 TOURISM |
 Algiers, capital and business city |
The capital has become the first economic pole of the country. Six business hotels, of international standards, 5 stars rank (El-Aurassi, El Djazaïr, Le Mercure, L'hôtel International, Sofitel and Sheraton-Club des Pins) take in charge the organisation of seminaries, assemblies and have a business centre at their disposal. All means of payment are accepted, for instance a bureau de change has been opened at El-Aurassi.
To go out, you can have lunch or dinner in one of the most famous restaurants of Algiers: the Djenina or the Corso to discover traditional cuisine, the Bardo and the Diplomate specialised in French cuisine, the Sauveur to taste local fish specialities and finally, Chinese or Indian restaurants. Sport amateurs have a variety of choices: tennis club of Moretti, golf at Dely Ibrahim, horse-riding at the equestrian club of Caroubier or numerous gym clubs of Algiers. Concerning shows, it is possible to enjoy a play at the national theatre of Algiers (TNA), to see musicians and singers at the Ibn Zeidoune site of Ryad El Feth or to go the Omar Racim gallery at the centre of Algiers. Payment is in Dinars, by cheque or cash.
The easiest way to get around the city is taxi, (around 20 - 40 Dinars). You can also rent a car with or without driver for about 3500 Dinars.
Algiers is not only the political capital, but also the most beautiful city of the country, which you can discover by boat. Cap Tamentefoust is also one of the most beautiful sceneries of Algiers.
Down town
down town Algiers is huge and lively. Its symbols are: the Grand Post, the Government Centre, the National Library , El-Aurassi hotel.
Sea shore
Algiers is well known for the arch buildings situated 20 metres above the port. They were built at the end of the 20th century and stretch homogeneously on 1.500 metres.
The Casbah
the Casbah, houses from the Turkish period, is the name given to the ancient city of Algiers. It is an incomparable architectural and historical heritage for the country. In 1887, it was registered as historical monument. A renovation project started in 1974 and it was registered in 1992 by the UNESCO to the World Heritage of Humanity.
Moorish houses
At the Casbah or on the heights of Algiers, Hassan Pacha's palace, Dar Azziza bent el-Beyn's, Mustapha Pacha's palace, Dar Ahmed, Villa Mahieddine.
Riad El-Feth
cultural and commercial centre inaugurated in 1984. It is divided into a show centre, a library, the Army Museum, the Djihad museum, 360 businesses and the craftsmen village.
| Vestiges of history |
The national agency of archaeology is in charge, by the Ministry of Culture, of listing, protecting and restoring the Algerian archaeological heritage. Approximately 400 sites and monuments have been listed. Seven important sites are listed as part of the world heritage by the Unesco: Tassili N'ajjer park, the Casbah of Algiers, the valley of M'zab, Numido- Romans cities of Djemila, Timgad, Tipaza and the Qalaâ of Banu Hammad. We have listed below some sites that show the richness of the past.
Djémila
Roman city which was inhabited by around 10.000 people. Situated on the high plains of Setif, between the coastal Atlas and the Aures, the Romans used it as an olive-grove and a storage for wheat. Built in 98, the town was not destructed by the Vandals and its vestiges remain in a good state. Nothing has changed during the last 2000 years. The ruins are not just simple foundations discovered under vegetation. Streets are surrounded by columns, houses by high walls and you can still visit the three markets of 'steps' and the imposing temples. The prison fitted out in the caves of the Capitol was closed by a quadruplet gate which traces are still visible.
Tipaza
Tipaza is one of the most beautiful roman cities of the Mediterranean basin. The Mausoleum is situated at sea shore, the Forum has been preserved.The Museum of Tipaza is small but displays a lot of mosaics. Albert Camus, French writer born in Oran, writes in Noces à Tipaza " At spring time Tipaza is inhabited by the Gods, and the Gods speak in the sun and the odour of the wormwoods, silver sea, unbleached blue sky, ruins covered with flowers, and light shining on heaps of stones... I can hardly see the Chenoua black figure in the background which takes its roots in hills around the village, shaken by a sure and heavy rhythm to go kneeling in the sea. ".
Cherchell
100 km from Algiers, the city of Cherchell, historically known as IOL, was a carthaginese port of call. To visit: the place of martyrs, the port, the roman theatre, the roman circus, the mosaics park.
Béjaïa (Lower Kabylia)
Béjaïa has been known since antiquity, when it used to be one of the Phoenician ports of call. It was also an important trade port during the Roman Empire. To visit: Roman ruins (vestiges of ramparts, great tanks, ancient burial places and graves), Bab el Bahr, the Casbah, Fort Moussa, the Belvédère, Monkey Peak, Fort Gouraya, Cap Carbon.
Annaba
Annaba is a gulf that dates back from the prehistory. Ancient Phoenician port of call situated at the mouth of the Seybouse, the former name of Annaba was Hippone. It was annexed to Rome in 46 AD. Under the Muslim dynasties, Hippone became Bouna. Nowadays, Annaba is a very important port. To see: Ruins of Hippone (Thermal baths, Gorgogne Fountain, Forum, Theatre), St Augustin Basilica, Abou Mérouane Mosque, Arms Place.
Khamissa
37 km from Souk-Aharas, situated on an ancient numide town, important vestiges of antiquity are still visible on this archaeological site: the Forum, the Capitol, the Thermal baths, the three gate arch, the ancient swimming pool, the theatre, the monumental door, the Basilica and the Byzantine Fort.
Constantine
Constantine is the capital of the Eastern part of the country. Known as Cirta, Constantine was the capital of the numide kings. It then became a roman colony, and led to conflicts between different Muslim dynasties. To visit: different Muslim monuments such as Mosques (the Emir Abdelkader Mosque, Djamaâ Kebir, Salah bey and Souk El Ghozel) and palaces (Ahmed Bey Palace).
Oran
The origins of Oran go back to the prehistorical time. The actual town was founded by the Muslims of Andalusia. Oran was an important trade port between the Maghreb and Spain. The Spanish took hold of the town in the 16th century, and stayed there during two centuries. The monuments and historical sites to visit in Oran are the following: the Pacha Mosque, Sidi-El-Houari Mosque and the Caravanserai gate for Muslims monuments and Fort Santa-Cruz, Fort Lamoune and the gate of Spain for the Spanish monuments. | Tebessa
Tébessa, or Tbessa, is situated at 40 km from the Algero-Tunisian frontier at 960 m of altitude. It is the county town of the Wilaya of Tébessa and its population is estimated at around 520 000 inhabitants. Tébessa, inhabited since prehistorical times, is also known for its history and vestiges.
Tébessa was an important Roman town from 146 AD until 597 after JC, when it was invaded by the Berbers. It was then invaded by the Arabs from 682 and by the French from 1851.
The main vestiges of Tébessa are the following:
- Solomon wall (6th century) situated at the centre of the ancient town.
- Caracalla gate (214 after JC) is an arch situated at the Northern entrance of Tébessa.
- Minerve temple (beginning of the 3rd century) and its mosaics
- The Ruins of St Crispine Basilica (end of the 4th century) situated at the exterior of the ancient town, is one of the greatest of Africa. To visit: chapels, gardens, paths and also numerous Roman buildings.
- Ruins of the Amphitheatre (4th century)
- Acqueduct
- The Roman Bridge
| Sceneries of Sahara |
Sceneries of Sahara
Ghardaïa, at the desert: it is the capital of the M'zab. To see: its Mosque, built like a fortress, its craft market, its open air museum, where you can find different sorts of hand made carpets. Ghardaïa is known for its special traditions and an architecture of its own.
Timimoun, the red oasis: situated on the Tadmaït, which means hill, Timimoun is separated from the dunes by the palm grove and the sebkha (dried lake). Known for its art, its Sudanese style architecture is also uncommon and its ochre buildings match perfectly the surrounding countryside. This welcoming city is also surrounded by caves that can be visited.
The Hoggar, the other dimension: immense territory in the desert. The stones, shaped by time into sceneries of metallic colours, reveal a silent world. The region, a thousand year old, is also magical. It is possible to cross it and see coloured vestiges of lava flows which lead to the Askrem, where the climate is so paradoxical and the difference of temperature is so great that, sometimes, it snows on Sahara.
Tamanrasset, the star of the south: situated at 1385 m of altitude in the massif of the Hoggar, on what used to be the Oued (the river) Tamanrasset, the city rises in the mountain of Atakor, the highest summit of the Maghreb. The climate is fresh, winter is mild and the temperature in summer does not exceed 35°. The houses are red coloured and the panorama is impossible to describe. This region is the country of the Touareg, the blue men. As a trading place, it gathers all the nomads of the region, also coming from Mali and Nigeria.
| Beaches |
On the Western coast
The coast is different. It is called the Turquoise of Algiers until Aïn Benian, a succession of small coves from Bologhine to Baïnem and until El Djamila ( ex- la Madrague).
El-Djamila
16 km from Algiers, first sandy beach on the western coast, very lively (restaurants, fisheries etc), small sheltered fishing port. Douaouda marine: a nice family beach, (called Colonel Abbas) situated nearby Fouka Marine (small fishing port and picturesque coves).
Bou Ismaïl
45 km from Algiers, small seaside village, amazing sea front boulevard. Experimental aquaculture and fishing resort, with laboratories, libraries and aquariums. It is possible to visit the Superior Maritime Institute and the merchant marine school.
Zéralda
31 km from Algiers, situated by two touristic resorts of the western part of Algiers: Sidi Fredj, Sahel, Club des pins, splendid beaches with great infrastructures .
Colonel Abbas beach
Next to Oued Mazafran, it has become these last years one of the most beautiful beaches of the region after having been brightened up.
Chenoua
Berber population, great countryside, a very beautiful beach and a splendid bay.
Cherchell
about 100 km from Algiers with fascinating beaches, green hills, roman ruins, an archaeological museum, a fishing port.
| Museums |
Links to museums
National Museum of Antiquities
It is an invitation for a trip through prehistory and. It is also known for its originality and the diversity of its antique objects. It is the first of its kind in Algeria and in Africa. It used to be called the Museum of Algiers. It has got a collection of classical antiquities from 1835 such as sculptures, mosaics, and bronzes discovered on the main archaeological sites of Algeria. Different antiquities are listed: busts of the numid family Juda I, the king of Cirta which original is at Caesare and the bust of his young spouse Cleopatra Sellene and their son Ptolemi. There are also collections of the Muslim Occident (from the first period): mosaics, pottery, jewellery, ceramics, etc... You will also find a library and specialised staff. The library access card can be obtained after having submitted a file containing a school or work certificate, 300 Dinars, 2 photos and a crossed cheque.
The Bardo National Museum
The building is registered as "historical monument", from two periods: ottoman and colonial (french). The ottoman part is the monument built at the end of the 18th century in the Algiers suburbs of Mustapha Pacha. The colonial part was built in 1879 by the French Joret. On April 16, 1930 the building became a museum for the exhibition of prehistorical collections: traces of past civilisations, particularly those found in Algeria, which represent an important site of the world prehistory, since human presence has been confirmed for at least 1 million years. Prehistorical vestiges are also to be discovered in this museum.
To visit also: National Museum of Art and Popular Traditions, National Museum of Arts, National Museum of Djihad, Museum of the Army, Museum of the Dey Palace, Museum for children. |
