Algiers is a city with many historic and interesting areas, and some of the best experiences can be had on foot. However, be cautious of traffic and follow local customs and rules when crossing the road.

There are cable car systems in Algiers that connect the city to some of its hilly suburbs. They offer great views of the city and can be a unique way to get around.

If you need to travel between Algiers and its nearby islands or coastal areas, you can use boats or ferries.

The city has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. Spring (between April and June), and Fall (September and October) as they are best for walking and sightseeing. Winter can also be a great time to visit Algiers. The average temperature is around 65° F and the sun still shines even during the winter. Summers are hot and humid and can get crowded with tourists.

Algeria’s official language is Arabic, which is spoken by more than 80% of the population. Knowing some basic French or Arabic can be very helpful, as many signs and communication in Algiers are in these languages. An increasing number of young people see English as a universal language. We suggest you get a good Arabic-English translation book or app on your phone and learn a few key phrases such as Hello, Goodbye, Please, Thank you, and numbers 1-10.

Algiers’ city center comprises several neighborhoods, most of them are compact and walkable. So, even if you stay in one part of town, you can easily reach most places of interest in other neighborhoods on foot or via a short metro ride.

Didouche Mourad street, Place Audin, Pasteur Avenue, Dr Saadane street, Mohamed V Blvd – These are the best areas to stay in Algiers city center as they are very central and the metro stations are within walking distance.

Sacré Coeur and Telemly districts are located on the upper side of downtown, around 15 minutes’ walk from the metro stations and are two nice neighborhoods to stay in if you want to be in a quiet area but still in the city center.

Algiers is a safe city to visit. You can explore the city without worrying about your safety. Also, locals are hospitable. However, just like in any other big city, you should keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas as pickpocketing can occur.

We do not recommend going to the historic center at night. The narrow streets of the Kasbah of Algiers may be dangerous. You will also want to avoid areas that you don’t know, particularly in the suburbs of the city after dark. Don’t carry large amounts of money or valuables around with you. If you plan to tour the Casbah area of Algiers use a good local guide and make sure local police and your hosts/hotel know about your plans.

Police and gendarmerie forces are all around, they have zero tolerance when it comes to violence. What’s more, they take extra care of tourists and all foreigners, especially “Westerners”. Tourists are not even allowed to go to areas that are not protected.

We recommend at least 2 days to visit the city and see all the highlights, discover historical sights as well as beautiful viewpoints. Algiers is a huge city, however, two days are enough to cover the most important attractions and places of interest.

We recommend drinking bottled water. Drinking water outside main cities and towns is likely to be contaminated and sterilization is considered essential.

Alcohol is not allowed in Islam, therefore it’s not so easily accessible in Algeria. There are plenty of liqueur stores, though. Their appearance is often not so obvious, they may be hidden in a small street. Apart from the liquor stores, you can buy alcohol in the hotel, if there is a bar.

Drinking alcohol in public is forbidden as religious people would not like to see people drinking. You can bring it to your hotel.

Food in Algiers is some of the best in the country. There are many restaurants serving up traditional authentic foods. Most of the Algerian dishes are centered around bread, meats (lamb, beef or poultry), olive oil, vegetables, and fresh herbs. Of all the Algerian traditional dishes available, the most famous one is couscous, recognized as a national dish. The restaurants that serve traditional food are usually quite a bit pricier and that’s because they also serve alcoholic drinks.

Seafood, French, Middle Eastern, North African, and American food are all easily available. For the less adventurous traveler, you can also buy typical Western fast food.

Homosexuality is illegal in Algeria, so LGBTQ+ travelers need to be discreet and respectful of local laws at all times.

In case of emergency, dial:

police: 17
tourist police: 1548
medical assistance: 213 (0) 23 54 44 28
firefighters: 14.