Algeria

Once a no-go due to Islamic terrorism, this North African country's full of desert eco, adventure, and history (with eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites), from Algiers' casbah to the ancient kingdom of Numidia. It is, however, at least outside Algiers and second city Oran still considered best for group rather than independent travel.

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Oran and its Raï music

Oguz Dikbakan In the West these days, we rarely if ever spare a thought for North Africa's largest and second-most populous country, but Algeria is an underrated gem, from the history and culture of capital city Algiers to ecotourism to ancient Roman ruins to amazing ecotourism. The world was much more aware of it during the middle decades of the 20th century, though, thanks to the works of Paul Bowles and French Nobel-prize-winning writer Albert Camus (born in Algeria), as well as its brutal…

3 cheers for Algiers!

Wikipedia Quick, what’s Africa’s largest country? If you said Congo, Libya, or South Africa, well, yes, they’re certainly up there, but the answer is Libya’s (plus Morocco’s and Tunisia’s) next-door neighbor Algeria – bigger than Alaska plus California put together, or nearly three times the size of the British Isles. It shares many allures in common with Morocco and Tunisia, but although it has been a major trading partner for Europe (especially in petrol and natural gas), touristically it…

Comments

Vincent Bontoux October 16, 2026 at 12:53pm

I have had some very rewarding meals in Algerian restaurants in Paris as well as in Algiers itself, and found this article to be a very good overview of a very tasty cuisine https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/what-to-eat-and-drink-in-algeria

The best things to eat and drink in Algeria - Lonely Planet

Algeria's traditional dishes include way more than couscous. Here's our pick of the nation's best things to eat and drink.
Giselle Balido June 7, 2026 at 11:19pm

Algeria also made it onto the NY Times´ top destinations for this year - specifically Oran because of its cultural revival: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/travel/places-to-travel-de...

52 Places to Go in 2026

Our list for the new year features an eclipse, a revolution and a tiger reserve. What’s on yours?
Maria de los Angeles December 26, 2025 at 9:12am

An interesting article about how Algeria is finally opening up more in earnest to visitors https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/14/travel/algeria-sahara-desert-tou...

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/14/travel/algeria-sahara-desert-touareg-trek-tassili-n-ajjer?cid=io…
Ed Wetschler December 24, 2025 at 5:45pm

A streamlined visa upon arrival system, more tour operator products, increased protection for its cultural heritage, and infrastructure improvements, among other things, have landed Algeria on the BBC´s list of top travel destinations for the coming year. Bravo! https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20251209-the-20-best-places-to-t...

The 20 best places to travel in 2026

From a Polynesian island ringed by blue lagoons to the heart of Chile's wine country, these are BBC journalists' top destinations this year.
David Paul Appell March 9, 2025 at 11:40am

Over the years, Algeria has been largely eclipsed touristically by its neighbors Morocco and Tunisia. Now they´re apparently making a bid to change that, especially when it comes to cultural tourism https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/algeria-seeks-lure-tourists-ne...

Algeria seeks to lure tourists to neglected cultural, scenic glories

Algeria wants to lure more visitors to the cultural and scenic treasures of Africa's largest country, shedding its status as a tourism backwater and…
Jordan Simon December 28, 2024 at 10:47pm

Along with its fantastic topography, the ancient rock art of Tassili n’Ajjer National Park made National Geographic´s list of 2020´s coolest travel adventures! https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/best-of-the-worl...

20 of the coolest travel adventures for 2024

From a horseback safari in Kenya to river rafting in West Virginia, here’s our ranked list of the top travel experiences right now.
Jorge Carlos Tejada Sobrino December 5, 2024 at 1:10pm

A pretty good overview from Lonely Planet for Algeria newbies: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/first-time-guide-to-algeria

A first time guide to Algeria

The lowdown on this under-explored North African nation.
Jordan Simon May 3, 2023 at 12:01pm

Late last year, National Geographic made the case that Algeria could be Africa's "next great travel destination." What do you think after reading this? https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/is-algeria-next-g...

Is Algeria the next great travel destination in Africa?

Ancient fortified towns, Roman ruins, and Sahara sands make Africa’s largest country an undiscovered tourism giant hiding in plain sight.
Wissam Al Khoury November 6, 2022 at 1:29pm

If you have Netflix and are interested in Algeria, check this out like I did a couple of nights ago. "Hidden Algeria: The Sahara" is a fascinating exploration of the cities, towns, and oases in the country's south: https://www.netflix.com/es-en/title/81471124
José Balido August 20, 2022 at 4:35pm

Just came across a recent video offering a good intro to Algeria, including some great visuals https://youtu.be/Pn8VpNmLhMk