Algiers—nicknamed “Alger la Blanche” for its whitewashed terraces cascading toward the Mediterranean—has been shaped by Phoenicians, Romans, Ottomans, and the French. Its soul is the Casbah, a UNESCO-listed hillside medina of alleys, tiled palaces, and artisans’ workshops. Down by the waterfront, Belle Époque facades and arcaded boulevards frame a city that’s both historic and forward-looking.

Across a week, you’ll glide between the gilded dome of Notre Dame d’Afrique, the serene Jardin d’Essai du Hamma, and museums that span antiquity to contemporary art. West along the coast, Tipaza and Cherchell reveal superb Roman theaters, villas, and mosaics with waves breaking at their feet. Food is hearty and aromatic—think couscous, rechta, chorba, grilled sardines, and street-side mahjouba (stuffed semolina crêpes).

Practical notes: Most visitors need a visa; check current requirements with your local Algerian consulate before booking. The Algerian dinar (DZD) is still a cash-forward economy; ATMs are common in the center, but carry some cash for small eateries and taxis. French is widely spoken alongside Arabic; modest dress is appreciated, especially in the Casbah and religious sites.

Algiers

Algiers blends Ottoman mansions and French avenues with a bayside light that begs you to linger over coffee. Start high at the basilica for a city panorama, descend to the Grande Poste and Didouche Mourad for architecture and shopping, then wander the seafront to breathe in the Mediterranean.

• Top sights: Casbah of Algiers (UNESCO), Notre Dame d’Afrique, Martyrs’ Memorial, Jardin d’Essai du Hamma, La Grande Poste, Palais des Raïs (Bastion 23), Museum of Antiquities & Islamic Arts, Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art (MAMA).
• Experiences: Guided Casbah walks, Roman ruins day trip to Tipaza & Cherchell, seaside afternoon at Sidi Fredj, food tastings—couscous, rechta, bourek, and fresh grilled fish.
• Where to eat (highly recommended): El Djenina (downtown, classic Algerian in a Moorish setting), El Mordjane at Sofitel Algiers Hamma Garden (refined Algerian), café Tantonville (historic café culture on/near Didouche Mourad), Venezia Gelato (for gelato and evening passeggiata vibes).
• Fun fact: Jardin d’Essai du Hamma helped acclimatize plants bound for France and inspired scenes in Albert Camus’ writing.

Where to stay: Base yourself in downtown (for heritage and metro access), or Hydra/Sidi Yahia (embassy district, cafés). Browse stays on Hotels.com (Algiers) or apartment-style options on VRBO (Algiers).

Getting there: Fly into Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG). Nonstops from Paris/Marseille/Lyon (~2–2.5 hrs), Rome (~1.5–2 hrs), Istanbul (~3.5–4 hrs), and seasonal/direct options from other hubs. Typical round-trip fares range ~$150–$450 from Europe, ~$600–$900 from North America with one connection. Compare options on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com; if you’re originating in Europe, also check Omio flights.

Day 1: Arrival, Downtown Stroll, and Algerian Welcome Dinner

Afternoon: Land at ALG and head to your hotel. For a stress-free start, prebook a private airport transfer: Algiers Houari Boumediene Airport transfer to/from Algiers city (30–45 minutes to central hotels depending on traffic). Settle in, then stretch your legs along the waterfront arcades near La Grande Poste and Place Audin.

Evening: Toast your first night with mint tea or strong espresso at the historic café Tantonville, a local standby for people-watching. For dinner, book El Djenina downtown—ornate tiles, zelliges, and a menu of couscous royale, rechta (hand-cut pasta), mechoui, and seasonal salads. Nightcap with a panoramic view at the Hotel El Aurassi’s bar (Le Panorama), gazing over the twinkling bay.

Day 2: Signature Algiers—Monuments, Gardens, and the Upper Bay

Morning: Start with a flaky msemen and coffee near your hotel, then join a comprehensive city overview with an architect-guide: Algiers Historical City Tour. Expect Martyrs’ Memorial (Makam Echahid), Jardin d’Essai du Hamma’s shady avenues, and sweeping stops that frame Algiers’ layered story.

Afternoon: Continue up to Notre Dame d’Afrique—note the Arabic inscription “Our Lady of Africa, pray for us and for the Muslims,” a moving nod to coexistence. Down in the center, admire La Grande Poste’s curving neo-Moorish facade and browse the nearby Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art (MAMA) if time allows.

Evening: Dinner near the Hamma Garden at El Mordjane (Sofitel Algiers Hamma Garden), which elevates Algerian classics—try chorba frik, bourek, and lamb with prunes—served with deft hospitality. For dessert, stroll for gelato at Venezia Gelato.

Day 3: Deep Dive into the Casbah (UNESCO) with a Traditional Lunch

Morning: Fuel up with a street-side mahjouba (semolina crêpe stuffed with tomato and onion) around Place Audin, then meet your guide for an insider’s Casbah immersion: BEST Casbah Private Guided tour with a Tasty Traditional Lunch. You’ll weave through stair-stepped alleys, pop into Ottoman-era mansions, and hear legends of corsairs and craftsmen.

Afternoon: The tour includes a home-style meal—expect couscous or rechta, salads, and mint tea in an atmospheric house. Afterward, visit the National Museum of Popular Arts & Traditions (in the Mustapha Pacha Palace) if open, or descend to the seafront Bastion 23 (Palais des Raïs) to see sea-battered fortifications and courtyards.

Evening: Keep it light after a hearty lunch. Try a casual seafood spot downtown—look for the day’s grilled sardines or shrimp brochettes—and finish with almond sweets from a neighborhood pâtisserie.

Day 4: Museums, Green Oasis, and Seaside Sunset

Morning: Visit the Museum of Antiquities & Islamic Arts, a compact gem with Roman statuary and exquisite metalwork. Continue to the Bardo National Museum (prehistory and ethnography) housed in a 17th–18th-century villa—its courtyards are a lesson in local domestic architecture.

Afternoon: Cross to the Jardin d’Essai du Hamma for palms, lotus ponds, and a long allee of plane trees that feels cinematic. For lunch, head to a Hydra/Sidi Yahia café cluster; order a brik-like bourek, salad méchouia, or a grilled chicken sandwich, then browse boutiques along Sidi Yahia’s fashionable street.

Evening: Make for the Sidi Fredj peninsula. Wander the marina, watch anglers at the breakwater, and choose a waterside grill for catch-of-the-day (think calamari, sea bream, or sardines) with a squeeze of lemon. Time your meal for golden hour as the sun drops into the Mediterranean.

Day 5: Day Trip—Tipaza and Cherchell (Romans by the Sea)

Set out west along the Sahel hills for a full-day excursion to Algeria’s most evocative ruins: \"Tipaza and Cherchell\" Tour by Fancyellow. Explore Tipaza’s seaside theater, forum, basilicas, and coastal necropolis with waves lapping at ancient stones, then continue to Cherchell’s museum, where finely preserved mosaics and sculptures await.

Lunch is best as a simple grill in Tipaza—look for a seafront spot serving whole fish, octopus salad, and tomato-cucumber sides. Back in Algiers by early evening, take a leisurely promenade downtown and treat yourself to ice cream or a syrupy tamina (semolina and honey) pastry.

Day 6: Markets, Artisans, and a Night at the Opera

Morning: Explore central markets and shopping streets: Didouche Mourad for Belle Époque storefronts and bookstores; side streets for leather slippers (balgha), brass trays, cedar boxes, and hand-embroidered textiles. Haggle gently and pay in cash (small bills help).

Afternoon: Drop into MAMA (Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art) if you missed it earlier, then pause for coffee and mille-feuille in a classic pâtisserie. Consider a tram or metro hop to see another slice of the city away from the core.

Evening: If schedules align, catch a performance at the Opéra d’Alger Boualem Bessaih (programming ranges from symphonic to folkloric). For dinner nearby or back downtown, order a warming chorba and a plate of merguez or chicken skewers with cumin and paprika, plus semolina flatbreads straight off the griddle.

Day 7: Easy Morning, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Savor a final Algerian breakfast—coffee, fresh orange juice, and a warm khobz eddar (home-style bread) with jams. Pick up edible souvenirs: dates (deglet nour), mountain honey, ras el hanout spice blends, and locally roasted coffee.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to the airport. If you prefer a prearranged ride, book the Algiers Houari Boumediene Airport transfer to/from Algiers city. Flights to European hubs take roughly 2–3.5 hours; long-haul trips typically connect once.

Evening: Wheels up—ma’a salama! If you’re extending elsewhere in North Africa or the Mediterranean, compare onward flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Local logistics tips: Friday is the main prayer day—some museums/shops keep shorter hours. Use the metro/tram where it fits and call a metered taxi or a local ride-hailing app for hills and after dark. In the Casbah, wear supportive shoes and explore with a guide; ask permission before photographing people. For lodging choice and flexibility, browse Hotels.com (Algiers) and VRBO (Algiers).

Optional add-ons (if you have extra energy): For another guided perspective inside the medina, the Half-Day Guided Walking Tour in Kasbah of Algiers offers a shorter deep-dive focused on palaces and lanes.

Across seven days, you’ve traced Algiers from hilltop basilica to harbor, from Ottoman salons to Roman shores. The city rewards unhurried mornings, long conversations over tea, and curiosity in its winding lanes—leave room to return.