What to see in Algeria: 10 must-sees

Walk the 80,000 km² of Saharan landscape at Tassili n'Ajjer, near Djanet, where more than 15,000 Neolithic petroglyphs tell of a green Africa from 10,000 years ago. Cross petrified forests and sandstone walls the wind carved into true cathedrals of stone. The Tuareg know this massif as the 'Garden of the Horsemen,' a name that comes to life at sunset among its arches and canyons. You can explore it on foot with local guides, watch birds, and read in the rock scenes of herds, dances, and hunters etched by those who lived here when rain still fell on the Sahara.

Explore the best-preserved Roman ruins in North Africa, where the forum, the Temple of Gens Augusta, and a 4th-century Christian basilica stand together on a hilltop 900 meters above sea level. Admire the mosaics of the House of Venus and the House of the Gladiators, and walk the cardo streets that once linked temples, baths, and theaters. Explore the archaeological site where ruins, artifacts, and history tell of civilizations that flourished millennia ago. Walk among the stones, admire the remains, and discover the past.

Wander the white-and-blue alleyways of the Casbah, the walled 16th-century citadel crowning Algeria's capital. Step into Ottoman palaces with marble courtyards, descend the covered stairways to the sea, and stop by the Ketchaoua Mosque, rebuilt in 1612 between the medina and the bay. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site as an exceptional testament to a vanished civilization, and every corner still proves it.

Discover the five walled Ibadi cities of the 10th century that rise like ochre-colored oases above the Sahara desert. Climb up to Ghardaïa's zokal, the main square, to take in the colorful terraced houses, visit the Beni Isguen market, and admire the architecture that has kept the Ibadi tradition alive for a thousand years. Explore a region where landscapes, culture, and traditions create a mosaic of experiences. Wander its villages, taste its cuisine, and immerse yourself in local life.

Climb Mount Tahat, at 2,908 meters the highest peak in Algeria, amid 11th-century volcanic basalts that form spires and gorges. Camp under a clear sky, where the stars of the Sahara shine with a clarity rarely found in other deserts, and visit the Tuareg villages near Tamanrasset, where the nomadic tradition lives on: leather tents, tea served three times, and caravan routes. Follow trails through the gorges, watch the wildlife and flora adapted to the altitude, and breathe the dry air above two thousand meters.

Step inside the third-largest mosque in the world, inaugurated in 2019 with a 265-meter minaret that overlooks the Bay of Algiers. Walk beneath its white marble domes, admire the zellige mosaics and the courtyard garden with orange trees, and head up to the minaret's observatory for 360° views over the Mediterranean. Visit this sacred place of worship, where spirituality, architecture, and history create a space of peace and reflection. Admire the architectural details and feel a connection with the transcendent.

Discover the white-sand coves and turquoise waters of the Bejaïa coast, in the Kabylia region, where the Djurdjura massif plunges to the sea in cliffs. Swim at Soummam beach, snorkel among the sea caves of Gouraya, and stroll along the shore at sunset. End the day with fresh fish at a beach bar perched on the rocks, with the sound of the waves in the background.

Explore the 8,000 works of Algeria's most important museum, founded in 1897, where Roman sculptures from Tipaza share space with contemporary Algerian painting. Admire the Islamic art section with ceramics from the Mzab, the bronzes of Djémila, and the Tuareg art collection that tells the story of the Sahara in color. Tour the museum where artifacts, exhibits, and history create a journey through time. Discover unique collections, learn about local culture, and broaden your knowledge.