Algiers

Overlooking the cobalt waters of the Mediterranean, Algiers is one of North Africa’s most captivating capitals. Set across hills above a sweeping Mediterranean harbour, it has long been known as Alger la Blanche (Algiers the White) and offers a compelling blend of Ottoman heritage, French colonial elegance and modern Algerian identity. Founded by Phoenician traders and later transformed into a formidable Ottoman corsair stronghold, the city wears its many pasts openly, with each era leaving its mark on the urban fabric.
At the heart of the historic centre lies the UNESCO-listed Casbah, a steep maze of narrow lanes, hidden courtyard houses, and Ottoman palaces best understood (and navigated) with a local guide.

Within its weather-beaten walls lie elegant Ottoman palaces, centuries-old mosques and traditional residences that recall the city’s days as a flourishing corsair port. Among its architectural treasures are the beautifully restored Dar Mustapha Pacha and the imposing Ketchaoua Mosque, while viewpoints throughout the Casbah reveal sweeping panoramas across the Bay of Algiers.

Descending towards the sea, the city gives way to the wide boulevards and graceful apartment buildings of the French colonial era. Here, grand Haussmann-style facades with wrought-iron balconies, tall sash windows, and sculpted stone mirror the elegance of Paris, yet are distinctively adapted to their North African setting.

Beyond the city centre, Algiers has plenty to discover, and its more recent history can be explored at the Martyrs’ Memorial. Standing tall over the city and known locally as Maqam Echahid, the iconic landmark commemorates those who died in the country’s fight for freedom. A fascinating museum beneath the monument explores Algeria’s history of independence.

Nearby, the Jardin d’Essai du Hamma, one of the world’s finest botanical gardens, provides a sanctuary amid towering palms and exotic plants, while to the east of Algiers, the spectacular hilltop Basilica of Notre Dame d’Afrique commands magnificent views across the Mediterranean.

Algiers is also home to several excellent museums. For a deeper understanding of Algeria’s rich history, visit the Bardo National Museum of Prehistory & Ethnography and the adjacent National Museum of Antiquities & Islamic Arts.

Whether explored on its own or as a gateway to the country’s Roman ruins, Algiers offers visitors an engaging introduction to a country that remains one of the region’s most rewarding and least-explored destinations.