Soccer, the king of sports
In this country, everything is an excuse to play soccer: the wasteland, the street, the beach... The ball is everywhere. Soccer is part of the Algerian DNA. Even before it became an independent state (1962), Algeria had a national soccer team. In 1958, a number of players, led by the great star of the day Rachid Mekhloufi, formed a team under the aegis of the Front de Libération Nationale (FLN). The Independence Eleven then embarked on a world tour of some eighty matches, notably in Europe, Asia and Africa, to internationalize the Algerian cause.
Algeria has always been considered a nation of the beautiful game, and has produced artists who have shone on the world stage. At the 1982 World Cup, the Fennecs, as the national team is known, defeated the Federal Republic of Germany (2-1), then reigning European champions. In 1990, legend Rabah Madjer and his team-mates won the first African Cup of Nations (CAN) in their history, on home soil at the huge 5-Juillet-1962 stadium in Algiers. Deprived of footballing thrills due to the country's security situation in the 1990s, the Fennecs finally returned to the World Cup in 2010 to the cries of the now-invincible chant: "One, two, three, viva l'Algérie! Four years later in Brazil, El-Khedra (La Verte) reached the Round of 16 at the World Cup. But it was in 2019 that the country would once again experience indescribable emotion as it lifted its second CAN following its victory over Senegal (1-0) in Cairo. What an explosion of joy it was in Algeria and for Algerians the world over! The players of the national soccer team became true heroes, and the Fennecs became the embodiment of Algerian nationalism, traditionally very strong in this country. Born in Sarcelles, near Paris, Manchester City midfielder Riyad Mahrez is probably the most popular player in the Fennecs team today, and you'll often see him on billboards in Algeria. The Fennecs unfortunately failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Hiking and trekking
Southern Algeria is a popular destination for walkers planning treks, mainly in the Sahara. Closed to tourists for many years, the mythical desert is once again on the agenda of tour operators and incoming agencies. Of course, to make the most of the oasis of Djanet or the dunes of Tassili n'Ajjer, you'll need the services of a guide. In terms of organization, we distinguish between treks, which are hikes followed by pack camels, camel treks and the more comfortable 4x4 tours, which allow you to go further and walk (a little). Winter is the best time to avoid the heat during a day's walking.
Swimming and lounging
The beach is definitely the place to go if you're in Algeria this summer! With 1,600 km of coastline, there's plenty to choose from, and the beaches are all equally beautiful. And the good news is that summer is long in this country, so you can easily swim until the end of October. From the crystal-clear beaches of Oran and Tipaza to the pretty coves of Mostaganem and Jijel, bathing here is pure bliss.
For women who want to swim in their bikinis, however, it's advisable to turn to private hotel beaches or to go to coves accompanied by family or friends.
For sailing and winds urfing, head for Sidi-Fredj, renowned for its excellent sailing school.
A preserved seabed
The Algerian seabed is much better preserved than many Mediterranean seabeds, simply because it has been little exploited and is much less polluted than elsewhere. You can enjoy scuba diving in excellent conditions at the Club Tipaza Corne d'Or in Tipaza, as well as at Cap Ténès via the Maison du plongeur. Béjaïa and Annaba also offer interesting possibilities. The Taza Marine Park also offers good diving sites. It's a protected area with crystal-clear waters usually frequented by sea turtles and dolphins. Not far from the border with Tunisia and Tabarka, the seabed is also interesting for its rocky tunnels and the large shoals of groupers that frequent these waters.
The essential hammam
The hammam ("to heat"), heir to the Roman baths, has an important social function. People go there to wash, but also to meet their fellow human beings and chat. Traditionally located close to mosques, it still represents the essential purification required before collective prayer. Depending on the time of day, the hammam is strictly reserved for men or women. There's no such thing as a good "Moorish bath" without an energetic full-body massage with a raspy glove(kiss or kess): sensitive and reactive skin should be avoided! Don't be surprised if a neighbor offers to help you with your back. This treatment, a veritable scrub, will rid your body of all the dead skin and grime that a poor shower can't remove. After an exhausting "sauna", women are accustomed to coating their bodies with a preparation based on henna and lemon juice that leaves the skin soft and amber - better than a self-tanner! Finish off with an invigorating cold shower, an oil massage and a cup of tea in the relaxation room, where it's nice to hang out after this exhausting treatment! Don't plan any activities for the next few hours: you won't be able to move. You should also know that Algerian hammams are more modest than those in Paris or Morocco, so hide your nudity under a fouta, a cloth wrapped around the body.
