Our Algeria holidays and tours take you to Africa’s largest country, endowed with a wealth of cultural and historic influences. Experience the range from the colonial architecture of Algiers and Oran to the Andalusian flavour of Tlemcen and the unique culture of the M’Zab Valley.
Travel through the centuries to discover the stunning Roman ruins of Tipasa and Djemila, the beautiful desert city of El Oued, and the stunning scenery of the Kantara Gorge. Stopping along the way, see ruined villages and discover unique cultures that were never quite extinguished during the long French occupation.
Back on the travel map after some difficult years, Algeria is perhaps the most exciting country in North Africa. From the Mediterranean coastline, the country stretches far south into the African interior, becoming ever drier until it reaches the Sahara. This is a land of vast sand dunes, crumbling ksars, and towering rock pillars, inhabited by the enigmatic Tuareg, masters of the deep desert.
From the Phoenicians to the Romans, the Arabs to the French, many cultures have left their mark on the country. Algeria is an utter delight for the amateur historian. Those who enjoy their culture of the more ‘contemporary’ kind will enjoy wandering the atmospheric streets of Algiers’ casbah quarter, or haggling for goods amidst blue-robed nomads in the markets of the desert towns.
Top highlights on Algeria holidays and tours
- Explore the ancient Roman sites of Tiddis and Cherchell
- Travel back in time as you wander the winding streets of Ghardaia and the M’Zab Valley
- Check out the exquisite Andalucian monuments of Tlemcen
- Watch the sun set over the Sahara
- Meet Tuareg nomads deep in the desert
A far cry from the mass tourism present in its neighbours Morocco and Tunisia, Algeria offers a truly authentic taste of North Africa. Our Algeria holidays and tours are devoid of artificial experiences and offer an edge that will excite the curious traveller.
As always, the Sahara offers boundless opportunities for adventure, discovering ancient rock art, camping under the stars, and looking out over endless horizons. Our Algeria holidays and tours let you explore a land that has been off-limits for far too long.
Culture
Almost everyone in Algeria speaks Arabic, although it’s slightly different to the Arabic you would find in the Middle East. Many Algerians speak French as a second language, and there are also Berber and Tuareg dialects. Algeria is fairly homogenous in terms of religion and most people are Sunni Muslim. There are very few followers of other faiths.
Algeria’s cuisine is not too dissimilar to its neighbour Morocco, although perhaps a little less spicy. Tagines and stews are fairly ubiquitous, as of course is couscous. There are also similarities with Turkish cuisine, with stuffed vegetables and mezze-type dishes. The legacy of French colonisation means that there are also, in the larger cities, a good number of restaurants serving continental-style cuisine.
When to go on holiday to Algeria
As the largest country in Africa, Algeria experiences a number of different climate zones. The best time to visit the Sahara is the winter when temperatures are at their least oppressive, but at this time the Mediterranean coast will most likely be cold and wet. The best times to visit are spring and autumn when it’s not too hot in the desert nor too cold in the north.
Start planning your Algeria holiday
Check out our small group tours to Algeria, Algerian Odyssey, and Southern Algeria Jewel of the Sahara. Although many of our trips are small group adventures with set departures, as a bespoke operator, we can design and create trips to suit any traveller, from solos to larger groups. If you would like to find out more about tailor-made holidays to Algeria or our group tours, call us on 01473 328546 or email us via our contact page. We’d love to hear from you.
