Things to Do in Algiers (Algeria)
I came to Algiers expecting a chaotic, impersonal capital, and instead found a city that rewards travellers who are willing to wander slowly. The White City climbs the hills above the Bay of Algiers in North Africa, with Ottoman, French, and Berber layers stacked like chapters of a long and complicated history. This guide collects the things I would do again, here in the order I would do them, along with the practical notes that saved me time.
Walk the Kasbah before it gets busy
The Kasbah of Algiers is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a dense tangle of narrow lanes pressed against the waterfront slope of the old city. It was the place I spent the longest on. On quiet mornings the alleyways belong to residents, stray cats, and the smell of fresh bread. I worked my way uphill past carved wooden doors, washing lines strung between balconies, and the occasional square where kids kicked a football.
Be honest with yourself about your comfort level here. The Kasbah is a lived-in neighbourhood, not a theme park, and parts of it are poor and crumbling. Joining a local guide for the first hour was the best decision I made. It kept me from walking in circles and let me understand what I was looking at. Keep your bag close and carry small change.
Step inside the Ottoman palaces
Hidden among the lanes are the palaces of the Ottoman period, when Algiers ruled as the Regency of Algiers and the city was a major Mediterranean power. The Palais des Raïs on the waterfront is the most visitor friendly, a cluster of restored houses that survived the bombs of the colonial period, now a museum with tiled courtyards facing the sea. I lingered there for a calm morning, and the sea breeze alone was worth the visit.
Do not miss Dar Hassan Pacha either, a grand mansion that once served as the residence of the dey. The courtyard and interior ornament are stunning, though it opens on limited hours, so check before you go. Each palace has its own mood, but the horseshoe arches and subtle tilework connected the dots for me about why this city mattered so long.
Visit Ketchaoua Mosque
At the foot of the Kasbah stands Ketchaoua Mosque, a striking building that captures Algiers in miniature. Its minaret and tiered facade blend Ottoman and Moorish styles, and the interior is calm and cool when the summer heat is at its worst. It was converted to a cathedral during the French colonial period and returned to a mosque after independence, which gives it a history as layered as the city itself.
You should dress modestly and remove your shoes at the entrance. Even from the doorway, the atmosphere is peaceful. Even from the doorway, the atmosphere is peaceful and the carving is well worth a look.
Look out over the bay from Notre-Dame d’Afrique
Perched on the cliffs to the north is the basilica of Notre-Dame d’Afrique, a handsome church with a rooftop statue of the Virgin Mary turned to face the sea. It was finished in the 1800s with a mix of styles that somehow works. I took the short bus and a final climb to reach it, and the reward was a sweeping view of the whole bay and the white city spilling down to the water.
The interior is covered in colourful mosaics, and a quiet settles over the place. It is one of those viewpoints that makes a city make sense, and I stayed longer than I planned.
Take in the view from the Martyrs Memorial
On the heights above the city centre stands the Matama Echahid, the Martyrs Memorial, a towering concrete monument built to honour the war of independence. It looks like three stylised palm fronds rising into the sky, and it is visible from almost everywhere. You can ride up and look down over the entire capital, the port, and the sea beyond.
The monument itself is powerful, and the views from the surrounding terrace are the best in the city for orientation. I found it a good place to end a day, standing there in the late light as the city below began to light up.
Spend a slow afternoon in the Jardin d’Essai
For a green escape, head to the Jardin d’Essai du Hamma, a grand botanical garden laid out in the 1800s by the French. It is formally planted, with grand avenues of trees, hothouses of tropical plants, and shaded benches that invite you to sit and do nothing for a while. After a lot of walking and city noise, it was exactly the reset I needed.
The scale is larger than it seems from the entrance. Sit by the fountains and watch families enjoy the green space.
Stroll the seafront and the Grande Poste
The city centre has its own charm, and my favourite easy going was the wide seaside boulevard that runs along the water. Locals jog, walk, and chat here in the evening, especially on a Friday or a Sunday, and it is a simple, pleasant way to feel the rhythm of the city. From there it is a short walk inland to the Grande Poste, the old central post office, an ornate marble building with a beautiful clock and grand halls.
The Grand Post Office now hosts events and exhibitions, and its facade is one of the most photographed spots in Algiers. If you want a quieter, local meal after your sightseeing, the side streets off the boulevard are full of family restaurants serving couscous, mechoui, and fresh seafood. Sit with tea and enjoy the city the way its people do.
Algiers is not a place you tick off a list; it is a place that slowly gets under your skin. Give it time, keep your expectations open, and let the White City surprise you. I came for one day and wished I had booked three.
