Things to do in Oran, Algeria: Santa Cruz, the old town, the seafront and where to stay

"What to see in Oran" and "places to visit in Oran" are common searches for anyone planning a first trip to western Algeria. Oran is a large Mediterranean port city with a historic old quarter, a lively centre, a long seafront and, to the west, a corniche lined with beaches. Here is what to see in one or two days, how to get around, and which area to pick for your hotel.

Santa Cruz fort and chapel

Built by the Spanish, Santa Cruz fort stands on the heights of Mount Murdjadjo, west of the city. From the top, the view takes in Oran, its port and the bay. A chapel stands at the foot of the fort. Go up by taxi or car, ideally late in the day, for the light over the bay.

Sidi El Houari, the old town

Sidi El Houari is Oran's historic quarter. It is named after the city's patron saint, whose mausoleum you can see. It is also home to the Bey's Palace and the Pasha Mosque, from the late 18th century. The quarter is old and some monuments are not always open, so a local guide makes the visit richer and will know what can be visited on the day.

The centre: Place du 1er-Novembre, the Sacred Heart and the Ahmed Zabana Museum

Place du 1er-Novembre is the heart of the city centre, with the Abdelkader Alloula Regional Theatre. Also in the centre, the former Sacred Heart Cathedral now houses a library. The Ahmed Zabana National Museum has natural history and archaeology collections. For the buzz of a big market, M'dina Jdida is one of the city's busiest shopping districts.

The seafront

The Front de Mer, officially Boulevard de l'ALN, is where Oran goes for a stroll: a long boulevard lined with cafés and ice-cream shops, busiest in the late afternoon and evening. It is the natural place to end a day of sightseeing.

The beaches of the western corniche

West of Oran, the corniche leads to the beaches of Aïn El Turck, about fifteen kilometres away, then to those of Les Andalouses. This is the seaside area in summer. For other beaches around the country, see our guide to Algeria's beaches.

Getting around Oran

A tram line runs from Es Sénia in the south to Bir El Djir in the north-east, through the centre. For Santa Cruz and the corniche, a taxi is the simplest option. Ahmed Ben Bella Airport, in Es Sénia, serves the city; if you land late, read our article on hotels near Oran airport.

Oran in one or two days

One day: Santa Cruz in the morning, Sidi El Houari and the Bey's Palace, then Place du 1er-Novembre and the seafront late in the day.

Two days: add the Ahmed Zabana Museum and M'dina Jdida or, in season, a beach day on the corniche. With more time, carry on to Tlemcen, the art and history city of the west, or follow our Algeria itinerary for 5, 7, 10 or 14 days.

Where to stay in Oran: which area?

• The centre, to do everything on foot. Royal Hotel Oran – MGallery, the historic city-centre hotel, has welcomed guests since 1920, next to Place du 1er-Novembre. Grand Hôtel Oran, on Place du Maghreb (not to be confused with AZ Hotel Grand Oran in Es Sénia), Les Ambassadeurs, on Boulevard de l'Indépendance, and Hôtel Timgad, on Boulevard Emir Abdelkader, are also right in the centre. Cosmo Hotel looks onto the seafront.
• Les Falaises, facing the sea, east of the centre: Le Méridien Oran, Hotel Oran Bay, the former Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton and ibis Oran Les Falaises.
• USTO, the eastern business district: Hôtel Liberté Oran, in a tower in the Zone des Sièges, with an indoor pool and hammam right next door at Evasion by Liberté, and the simpler Liberté Express.
• Near the airport, in Es Sénia: AZ Hotel Grand Oran, next to the Grand Oran shopping centre, and Hôtel Eden Phoenix, at the airport roundabout.
• The western corniche, for the beach in summer: Les Andalouses resort, New Beach, on the Les Andalouses road, and Plaza St Rock Hôtel & Spa, in Aïn El Turck.

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. On the coast, spring and autumn are mild and pleasant for sightseeing; summer is beach season, and hotels on the corniche book up early. See our guide to the best time to visit Algeria.

Booking your hotel in Oran

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 Oran

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