Is 3 days enough to see Algiers?

Yes — three days in Algiers is enough to experience the best the city has to offer. Our itinerary covers The Casbah of Algiers — UNESCO old city, Ottoman palaces & the Battle of Algiers, BARDO Museum, Jardin d'Essai & the Grande Poste, Tipaza Roman ruins, Palace of Rais & Algerian hammam, giving you a genuine feel for Algiers without feeling rushed.

When is the best time to visit Algiers?

Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November): the most pleasant weather (18–26°C) for walking the Casbah and visiting Tipaza. Summer (June–August): hot (32–40°C) but the Mediterranean beaches are at their best. Winter (December–February): mild (12–18°C) but the best time to observe Algerian daily life without tourist pressure. Ramadan: the daily life of Algiers slows during the day and the m

Where should I stay in Algiers?

Mustapha Supérieur — the colonial villa hotel on the hillside above Algiers, in a tropical garden, the most historically significant hotel in Algeria is a great base for exploring Algiers. Hôtel El Djazaïr (Saint-George) from €120/night is our recommended hotel for its location and value.

What is Algiers most famous for?

Algiers (Alger in French, El Djazaïr in Arabic — population 3.

What language do people speak in Algiers?

Arabic (Algerian Arabic — Darja: the dialect of Arabic spoken in Algeria: the most divergent from Modern Standard Arabic of all the North African Arabic dialects, with significant Berber (Tamazight), French and Ottoman Turkish loanwords). Tamazight (Berber languages) are co-official in Algeria since 2016 and spoken by approximately 27% of the population (the Kabyle dialect of Tamazight, spoken in the Kabylie mountains east of Algiers, is the most widely spoken Berber language in Algeria). French is very widely spoken and used for business, education and government administration — French is the de facto second language of Algiers and the most practical language for foreign visitors. English is understood in the international hotels and tourist sites but much less widespread than in Morocco or Tunisia

What currency is used in Algiers?

Algerian Dinar (DZD). Algeria operates a dual exchange rate: the official rate (set by the Bank of Algeria) and the parallel (black market) rate (which offers significantly better exchange rates in practice: the parallel rate is openly available at the change booths of the Casbah and the city center markets — use with local knowledge and care). Cash is the primary means of payment in Algeria — card acceptance is very limited outside the international hotels. ATMs dispense DZD at the official rate only. Currency export is restricted. Budget: a restaurant meal DZD 500–2,000 (€4–16 at the official rate), a hammam DZD 500–1,500 (€4–12)

How do you get around Algiers?

Taxi (the white taxis — the most practical way to travel in Algiers): negotiate the price before entering (the taxis do not use meters — typical journeys in the center cost DZD 200–500 (€1.50–4) at the official rate). Collective taxi (the shared taxi — the "louage" or "taxi collectif"): the main transport for intercity travel (Tipaza, Cherchell). Metro: the Algiers Metro (opened 2011, 14 stations) covers the center (Place des Martyrs to El Harrach). Tram (the Algiers Tram, opened 2011): the east-west tram line. Walking: the Casbah is entirely pedestrian (the narrow alleys are inaccessible to cars). Caution: the Casbah streets are steep and can be slippery — wear good shoes

How do you get to Algiers?

Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG) — 20km east of the center: taxi to the city center (DZD 2,000–3,000 (€16–24), negotiate fixed price before entering). Bus (direct airport bus): less comfortable but much cheaper. Air Algérie (national carrier) from Paris (CDG), Marseille, Lyon, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Istanbul, Cairo, Dubai. The Algiers ferry port (the Gare Maritime): ferries from Marseille (20 hrs), Alicante (12 hrs) and Valencia (24 hrs) via Algérie Ferries and DFDS — the ferry arrival is one of the most dramatic in the Mediterranean (the Casbah visible from the sea)

What is the tipping etiquette in Algiers?

Not mandatory but appreciated. At restaurants: DZD 100–200 (€0.80–1.60) for a good meal. At the hammam: the kessala (the scrub attendant) receives a tip of DZD 100–200. Taxi: round up to the nearest 50 DZD. The tip culture is more relaxed than in Morocco or Tunisia — the Algerian service culture is generally less commercially oriented toward tourists

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