Oran
Algeria
- Safety rating
- 6/10
- Best time to visit
- Late spring and early autumn bring warm sea breezes and comfortable temperatures perfect for strolling the coast.
- Population
- 1.5M
Overview
Algeria's free-spirited second city is the birthplace of raï music and pulses with a Mediterranean joie de vivre. Spanish and French legacies linger in its forts and squares, while the seafront promenade and the hilltop Santa Cruz fortress command sweeping coastal views.
Top attractions
Visit the Santa Cruz fort and chapel, the ornate Great Synagogue turned mosque, Place du 1er Novembre and the lively old quarter.
Getting around
A tramway crosses the city, supplemented by buses and inexpensive taxis; the walkable center is best explored on foot.