From its sparkling Mediterranean coastline to the dune-filled Sahara Desert, Algeria is a study in contrasts. This off-the-beaten-track North African country is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, the bustling cities of Algiers and Oran, and desert-dwelling indigenous communities such as the Amazigh (or “Berbers”), who number in the millions. But even though it's Africa’s largest country in size, tourism is still scarce and scoring a visa can be tricky. But discovering Algeria and its wealth of things to do is well worth the red tape.
Though Algeria is a year-round destination, spring and fall are the most pleasant weather windows to visit. It’s little wonder that a country mostly covered by desert—90 percent of Algeria’s land mass—suffers scorching and sandstorm-afflicted summers, although the coast gets some relief with its Mediterranean climate. Any runners looking to sprint across the Sahara? The famous Marathon des Dunes takes place each year in the late winter, typically February.
Domestic flights connect the capital of Algiers to major cities such as Constantine and Oran and the off-the-beaten-track Saharan town of Ghardaia. You’ll also find a well-connected grid of long-distance buses and shared taxis, known as louages. Road conditions are generally good, although safety concerns, especially toward the Sahal region, make it inadvisable to rent a car and drive yourself. Boat and train services connect Algeria’s northern coastal cities, and there’s a night train from Oran to Béchar in the south.
Algeria’s sheer size can make it overwhelming to decide which locations to visit. But luckily, one of the country’s UNESCO World Heritage sites is located within most people’s port of arrival: the Kasbah of Algiers. Still home to some 50,000 residents, this Ottoman-era walled neighborhood began as an ancient Phoenician trading post. You can wander its pedestrian alleys and see mansions, mosques, souks, hammams, and other Maghreb landmarks that date back centuries.
