is one of the finest Ottoman-era buildings in the country. With a series of…

  • Roman Site

    Roman Aqueduct

    A 10-minute drive east of Cherchell are the remains of a massive Roman-era aqueduct built by Juba II to bring water from a source 35km away. The 50m-high…

  • Basilica

    Basilica de Saint Augustine

    On a hill above the ruins of Hippo Regius, the Basilica de Saint Augustine was intended as a sign of France’s revival of past glory. The first stone was…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Algeria.

  • Activities