Capital city, Algeria
Algiers
Whitewashed Mediterranean capital with a UNESCO Casbah, French colonial boulevards and almost no tourist crowds. Cash-heavy, little English, patchy services; reward is a real, un-touristy city.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$971–1,640Comfortable, one person · DA130,000–220,000Details
- Value for money54/100Better value than 53% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Aug, 27°CDetails
- Air quality21.5 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2019) · PollutedDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled water; tap water is chlorinated but often tastes poor.Details
- LGBTQ+2/5HostileDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: rareDetails
- Doctor's visit$15–37Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundYassirWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCash onlyCash is king; foreign cards often fail at ATMs and shops.Details
Where to stay in Algiers
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Alger Centre / Didouche Mourad | Cafés, shops, Grande Poste, easy to walk |
| El Biar and Hydra | Quieter residential hills, embassies, restaurants |
| Casbah (Kasbah) | Historic sights; visit by day with a guide |
| Bab El Oued | Seafront, local markets and street food |
Apps that work in Algiers
Food delivery apps don't cover this area.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Yassir: Algerian-founded ride and delivery app
- Taxis: Street taxis rarely use meters; agree the fare first. Yassir is easiest, especially for the airport.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Algeria.
- Cash only Cash is king; foreign cards often fail at ATMs and shops. The street exchange rate is far above the bank rate, and changing on the street is illegal. Bring cash and carry plenty of dinars.
- Currency: Dinar (DZD). US$1 ≈ DA133.86 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Most ATMs refuse foreign Visa and Mastercard cards; bring euros or dollars in clean notes and change at banks or bureaux.
- Tipping: Not required; 10% in restaurants is appreciated, and small tips help for porters and drivers.
- Paying by phone: Local bank apps and Edahabia cards are for residents; visitors cannot rely on Apple, Google Pay or card taps.
Before you go
Visa and 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.
Emergency numbers
Police 17 · Ambulance 14 · Fire 14
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
SIMs are sold at the airport and shops with passport registration; 4G is available but coverage in the Sahara is thin.
Going to Algiers solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety 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.