Africa
Algeria
Africa's largest country: Roman ruins, Casbah of Algiers, Mediterranean coast and the Sahara of Tamanrasset. Very few tourists and a bureaucratic visa, but warm hospitality. Limited card use and no tourist infrastructure.
- US travel advisoryLevel 2Exercise increased cautionDetails
- Visa6 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyDZDUS$1 ≈ DA133.86Details
- Price level33%of US prices (World Bank PPP)
- English1/5Rare
- PlugsType C, F230 V, 50 HzDetails
- Emergency17Police 17 · Ambulance 14 · Fire 14
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledUse bottled water; tap supply can be intermittent and is not recommended for visitors.Details
- LGBTQ+CriminalizedVery conservative; there are no visible venues and police can act on suspicion.Details
- DrivingOn the rightAn IDP is recommended with your licence; roads are good on the coast, and Sahara routes need 4x4 and permits.
Where to go in Algeria
1 place with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
| Place | Safety | Month, comfortable | Best months | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AlgiersCapital city | 3/5 | $971–1,640 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 54/100 |
When to visit Algeria
April-June and September-October for the north. The Sahara is best November-March; summers are very hot inland.
Good to know
Entry
- Almost all visitors need a visa before travel, applied for at an Algerian consulate; processing and requirements vary. A hotel booking or invitation is usually requested.
- Some tourist visas on arrival are granted for organised trips to the south with an approved local agency.
- Passport must be valid six months; a yellow fever certificate applies if arriving from a risk country.
- Declare cash over 5,000 euros; Algerian dinars cannot be exported or imported.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Photographing police, military and government buildings is prohibited
- Alcohol is only sold in licensed places, and public drunkenness is penalised
- Homosexuality is criminalised under Article 338 of the Penal Code
Etiquette
- Greet with a handshake and polite phrases before business
- Dress modestly; shoulders and knees covered
- Do not eat or drink in public in daytime during Ramadan
- Avoid politics, the Western Sahara dispute and relations with Morocco
Tipping
Not required; 10% in restaurants is appreciated, and small tips help for porters and drivers.
Neighbouring countries
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- UK FCDO travel advice: Algeria
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.