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Things to Do in Algiers: 14 Top Sights, Itineraries and Where to Stay

Published on 9 November 2026 · Nreservi team

Looking for the best things to do in Algiers? The Algerian capital is easiest to understand district by district: the old town and the sea at the bottom, the white colonial-era centre in the middle, and the hills with their monuments and views above. This guide covers fourteen sights worth your time, grouped by area, with what you will see at each one and a practical tip, followed by a one-day and a two-day Algiers itinerary, tips on getting around, the best time to visit and the best areas to stay. Opening hours and visiting conditions change often, so check them locally or with your hotel before you set off.

The Casbah and the lower town

1. The Casbah. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, the Casbah is the historic core of Algiers: stepped alleys, houses built around inner courtyards, old mosques and palaces from the Ottoman period, rising all the way to the Citadel at the top. Tip: go in the morning, wear comfortable shoes and hire a local guide, as the lanes are easy to get lost in. For a full visit plan and the hotels closest to the old town, read our dedicated guide: Casbah of Algiers, what to see and where to stay.

2. Ketchaoua Mosque. At the foot of the Casbah, opposite Place des Martyrs, this Ottoman-era mosque was turned into a cathedral during the colonial period and returned to Muslim worship at independence in 1962. It has since been fully restored, with support from Turkey, following its original plan. Tip: this is an active place of prayer; dress modestly and visit outside prayer times.

3. Palais des Raïs (Bastion 23). Just below the Casbah, facing the sea on Boulevard Amara-Rachid, this Ottoman ensemble, whose history goes back to 1576, brings together three palaces and six fishermen's houses. Today it is an arts and culture centre hosting exhibitions on heritage and traditional crafts. Tip: it is the best place in the city to step inside an Ottoman house and see its courtyard and tilework up close.

Getting there: metro line 1 stops at Place des Martyrs station, right at the foot of the Casbah.

Algiers Centre: the white city

4. The Grande Poste. Built in 1910 in the neo-Moorish style, with arcades, a dome and decorative tiles, the main post office is the symbol of downtown Algiers. Tip: Tafourah – Grande Poste metro station is next door, which makes it a convenient starting point for a day on foot.

5. Rue Didouche Mourad. Formerly Rue Michelet, this is the main shopping street of the city centre, lined with Haussmann-style buildings, cafés, restaurants and shops. Tip: walk up it in the late afternoon, when the centre comes alive, and stop for a coffee along the way.

6. The seafront. The arcades of Boulevard Che-Guevara overlook the port and the bay. It is a lovely walk at the end of the day and one of the best answers to the question of what to do in Algiers in the evening. Tip: come at sunset, when the light falls across the bay.

Bologhine: Notre-Dame d'Afrique

7. Basilica of Notre-Dame d'Afrique. Inaugurated in 1872, the basilica stands in Bologhine on a cliff above the bay. In the apse, a well-known inscription reads: "Our Lady of Africa, pray for us and for the Muslims". Tip: take a taxi up the hill; the view over the sea and the city alone is worth the trip.

El Hamma and the heights of El Madania

8. Jardin d'Essai du Hamma. Created in 1832, this 32-hectare botanical garden slopes down towards the sea and combines a French-style formal garden with an English-style landscape garden. After restoration work, it reopened in 2009. Tip: it is the ideal outing in Algiers with children, and Jardin d'Essai metro station is at the entrance.

9. National Museum of Fine Arts. Opened in 1930, the museum faces the Jardin d'Essai in the Hamma district. Its collection of around 8,000 works includes European painters such as Delacroix, Renoir and Monet, Algerian artists such as Baya, Racim and Yellès, and sculpture. Tip: pair it with the Jardin d'Essai for a relaxed half day.

10. Maqam Echahid and the Moudjahid Museum. On the heights of Riadh El Feth in El Madania, the Martyrs' Memorial was inaugurated in 1982 for the twentieth anniversary of independence: three concrete palm leaves that meet at the top. Beneath the esplanade, the National Moudjahid Museum tells the story of the resistance to colonisation, the war of liberation and independence. Tip: the esplanade offers one of the finest views in Algiers, over the bay and the Jardin d'Essai.

East of the centre: Mohammadia and Les Sablettes

11. Djamaa El Djazaïr, the Great Mosque of Algiers. Inaugurated on 25 February 2024 in Mohammadia, on the edge of the bay, it is the largest mosque in Africa, and its 265-metre minaret is the tallest in the world. Tip: you can see it from all around the bay; ask on site about visiting conditions, which differ between the prayer hall, the museum and the minaret.

12. Les Sablettes promenade. Laid out along the sea between El Hamma and the mouth of the Oued El Harrach, level with Hussein Dey, the promenade offers lawns, palm trees and kiosks facing the water. Tip: it is very popular with families at weekends; in summer, come at the end of the day.

Day trips from Algiers

13. Sidi Fredj. About 30 km west of the city centre, in the municipality of Staouéli, this small peninsula has a marina, beaches, restaurants and seaside hotels. Tip: a half day by the sea without leaving the province of Algiers.

14. Tipaza. About 65 km west of Algiers, the ancient ruins of Tipasa, listed by UNESCO in 1982, stretch along the shore: forum, theatre, baths and large early Christian basilicas. Tip: allow a full day, and bring a hat in summer. See our page on Tipaza and our guide to Algeria's UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

One day in Algiers: itinerary

  • Morning: the Casbah with a guide, then Ketchaoua Mosque and the Palais des Raïs in the lower town.
  • Lunch: in the city centre, around the Grande Poste.
  • Afternoon: take the metro to the Jardin d'Essai, then cross over to the National Museum of Fine Arts.
  • Evening: back to the centre for Rue Didouche Mourad, then the seafront arcades at sunset.

Two days in Algiers: itinerary

  • Day 1: the one-day itinerary above.
  • Day 2, morning: Notre-Dame d'Afrique and its view over the bay, then the Maqam Echahid and the Moudjahid Museum.
  • Day 2, afternoon: Djamaa El Djazaïr in Mohammadia, then a walk along Les Sablettes in the late afternoon.

With a third day, head west: Tipaza in the morning and Sidi Fredj on the way back.

Getting around Algiers

The metro is the easiest way to link the main sights: line 1 serves Place des Martyrs at the foot of the Casbah, Tafourah – Grande Poste in the city centre and Jardin d'Essai in El Hamma. For the hilltop sights, such as Notre-Dame d'Afrique in Bologhine, a taxi is the simplest option; your hotel can call one for you. For Sidi Fredj and Tipaza, outside the city, the simplest option is a taxi or a car with a driver for the day.

When to visit Algiers

Spring, especially April and May, and autumn, particularly October, are the best seasons for sightseeing: the weather is mild and the light over the bay is beautiful. Summer is hot, but July to September is the season for the sea. Winter is mild but it is the wettest time of year, especially from November to January, so pack an umbrella and plan some indoor visits, such as the museums and the Grande Poste.

Safety and entry requirements

Before you travel, read your own government's official travel advice for Algeria, such as the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department, and check your travel insurance. Entry rules and visa requirements depend on your nationality and can change, so confirm them with the Algerian embassy or consulate in your country before booking your trip. For a summary of the current advice, see our article Is Algeria safe to visit?.

Where to stay in Algiers for sightseeing

You will find every address, with live prices and availability for your dates, on our Algiers page.

Quick answers

Is Algiers worth visiting? Yes: a UNESCO-listed old town, Ottoman palaces, a neo-Moorish city centre, a botanical garden by the sea, major museums and, within a day trip, the ancient ruins of Tipasa.

How many days do you need in Algiers? Two days cover the main sights in the city; add a third for Tipaza and Sidi Fredj.

What is the best area to stay in Algiers for tourists? Algiers Centre, close to the metro, for a first visit.

What can you do in Algiers with children? The Jardin d'Essai du Hamma, the Les Sablettes promenade and the beaches of Sidi Fredj.

Book and pay

On Nreservi you choose your dates, compare hotels in Algiers and book online, or with NIA, our assistant on WhatsApp, who answers in English, French and Arabic. You can pay online by card from abroad, or in Algerian dinars (BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our Telemly agency). Need a flight to Algiers? Tickets are available on request from our team or from NIA. Our office is right in the city centre: our travel agency in Algiers Centre.

Sources: UNESCO (Kasbah of Algiers, Tipasa); Encyclopaedia Britannica (Tipasa); Routard and the official website of the Palais des Raïs – Bastion 23; National Moudjahid Museum; APS / Radio Algérie (25 February 2024) and Africanews (26 February 2024) for Djamaa El Djazaïr; Anadolu and Arab News (2017) for Ketchaoua Mosque; Echorouk (11 May 2009) for the Jardin d'Essai; visitalgeria.dz for the National Museum of Fine Arts; Afrik.com and Algérie 360 for the Grande Poste; Algérie 360 and TSA (16 January 2026) for Les Sablettes and Sidi Fredj; Lonely Planet; Climats et voyages; Wikipedia (accessed 9 November 2026).

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

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