A country the size of a continent (the largest in Africa), Algeria is a ‘hidden’ gem, boasting an incredibly rich cultural heritage and a fabulous treasure trove of World Heritage sites. It boasts stunning archaeological sites, as well as a spectacular landscape, ranging from unspoilt coastline and mountain ranges to the fascinating Sahara Desert.

47 million inhabitants – 1,600 kilometres of coastline – 2.4 million km²

Why visit Algeria?

From north to south and east to west, every corner of the country is a museum of thousands of years of history, sometimes dating back to the dawn of humanity, such as the Tassili and the Hoggar.

It also boasts an exceptionally rich and diverse archaeological and cultural heritage, ranging from rock art to the various remains of the civilisations that have lived on Algerian soil, such as the Berbers, Phoenicians and Romans, through the Byzantine, Arab-Muslim, Turkish and French periods. Some of these remains have even been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Algerian culinary culture is a rich and varied blend of Berber, Arab, Ottoman, Andalusian and French influences, with a special place for couscous, an iconic dish listed as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Music in Algeria comprises a vast repertoire characterised by a rich diversity of styles and musical instruments, with roots stretching back over six thousand years. At the TIN KEBRAN archaeological site, north-east of Tamanrasset, there is evidence of the oldest stringed instrument, the ‘al-oud’ or lute; In Djanet, south of Illizi, there is also the oldest example of collective music or group performance, known as ‘Sbibah’,
which dates back to the 13th century BC. There are several styles of music: classical Arab-Andalusian-Algerian, chaâbi, raï (which originated in the Oran region), Kabyle music...
Visa
The process of obtaining a tourist visa for Algeria begins with preparing the required documents to submit with your visa application. These documents are listed on the website of the Algerian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. If you are travelling to Algeria with our travel agency, a letter of invitation can be provided to support your application. Algeria has introduced the option of a visa on arrival, specifically for travel to the southern part of the country or if 70% of your itinerary is in the south, with the aim of attracting more tourists to Algeria as a destination.