Explore the Roman ruins of Timgad
A remarkably well-preserved Roman colonial city, sometimes called the 'Pompeii of Africa,' with its original street grid and buildings still largely intact.
diskover·us
Home › Destinations › North Africa › Algeria
North Africa
Things to do in Algeria
Africa's largest country by area, holding some of the best-preserved Roman ruins outside Italy and a swath of the Sahara Desert with rock art dating back thousands of years.
Explore Algeria on the map →Budget$
Best for9-11 days
CapitalAlgiers
VisaE-visa or visa required in advance for most nationalities including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders, typically arranged through a registered tour operator for Saharan itineraries.
CurrencyAlgerian dinar (DZD)
LanguagesArabic and Tamazight (both official); French widely spoken
InternetGood in the north, more limited in the Sahara
Typical lodging$15–$40/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage230V / 50Hz (Type C/F plug)
Time zoneUTC+1
Emergency number17 (police) / 14 (ambulance)
Dialing code+213
★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Adventure★★★★★ Photography
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled water only. Small tips are expected for many everyday services.
Algeria is the largest country in Africa by land area, and its Roman ruins at Timgad and Djémila are considered among the best-preserved anywhere outside Italy, having been gradually buried and protected by desert sand for centuries before their rediscovery. The Tassili n'Ajjer plateau in Algeria's far south holds one of the largest collections of prehistoric rock art in the world, with thousands of paintings and engravings dating back roughly 10,000 years, documenting a Sahara that was once green and teeming with wildlife.
When to go
SpringMarch–May
Mild and comfortable across the north, a strong window for the Roman ruins and coastal cities before summer heat.
SummerJune–August
Hot along the coast and extremely hot in the Sahara, though the desert's cooler nights suit overnight camping trips.
AutumnSeptember–November
Comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds, widely considered a strong overall window for both the north and Sahara.
WinterDecember–February
Mild on the coast but cold, sometimes near-freezing at night in the Sahara, with clear skies excellent for stargazing.
20 things to do
▾
Culture & history
12Visit the ancient rock art of Tassili n'Ajjer
A UNESCO World Heritage plateau holding thousands of prehistoric paintings and engravings dating back roughly 10,000 years, documenting a once-green Sahara.
Explore the Roman ruins of Djémila
A UNESCO World Heritage Roman city built into dramatic mountain terrain, notable for its unusually irregular, terrain-adapted layout.
Wander the Casbah of Algiers
A UNESCO World Heritage old town of narrow winding streets and Ottoman-era architecture overlooking the Mediterranean, central to Algeria's independence history.
Visit the Roman ruins of Tipasa on the Mediterranean coast
A UNESCO World Heritage coastal Roman site combining ancient ruins with sweeping Mediterranean views, distinct from Algeria's inland Roman cities.
Explore Algiers' Notre-Dame d'Afrique basilica
A striking hilltop basilica overlooking the Bay of Algiers, reflecting the city's layered colonial-era architectural history.
Visit the M'Zab Valley's fortified desert towns
A UNESCO World Heritage cluster of five fortified hilltop towns built by the Mozabite people, showcasing distinctive traditional desert architecture.
Explore the Kabylie Mountains' Berber villages
A mountainous region east of Algiers home to Algeria's Kabyle Berber population, maintaining distinct language and cultural traditions.
Visit the Bardo National Museum in Algiers
Algeria's museum of prehistory and ethnography, offering context on the country's ancient rock art and Indigenous Berber heritage.
Explore the Aurès Mountains' Chaoui Berber culture
A mountainous eastern region home to the Chaoui Berber people, with dramatic canyon scenery and traditional villages.
Visit the ancient port city ruins of Hippo Regius
The former home of Saint Augustine, with substantial Roman ruins near the modern city of Annaba on Algeria's northeastern coast.
Visit a traditional oasis town in the Sahara
Desert oasis settlements like Timimoun showcase distinctive red mudbrick architecture and centuries-old irrigation systems (foggaras) still in use today.
▾
Adventure & outdoors
2Camp overnight in the Sahara near the Hoggar Mountains
A dramatic volcanic mountain range rising from the desert in Algeria's deep south, offering some of the most striking Saharan scenery in Africa.
Trek among the sand dunes of the Grand Erg Oriental
One of the Sahara's great sand seas, with towering dunes offering classic desert scenery and traditional camel trekking routes.
▾
Food & drink
4Eat Algerian couscous with lamb and vegetables
A dish with deep North African roots, considered a genuine national staple and often the centerpiece of Algerian family gatherings.
Try Algerian chorba, a traditional soup
A tomato-based soup often eaten to break the Ramadan fast, reflecting Algeria's broader North African culinary traditions.
Try Algerian mechoui, whole roasted lamb
A traditional method of slow-roasting whole lamb, prepared for celebrations and considered a genuine centerpiece of Algerian hospitality.
Try Algerian mint tea, a genuine daily ritual
Sweetened green tea with fresh mint, served throughout the day as a central part of Algerian hospitality and social life.
▾
Nature & scenery
1Stargaze in the Sahara near Djanet
Minimal light pollution and clear desert skies make the far southern Sahara one of the best stargazing locations in North Africa.
▾
Photography
1Explore Constantine, the 'City of Bridges'
A dramatic city built across a deep gorge, connected by a series of striking suspension bridges offering some of Algeria's most photographed urban views.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Algeria?
Most nationalities, including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens, need a visa or e-visa arranged in advance, typically through a registered tour operator for Saharan itineraries.
▾Is Algeria safe for tourists?
The northern Roman-ruin circuit and major cities see regular, generally safe tourism; the far south and border regions require organized tours with proper permits, and it's worth checking current advisories closely before finalizing an itinerary.
▾How significant are Algeria's Roman ruins?
Timgad and Djémila are considered among the best-preserved Roman sites anywhere outside Italy, having been protected by desert sand for centuries, offering an unusually complete picture of Roman provincial life.
▾How many days does Algeria need?
9-11 days lets you combine the northern Roman ruins and coastal cities with a Sahara excursion, though a proper Tassili n'Ajjer trip typically requires additional time and specialized logistics.
▾Why is the Tassili n'Ajjer rock art significant?
It holds one of the largest collections of prehistoric rock art in the world, with paintings dating back roughly 10,000 years documenting a Sahara that was once green and home to abundant wildlife.
▾How much does it cost to visit the Sahara and Tassili n'Ajjer?
Foreign visitors need a permit and mandatory guide to enter the Tassili n'Ajjer rock-art region, typically arranged as part of a multi-day desert tour running several hundred dollars rather than a simple entrance ticket. Algeria's desert regions require advance planning through a licensed operator rather than independent access.
