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Capital and other cities of Algeria

Turkish Airlines Blog

8 April 2024

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About Algeria

• Algeria is Africa’s largest country by area.
• The capital of Algeria is Algiers.
• The country’s official languages are Arabic and Berber. Unofficial but widely spoken languages include French and Algerian Arabic (Darja).
• The northern part of the country has a Mediterranean climate, while the southern area, which extends into the Sahara Desert, has a correspondingly desert-like climate.
• What is now Algeria was at one time ruled by the Phoenicians; in addition, the area was under the domination of the Roman and Ottoman empires. The country gained its independence from France in 1962.

Where is Algeria?

Algeria is in northern Africa. It has a coastline along the Mediterranean Sea and is bordered by Tunisia, Niger, Libya, Mauritania, Mali, Morocco and Western Sahara.

When to visit Algeria

Because a Mediterranean climate prevails in northern Algeria, the best seasons to visit are spring and autumn; the winter months generally bring heavy rainfall.

Getting to Algeria

Turkish Airlines operates flights to Algeria’s capital, Algiers, as well as the country’s second-largest city, Oran (Vahran), and the city of Constantine. Flights from Türkiye take approximately three and a half hours, with direct flights to Huari Bumedyen Airport, also known as Algiers International Airport, in Algier; connecting flights to Oran’s Ahmed bin Bella Airport and Constantine’s Mohamed Budiaf Airport are also available.

The capital, Algiers, and other popular cities

The province of Algiers includes Algiers, the country’s capital and most populous city. Considered one of Africa’s most important cities, Algiers is a port city on the Mediterranean coast. There are numerous places to discover in this city, which features a vibrant culture along with white buildings and narrow streets redolent of history.

• You can start exploring the Algerian capital from Djamaâ el Kebir. Adjacent to the harbor, the mosque is one of the most elegant examples of Islamic architecture, as well as an important place of worship for residents.
• The Martyrs Memorial, commemorating those who died in the Algerian-French war, is another point that offers some perspective on the city’s heritage.
• Jardin d’essai du Hamma, or the Hamma Garden, spans 58 hectares and contains a rich variety of plants.
• Erected in the 19th century, Notre Dame d’Afrique is a lovely synthesis of Algerian and French architecture, featuring domes, stained glass windows, and blue and white mosaics.
• The National Museum of Fine Arts (Musée National des beaux-arts d’Alger) is one of the largest art museums in Africa and has an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, furniture, decorative art, and coins, from Africa and abroad.
• Near the National Museum of Fine Arts, Villa Abd-el-tif is considered a cultural center in Algiers. The elegant building features a lush garden with a peaceful atmosphere.
• Considered a UNESCO-protected entity, the Kasbah is one of the top places to visit in Algiers. Dating from the 16th-century, the walled old city also houses the Ottoman-era Ketchaoua Mosque.
• Dating from the 1500s, Palais des Rais, an important historical monument in Algiers, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its architecture and historical importance.
• If you want to shop during your trip, Didouche Mourad, in the heart of the city, is considered the city’s most beautiful street. More than a kilometer long, the avenue is lined with elegant buildings, shops, restaurants and cafes. It is easily accessible via public transportation.

A typical Mediterranean setting: Oran (Vahran)

Oran, also known as Vahran, ranks second in terms of size among Algerian cities. Set on the Mediterranean coast, Oran is also a port city with an abundance of touristic spots and cultural richness.

• If you’re an architecture buff, a visit to the Fort of Santa Cruz is in order. Erected by the Spanish in the 16th century, the citadel also offers stunning views of Murdjadjo Mountain.
• The Bey’s Palace, considered a national heritage in Oran, bears Spanish, Ottoman and French influences. Some highlights of the palace include frescoes and the sultan’s throne.
• The Ahmed Zabana National Museum commemorates Ahmed Zabana, a leading figure in Algeria’s fight for independence.
• The Great Synagogue of Oran was the largest synagogue in North Africa. After Algeria gained independence, the majority of its Jewish population emigrated to Spain, and the synagogue was converted into a mosque. Today, the structure serves as the Abdullah Ibn Salam Mosque.
• If you are travelling to Oran in summer, you can visit the area’s lovely golden sand beaches. Oran’s most well-known beaches are El Bahia, Corales and Bousfer.
• 1 November Square, in Oran’s modern La Ville Nouvelle district, is the heart of the city. The monument, set in the square, and the architecturally elegant buildings around it draw great attention, especially from tourists. The reliefs on the monument’s columns depict Abdelkader El-Jazairi, the national hero of Algeria. The splendid City Hall is adjacent to 1 November Square and features two sculptures of majestic lions at the entrance.

Historic city of bridges: Constantine

Constantine, in Algeria’s northeast and the country’s third-largest city, is also known as the “City of Bridges” due to its eight suspension bridges.

• Bab El Kantra Bridge, the symbol of Constantine, is one of the places to visit in Algeria. The oldest of the bridges spanning the Rhumel River, Bab El Kantra reveals architectural influences from the Ottoman and French eras. In addition, the Devil’s Bridge, and the Mallah Suleiman Bridge, Sidi M’Cid Bridge are noteworthy bridges in the city.
• The Ahmed Bey Palace, one of the most beautiful Ottoman monuments in Algeria, is an impressive and well-preserved historical site.
• Other places to visit in Constantine include the Cirta Museum, featuring exhibitions on the history of the city, and the magnificent Constantine Regional Theatre.

A delicious fusion: Dining in Algeria

Blending Arab and Mediterranean cultures with the cultural heritage and traditions of North Africa, Algeria’s cuisine features an abundance of spices, olive oil and vegetables, in addition to various meat and seafood dishes. Some of the country’s signature dishes include the following.

• Tajine (meat stew)
• Shakshuka (an egg dish)
• Brochettes (a type of kebab)
• Couscous (a type of pasta)
• Makroudh (a type of cookie)
• Shorba (a type of soup)
• Mahjouba (a type of pancake)
• Mint tea

Practical information about Algeria

Capital of Algeria: Algiers

Algerian official language: Arabic and Berber

Algerian currency: Algerian dinar (DZD)

We wish you an adventurous journey full of discovery!