Exploring Algiers promises a wonderful escape just two hours by flight from Paris. Brimming with rich cultural and historical heritage, this city is an ideal destination for a few days in the sun... Here are the must-see sites to explore in Algeria's capital!

Tourism in Algiers, which sites not to miss?

1. The Casbah and Its Mosques
   

The Casbah refers to the historic center of Algiers. Designed around the 4th century BC, this "citadel" with its narrow streets is renowned for its superb traditional Islamic architecture and numerous buildings – palaces, medersas (Quranic schools), and more. Among the most beautiful monuments? Don't miss:

●     The Jamaa al-Jdid Mosque: located in the lower Casbah, near the coast, this 1660 edifice boasts a superb Ottoman style, featuring domes, a clock, and a 27-meter-high minaret.

●     The Jemaa Kebir Mosque: also known as the "Great Mosque of Algiers," this 1907 monument proudly displays an older minaret, dating back to 1324!

●     The Ali Betchine Mosque: one of the smallest, yet also one of the most beautiful mosques in the city, with its vast central dome and 15-meter minaret, typical of medieval Maghrebi style – whitewashed walls and square architecture.

Classified in 1992, Algiers' old city appears, according to UNESCO, as "a significant example of a Maghrebi historic city that had great influence on urban planning in the western Mediterranean and sub-Saharan Africa." An emblematic place in the capital!

2. The Palaces of Dar Aziza and La Jenina
   

Still in the heart of the Casbah, you can admire (from the street) the Dar Aziza Palace. This Algerian mansion is a treasure of Ottoman architecture, dating from the 16th century; it served in turn as a royal residence, a bishopric, a ministry, and then a tourism agency. The palace today houses the OGEBC – the National Office for the Management and Exploitation of Protected Cultural Properties. It's sometimes possible to enter the courtyard (at the discretion of the caretaker).

A 13-minute walk from Dar Aziza, you'll find the Palace of La Jenina (the oldest in Algiers). Built in the early 16th century, the building experienced many disasters (fire, earthquakes, etc.). Nevertheless, it's worth a visit, as it bears witness to the city's history through the centuries. You can see notably the s'hine (galleries).

3. The Hamma Botanical Garden
   

The Hamma Botanical Garden is a superb lush park spanning 320,000 m²! Created in 1832 (with the aim of draining a marshy area and transforming it into agricultural land), the garden eventually became a government nursery, then an acclimatization garden (to introduce new plant species to the country) and, finally, an ornamental garden (focused more on plant decoration than agricultural cultivation).

Today? The garden works to preserve its superb biodiversity through scientific research, as well as workshops and educational programs. The park is nonetheless accessible to the public without a guide, and allows you to discover more than 3,000 plant species and 180 animal species – the garden houses a zoo (paid entry, approximately €2).

4. The National Museum of Fine Arts
   

Recognized as one of Africa's greatest art centers, the National Museum of Fine Arts in Algiers opened its doors in May 1930. Since then, visitors have been able to admire more than 8,000 masterpieces (prints, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, furniture, etc.), dating from the 14th to 21st centuries.

Beyond works by great Masters such as Delacroix, Monet, Matisse, and Rodin, you'll also discover works by renowned Algerian artists such as Racim, Bays, and Yellès. An opportunity to enjoy a superb panoramic view from this four-story building, overlooking the sea and the Hamma Botanical Garden.

5. The Basilica of Algiers (Notre-Dame d'Afrique)
   

The Notre-Dame d'Afrique Basilica is a religious edifice (Catholic) in Romano-Byzantine style. Built in 1872 by architect Jean-Eugène Fromageau, it stands at 125 meters altitude, above the sea.

To enjoy its panoramic view? Take the cable car from Algiers, which connects the lower part of the municipality of Bologhine (located in the northern suburbs of the capital). Through its architecture and its overlook, it is considered the twin sister of the Marseille basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde...

6. The Grand Post Office
   

The Grand Post Office of Algiers is a superb neo-Moorish style building – characterized by richly ornate architecture, with decorations inspired by patterns from periods predating classical and Gothic eras.

Designed by French architects Marius Toudoire and Jules Voinot, the building is located in the heart of the capital and today houses the museum of the history of Algerian postal and telecommunications services. During your visit, you'll be able to admire superb arcades and a majestic marble staircase.

7. The Martyrs' Memorial
   

The Martyrs' Memorial (or Maqam Echahid) is a monument erected in 1982 to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Algerian independence (and in honor of soldiers who died in combat during the war in the 1950s-60s).

It's recognizable by its unique architecture: three palm leaves, 92 meters high, that converge above an Islamic-style tower, symbolizing three revolutions: "cultural, agrarian, and industrial," according to its designer, artist Bachir Yellès (who passed away in August 2022).

The memorial moreover stands proudly above Algiers Bay and is, in fact, visible from almost everywhere in the city!

How Many Days to Spend in Algiers?

To fully enjoy the beauty of the city and have time to visit the main attractions, plan on average 4 days. This will allow you to discover all the treasures of Algeria's capital and enjoy local life without rushing.

What to Do in Algiers as a Family?
       

The el Hamma Botanical Garden is an essential family visit in Algiers. Spanning 32 hectares, the park features more than 3,000 plant species, superb tree-lined paths of dragon trees, and a zoo housing 180 animal species.

Is It Safe to Travel to Algérie?

Algérie is a safe and secure destination with, at times, heightened vigilance in case of terrorist risks. Before your departure, check the website of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs to verify the political situation at that moment.

What Is the Most Beautiful Place in Algérie?

One of the most beautiful places in Algérie is Tassili n'Ajjer National Park. Located in the southeast of the Sahara, this natural site (classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site) brings together one of the world's most important collections of rock art (with more than 15,000 drawings dating from 6000 BC).