Algiers Walking Routes: Casbah, Boulevards

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, and rates terrorist attacks as likely, mainly in the south, the remote mountains and the Sahara. The land border with Morocco is closed. Algiers and the northern coast are outside these zones. See the FCDO safety advice and travel.state.gov, and check them again before you travel.

Algiers is a city of stairs and slopes, so the best walks go downhill or along the flat boulevards by the sea. Wear shoes with a good grip, carry water and keep valuables out of sight. Hotels and guides can tell you which streets feel comfortable at which hour, and it is wise to finish walks before dark.

The Casbah, top to bottom

Take a taxi to the Citadel at the summit of the Casbah and walk down, rather than climbing up from the sea. The Casbah is UNESCO-listed, and its lanes are steep, unmarked and uneven. Many old houses are held up with timber props, so keep to the main routes and avoid abandoned dead-end alleys. A local guide is advisable, though not required by law, and helps you read the lanes and find quieter courtyards. Do not walk with a phone or large camera in hand in the upper alleys.

A typical downhill route takes 2.5 to 3 hours. It passes the house at 5 Rue des Abdérames, a solemn memorial museum to the Battle of Algiers, then the craft streets of copper workers and wood carvers, then the courtyards of Dar Mustapha Pacha. It continues beside the minaret of the Ali Bitchin Mosque and ends at Place des Martyrs by the sea, near the Ketchaoua Mosque. Many opening hours are unconfirmed, so ask locally.

The boulevard loop

A flat loop of about 3.5 km explores the French-era centre. Begin at Place des Martyrs and follow the arched colonnades along the sea-facing Boulevard Che Guevara. Continue to Place Port-Saïd, home to the National Theatre and the informal market known as le Square, and then turn up pedestrian Rue Larbi Ben M’hidi. At Place de l’Emir Abdelkader, you will find the statue of the 19th-century national hero. The nearby Milk Bar was the site of a 1956 bombing during the Battle of Algiers, so pass it quietly. Continue to the Neo-Moorish Grande Poste and climb Rue Didouche Mourad, lined with bookshops and cafes, to Place Maurice Audin.

Jardin d’Essai

The botanical garden at Hamma has gravel avenues and shade, and it is the easiest long stroll in the city. Reported hours are 10:00 to 17:00 in winter and 10:00 to 19:00 in summer. Entry is a few hundred dinars at most. The metro stop is on the doorstep.

Practical tips

Metro Line 1 runs about 05:00 to 23:00, and a ride is reported at about 50 DZD, so it is a good way to link walks. Yassir is the main ride-hailing app, and yellow street taxis should be agreed on a price. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. Do not photograph police, military or government sites, and ask before photographing people. Drones need prior authorisation. Cards are rarely accepted, so carry small dinar notes.

If you prefer company, a search for Algiers walking tours shows current options. The national tourism office is at ont.dz .