Africa

Is Algeria safe?

Capital: AlgiersArabicUpdated October 2026

L2Exercise increased caution

Is Algeria safe?

Cities and the coast are calm for visitors, but travel near the borders with Mali, Niger, Libya and Mauritania is dangerous. Sahara journeys require registered guides and permits.

Key facts

US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-08-24.
Homicide rate: 1.2 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
Road deaths: 20.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
Emergency numbers: Police 17 · Ambulance 14 · Fire 14.
Solo women: Solo women travel here, but street harassment is common; dress modestly, avoid evenings outside and use hotel-arranged taxis.

Risks, scams and laws

Main risks

Kidnapping and militancy near southern and eastern borders
Petty theft and mugging in Algiers
Road accidents on busy national roads
Summer wildfires and desert heat

Common scams

Unofficial taxi drivers and currency changers quoting rates in the street

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

Safety by place in Algeria

Place	Safety
Algiers	3/5 · Take real precautions

Quick answers

Is Algeria safe for tourists?

Cities and the coast are calm for visitors, but travel near the borders with Mali, Niger, Libya and Mauritania is dangerous. Sahara journeys require registered guides and permits.

Is Algeria safe for solo female travelers?

Solo women travel here, but street harassment is common; dress modestly, avoid evenings outside and use hotel-arranged taxis.

What is the emergency number in Algeria?

Police 17 · Ambulance 14 · Fire 14.

Safety by place

AlgiersSafety

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.