Algiers Traveler Essentials
- Safety rating
- 5.8/10
- Best time to visit
- Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer warm, pleasant days ideal for exploring before the summer heat and humidity peak.
- Population
- 3.5M
Overview
Algeria's whitewashed Mediterranean capital tumbles down hillsides toward a sweeping bay, its French colonial boulevards meeting the labyrinthine Ottoman casbah above. Grand monuments, lively cafés and the towering Maqam Echahid monument give 'Algiers the White' a confident, layered character.
Getting around
A modern metro line, tramway and frequent buses serve the city, while metered yellow taxis and shared cabs fill the gaps.
Local etiquette
Dress modestly, especially away from the seafront, and always ask permission before photographing people or military sites.
Safety
Central districts and the seafront are generally safe by day, but stay alert for pickpockets in crowded medina lanes and avoid wandering the casbah alone after dark.