Our family had the chance to visit Algeria for a long weekend in early June 2026. We found very inexpensive tickets from Lisboa to Algiers, so we decided to go check out the Mediterranean’s third largest city: Algiers.
The temperatures in Algiers in early June were in the upper to mid 20s centigrades. The sun as quite hot though, and we heard it had been in the 30s earlier that week. The heat caused us to slow down a bit, which was nice, but also had its challenges. To avoid the heat of the day, we opted to spend time indoors in the early afternoon, and explore in the morning and later afternoon/evening. The heat kept us from exploring as much of Algiers as we would’ve wanted to. Nonetheless, we saw some of the highlights and really enjoyed our time there!
Algeria Visa
The visa to Algeria used to be the hardest visa to get, especially for Americans. Fortunately, our family applied for visas at the Algerian consulate in Portugal and we had no issues with our application. To learn what you need for your application, visit the website for the consulate closest to your place of residence. Generally, these are the requirements:
- A completed application for each person applying.
- Copy of your passport.
- Copy of your hotel reservation.
- Proof of travel insurance.
- 2 passport photos (check dimensions on website)
- A sponsorship document (sometimes). Your hotel can help with this.
- Pay for the consular fee. The fee was US$150 for US citizens, and US$25 for Peruvian citizens.
We presented our application 15 days before our departure date, and it took the consulate 7 days to process it. We received a 10-day tourist visa. This worked well because we were only going to be in Algeria for 4 days.
Money
Algeria’s currency is the Algerian Dinar (DZD), and the exchange rate at the time of our trip was about 150DZD to 1EURO. We were advised to bring all the cash we’d be needing for our trip, as generally ATMs will not dispense money to foreign card owners. If you bring Euros, you can exchange them upon arrival at one of the airport’s banks. It is better to err on the side of bringing more money than what you think you might need to avoid finding yourself out of money and out of choices.
Credit cards are generally not accepted. Algeria is more of a cash economy, so you’ll need to carry cash with you. Only the large hotel chains (like Sofitel or Hyatt), and upscale restaurants will accept credit cards. You can also use a credit card at the airport, which we did successfully! But, like I said, you shouldn’t rely on cards in case they don’t work for whatever reason.
We were able to pay for our hotel, and for our day trip tour using a link they sent us.
Costs
Algeria is a very budget-friendly destination! Our main expenses were plane ticket, visas, our hotel, and our day trip excursion. Other than that, eating was very inexpensive, with most big meals costing between 20-30 Euros for the 4 of us, including beverages and food. Street food is a great option if trying to keep costs down. A whole pizza costs about 4 Euros, and shawarma is about 3-4 Euros. Espressos were less than 30 cents and they usually come in to-go cups.
Language
Arabic is the official language of Algeria, though the vast majority of people speak “Algerian Arabic” in their daily life. This version of Arabic differs significantly from the standard Arabic. Most North Africans don’t consider themselves Arabs. They have their own culture and history that is unique to the area. They experienced a process of arabization during the Ottoman conquest, which is probably why many people think of them as being of Arab background.
Most people speak French in Algeria, and we also encountered many people who spoke English. In general, we used English and French to communicate during our time in Algeria.
Dress Code
Algeria is a Muslim country so you should dress modestly out of respect. Unlike other North African countries like Tunisia, Egypt or Morocco that see a lot more tourists, Algeria seemed a lot more conservative regarding the dress code. About 90-95% of women we saw were wearing hijab, and in some cases burkas as well. I did see a couple of women wearing sleeveless shirts, but that was definitely not the norm. I packed loose fitting long skirts and pants, and put on a linen shirt on top of tank tops and I felt I was dressed appropriately.
Most of the men were wearing pants and not shorts. This was even in the heat of the day. Children’s outfits seemed to vary a lot. We saw lots of girls wearing mid-thigh shorts and sleeveless tops, so our daughter felt comfortable wearing sleeveless dresses that were longer. When I say comfortable, I’m referring to our desire to be respectful of the country we were visiting. I highly doubt anybody would’ve said anything to us had we been wearing less clothes.
Getting There
We flew to Algiers via Barcelona with Vueling, and flew back to Lisbon via Madrid with Iberia. Vueling has daily flights to Algiers leaving at 18:00. The flight from Barcelona and from Madrid is about 1 hour and a half long.
The Algiers Houari Boumediene Airport is a beautiful and modern airport. Arriving to Algiers was smooth, and immigration was pretty standard. There are no separate lines for national and foreigners, but a series of shorter lines. You need to complete an arrival form before approaching immigration authorities. There are lots of people handing out the forms as soon as you reach the immigration area.
The departure gates in the Algiers airport are comparable to those of any major airport. In many cases, they are superior in that they have several play structures for children, and even a free gaming area!
Getting Around
Before our trip, we dowloaded Yassir, which is a ride sharing app widely used in the region. We used Yassir during our time in Tunisia and it worked great! Unfortunately, it didn’t work for us while in Algeria. Every time we requested a ride, nobody would accept it.
Our hotel staff told us the better app to use is inDrive. This app functions on a bidding system where passengers propose their own fare, and available drivers can accept or negotiate the price. This app worked really well every time we needed it.
Algiers also has a great Metro. The Algiers Metro is very modern, and it is Africa’s second operational metro network. It operates one main line with 19 stations, and it’s a great alternative for moving around the main sites in Algiers. A single ride on the Algiers Metro costs 50DZD.
Where To Stay
We had originally booked an apartment through Airbnb, but because we weren’t sure if we’d need a sponsorship letter, we cancelled our reservation and booked a family room at the highly reviewed Saint Eugène Hotel. This 4-star hotel is located in the historic Bay El Oued district of Algiers. The hotel was great from the beginning. They helped us with the sponsorship, offered to exchange Euros for us upon arrival, had a free airport shuttle service, and our booking included breakfast. The hotel staff was incredibly helpful at all times, and the room was comfortable and had an incredible view of the Notre Dame d’Afrique basilica. On the flip side, it was a 20-minute walk from the closest metro station.
We had a lot of back and froths on whether we would’ve preferred to stay closer to the metro. We both agreed that it would’ve been nicer to have easier access to more of the city, but we also enjoyed the area we stayed in. Moreover, our children really liked the hotel as it was comfortable and reliable. We all especially liked the delicious breakfast buffet that set us up for a great morning of exploring every day!
What To Do
Day 1: Explore Algiers
The Casbah
After a delicious breakfast buffet at our hotel, we set out to explore Algiers. First stop: the Casbah. Built on a steep hillside overlooking the Bay of Algiers, the Casbah is the oldest neighborhood in Algiers. We walked to the Casbah from our hotel, but you could take the metro to the place des Martyrs and start your exploration from there.
The Casbah was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1992 because of its significance as an example of a historic Maghrebi city. The Casbah hasn’t changed much from what it looked like in the 16th century, when the Ottomans built it. Unfortunately, lots of the structures are crumbling and unsafe for people to live in. The number of residents of the Casbah has been rapidly diminishing as residents move into more modern housing in other parts of the city.
Compared to other ancient medinas we’ve seen accross North Africa, the Casbah is not nearly as bustling as those in Morocco, Tunisia or Egypt. However, it is definitely still worth a visit. The first main site you encounter when visiting the Casbah is the Ketchaoua Mosque. This beautiful mosque, with its twin minarets, was built at the beginning of the 17th century. Only Muslims are allowed in.
In the upper areas of the Casbah you will find more souvenir stalls with some truly unique crafts. There is also a stretch with tea shops. We stopped at one of the them and really enjoyed the tea, the sweets, and the chance to sit back and enjoy life in the Casbah go by.
The best part of exploring the Casbah is getting lost in the narrow winding streets of it. We chose not to use a guide to explore, but you can always use one if you want. We had several people approach us offering guided tours of the Casbah while we were walking around. At the end of our exploration (most of which took us uphill!). we grabbed lunch at Le Repère. This beloved restaurant is known for its authentic Algerian seafood dishes, served in a beautiful space with stunning views over the Bay of Algiers. We had the grilled sardines in sauce with frites, and it was delicious!
I should emphasize that it is absolutely safe to wander around the Casbah on your own. We walked all around it and never felt unsafe. Not even for a second. Of course, like with any city, I wouldn’t go wander there late at night. What you are guaranteed to find while wandering around the Casbah are lots and lots of cats! Our kids counted almost 100 cats in the morning we were there. The cats seem to be treated nicely by the residents. We saw piles of food left out for them in many places around the Casbah.
Centre Ville
After we got back down to the place des Martyrs, we hopped on the metro to the Centre Ville neighborhood. We got off at the Grande Poste stop. This neighborhood is filled with broad boulevards, public squares and a beautiful seafront. The buildings here are a good example of the French colonial period architecture. The Grande Posse building, built in 1910 is a beautiful example of Moorish Revival architecture.
By the time we reached Centre Ville, we were all tired from a morning of walking in the heat.We decided to walk a bit more in the direction of place des Martyrs. We grabbed a refreshment, and then headed back to the hotel for a break.
Waterfront at Bab El Oued
One thing we loved about our hotel location was being close to the waterfront promenade. On the evening of our first day in Algiers, and after grabbing a traditional Algerian dinner at El Meqnin, we headed down to the waterfront. We walked the area between the Admiralty Lighthouse and Ferhani Stadium and absolutely loved this space! The promenade was bustling both times we were there. There were playgrounds, rollersaking/skating rinks, a bike path that run the entirety of the promenade, several swimming pools, a beach, a jetty to catch scenic boat rides, and more. It was one of the best public spaces I have seen in a very long time, and it was full of people of all ages!
We read that the city of Algiers is currently working on redeveloping its port area. The port functions are being relocated to a new facility near Cherchell, and parts of the waterfront are being redeveloped as a promenade that one day will link all of the foreshore of Algiers. I would love to go back to Algiers in a few years and see this project completed!
Day 2: Day Trip to Tipaza and Cherchell
For our second full day in Algeria, we decided to do a day trip to see the nearby towns of Tipaza and Cherchell. We booked our tour with Fancyellow, and it was truly a memorable experience! These sites are located west of Algiers. The highway follows the coastline, and it’s a beautiful drive to these towns. This area was originally settled by the Carthaginians as far back as the 6th century BC, and later conquered by the Romans in 33BC. During the Roman-Amazigh ruling of King Juba II and Queen Cleopatra Selene II, two major settlements were established: Tipasa (no Tipaza), and Caesarea (now Cherchell).
Cherchell
Our guide picked us up from our hotel at 9:00am and we drove about an hour and a half to Cherchell. In Cherchell we visited the Public National Museum. This museum’s collection was quite impressive! The collection includes statues and mosaics that once adorned spaces in the Roman-Amazigh city. Some highlights included a late 3rd century CE mosaic depicting agricultural scenes, and a beautifully detailed statue of king Juba. In general, we found collection to be outstanding.
Tipaza
From Cherchell we headed to Tipaza to visit the archeological park. The Ruins of Tipaza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Algeria’s Mediterranean coast, showcase the remains of a thriving Roman city set against stunning sea views. Founded as a Punic trading post and later expanded by the Romans, the ruins at Tipaza are well worth a visit. Our guide explained that no archeological excavations have taken place in over 20 years. It is mind-blowing to think about what might be hiding underneath the ground we walked on!
We all definitely enjoyed exploring the archeological site and learning more about what life must had been like in this ancient town. The highlights of Tipaza include its impressive Great Basilica, Roman theatre and amphitheatre, ancient harbor, and sprawling necropolises. It took about an hour and a half to walk around the ruins. After walking the entire circuit, we headed into town for lunch. Our guide gave us many options for restaurants, and we ended up choosing Le Dauphin. We had a delicious lunch of fresh fish (we ordered tuna and black swordfish). The plates were huge! We ordered 3 plates for our family of 4 and had a hard time finishing everything, but we did because it was so good!
After lunch we headed to our last stop: the Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania, one of Algeria’s most iconic ancient monuments. Built around 3 BCE it is believed to be the final resting place of King Juba II and Queen Cleopatra Selene II, the daughter of the famous Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII and Mark Antony. The mausoleum is a cross between an Egyptian pyramid and a Roman temple, and it’s so big it can be easily seen from the road between Tipaza and Cherchell. This was our favorite stop on the tour. The site was impressive, and photos don’t do it justice.
After the mausoleum we drove back to Algiers. In Algiers we rested a bit at our hotel before heading out to dinner. We ate shawarma at a local Syrian restaurant, and then finished the day with another stroll along the waterfront promenade.
Day 3: Explore Algiers
Because we had a late afternoon flight back to Lisbon, we were able to do quite a bit of sightseeing on our last day in Algiers. The first thing we did was catch a ride back to place des Martyrs. I wanted to go back to the Casbah to buy a work of art I’d seen the first time we were there. It was actually nice going back into the Casbah. It felt familiar in some ways. From the Casbah we walked back to our hotel and got things ready for checkout.
Notre-Dame d’Afrique
Back at the hotel, we hired a car to drive us to and from the Notre-Dame d’Afrique Basilica. I had read about the unique statue of the Virgin Mary inside the church and really wanted to see it. The church sits atop of a cliff overlooking the Bay of Algiers, and it was completed in 1872 after 14 years of construction. The church blends Byzantine and Moorish architecture, and at the center of the church’s altar is the inscription “Our Lady of Africa, pray for us and for the Muslims.”
Inside the basilica stands the famous statue of Our Lady of Africa, a Black Madonna that was donated by nuns in Lyon, France in 1838 and later placed in the church in the 1870s. Today it sits at the center front of this beautiful basilica.
After visiting the basilica, we went back to our hotel where a driver we hired with Fancyellow picked us up to take us to the airpot. But before the airport, we made a couple of stops along the way.
Jardin d’essai du Hamma
If a city has botanical gardens, I will do my best to go visit them, and I’m so happy we were able to visit the ones in Algiers. The Jardin d’Essai du Hamma (Algiers Botanical Garden), founded in 1832, is one of North Africa’s most important botanical and public gardens. Originally created as an experimental site to study which plants could adapt to Algeria’s climate, it has grown into a major green space in the heart of Algiers, featuring thousands of plant species from around the world. The garden is divided into a formal, geometric French section and a more natural, jungle-like English section that gives it a distinctly tropical atmosphere.
One of its most famous features is the Tarzan tree, a massive ficus with twisting roots and hanging branches that create a dense, jungle-like structure. The gardens are a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, as well as the heat. The shady paths were wonderful to walk around. We saw lots of families picnicking all around the gardens. Truly a lovely place to visit and easily accessible via the metro.
Djamaa el Djazaïr – Great Mosque of Algiers
Our last stop of the day was the Great Mosque of Algiers. The Great Mosque of Algiers (Djamaâ El-Djazaïr) is one of the largest mosques in the world. Completed in 2019 and fully opened in 2024, it can hold up to 120,000 worshippers and is best known for its towering 265-meter minaret, which is the tallest minaret in the world! The mosque combines contemporary engineering with traditional Maghrebi and Andalusian Islamic design, featuring a vast prayer hall, intricate calligraphy, and elegant geometric detailing.
Beyond its religious role, the complex also includes a library, museum, and cultural spaces. This is the only mosque in Algeria where non-muslims are allowed to enter. If you plan to visit, dress accordingly as the guards can turn you away if you don’t observe the dress code. There is a booth in front of the women’s entrance where you can borrow a head covering.
Final Thoughts
Our trip to Algeria was super fun! We definitely wished we’d had more time to see more of the country, like Constantine, Oran or the Sahara. Fortunately, we can always go back to see more.
In retrospect, we wish we’d chosen a hotel that was closer to the Metro to make it easier to move around Algiers. However, we really loved our hotel, and we loved its proximity to the waterfront promenade.
Visiting in early June was nice because the weather was still pleasant enough to be outside most of the day. We heard we had just missed a heatwave the previous week, and I don’t want to imagine what that must have been like!
Other than that, we had a wonderful trip!
To read more about other places to visit in Africa, visit this page. For all of our other travels, go here.
