Algiers Activities: Gardens and Coast

October 29, 2026

Travel advice, as of October 2026: the UK FCDO advises against all travel within 30 km of Algeria’s borders with Libya, Mauritania, Mali and Niger, and against travel to parts of the Tunisian border, with all but essential travel advised along the rest of it. It considers terrorist attacks likely, with the highest risk in the south, remote mountains and the Sahara. The land border with Morocco is closed. Algiers and the Mediterranean coast are outside these zones. Check FCDO advice for Algeria and travel.state.gov before booking. Sahara trips should go through an accredited agency only.

Algiers is a steep white city built around a bay, and most of its best activities are gardens, viewpoints, old palaces and the seafront. Money is in Algerian dinars (DZD) and the economy runs on cash. Foreign cards are accepted in few places, so bring euros or dollars in clean notes. The official rate is about 150 DZD per euro, while the informal market quotes about 275. Changing money outside a bank is unofficial and risky, so plan your cash around the official rate. Declare any cash over EUR 5,000 at the border.

Most nationalities need a visa from an Algerian consulate before travelling. The visa on arrival is only for southern Sahara itineraries booked through a Ministry-accredited agency, and it does not cover an Algiers-only trip. The weekend is Friday and Saturday, and many shops and venues close on Friday morning for prayers.

Jardin d’Essai du Hamma

The botanical garden was created in 1832 and covers about 32 hectares between the sea and the Fine Arts museum. It has a formal French section with fountains and palms, and a shadier English section under very old banyan fig trees. The garden has its own metro station, Jardin d’Essai. Opening hours reported by the garden are 10:00 to 19:00 in summer and 10:00 to 17:00 in winter. Entry is a few hundred dinars at most, paid in cash.

Cable cars

Algiers has several cable car lines that climb its cliffs and hills, including one from the Jardin d’Essai metro stop up towards the Martyrs’ Memorial area and a line between Oued Koriche and Bouzaréah. They close from time to time for maintenance, and hours and fares change, so ask at the station before you plan around one. The ETUSA site at etusa.dz is the operator’s reference.

The Casbah and the old palaces

The Casbah is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed in 1992. Many of its houses are in poor repair and some are held up with timber props, so a local guide is advisable, though not required by law. Keep phones and cameras out of sight in the upper alleys. Dar Mustapha Pacha, a palace from 1799, holds a museum of miniatures and calligraphy, and the Palais des Raïs on the waterfront has carved ceilings and tiled courtyards. Check opening hours locally, as published times differ.

Sidi Fredj and the seafront

Sidi Fredj is a marina resort about 30 km west of the centre, designed by Fernand Pouillon with whitewashed arches. It is a quiet spot for a harbour walk and a seafood meal. Closer in, the Sablettes promenade at Hussein Dey runs about 4 km along the bay and is busiest on Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Getting around

Metro Line 1 runs from about 05:00 to 23:00, with a fare reported at about 50 DZD. A tramway links Les Fusillés eastwards. Yassir is the main ride-hailing app, and yellow street taxis should be agreed on a meter or a price before you set off.

Rules worth knowing

Alcohol is sold only in licensed hotels, restaurants and bars, and not drunk in public. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. Do not photograph police, military or government sites, and drones need prior authorisation.

Local tours can be browsed through a search for Algiers tours , and the national tourism office lists official circuits at ont.dz .