Algiers Things to Do: Casbah, Gardens, Marina

October 29, 2026

Safety note, October 2026: British FCDO advice is not to travel within 30 km of Algeria’s frontiers with Libya, Mauritania, Mali and Niger, nor to parts of the Tunisian frontier (the rest of that border is for essential travel only). Attacks by terrorists are judged likely, and the risk is higher in the south, the remote mountains and the Sahara. The border with Morocco is closed. The capital and the Mediterranean coast sit outside the no-travel areas. Read the FCDO page for Algeria and the US travel.state.gov advisory before you book.

Algiers rewards visitors who like layered history, hillside views and a slow pace. This page lists the main things to do and the practical points that shape each one.

Before you go

Visa: most travellers must obtain a visa from an Algerian consulate in advance. Visa on arrival applies only to southern Sahara itineraries arranged through an accredited agency, not to a stay in Algiers alone. No e-visa should be assumed.
Passport: valid for at least six months.
Cash: carry euros or dollars in clean notes and change a little at a time. The official rate is about 150 dinars (DZD) to the euro, while informal sellers quote about 275. Changing outside banks is unofficial and carries risk. Declare cash above EUR 5,000.
Cards: accepted in very few places.
Weekend: Friday and Saturday.

Things to do

Wander the Casbah. The UNESCO-listed hillside medina has stepped lanes, craft workshops and Ottoman courtyards. Its buildings are fragile, and a local guide is advisable.
Walk the Jardin d’Essai du Hamma. Founded in 1832, the 32-hectare botanical garden has palm avenues and giant banyan figs. Metro Line 1 stops at the entrance. Check the hours on the garden site, jardindessai.dz .
Ride a cable car. The city has several lines over its ravines, though they pause for maintenance. ETUSA publishes network details.
Visit a museum. The Bardo museum shows the Tin Hinan burial, and the Fine Arts museum holds Algerian and European art. Entry is a modest fee, and times vary.
See the Great Mosque. Djamaa El Djazair has the tallest minaret in the world at 265 m. Visitors who are not Muslim are reported to be limited to the minaret deck, library and museum, with a strict dress code and hours to check.
Spend an evening at Sidi Fredj. The marina, 30 km west, was designed by Fernand Pouillon and has seafood restaurants.
Stroll the Sablettes. A 4 km seafront park at Hussein Dey, busiest on Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Eating and drinking

Try bourek (crisp pastry rolls), garantita (a chickpea flan) and rechta, noodles in white broth. Alcohol is sold only to people over 18 in licensed hotels, restaurants and bars, and not drunk in public. It is limited in the capital.

Moving around

Metro Line 1 runs about 05:00 to 23:00 and a ticket was reported at 50 DZD in an older source. The tram runs east from Les Fusillés. Yassir is the main taxi app. Yellow taxis work if the fare is agreed first.

Etiquette and rules

Cover shoulders and knees. Do not photograph police, soldiers or government buildings. Drones need prior authorisation. Swimwear belongs on private resort beaches only.

To compare organised options, try a search for things to do in Algiers .