City guide
Visiting Algiers in 2026: Casbah, Notre-Dame d'Afrique & Getting Around
Things to do in Algiers: the UNESCO Casbah, Notre-Dame d'Afrique, Maqam Echahid and the Jardin d'Essai — plus how to get around the Algerian capital and from the airport.
Algiers — "Algiers the White" — rises in a white amphitheatre above a Mediterranean bay. The capital of a continent-sized country blends a UNESCO-listed Ottoman medina, colonial architecture, modern monuments and a reviving waterfront. Here's what to see for visiting Algiers in 2026, and how to get around.
The essentials
The Casbah
The historic heart of Algiers, the Casbah has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. Its stepped alleys, Ottoman palaces (Dar Aziza, Dar Mustapha Pacha) and small squares are best explored on foot, ideally in the morning and with a local guide.
Notre-Dame d'Afrique
This 19th-century basilica overlooks the sea from the Z'ghara district. Beyond the building itself, people come for the panorama over the whole bay.
Maqam Echahid and the Jardin d'Essai
The Martyrs' Memorial (Maqam Echahid) towers over the city; at its foot, the Jardin d'Essai du Hamma is one of the finest botanical gardens in the Mediterranean — a great place to pause.
The centre and the seafront
The Grande Poste, Martyrs' Square, La Pêcherie and the Sablettes promenade make for a lively centre that's pleasant to walk.
Day trips from Algiers
| Trip | Approx. distance | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Tipaza | 70 km | Seaside Roman ruins (UNESCO) |
| Blida & Chréa | 50 km | Mountains and cedars |
| Cherchell | 90 km | Museum and ancient remains |
Getting around the capital
Algiers has a metro, a tram and several cable cars that are very handy for the centre and the heights. To explore the surroundings (Tipaza, the west coast, Blida) freely, a rental car is the most flexible option. From the airport, allow 25 to 45 minutes to the centre — see our guide to car rental at Algiers airport.
Ready to explore? Compare models and book on our car rental in Algiers page, or find our pickup points.
Frequently asked questions
What can you do in Algiers in one day?
Start with the Casbah in the morning, walk down to the Martyrs' Square and the seafront, have fish lunch at La Pêcherie, then head up to Notre-Dame d'Afrique for the view, and finish at Maqam Echahid and the Jardin d'Essai in the late afternoon.
How do you get around Algiers?
Algiers has a metro, a tram and several cable cars that are handy for the centre. To reach Tipaza, Blida or the coast, a rental car is the most flexible option; parking is easier outside rush hour.
How far is Algiers airport from the city centre?
Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG) is in Dar El Beïda, about 20 km east of the centre. Allow 25 to 45 minutes by car on the East-West Highway (A1), depending on traffic.
Is Algiers safe for tourists?
Algiers is generally safe for visitors; take the usual big-city precautions with valuables in crowds. The main tourist sites are busy and well served.
Written by
The Best Cars team
The editorial team at Best Cars, a car rental agency based at Algiers airport (Houari Boumediene), in Dar El Beïda.
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