Jardin d'Essai du Hamma, Algiers: visit and hotels

The Jardin d'Essai du Hamma (Hamma Botanical Garden) is one of the places Algiers residents love most, and a visit we recommend to anyone discovering the city. Created in 1832 by the bay, it covers some thirty hectares in the heart of the capital. Here is what to know before you go, how to plan the visit and which hotels in the Hamma district put you within walking distance.

A botanical garden from 1832 facing the Bay of Algiers

The garden was created in 1832 in the Hamma district as a trial garden ("jardin d'essai"), where plants from other continents were acclimatised. Today it covers about 32 hectares facing the Bay of Algiers, and its collection includes more than a thousand plant species.

Closed for many years for restoration, the garden reopened in 2009 and has since become a hugely popular place for a stroll, with family or friends.

What to see

The garden has two main parts, each with its own character:

• The French garden, formal and symmetrical, with straight paths and ponds;
• The English garden, freer and more "natural", with its exotic plants.

Between them, long avenues lined with trees from several continents invite you to wander. The site also has a zoo, very popular with children.

Allow two to three hours for a relaxed visit, more with children. The shade of the big avenues keeps the walk pleasant on sunny days, but bring water in summer.

Practical tips

• Opening hours and prices can change with the season and public holidays. Check before you go, on site or with your hotel.
• Crowds: the garden is very busy at weekends (Friday and Saturday in Algeria) and during school holidays. Weekday mornings are calmer.
• Getting there: the Hamma district is served by the Algiers metro; check the nearest station before you set off. By taxi, simply ask for "le Jardin d'Essai".

Combine it with the same district

Hamma makes for a great day: the garden in the morning, then the heights and the Martyrs' Memorial (Maqam Echahid), with a superb view over the bay. Keep the next day for the Casbah and the historic centre. More ideas in what to visit in Algiers, and our guide to where to stay in Algiers compares the districts.

Hotels near the Jardin d'Essai

Staying in Hamma lets you walk to the garden and puts you between the centre and the east of the city:

• [Sofitel Algiers Hamma Garden](/en/hotel/sofitel-hamma-garden-algiers), a 5-star hotel right by the Jardin d'Essai, with pools and several restaurants;
• [Hotel HNR El Hamma](/en/hotel/hnr-hotel-el-hamma), a city hotel between Place du 1er Mai and the El Hamma district, with free Wi-Fi and a buffet breakfast.

For other budgets, see all our options on the hotels in Algiers page, or our selection of 5-star hotels in Algiers.

Before you go

Visa. Most foreign travellers in principle need a visa to enter Algeria, and the rules depend on your passport. Check the current requirements with the Algerian consulate that covers your area before you go, and see our Algeria visa page.

Safety. Before you go, read your own government's travel advice (FCDO in the UK, the State Department in the US, Global Affairs Canada, France Diplomatie). Our article Is Algeria safe for travellers? explains where to find it.

Booking your hotel in Algiers

On Nreservi you book your hotel online. In Algeria you pay in dinars without a bank card: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our Telemly office. Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you after payment. Couples should read our article on the family record book at hotels before travelling.

See hotels in Algiers

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