Secrets of Algeria

After breakfast, enjoy an orientation of the city which includes a visit to the Kasbah of Algiers, a fortified old town in the heart of Algiers. Get lost in its tangle of alleyways and witness the perfect blend of French colonial architecture set against an Islamic core. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the Palace of the Dey, Khalifa’s Mosque, and several other ancient buildings.

Next, admire the colonial Cathedral of Notre–Dame d’Afrique, a historic Catholic church overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Built between 1858 and 1872, it combines Neo-Byzantine and Romanesque architectural styles. Though it was originally built to serve French colonial Catholics, it remains an important symbol of Algeria’s religious and cultural history.

Today, Notre-Dame d’Afrique is still used for religious services and is a significant tourist attraction. It holds a special place for both Catholics and Muslims, with a statue of the Virgin Mary facing towards France as a symbol of the historical connection between the two countries.

After lunch, you will visit the National Museum of Antiquities providing a wonderful base and insight to the start of your historic journey, with exhibits from the prehistoric, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic periods. (B,L,D)

Overnight – El Djazaïr Hotel or similar

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning before setting off for an early drive to Sétif (330kms, 4.5hrs). Sétif’s history goes back to Roman times, during the reign of Emperor Nerva between 96 and 98 AD. Parts of a cemetery were uncovered in the 1960s, and a small section of the Roman circus built in the settlement remains visible, though sadly no attempts were made to preserve these historical treasures. Spend time exploring the museum and after lunch, you will visit Djemila, an archaeological site that is sure to leave you speechless at its beauty.

Exploring Djemila is like stepping into a vivid time capsule of the Roman Empire’s splendour. Renowned for its stunningly preserved ruins that date back to the 1st century AD, wander through the ancient city’s cobblestone streets lined with the remnants of grand temples, basilicas and triumphal arches that tell tales of a bygone era. The Temple of Augustus and the expansive Forum showcase intricate carvings and commanding stone structures that hint at the city’s former significance. Transfer to your hotel. (B,L,D)

Overnight – Best Western Plus or similar

Today you will travel from Sétif to Timgad via Batna (131kms, 2.5hrs). Start by driving to Batna, where you will have a brief visit to Madghassen, a royal mausoleum temple of the Berber Numidian kings, before continuing to the archaeological site of Timgad.

Continue to Timgad, the ruins of the largest Roman settlement ever built in North Africa. Founded by Emperor Trajan around 100 AD, this UNESCO World Heritage site stands as one of the best-preserved examples of a Roman colonial town. As you stroll through the expansive grid-patterned streets, you’ll encounter the striking Arch of Trajan, an imposing gateway that welcomes you into the heart of the ancient city. The Capitol, with its towering columns and intricate stonework, along with the vast amphitheatre that once hosted thousands of spectators, captures the essence of Roman cultural life. The detailed mosaics scattered throughout the ruins tell stories of myth and daily life, showcasing the artistry and sophistication of Timgad’s inhabitants. Here you will visit the museum, which houses excellent mosaics – some of the best preserved in the world. (B,L,D)

Overnight – Trajan Hotel or similar

After breakfast, drive to Constantine (118kms, 2hrs). This city is one of the grand spectacles of the north, made by nature but embellished by man. Over time, the Oued Rhumel carved out a deep gorge around an outcrop of rock, creating a natural fortress that was already occupied in Neolithic times. Since then, Constantine (Cirta as it was known in antiquity, Qacentina as it has also been called) has always been a city of political, cultural and economic significance. The Numidians made it their capital and after Julius Caesar defeated the army of Juba I at Thapsus, it remained the capital of Roman Numidia. The Romans destroyed the city after a rebellion in AD 311, but Emperor Constantine then gave orders for it to be rebuilt – and renamed, using his name.

The French writer Alexandre Dumas called it “a fantastic city, something like Gulliver’s flying island.” The sense of fantasy has still not left it, for however much building has gone on around, the heart of Constantine remains on that upland shelf, reached by bridges. It is a cosmopolitan place that has, over the centuries, attracted traders as well as invaders from around the Mediterranean, including Jews from France and Spain, Ottoman Turks, Genoese and others.

From the 16th century, after the Turks conquered much of what is now Algeria, Constantine (Qacentina) became an important, independent beylik. Even after the last bey was chased from his palace by the colonising French, the bey continued the struggle from elsewhere in the region until resistance became impossible, for a while. On 8 May 1945 (a date commemorated in street names across the region) it was here, and in neighbouring Sétif and Guelma, that the independence movement started.

You will explore the city’s six bridges, including the Roman Kantara Bridge. From here continue to see the ruins of the Antonian Roman Aqueduct and the Great Mosque of Constantine. A visit to the Kasbah is a must, as well as the 19th-century Ottoman Palace of Ahmed Bey and Constantine’s Museum. (B,L,D)

Overnight – Protea Hotel or similar

Following breakfast, drive to Tiddis, where you will visit the fascinating archaeological site before pausing for lunch and continuing to the airport for your flight to Béchar (2hrs) via Algiers, which lies on the northern reaches of the Sahara.

Béchar’s former European quarter includes a military station and modern buildings, while the traditional quarter features covered, narrow streets. Surrounded by date palm groves watered by the Wadi Béchar, the town is noted for its leatherwork and jewellery. Continue to Taghit, where you will overnight. (B,L,D)

Overnight – Saoura Hotel or similar

Exploring the Berber villages of the Sahara is an immersive dive into the heart of Algeria’s Saharan culture and history. Nestled against the backdrop of sweeping golden dunes and rugged escarpments, these villages are a testament to the resilience and rich traditions of the Berber people. Wandering through their narrow, sunbaked alleyways, you’ll encounter mud-brick homes adorned with simple yet striking geometric patterns and hear the melodic hum of Berber dialects spoken by locals who greet you with warm smiles. The villages are surrounded by lush palm groves, fed by ancient qanat irrigation systems that bring life to this arid landscape.

 After breakfast, drive to Beni Abbes (160kms, 2hrs), exploring the dunes that surround the oasis. Visit the Sahara Museum and the typical clay fort of Charles de Foucauld, who installed its first “brotherhood” in 1901. It is still occupied by monks of the order. In the oasis, you will also visit the old Ksar.

Return to Taghit, and visit the caves situated on the cliffs of Taghit and the old Ksar Taghit. The village is an old mud-brick town that meets the modern side of the village which is slowly developing. This is all set in between green palm groves. (B)

Overnight – Saoura Hotel or similar

Continue to Béchar (95kms, 1.5hrs), where you will take a flight to Oran (2.5hrs). On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. (B,L,D)

Overnight – Colombe Hotel or similar

After breakfast, it is time to explore Oran. Oran is a beautiful coastal city, often compared to the French Riviera town of Nice, with its French colonial-style buildings. Enjoy a city orientation tour where you will visit La Cathédrale du Sacré-Cœur and Santa Cruz Fort.

Fort Santa Cruz sits on Mont Murdjadjo, around 400 metres above sea level. The fort was built by the Ottomans and Spaniards in the 17th century in a strategic location overlooking the city, the Mers El Kébir port, and the Mediterranean Sea.

There is a magnificent castle and chapel on site, as well as a massive statue of the Virgin Mary. The statue is said to be a replica of the one at Notre-Dame de la Garde in Marseille. (B,D)

Overnight – Colombe Hotel or similar

After breakfast, drive to Tipaza (375kms, 3.75hrs). Here you will spend the afternoon exploring the ruins of Tipaza and discover the history of the ancient civilisations in Algeria. What makes the ruins of Tipaza so extraordinary is that they not only showcase the architectural style of one group of rulers, but also reveal the influence the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, and Christians had on the construction of this lost city and the role they played in the development of Algeria. The ruins of Tipaza are nestled against the stunning backdrop of the azure sea, where the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore complements the timeless grandeur of its stone amphitheatres, temples and basilicas. Olive and fig trees dot the landscape, adding a touch of verdant charm that contrasts with the rugged remains of Roman columns and walls.

Continue to Cherchell, with a visit to the Cherchell Museum. The Cherchell Museum houses what are widely considered some of the finest examples of Roman and Greek antiquities on the African continent. Cherchell was established by the Carthaginians in the 4th century BC and was captured by the Romans in 25 BC, who made it into the capital of the Mauritania province, naming it Caesarea in honour of Caesar Augustus. The town was ruined by the Vandals in the first century CE and later restored to its former grandeur by the Byzantines. A series of conquests by various invaders saw Cherchell change hands several times before becoming a French territory in 1840. Many artefacts from these various periods of Cherchell’s history have been uncovered by archaeologists, many of which are on display in the Cherchell Museum.

You will then continue to Algiers (70kms, 1hr) and check into your hotel. (B,D)

Overnight – El Djazaïr Hotel or similar

Today is yours at leisure until it is time to transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)