Skikda, the Mediterranean face of northeastern Algeria, sits where green hills tumble into sapphire bays. Known in antiquity as Rusicade, this port has seen Phoenicians, Romans, Ottomans, and the French shape its waterfront and streets. Today it’s equal parts working harbor, seaside escape, and gateway to hidden coves and wild headlands.

History runs close to the surface. Roman stones lie within a modern city; Ottoman-era lanes peek out behind 20th‑century façades. A little farther inland, Constantine—Algeria’s “City of Bridges”—spans a gorge with jaw‑dropping viaducts and mosques, while west along the Collo coast, Cap Bougaroun guards a serrated, pine‑cloaked shoreline.

Practical notes: Cash (DZD) rules, though big hotels accept cards. French and Arabic are widely spoken. Fridays are quieter (some shops open late). Dress modestly, especially away from the beach. Seafood shines here—grilled sardines, sea bream, and shrimp—along with hearty couscous, chorba frik, bradj sweets, and mint tea.

Skikda

Skikda’s heart beats in Stora, one of North Africa’s oldest fishing ports: a crescent of boats, fish markets, and quay‑side grills. Eastward, Filfila and La Marsa unfurl long sands and gentle surf. Inland lagoons and headlands harbor birds and light‑house views, while remnants of Roman Rusicade add texture to a beach‑first holiday.

• Top sights & experiences: Stora port and fish market; Filfila and La Marsa beaches; Roman Rusicade remains and local museum; Collo coastal road via Cap Bougaroun; Cap de Fer lookout; Guerbes‑Senhadja wetlands for birding; sunset boat rides from Stora.
• Where to stay:
  • Hotels.com: Skikda stays—search for seafront resorts in Filfila, business‑friendly hotels in town, and family apartments.
  • VRBO: Skikda vacation rentals—great for multi‑bedroom flats near the corniche or villas above La Marsa.
• Getting in & around: Fly into Constantine (CZL) or Annaba (AAE), then drive 1.5–2 hours to Skikda. Search flights on Trip.com, Kiwi.com, or—if you’re flying to/from Europe—Omio. On the ground, hire a driver for day trips or use taxis; coastal roads are scenic but winding.

Where to eat & drink (reliable picks locals favor): The seafood grills clustered right on Stora’s fish market quay (pick your catch, priced by weight); beach cafés in Filfila for chorba, grilled sardines, and fresh juices; hotel restaurants around Filfila for a dressier dinner and dependable service; simple tea salons downtown for mint tea, qahwa (espresso), and almond pastries.

Constantine (day trip)

Constantine stands on rock—bridges leaping a sheer gorge, medinas on plateaus, and France‑era boulevards sweeping to palaces and museums. It’s an easy day from Skikda and a striking contrast: stone and sky instead of surf and coves.

• Highlights: Sidi M’Cid suspension bridge; Salah Bey Viaduct; Palace of Ahmed Bey (Ottoman art and gardens); Cirta Museum; Emir Abdelkader Mosque. Expect 1.5–2 hours by car each way.
• Optional overnight (if you stretch the day): Hotels.com: Constantine stays or a central apartment via VRBO.

Day 1: Arrival in Skikda, Stora Sunset, and Seafood Welcome

Afternoon: Land at Constantine (CZL) or Annaba (AAE). Arrange a pre‑booked car or taxi to Skikda (about 1.5–2 hours; budget $60–100 for a private transfer). Settle into your hotel or apartment—browse Hotels.com or VRBO to match your style.

Evening: Head to Stora port before dusk. Watch boats unload the day’s catch, then pick a quay‑side grill where fish is priced per kilo and cooked over charcoal. Order sardines, sea bream, and a simple salade mechouia; finish with mint tea at a nearby café facing the harbor lights.

Day 2: Roman Rusicade, Downtown Strolls, and Algerian Comforts

Morning: Coffee and croissants at a downtown bakery; add a warm mhajeb (semolina flatbread stuffed with onions and tomatoes). Visit Skikda’s Roman remains—fragments attributed to ancient Rusicade—and the local museum for mosaics and artifacts that sketch the port’s long story.

Afternoon: Explore central streets near the main square, peek into the market for olives, dates, and spices, and walk the corniche for sea views. Lunch on lamb brochettes or grilled merguez with kesra bread and harissa.

Evening: For dinner, choose a sit‑down hotel restaurant along the coast (good service and family‑friendly) for couscous with fish or chicken, or a briny plate of crevettes. Nightcap: mint tea or qahwa at a tea salon; try makroud or bradj for dessert.

Day 3: Beach Day at Filfila and Cap de Fer Lookout

Morning: Breakfast of fresh juice and msemen (flaky pan‑fried bread) near the beach, then claim a spot on Filfila’s broad sands. Swim, rent a parasol, or stroll the dunes. Water is usually calm—ideal for families.

Afternoon: Simple beachside lunch: chorba frik and grilled sardines, or a calamari plate with lemon. In the later afternoon, drive to Cap de Fer for panoramic photos of cliffs and coves; watch shepherds on the hills and cormorants over the surf.

Evening: Back in town, grab a casual dinner at a shawarma or pizza stand if you want a break from seafood. For something heartier, order rechta or osbane (on menus at traditional Algerian spots).

Day 4: Guerbes‑Senhadja Wetlands and La Marsa

Morning: Early start to the Guerbes‑Senhadja wetlands (about 1 hour southwest). Bring binoculars—depending on season you may spot herons, flamingos, and marsh harriers. Light breakfast picnic of dates, yogurt, and khobz eddar (homemade bread) by the reeds.

Afternoon: Continue to La Marsa for a laid‑back beach session. Choose a family grill above the sand for lunch; ask for the “catch of the day” and a tomato‑onion salad. If seas are calm, a local skipper can arrange a short coastal ride.

Evening: Return to Skikda. Steam and scrub at a neighborhood hammam (men/women separate, bring flip‑flops). Dinner at a coastal hotel restaurant—chicken with olives and preserved lemon or a platter of grilled fish—then tea with pine nuts.

Day 5: Day Trip to Constantine—Bridges, Palaces, and Views

Morning: Depart Skikda around 7:30–8:00 a.m. for Constantine (1.5–2 hours). Start at the Sidi M’Cid suspension bridge for vertiginous views over the Rhumel Gorge. Walk to the Salah Bey Viaduct to admire its elegant arches.

Afternoon: Tour the Ottoman‑era Palace of Ahmed Bey (painted ceilings, inner courtyards), then the Cirta Museum for archaeology and regional art. Lunch at a reliable hotel dining room in the city center for couscous or mixed grill—hotel restaurants here are consistent and welcoming to visitors.

Evening: Visit the monumental Emir Abdelkader Mosque near golden hour to appreciate its scale and marble details (dress modestly). Drive back to Skikda and keep dinner light—warm baguette, local cheese, and fruit—before turning in.

Day 6: The Collo Coast and Cap Bougaroun

Morning: Trace the coastal road west toward Collo (plan roughly 2–2.5 hours with scenic stops). Cap Bougaroun, once called the “Seven Capes,” offers forested ridges, lookout points, and tiny coves. Bring snacks and water.

Afternoon: In Collo, linger at the small port, browse the fish market, and pick a grill near the quay for lunch. If the sea is calm, a short boat ride along the headland reveals caves and water the color of cobalt glass—arrange through local skippers on the dock.

Evening: Return to Skikda before dark. Celebrate the drive with a proper seafood dinner back in Stora or opt for a home‑style couscous at a traditional restaurant in town. Try makrout el louz (almond cookie) with coffee.

Day 7: Souvenirs, Last Swim, and Departure

Morning: Final dip at Filfila or a slow coffee downtown with almond pastries. Pick up edible souvenirs: olives, local olive oil, dates, or harissa paste from the market (pack liquids well).

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to Constantine or Annaba for your flight. Search or reconfirm flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com (travel time to the airport: ~1.5–2 hours). If you’re flying to Europe, you can also compare options on Omio.

Optional eats list to pin (for when you’re hungry near a given spot):

• Stora port (Skikda): Quay‑side seafood grills at the fish market—choose sea bream, sardines, or shrimp; prices by weight; fast turnover and very fresh.
• Filfila/La Marsa: Beach cafés for chorba frik, salads, and grilled fish; fruit‑juice stands for orange and pomegranate juices.
• Downtown Skikda: Tea salons for mint tea and qahwa; pastry counters for makroud, bradj, and almond cakes.
• Constantine (day trip): Central hotel restaurants for consistent couscous, tajines, and mixed grills; coffee near Place des Martyrs between sights.

Logistics & money‑savers: Hire a driver for the Collo and Constantine days to focus on scenery (expect $90–140/day depending on distance). Keep small bills for taxis and markets. Dress modestly away from beaches; swimsuits are for beach zones only. Fridays: many shops open late morning or afternoon.

One week along Algeria’s Mediterranean lets you alternate between calm beaches, little fishing harbors, and grand urban history. From Stora’s grills to Constantine’s skyline bridges, you’ll sample coastal life and the deep time of Rusicade and Ottoman palaces—memories salted by sea air and sweetened with mint tea.