Best Algeria Tour

This morning, after a warm greeting from your private guide and driver at your hotel, you’ll enjoy a 1.5-hour journey to Cherchell, a hidden treasure in North Africa, with white-walled buildings featuring orange tiles and blue windows along the eastern Mediterranean coast. Two thousand years ago, it was a very different place. As the capital of the Kingdom of Mauritania, a vassal state of the Roman Empire, Cherchell was once a bustling city known for its Roman architecture and art. At the Archaeological Public Museum of Cherchell, you’ll find an impressive collection of artifacts spanning thousands of years, including the detailed Roman mosaic of the Three Graces and lifelike white marble sculptures.

After admiring the fine art, prepare to be captivated by the majestic Roman ruins of Tipasa, one of Algeria’s best-preserved Roman sites, fulfilling any fantasy of the Roman golden age. Follow your guide to marvel at the amphitheater - Tipasa’s most famous feature - whose semi-circular seating can accommodate 3,000 spectators cheering for gladiators. Historically, it is believed the amphitheater was built to seat at least a quarter of the city’s population, emphasizing Tipasa’s impressive scale during its peak.

Later, we’ll drive back to Algiers, stopping at the Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania, the burial site of the most renowned king and queen of the Kingdom of Mauritania. It also appears as the background image on the 2,000-dinar banknote of Algeria. Finally, your guide and driver will see you off at Algiers airport for a one-hour night flight to Constantine. Upon arrival, your local guide and driver will provide you with a private airport-to-hotel transfer.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Novotel Constantine (4 stars) or similar

Perched on a cliff, Constantine is one of Algeria’s oldest cities, known as Cirta in Roman times. This morning, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel for a 40-minute drive to the Tiddis Roman Ruins, once a key military settlement of Cirta. The ruins sit on a hillside, offering a panoramic view of structures spread across the red earth. Due to water scarcity, you’ll find many ditches and large water tanks for collecting water at the Tiddis ruins. In addition to the prominent, commanding Temple of Saturn, many stone pillars and architectural fragments remain buried, awaiting excavation. After returning to Constantine, you can see ancient stelae and pottery from Tiddis on display at the Cirta Museum.

Then, continue your sightseeing in Constantine with your guide to see notable suspension bridges, including the 175-meter (574 ft.) Sidi M’Cid Bridge. Built in 1912 during French rule, it was once the world’s tallest suspension bridge, spanning the Rhumel Gorge and linking the old town to the new district. Next, stroll through the bustling Constantine Old Town and visit the over 200-year-old Ahmed Bey Palace, once home to the last ruler of Constantine during the Ottoman era. Beyond the blend of Ottoman architectural elements and local cultural features, its walls are adorned with murals depicting Ahmed Bey’s travels. With your guide’s commentary, you’ll gain a vivid understanding of his life before the French occupation. Afterward, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Novotel Constantine (4 stars) or similar

Today ushers in the highlight of the itinerary, with a visit to Timgad, one of Algeria’s most stunning Roman city ruins.

In the morning, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel for a 1.5-hour comfortable transfer to the Madghacen Royal Mausoleum, one of North Africa’s most enigmatic royal tombs, dating back over 2,000 years and associated with the Numidian Kingdom. As the construction date and owner remain unknown, enhancing its mystique, your guide will provide insights into the illustrious history of this Berber tribal kingdom.

Next, continue driving for about 50 minutes to reach the Timgad Roman Ruins, often called “the African Pompeii,” which may be the largest collection of Roman ruins you’ve ever encountered. Timgad was established during Emperor Trajan’s reign (98-117 AD), a period when the Roman Empire reached its greatest extent, even turning the Mediterranean into an inland sea. At its peak, the city housed around 60,000 residents.

The best-preserved structure at Timgad is the 6-meter (20-foot) tall, three-vaulted Corinthian Arch of Trajan, with the city’s main road running beneath the central arch. Take a close look - do you notice anything unusual? In all Roman cities, only the main roads were paved with such high-quality stone slabs, and the ancient carriage ruts remain visible today.

Later, we will visit the Lambaesis Roman Ruins, once a Roman military camp, and the nearby Lambaesis Museum to see an inscription in which Emperor Hadrian (78-138 AD) addressed his soldiers.

Finally, your guide and driver will escort you to the hotel in Batna for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Timgad Hotel Hazem, Batna (4 stars) or similar

This morning, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel for a 3.5-hour trip to the Djemila Roman Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site set in a valley. Originally known as Cuicul, the city was abandoned by the Romans and rediscovered by Arabs in the 7th century AD, who renamed it Djemila, meaning “beautiful.” While smaller than the impressive Timgad, Djemila is considered more refined and exquisite. When you see the Grand Baths, you might wonder why every Roman city, regardless of size, had multiple public baths. Romans, inspired by Greek athletic traditions, highly valued physical activity, creating a strong demand for bathing facilities. The baths served not only for hygiene but also as key social venues. Your guide will point out the ruins of changing rooms, various temperature rooms, and even a gymnasium.

Next, we’ll drive for an hour to Setif to visit the Archaeological Museum, home to a vast array of Roman artifacts. A highlight is the Roman mosaic called “Triumph of Dionysus,” which spans the entire floor of the central court. Dated to the 4th-5th centuries AD, it vividly depicts scenes from Roman mythology alongside animals like tigers, elephants, camels, and a rare Roman-era giraffe. Afterward, your guide and driver will help you check into your hotel in Setif.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Park Mall Hotel & Conference Center, Setif (4 stars) or similar

This morning, bid farewell to Setif and enjoy a private transfer from your hotel to Algiers, which takes about 3.5 hours. After hotel check-in and a brief rest, let’s explore the Kasbah Ancient Town and Bastion 23. 

The Kasbah serves as the prototype of Algiers. Upon entering the ancient town, it quickly becomes clear that this is a classic Islamic community, evidenced by the hillside white houses, doorways, and lintels decorated with crescent and star patterns. The narrow, winding alleyways, the Muslims in robes strolling through, and the spice and fruit stalls along the streets all contribute to a vibrant, exotic ambiance. Two centuries ago, the French painter Delacroix (1798-1863 AD) was deeply inspired by the Kasbah’s local atmosphere during his journey to North Africa. He created the renowned painting “Women of Algiers,” which not only showcased Algiers’ beauty to the world but also greatly influenced later artists such as Picasso and Van Gogh.

Nearby is Bastion 23, also called the Rais Palace, the residence of a 16th-century naval commander. After admiring its architecture, a perfect blend of Ottoman and Moorish styles, along with its intricately carved wooden ceiling, your guide and driver will accompany you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel El Aurassi, Algiers (4 stars) or similar

Today marks the end of your tour. Your guide and driver will be ready at your hotel on time to escort you to Algiers Airport for your departure flight. Wish you a pleasant journey! 

If you wish to extend your tour to central Algeria to explore the intriguing Berber and Tuareg cultures of the Sahara and discover the architectural marvels of oasis towns, please contact us to tailor a personalized itinerary.

Meals: Breakfast

► Recommended Restaurant for Late Departure (at your own expense)
If time permits, consider trying some traditional Algerian dishes before you leave. Take a short walk from your hotel to Benet Bladi, Yulmaz, while enjoying the street scenery. It’s recommended to order a tagine and couscous. A millet-like pasta made from semolina and water, couscous is a staple of North African cuisine, created by the Berbers and usually steamed with vegetables and spices to enhance its flavor.
Average Cost per Person: about USD 10
Address: Place Maurice Audin, 08 Rue Pichon, Alger Center 16000