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Algiers

Where to go in Algeria

Tassili n’Ajjer National Park

Tassili n’Ajjer National Park

Located in the Sahara desert, Tassili n’Ajjer National Park is an undisputable national treasure, giving visitors a glimpse into an interesting landscape and a cultural heritage.

The national park is characterized by a rock forest of sandstone, completing a great panoramic scene. And interestingly, although covered by sandstone, the Tassili n’Ajjer National Park allows for the growth of vegetation.

In fact, the national park is home to the Saharan myrtle and the endemic Saharan cypress.

But what makes the national park a lot more interesting is its collection of prehistoric rock and cave art. The entire plateau of Tassili n’Ajjer is actually inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for having one of the world’s most important groupings of ancient cave art.

The prehistoric paintings and engravings in the Tassili n’Ajjer are over 15,000 in number and depict animals and ancient human activities. According to scientific studies, some of the cave paintings date back to around 6,000 BC.

As a whole, Tassili n’Ajjer National Park is a beautiful panorama and a gallery of ancient art.

Algiers

Algiers

Algiers is the administrative and economic center of Algeria. Like any capital in the world, it has its own distinctive qualities.

Its significance as a city spans several centuries. Established in 944, Algiers was an important city to the Barbary Pirates and during the French occupation. And the city still carries its air of historical appeal, which is one of its defining characters.

Experience that historical appeal by visiting the casbah of Algiers. The casbah is an old quarter with a maze of narrow streets and a collection of mosques, palaces, and other historical buildings. The ruins of the citadel, to which the word casbah originally referred, can also be seen here.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the casbah was built on Icosium ruins and is still home to several Algerians. Although it is sadly dilapidated, its authentic old appeal is very much apparent.

The mosques in Algiers are also worth a visit. The Grand Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Algiers and is believed to have been built in 1018, and the New Mosque, a seventeenth-century site, can easily give you your fill of Islamic culture.

 Annaba

annaba algeria

Located northeast of the country, Annaba is the fourth largest city in Algeria, boasting of a European ambience and economic success.

In the course of its history, it has changed names several times – from Hipponensis Sinus to Hippo Regius to Beleb-el-Anab to Bône and finally to Annaba – but its inviting environment did not change; it continued to flourish.

The fact is, the city was one of the favorites of French colonialists, who put up several structures there. Most of these structures are still standing today.

A very important landmark in Annaba is the St. Augustine Basilica. It was built in memory of St. Augustine, then bishop of Hippo Regius, who lived his last years in the city. With its imposing colonial architecture, the basilica is a sight to behold.

Also showing colonial influence is the Green Main Street, also known as the Cours de la Revolution. Here is where you should go if you want to experience the vibrant Algerian nightlife.

Of course, not to be passed up are the beaches of Annaba. With scenic views and scores of restaurants, hotels, and clubs, the beaches offer any tourist a great beach experience.

Djemila

djemila

Djemila in Arabic means beautiful, and there could be no truer description for this town of Roman ruins.

Nestled among the hills, Djemila is the modern-day name of the Roman town Cuicul. The town presents fine Roman architectural planning and exceptional execution, as seen in the arrangement of its theater, basilicas, baptistery, bathhouses, arches, and other town ruins.

The ruins, along with the several different artifacts in the museum at the town’s entrance, depict how the ancient people lived and thrived in this Roman town.

Cuicul was established during Nerva’s reign (96 to 98 AD). In the succeeding centuries, the town saw expansion, and more edifices were built. The Vandals arrived in the town but left after a few years. In 553, the town was under the Byzantines until the invasion of the Arabs, who renamed it Djemila.

Djemila is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the best archeological sites that can be found not only in Algeria but in the whole of North Africa.

Timimoun

Timimoun

Although Timimoun usually serves as just a jump-off for Grand Erg Occidental excursions, this oasis town actually has beautiful features of its own.

It is tucked in the Gourara region in the Grand Erg Occidental and offers a magical sight of sand dunes and a salt lake.

But the most captivating image in this town is the red-mud architecture of most of the town structures. This specific style of architecture gives the small and humble town of Timimoun its distinct personality.

When visiting, make sure to fully explore the town. As you traverse the streets, expect to be overwhelmed by the town’s faithfulness to its traditions, its simplicity, and the hospitality of its people.

Trust that with its Saharan ambience, Timimoun will provide you with a memorable experience.

M’Zab Valley

m’zab valley

M’Zab Valley is a plateau south of Algiers. Strewn across the region are houses and buildings that were constructed using traditional and environment-adaptive methods. Such construction methods earned M’Zab Valley a spot in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

This region, located in the Northern Sahara, has been inhabited since the tenth century and has a strong Muslim orientation.

M’Zab Valley is composed of five walled villages (ksar), which are collectively called the Pentapolis. The Pentapolis village of Ghardaïa is the main settlement and capital of the region. The other four are El-Ateuf, Bounoura, Beni Isguen, and Melika.

The architectural style in M’Zab Valley is very distinct, making the region an interesting site to visit. Palm groves are scattered across M’Zab Valley and add life to the pale color palette of the region. A mosque stands right in the middle of each walled village.

Timgad

Timgad

Built by Emperor Trajan in 100 AD, Timgad was a military colony exemplifying Romans’ exceptional town planning skills. It was complete with baths, triumphal arcs, basilica, temples, public library, and theater.

Many of the ruins are still in good condition, so guests, while walking among the ruins, can easily imagine that they had truly travelled back in time.

Timgad is 35 kilometers from Batna and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was abandoned in the seventh century and was rediscovered in 1881.

Tipasa ruins

Tipasa ruins

Tipasa, the capital city of Tipasa province, is popular for its ancient ruins. It was founded by the Phoenicians and functioned as a trading post during the second century. It was later on developed as a military colony during the reign of the Roman Empire.

Tipasa is a unique archeological site because, aside from Phoenician and Roman architectural ruins, it has Paleochristian and Byzantine ruins as well. Indigenous structures are also visible in the site.

Although you will no longer find intact samples of ancient houses in Tipasa, the site has a score of other city structures, including baths, churches, amphitheater, theater, cemeteries, nymphaeum, and mausoleum.

Tipasa, which is located on the coast of Algeria, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sidi Fredj

sidi fredj algeria

Sidi Fredj’s identity as a resort town is well known. With its scenic views, it offers itself as a relaxing getaway to both local and foreign guests.

The town has plenty of beaches. Naturally, it offers different water activities, boasts of luxurious accommodations, and most of all, provides a topnotch beach experience to beach bums, sun worshippers, and nature trippers.

But there’s more to Sidi Fredj than just being a sunbathing site. Beneath its summery veneer, Sidi Fredj is also a historical site whose significance was etched in the country’s history books after the first troops from France arrived in the town, marking the beginning of the French civilization of Algeria.

During World War II, the town also became a military post.

Oran

oran alegria

Oran is Algeria’s second largest city in terms of population, and it is bursting with life. It is a major port, and it is an industrial and commercial center. But despite the hustle and bustle, Oran is still a pleasurable place to explore.

Many of the attractions in Oran are of historical, cultural, and religious significance. The city has its own Great Mosque, which was constructed in 1796. Unlike some mosques, which are off limits to non-Muslims, the Great Mosque is open to the public.

There is also the Cathédrale de Sacré Coeur. Built by the French, this exquisite cathedral with exceptional architecture was eventually developed into a public library after the country’s independence.

Also worth visiting are the city’s main square and Demaeght Museum, a repository of prehistoric archeological artifacts.