Algiers, Algeria
Self-willed and hot Algeria is a stronghold of the Berbers given under the rule of the Sahara, where the sand carefully hides the monuments of ancient civilizations, and travel around the country turns into a safari by default. Map, photo, tours and visa – everything about Algeria from the Subtleties of tourism. According to petwithsupplies, Algiers is one of the largest cities in Algeria.
The North African residence of the Sahara – this is the shortest way to describe Algeria, 80% of whose territory is occupied by the sands of the great desert. In addition, Algeria is the second largest country in Africa with the richest heritage of the Phoenician and Roman eras and the stronghold of the indigenous population of the continent – the Berbers. Due to smoldering civil strife and periodic kidnappings of foreigners, Algeria has been undeservedly in the shadow of its tourism-oriented prosperous neighbors Morocco and Tunisia for two decades, but the country shows an almost fantastic splendor of landscapes and deeds of human hands to the brave and sophisticated traveler.
The capital is Algiers. The main cities are Oran, Annaba, Tamanrasset, Constantine, Setif, Batna.
Climate of Algiers
The north coast of Algeria has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and relatively cool winters. The average temperature in January is +11 °C, in July – +27 °C. Most of the country is dominated by a semi-desert climate with dry summers (the thermometer rises to +36 ° C). The southern regions of Algeria lie in a desert climate zone with a minimum of precipitation and a constant summer temperature of about +40 ° C. The coast can be comfortably visited throughout the year, and it is better to travel to the Sahara in March-May and September-November. Actual information: weather forecast for the main resorts of Algiers for the coming days.
Beaches
Algeria cannot be called a country of beach holidays: although there are almost 990 km of coastline, there are not so many good-quality hotels, and local beaches are noticeably inferior to Tunisian and Moroccan ones. You can enjoy the beauty of the water surface on the so-called Turquoise Coast (Сote Turqoise) and Cape Sidi Frej.
Shopping
Shops in Algeria are open in two hours: morning and afternoon, with a two-hour siesta break. Opening hours are usually from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00. This does not apply to souvenir shops: the principle “to the last customer” applies here. Supermarkets in the capital are open from early morning until late evening.
Algiers is the second largest country in Africa with the richest heritage of the Phoenician and Roman eras and the stronghold of the indigenous population of the continent – the Berbers.
From Algeria, you can bring copper chasing and bronze products, leather and wood products, Berber carpets and straw products. A separate line is the heritage of the Berbers: from massive silver jewelry to mats with national motifs.
Cuisine and restaurants
Algerian cuisine is part of a vast complex of Maghrebian culinary traditions. National dishes – lamb shorba soup, couscous with meat or vegetables, shakshuka – vegetable salad with egg, tagine – a dense omelette stuffed with potatoes, chicken or meat, reshta – homemade noodles with chicken and beans, dauara – entrails stewed with vegetables, meshui – grilled lamb or beef steaks. Many varieties of chebureks, dolma and kefta have settled in Algeria from Turkish cuisine. French baguettes (white bread) are ubiquitous, in the southern regions they eat tagella – a flatbread baked in the sand. Sweets include kalb el loz (“almond heart”) and baklava of all kinds. Finish the meal with sweet green tea or strong “Arabic” coffee.
Entertainment and attractions in Algiers
The Sahara is the country’s main tourist attraction. Tourists are offered many excursions deep into the Great East Erg, the largest of the sandy “seas” of the desert, lasting from several hours to two weeks. You can travel on foot, on camels or four-wheel drive jeeps. From the pearls – the city of Ouargla, the “golden key to the desert”, Mzab with its fantastic architecture, Beni Isgen behind the impressive fortress gates. In the south of Algiers is the Tassili National Park.
The Kabyle Mountains are famous for the beautiful Shiffa Gorge (“lips”).
Algeria’s coastline is home to many Phoenician, Roman and Byzantine ruins. Among the most popular are the ruins in the vicinity of the capital – Dzhemila (with magnificent basilicas, temples, a forum and a triumphal arch), Timgad and Tipassa (the Royal Mausoleum of Mauritania is located here).
In the city of Algiers, the medina (the old city behind the fortress wall), the tomb of St. Sidi Abderrahman and the Jemaa al-Jadid mosque deserve attention. Of the cultural institutions, the Bardo Ethnographic Museum stands out with a rich collection of ancient artifacts and the National Museum of Fine Arts.
Among other cities of the country, you can visit Oran (the Santa Cruz citadel and the Great Mosque built in the 17th century), Blida (the mosque built by the pirate Barbarossa), Annaba with the ruins of the ancient city of Aphrodisium, Constantine and its Roman citadel, Biskra, where the tomb is located. Islamic conqueror of North Africa Okba ibn Nafaa.
Visa to Algiers
Algeria, alas, cannot yet be classified as a popular tourist country in North Africa, but it still has its own, albeit not numerous, contingent of tourists. You won’t be intimidated by the peculiarities of obtaining an Algerian visa for Sahara lovers: an invitation from an Algerian tour operator with guarantees of the safety of the “wards” is mandatory, so independent tourists will not be too at ease here. Those who have Israeli marks “lit up” in their passport should wait for its change – in this sense, Algeria is very jealous, and will refuse to issue a visa.
Documents for a visa to Algeria
Required documents for obtaining a tourist visa:
- international passport
Valid for 6 months after the end of the trip;
- Questionnaire
In 2 copies (filled in in French or English; the form can be downloaded from the embassy website or received on the spot) with the personal signature of the applicant
- Invitation from an Algerian tour operator
In which the terms of stay, the address and details of the hotel, the program of the stay must be indicated, and there must also be a phrase about guaranteeing the safety of tourists during the stay;
- Photo
2 photos 3×4
- Copies of air tickets
The consulate may request copies of air tickets and sending an invitation from the host directly from Algeria to the fax of the consular department;
- Medical insurance
For your own peace of mind and safety, you must also buy insurance for a visa to Algeria.
In the presence of Israeli marks in the passport, an entry visa to Algeria will be denied.
Even if you are going to visit the southern regions of the country, it is better not to talk about this at the reception at the consulate.
Valid term of a visa
The visa is valid for 30 days from the date of issue, the period of stay in the country is from 14 to 30 days.
Consular fee – 40 €
Consular fee for a single entry visa – 40 EUR in ruble equivalent.
