Beyond Algiers

Beyond Algiers, northern Algeria offers a striking variety of landscapes and historical sites, from Roman cities and Mediterranean ports to forested mountains and remote medieval ruins. West of the capital, the coast is dotted with reminders of Algeria’s ancient past, while eastwards, mountainous landscapes, deep valleys and winding roads reveal some of the country’s most impressive scenery.

West of Algiers lies Tipasa, one of Algeria’s most impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Set among pine forests overlooking the Mediterranean, its picturesque Roman ruins include temples, baths, an amphitheatre and an early Christian basilica. A short distance away, the Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania is an imposing circular monument dating from the 1st century BC. It is a reminder of the ancient Numidian and Mauretanian kingdoms that flourished long before the Roman conquest.

A short distance further along the coast, Cherchell occupies the site of Caesarea, once the capital of the Kingdom of Mauretania under King Juba II. Although many of its Roman remains now lie beneath the modern town, impressive mosaics, sculptures and antiquities displayed in the archaeological museum give a sense of the city’s former grandeur.

East of Algiers, the mountains of Kabylie offer a striking contrast to the Mediterranean coast. The historic homeland of the Kabyle people, an indigenous Berber group, the region is characterised by forests, terraced hillsides and traditional villages.

Further south, in the mountainous region of Jebel Maadid, the UNESCO-listed Qal’at (Fort) of Beni Hammad was Algeria’s first Hammadid capital. Founded in the 11th century, its ruined palaces, mosques and fortifications offer a glimpse into the world of one of medieval North Africa’s most influential Islamic dynasties. Its remote setting adds to the sense of discovery.

Whether exploring Roman port cities on the Mediterranean or venturing into the mountains to discover Kabyle traditions and medieval Algeria, this diverse region offers a chance to see a different side of the country beyond its bustling capital.