Casbah of Algiers: visiting the UNESCO old town and where to stay

The Casbah of Algiers is the historic heart of the Algerian capital. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, it is described as an outstanding example of a traditional Mediterranean Muslim settlement: the remains of the Citadel, old mosques and Ottoman-style palaces, built on a hillside facing the sea.

What to see

At the bottom of the Casbah, around Place des Martyrs: the Ketchaoua mosque, Djamaa El Kebir (the Great Mosque on Rue de la Marine), Djamaa El Djedid and the Dar Aziza and Dar Mustapha Pacha palaces. The Palais des Raïs (Bastion 23) is about ten minutes' walk away. Climbing the alleys, you reach the Citadel at the top.

Getting there

The metro (line 1) stops at Place des Martyrs, at the foot of the Casbah. From Houari Boumediene airport it is about 20 km, 30 to 45 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing depending on traffic.

Tips for your visit

1. Go with a local guide: the alleys are a real maze, and a guide brings each house's history to life. This is also what the UK Foreign Office recommends.
2. Start in the morning, in good shoes: the Casbah is steep, with many steps.
3. Let your hotel know your plans for the day.

Where to stay near the Casbah

Marhaba Hotel Casbah, fully renovated and reopened in June 2026, is on Rue Ali Tamglit in the lower Casbah, about a hundred metres from Place des Martyrs metro station: the closest base to explore everything on foot. For more choice, see all our hotels in Algiers.

Marhaba Hotel Casbah · Hotels in Algiers · Is Algeria safe to visit?

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.