What to See in Algeria

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Algeria has 7 sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:

Coastal:

Casbah of Algiers ★★★★ (1992)
The old city—or medina—of Algiers has shaped the capital's "reputation." This entire historic district has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992.

Djemila ★★★ (1982)
This ancient Roman city, located in the municipality of the same name, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also remarkably well preserved.

Kalâa of the Béni Hammad ★ (1980)
The last remnants, a UNESCO World Heritage site, of what was once a Berber capital.

Timgad ★★★ (1982)
Sometimes called the "Pompeii of North Africa", this ancient Roman city is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tipasa in Mauretania ★★ (1982)
West of Algiers, near the city of Tipasa, these are the UNESCO-listed ruins of a Roman city built by the sea.

Central region:

M'Zab Valley ★★★ (1982)
This northern Sahara region is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its traditional fortified cities and villages, of which Ghardaïa is the best known.

Far South:

Tassili Cultural Park ★ (1982)
At the heart of the Tassili massif, the site is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its numerous rock paintings.

Coastal

Algiers ★★★
Algiers the White, with its stunning UNESCO-listed casbah, remarkable architecture, museums, and lively Mediterranean atmosphere. A must-visit on any trip to the country.

Annaba ★
The last major city before Tunisia, Annaba offers beaches, some fine French-era buildings, the Basilica of Saint Augustine, and the ruins of the ancient city of Hippo.

Bejaia ★
A large city east of Algiers with a casbah and some historic buildings. Cap Carbon and the Kherrata Gorges are nearby.

Cherchell ★★
Roman ruins and a dedicated museum in this medium-sized seaside city.

Constantine ★★
It is the third-largest urban area in the country. Built on rugged terrain, it is known for its suspension bridges, beautiful medina, and several attractive buildings from different styles and eras.

Djemila ★★★
This ancient Roman city, located in the municipality of the same name, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also remarkably well preserved.

Kabylia ★★
This beautiful mountainous region in the north has preserved its cultural, architectural, and linguistic distinctiveness.

Kalâa of the Béni Hammad ★
The last remnants, a UNESCO World Heritage site, of what was once a Berber capital.

Mostaganem ★
A port city on Algeria's western coast, best known for its beaches and historic quarter.

Oran ★★
A pleasant and lively seaside city with beautiful architecture blending Arab, Spanish, and French styles.

Timgad ★★★
Sometimes called the "Pompeii of North Africa", this ancient Roman city is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tipasa ★
By the sea, beaches and the ruins of an ancient city.

Tipasa in Mauretania ★★
West of Algiers, near the city of Tipasa, these are the UNESCO-listed ruins of a Roman city built by the sea.

Tlemcen ★★
Not far from the Moroccan border, the city has long benefited from multiple influences that are reflected in its architecture. It is also a major center for Arab-Andalusian music.

Natural Heritage

Cape Carbon ★★
A pretty cape with its lighthouse jutting into the sea a few kilometres north of Béjaïa.

Hammam Meskhoutine Limestone Waterfall ★
Hot springs and a limestone waterfall in the Hammam Debagh thermal resort.

Kherrata Gorge ★★
These are gorges to explore by car in the area around Bejaia.

Djurdjura National Park ★★
A rugged area with vast forests, gorges, and chasms in the namesake mountain range in the north of the country.

Central Region

Warning: The entire border area with Tunisia (excluding the coastal zone) is strongly advised against for security reasons by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

El Menia ★
Formerly known as El Golea, this oasis is home to the tomb of Charles de Foucauld.

Ghardaïa ★★★
This oasis city in the M'Zab Valley is one of the fortified settlement areas with remarkable traditional architecture, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is, in fact, the best known.

Lambaesis ★
This is the archaeological site of a Roman "military camp-town" located in the municipality of Tazoult within the Aurès Mountains.

Timimoun ★★
A northern Sahara oasis with a beautiful palm grove and ochre architecture in the typical Arabo-Sudanese style of the region. The town often serves as a starting point for exploring the Grand Erg.

M'Zab Valley ★★★
This northern Sahara region is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its traditional fortified cities and villages, of which Ghardaïa is the best known.

Natural Heritage

El Kantara Gorge ★★
Located in the village of the same name, these are beautiful gorges for walking in the Aurès Mountains.

Great Western and Eastern Ergs ★★★★
These are two vast dune massifs covering 78,000 and 120,000 km², dotted with oases and traditionally used for camel treks and tourism. This is the image most people have of the Sahara.

Algerian Deep South

Warning: A large part of the South, particularly near the borders with neighboring countries, is strongly advised against for security reasons by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Tassili Cultural Park ★
At the heart of the Tassili massif, the site is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its numerous rock paintings.

Natural Heritage

Hoggar Mountains ★★★
This high-altitude desert plateau, reaching nearly 3,000 m and close to Tamanrasset, has always been a remarkable place for its landscapes and hiking opportunities. However, the region is not always considered safe.

Tassili n'Ajjer Massif ★★★
An arid high plateau near Djanet. Like other massifs in the southern Sahara, it offers stunning landscapes and, when conditions allow, excellent trekking opportunities.

Ahaggar National Park ★★
One of Algeria’s largest national parks. Beyond its remarkable natural environment, the area is also known for its rich archaeological and historical heritage.