12 Things to Do in Constantine: City of Bridges
Constantine is one of the most dramatic city settings in North Africa. It sits on a rocky plateau high above a deep gorge, with six bridges spanning the void and the Rhumel river running far below. I came for the views and stayed for the old town, the food, and the hammam. Here is what I did.
Walk the Sidi M’Cid Suspension Bridge
The most famous bridge is the Sidi M’Cid, a slender suspension bridge that leaps across the gorge. I stopped halfway and looked straight down at the river threading through the canyon a hundred meters below. The far side has viewpoints over the cliffs and the old town clinging to the edge. It is free, heart stopping, and the single best view in the city.
See the Rhumel Gorge From the Belvedere
Walk the road beneath the cliffs to see the gorge from below. The rock walls rise sheer on either side, and the water rushes along the bottom between bridges overhead. I found a quiet spot and just listened to the river echo. It is the flip side of the famous views, and it makes you appreciate the engineering of the bridges even more.
Wander the Old Town of the Casbah
The historic centre sits on the plateau, a maze of narrow streets, old houses, workshops and small mosques. I can take you an hour to walk three blocks, because every corner holds something. This is the authentic heart of Constantine. Be ready for steep stairways and strong coffee stops along the way.
Visit the Ahmed Bey Palace
This palace from the 1800s is a lavish mansion with a marble courtyard, painted ceilings and over a hundred rooms. I walked through the quiet inner garden and rooms of tile and carved wood. It tells the story of a ruler who wanted to rival the great palaces of the region, and it succeeds remarkably.
Admire the Emir Abd el Kader Mosque
One of the largest mosques in Algeria, it dominates the city and its two minarets rise a hundred meters. Non Muslim visitors are not typically admitted inside, but the exterior alone is extraordinary. I walked around the grounds as the call to prayer echoed off the gorge and felt the city’s spiritual weight. A guide can tell you more about its architecture and scale.
Cross the Old Stone Bridge to the Ruin Park
The Old Stone Bridge, a Roman descendant of a crossing that has stood here for centuries, connects the plateau to a small park across the water. I crossed on foot and walked the green lanes and viewpoints. It is the place Constantine residents head to on weekends, and it offers a quieter look back at the city across the chasm.
Follow the Winding Rhumel Road by Car
Winding along the gorge down into the valley, this road is a bucket list drive in itself. I sat in the passenger seat as the canyon walls slipped past and the bridges came into view one by one. It gives you the full scale of the terrain that makes Constantine impossible for an army to have ever taken easily.
Take the Cable Car Across the City
A cable car glides over the gorge, lifting you from the lower neighborhoods up to the plateau. I rode it for the sheer joy of seeing the city from the air, with the bridges below and the white buildings stacked on the rock. It is cheap, practical, and the best four minutes of the city.
Buy Copperware in the Souk
The workshops of Constantine are known across North Africa for their hammered copper and brass. I wandered the markets where craftsmen beat out trays, teapots and lanterns by hand. Watching them work is as good as the buying. Pick up a small teapot as a keepsake and it will make you think of this city every time you use it.
Try Gateaux and Strong Coffee
Sit in one of the old cafes in the Casbah and order a pastis of coffee with a tray of North African sweets. The pastries here are a full meal of honey, almonds and semolina. It is the classic way to spend an hour. Move slowly, because the combination of sweets and strong coffee demands it.
Take a Day Trip to Tiddis
About thirty kilometres north, the ruins of the Roman town of Tiddis sit in the surrounding hills, built on terraces. I walked among the arches, inscriptions and traces of streets with almost no other visitors. It is a wonderful contrast to the busy city, and the drive there is beautiful.
Plan With Heat and Stairs in Mind
Constantine insists on stairs, and summer is fierce. I traveled in the milder shoulder season and still worked up a sweat on the old town climbs. Carry water, wear good shoes, and do the big outdoor walks in the morning. The reward is one of the most cinematic cities in the world.
Constantine takes a little effort, but that is exactly why it rewarded me so much. Walk the bridges, get lost in the Casbah, and stare at that gorge until you accept that humans actually built across it. You will leave with your camera full and your legs tired, in the best possible way.
