Capital of the second largest country in Africa, Algiers (the ‘White City’) is a startling mix of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences. Although much of the city centre is now modern, deeper exploration, particularly around the labyrinthine Casbah, reveals delightful old neighbourhoods and elaborate Byzantine architecture.

Climate & best time to visit Algeria

Summer temperatures are high throughout the country, particularly in the south where it is both very dry and very hot. During this time, road travel is difficult and air travel prone to delay because of sandstorms. Northern cities have high humidity, while those along the coast are cooled by sea breezes. In the winter, the oases of the far south are pleasant and attract many visitors.

Telephone/Mobile Telephone

Dialing code: +213

Telephone

With the advent of mobile phones, the use of landlines (which were never highly used anyway) is in steep decline. Taxiphones (a sort of metered phone booth) are available to make calls from, but mobiles are used as the primary means of communication.

Mobile Telephone

Mobile phone usage across the country has increased greatly, with the main mobile networks giving good coverage across the country. To take advantage of local rates, buy a cheap foreign SIM card for use in your existing phone.

Key Areas

Algiers’ street markets are great for soaking up the atmosphere, including one that runs between the Grande Poste and rue Didouche Mourad, which specialises in souvenirs and handicrafts. This old street is the city’s commercial hub, and is lined with shops selling jewellery, carpets and other specialist items.

Markets

Souks are dotted all over the city, but perhaps the best and largest is near Mosque Ketchaoua in the Lower Casbah district. There’s also a wonderful local food market off the Jardin de Prague in Bab el Oued, though this area can be dangerous, so it’s better to go with a local guide.

Social Conventions

Courtesy should be adopted with new acquaintances. The provision and acceptance of hospitality are as important a part of Algerian culture as elsewhere in the Arab world. In the main cities, the urban population lives at a frantic pace much akin to European urban dwellers, but in the south and in rural areas people are much more open and friendly. Algerian women are expected to dress modestly in rural areas but this is not necessary in Algiers.

Food & Drink

Mains water is normally chlorinated and, whilst relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns is likely to be contaminated and sterilisation is considered essential. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Powdered or tinned milk is advised. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat, but be careful when eating things like raw dishes like salads and fruits, where ingredients may have been rinsed in tap water. Likewise, avoid drinks with ice in them.

IATA Travel Centre

The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.

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