Algeria Sightseeing Guide

The capital city Algiers does not have much to recommend it, except for some splendid Turkish palaces in the medina area of the city. Around the country, the major highlights are the oasis towns of Timimoun, Beni Abbes and El-Golea. There are also typical Saharan desert towns like Adrar, El-Oued (tagged the ‘town of the thousand domes’), In Salah and Ghardaia. 

There is also the Ketchaoua mosque on Rue Hadj Omar for the religious travelers and the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions on the Rue Mohammed Akli Malek, which is housed in a Turkish palace. The best views of the city are from atop the Martyr’s Monument.

 For those inclined towards history/archaeology, Djemila is a beautiful mountain village that houses the ruins of the Roman city Cuicul. Batna, in the Aures Mountains, also boasts impressive Roman ruins of Timgad, 40 km to its east. 

Tlemcen is another historically important, well-preserved old city. Founded by the Almoravid dynasty, it was a thriving town in the 13th century. One town unhesitatingly recommended by all travelers for its spectacular sunrise and stark beauty, is Assekrem, 75 km northeast of Tamanrasset, the last major town on the route to Niger.