Travel Guide Algiers
No, Algiers does not fall into decay. Algiers is mutating, Algiers is searching for itself, surpassing itself, reinventing itself, and recently more than ever! Preserving both its former charm and cultivating a deep respect for its traditions, the tumultuous and cheerful Algerian capital nevertheless remains resolutely turned towards the future, constantly modernizing. The current urbanisation plans are already yielding good results: a dashing airport, modern shopping centres, a new tramway, an extension of the metro line, the restoration of venerable buildings such as the Kasbah by Jean Nouvel, but also the Ketchaoua mosque or the emblematic Place des Martyrs, the construction of the Grand Mosque... Algiers la Blanche is driven by a mad dynamism, steeped in a thousand-year-old culture and filled with gourmet restaurants. Capricious and generous, nostalgic and avant-garde, it is in the heart of this plural and paradoxical city that the Algiers tourist guide plunges you into a captivating journey that is second to none. A destination not to be missed during your stay in Algeria
What to visit Algiers?
Suggested addresses Algiers
When to go to Algiers?
When to go to Algiers? Autumn and spring are the best seasons to visit Algiers. From late September to mid-November and from March to June, the days are beautiful, the temperatures pleasant and you can enjoy the sea. On the other hand, summer, which can be unbearable in Algiers, should be avoided, both by the number of visitors (it is the high season for coastal cities) and by the heavy and humid climate. It is the tourist season on the Algerian coast. Many Algerians living abroad return home during this period, which is also the time of marriages. Humidity can reach 90% in the north of the country and heat waves are not uncommon. In November, moreover, about fifty kilometres south of Algiers, the small ski resort of Chrea is dressed in a beautiful white coat.
Weather at the moment
The weather in Algiers and northern Algeria is subject to a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry, winters are mild and humid. Rains can be violent in winter, as witnessed by the floods of Bab El-Oued in November 2001 which caused the death of 800 people. In the summer, temperatures in Algiers range from 25 to 35°C, but they can exceed 40°C when the sirocco, the wind from the Sahara, blows. In winter, it is rarely less than 10 °C
The Algerian dinar is the currency used in Algiers. There are more tourist establishments in Algiers than there were a few years ago, but they are still quite expensive, even very expensive during the vacation period, because the hotel stock is still small. Everything depends of course on the comfort sought and the type of restaurants frequented. However, the cost of daily living is lower than the cost of consumer spending for a European household.
Any French citizen wishing to travel to Algiers must apply for a visa at the consulate of their place of residence.
For a tourist visa. You will need the visa application form (available on the Algerian Consulate website) completed in duplicate, the passport, a photocopy of the passport, two recent passport photos, a confirmed hotel reservation or a certified accommodation certificate and, sometimes, a proof of income (pay slip for example). You need to count 85 € for a visa valid for three months and 125 € for a duration longer than three months. It is best to apply for the visa one month in advance as the application deadlines can be long and you must appear in person twice. However, if you are lucky, it may only take a week.
There are no particular health problems to report, except that you should not drink tap water: although it is drinkable in Algiers, its quality is sometimes average, which can lead to intoxication and touristas. No vaccinations are required to enter Algiers and the Algerian territory in general. A small check of the ordinary vaccines does not hurt nevertheless!
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
Media
How to go to Algiers? Our advice & tips
Although Algeria was once a popular tourist destination, the infrastructure is not always up to the task. However, one can easily find tourism companies and other tour operators able to concoct a tailor-made trip or to propose tours including a visit to the capital. The main interest of opting for organized travel is above all economic, thanks to the packages generally combining flight and accommodation.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationThe average price of a return flight from France to Algiers is 300 €. Beware of the high season (June to September) during which fares can be very high. Remember to book your tickets in advance if you are planning a stay during the summer. The same goes for accommodation: the earlier the better!
The capital suffers from almost permanent traffic jams and lack of parking. Having your own vehicle is of course very convenient for night travel, but during the day, traffic jams and parking can be a major waste of time. Fortunately, the extension of the Algiers metro in the centre to Place des Martyrs was inaugurated in 2018 and it is now possible to cross the whole centre of Algiers by metro, which should ease some of the traffic congestion in the centre. Taxis (and VTCs), buses and walking are also recommended means of transport.
