ALGIERS THE WHITE — From the Ottoman Casbah to the Roman Shores of Tipaza
Between the Ottoman alleyways of the Casbah and the Roman columns of Tipaza, Algiers reveals its Mediterranean layers.
Duration
7 days
From
€670/pers.
Ideal seasons
Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Couple, Solo, senior, With friends
The spirit of travel
Algiers, which its inhabitants call El Bahja the Joyful, is one of the most complex and fascinating cities in the Mediterranean basin. Founded in the 10th century on the ruins of the ancient Roman Icosium, shaped by the Ottomans, marked by France, reclaimed by Algeria, it carries within it all the layers of the Mediterranean. The Casbah, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the most intense historic quarters of North Africa: a labyrinth of alleyways, patio palaces, mosques and artisan workshops clinging to the hillside overlooking the sea.
This seven-day itinerary does not confine itself to Algiers. It escapes towards Tipaza, one of the most spectacular Roman sites in the world, where 1st-century ruins stand directly facing the Mediterranean. Albert Camus devoted some of his most beautiful pages to it. Cherchell, the ancient Caesarea, capital of the Mauretanian kingdom, houses an archaeological museum of underestimated richness. The Chiffa Gorges, fifty kilometres to the south, reveal unexpected nature: rushing water, limestone cliffs and Barbary macaques roaming free.
A journey with multiple faces: Ottoman and contemporary Algiers, Roman Algeria facing the sea, the nature of the Blida Atlas. Three registers for one and the same region, between sea and mountain, between Antiquity and the 21st century.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
International Flight › Algiers - El Bahja, the Joyful
Paris Aéroport → Alger
Algiers announces itself from the porthole as a city perched on a hillside, all white against the blue of the Mediterranean. Arrival at Houari Boumediene airport is already a promise.
Welcome and assistance with formalities. Transfer to the hotel in the city center, check-in. The arrival day is intentionally light: a first free stroll along the Seafront Boulevard, the Grand Post Office and Audin Square allow you to get a feel for this dense, lively, timeless city. Algiers doesn't reveal itself at first glance, it has to be earned.
Free dinner in one of the downtown restaurants. Algerian cuisine is refined and generous: chorba, dolmas, fish from the port, oriental pastries in the evening in the cafés on Didouche Mourad Street.
The Ottoman Casbah - Heart and Memory of Algiers
The Casbah has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. It is above all one of the most intense medinas in North Africa: a labyrinth of stepped alleyways, houses with interior courtyards, mosques and Ottoman palaces clinging to the hillside overlooking the sea.
The morning opens with the Citadel the Palace of the Dey, Dar El Soltane before diving into the alleyways where Gillo Pontecorvo's film The Battle of Algiers was shot. You pass by the Dey's mosque, the Janissaries' club, the workshops of ceramic and cabinet-making artisans, the market of the Mosque of the Jews, the fountain of Sidi Mohammed Cherif. The Ali la Pointe Museum and the Mustapha Bacha Museum complete the visit. The walk through the Casbah lasts 3 to 4 hours, a pace that respects the depth of the place.
Lunch in a traditional meal (couscous, rechta, pastilla...) at a guesthouse table in the Casbah, in a patio with glazed tiles, far from the noise of the modern city.
The afternoon descends towards the sea: visit to the Palace of the Raïs (Bastion 23), the only witness to the extension of the Casbah to the shoreline, today a cultural center for the arts. You then go back up to the Basilica of Notre-Dame d'Afrique, perched above the gulf, where the sunset over Algiers Bay is, on certain evenings, of absolute beauty.
Algiers Cultural & Unusual - Bardo, Fine Arts and Hamma
A day devoted to Algiers' museums, gardens and shopping streets, a lesser-known city, quieter, yet equally fascinating.
The morning begins with the Bardo National Museum, housed in an 18th-century Moorish villa built by a wealthy Tunisian exile on the heights of Algiers. It now houses a remarkable collection of African ethnography and Saharan prehistory: unique pieces, Berber jewellery, prehistoric tools from Tassili.
Descent to the city centre: visit to the National Museum of Fine Arts in Algiers, one of the richest in Africa, orientalist paintings, European sculptures, contemporary Algerian art. Free lunch in the district.
The afternoon is dedicated to the Hamma Test Garden, one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the Maghreb, created in 1832, lined with century-old palm trees, bamboo groves, collections of tropical species. We finish with Didouche Mourad Street and its bookshops, craft shops and cafés: an unusual Algiers, that of students and intellectuals.
Tipaza & Cherchell - Roman Algerie facing the sea
The big day of the trip. Early departure towards the west, 70 kilometers of Mediterranean coastline before reaching Tipaza, one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in North Africa.
Tipaza is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Roman ruins from the 1st century extend directly along the seafront—basilicas, theatre, necropolis, thermal baths—in a landscape where ancient stone mingles with wildflowers and the blue of the Mediterranean. Albert Camus, who came here to find solace, wrote memorable pages about this place. The adjacent archaeological museum preserves mosaics, statues and epitaphs. A few kilometers away, the Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania the tomb of Cleopatra Selene and Juba II stands alone in the plain, massive and mysterious.
Lunch on site, facing the sea.
In the afternoon, drive towards Cherchell, the ancient Caesarea, capital of the Mauretanian kingdom. Its archaeological museum is of exceptional richness: polychrome mosaics, bronzes, Roman portraits, numismatic collection. One of the most underestimated museums in Algérie.
Hotel check-in in Tipaza in late afternoon. Evening facing the sea, sunset over the ruins, dinner in the town
Coastal Return - Sidi Fredj & the West Corniche
Return to Algiers along the West coast, a seaside road that offers a succession of coves, beaches and small harbors.
Stop at Sidi Fredj, a seaside resort and well-maintained marina pleasure port, pleasant promenade. Passage through Staoueli and its agricultural plain, then Zéralda and its wild beaches.
Lunch by the sea.
Arrival in Algiers in early afternoon.
Free time: shopping on Didouche Mourad street, Lyre market for spices and crafts, cafés in the city center.
Algiers, in late afternoon, has a particular energy the terraces fill up, the city buzzes.
Gorges of Chiffa & Atlas blideen - Nature at the Gates of Algérie
Fifty kilometers south of Algiers, the Chiffa Gorges open onto an unexpected Algérie: wooded mountains, rushing water, cork oak forests and wild Barbary macaques. A complete break from the previous urban days, welcome before departure.
The gorge road runs along the Chiffa wadi for several kilometers between limestone cliffs. The Barbary macaques, the only wild primates in North Africa, are present in large numbers and approach visitors without fear. Waterfalls, picnics by the water, mountain air.
Stop in Blida, nicknamed the Rose for its orange groves and gardens. A garrison town under the Ottomans, a large agricultural city today, Blida has a quiet charm: its covered market, its orange blossoms in spring, its central mosque.
Return to Algiers in late afternoon. Last evening in the capital: dinner at a restaurant, nighttime stroll along the lit seafront, view of the illuminated harbor.
Algiers › Return flight
Breakfast at the hotel. Free time according to your flight schedule, last stroll through the neighborhood, coffee on the terrace, last-minute shopping at the craft market.
Alger → Paris Aéroport
Transfer to Houari Boumediene International Airport. Assistance with departure formalities. In your luggage: a few pieces of ceramics from the Casbah, argan oil, spices from the Lyre market — and the memory of a city like no other.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International flights France - Algiers - France
- Consular visa fees
- Personal expenses and unscheduled visits to the program
- Cancellation, repatriation and first aid insurance
- The costs incurred by an extended stay outside the planned itinerary
Included
- English-speaking accompaniment throughout your stay
- The vehicle with driver for all transfers and visits
- 6 nights in a 3-star hotel in a double room, breakfast included
- Assistance with procedures and documents for visa obtaining
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and Canada traveling to Algeria for a tourist stay. As entry rules may change, we recommend verifying this information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Algeria, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your date of entry into the country and have at least one blank page for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).
Visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and Canada must be in possession of a valid visa to enter Algeria for a tourist stay. There is no visa exemption for these nationalities.
The visa must be obtained before departure, from the Algerian embassy or consulate responsible for your country of residence. It is recommended to apply several weeks in advance, as processing times may vary.
Documents generally required for a visa application include:
a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity,
a completed and signed visa application form,
recent passport-sized photos complying with required standards,
a return flight ticket or booking,
proof of accommodation (hotel reservation or invitation),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay.
The authorized length of stay is generally 30 days, depending on the conditions mentioned on the visa issued.
Travel with children
Minors must be holders of their own valid passport covering the duration of their stay.
In some European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to exit the territory may be required according to the regulations of their country of residence.
Health
No vaccination is officially required to enter Algeria for nationals of the EEA, Switzerland, and Canada. However, it is recommended to consult a doctor or vaccination center before departure and to ensure that basic vaccinations are up to date (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A).
It is also advisable to take out international health insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation for the entire duration of your stay.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should inquire at the Algerian embassy or consulate of their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly advised to have assistance-repatriation and foreign medical expenses insurance.
Your local agency encourages you to familiarize yourself with the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that best suits you:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complementary Credit Card
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claims declaration procedures are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of this, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the claims declaration procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
A tourist visa is required and must be requested from the consulate (consular fees apply, processing time 2-3 weeks). An invitation letter or accommodation certificate is required. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned entry date. Conditions can be stringent. We strongly recommend verifying the rules applicable to your nationality with the Algerian consular authorities before booking your trip.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, budget between 140 and 240 euros per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transfers and English-speaking guide. International flights (350-700 euros return) are additional. The Algerian Sahara (Tassili, Hoggar) requires a specific budget.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to match your travel profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our local English-speaking guides know how to captivate children with age-appropriate stories and anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You refine every detail together until you have the perfect version. You confirm and set off with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST guarantee (Professional Association of Tourism Solidarity) which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on site throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Algiers Central Coast
Pioneer of Algeria's great deserts, based in Ghardaïa / M'zab (puis Alger à partir de 2006)
The desert is not crossed with an itinerary alone. It demands listening, respect, and a certain inner availability.
— Sylvain
