Things to do in Constantine, Algeria: bridges, old town and where to stay

"Things to do in Constantine" is usually followed by a second question: where to stay? Constantine is unlike any other city in Algeria. It sits on a rocky plateau almost entirely ringed by the deep Rhumel gorge, and its districts are linked by bridges thrown across the void, which is why it is called the "City of Bridges". Here is what to see in one or two days, the Roman sites to combine with the city, and which area to pick for your hotel.

The bridges over the Rhumel gorge

This is the visit not to miss: walking from one bridge to the next and looking down into the gorge.

• Sidi M'Cid suspension bridge, north of the old town, is the most striking to cross on foot, with the gorge right below you.
• Bab El Kantara bridge also spans the gorge, on the old town side.
• A long viaduct crosses the valley south of the rock.
• Salah Bey viaduct completes the set with its modern outline.

Bring comfortable shoes: the city is steep and the best views are found on foot. If you have no head for heights, the suspension bridge looks just as good from either bank.

The old town, Ahmed Bey's Palace and the Emir Abdelkader Mosque

On the rock, the old town keeps its narrow lanes and old mosques. Its best-known monument is Ahmed Bey's Palace, a Moorish-style palace built in the time of the beys. Visiting days and hours can change, so check locally or with your hotel.

Off the rock, the Emir Abdelkader Mosque is the city's other great landmark. If you wish to go inside, wear covering clothes and avoid prayer times.

For the city's history, step into the Cirta Museum, formerly the Gustave Mercier Museum, with collections of ancient and modern art. Cirta was Constantine's name in Antiquity.

Day trips: Tiddis, Djémila, Timgad and Hammam Meskhoutine

• Tiddis: the remains of an ancient Roman town clinging to a hillside, near Constantine. The easiest way to go is with a local driver or guide.
• Djémila and Timgad (our visiting guide), two Roman sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, combine with Constantine, Sétif or Batna. Where they are and where to sleep: our article on Algeria's UNESCO sites.
• Hammam Meskhoutine, near Guelma, with its hot-water waterfall: see our Hammam Meskhoutine guide.

Constantine in one or two days

One day: the bridges in the morning, the old town and Ahmed Bey's Palace, then a late afternoon in the centre around Place des Martyrs.

Two days: add the Cirta Museum and the Emir Abdelkader Mosque, then Tiddis in the afternoon. With a third day, head for Djémila or Timgad. For a longer trip around the country, follow our Algeria itinerary for 5, 7, 10 or 14 days.

Where to stay in Constantine: which area?

• The centre, to do everything on foot. Novotel Constantine and ibis Constantine stand on Square Hadj Ali, near Place des Martyrs. Hôtel Cirta, a neo-Moorish building from 1912, reopened at the end of 2025 after long works.
• With a view of the gorge. Hôtel Protea Panoramique, formerly Protea by Marriott, on Avenue Aouati Mostefa: depending on the room, the view takes in the bridges and the gorge, and the centre is within walking distance. Constantine Marriott Hotel, on Rue de l'Oued-Rhumel, is a few minutes from the bridges and the centre.
• Ali Mendjeli new town, to the south: recent hotels, handy by car or for business, such as El Khayem, Hocine Hotel or Hôtel Errafie. Plan on a taxi to reach the old town.
• South, towards Batna and El Khroub, handy for Timgad: El Bey Hotel and Golden Tulip Alexandre.
• Near Mohamed Boudiaf Airport: Hôtel Dali, in Zouaghi, for a late arrival or an early departure.

Before you go: visa, safety, season

Visa. Most foreign travellers will in principle need a visa to enter Algeria. Check the current requirements with the Algerian consulate in your country of residence before you travel, and read our Algeria visa page.

Safety. Read your own government's official advice before booking: GOV.UK in the UK, the US Department of State in the United States, France Diplomatie in France, and the foreign ministries of Belgium and Switzerland. Our article Is Algeria safe to visit? shows where to find them.

Season. Constantine is an inland city set at altitude: spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking from bridge to bridge. See our guide to the best time to visit Algeria.

Booking your hotel in Constantine

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 Constantine

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