Algeria is huge — four times France — and seven days is short. To see everything is to condemn ourselves to seeing nothing. Here are three routes tested, each designed for a traveller profile, with real journey times, indicative budgets and typical accommodation.
Route 1: "The great cultural classic" (Northeast)
For whom: first trip, lovers of history and heritage
All inclusive average budget: 1,200 – 1,800 €/person excluding international flights
Day by day
J1 — Arrival in Algiers
Arrival flight Houari Boumédien (ALG). Check-in in the center or Hydra. Evening: walk to the seafront, dinner on the cornice.
J2 — Algiers
Casbah in the morning (guide indispensable), Bardo museum, Hamma trial garden in the afternoon, Notre-Dame d'Afrique at sunset.
J3 — Tipaza (excursion)
Roman ruins by the sea, Basilica of St.Salsa, ancient royal site of Tipaza. Go back to Algiers at night.
J4 — Flight Algiers → Constantine
Flight 1:00. Evening: discovery of the suspended medina, bridges of al-Kantara at sunset.
J5 — Constantine
Ahmed Bey Palace, Cirta Museum, Rhumel Gorges. Constantine cuisine at dinner (shekhchokha).
J6 — Constantine → Annaba (by car or train)
3-4 hours' drive. Visit of St. Augustine Basilica, ruins of Hippo. Seraïdi beach as option.
J7 — Return Algiers / flight
Annaba domestic flight → Algiers, then international flight.
Logistics
- 2 domestic flights required (~50 000 DA total)
- Optional car rental (days 5-6)
- Accommodation: short term apartment recommended
Route 2: "The Northern + Sahara Gate Mix" (balanced)
For whom: travelers who want a taste of the desert without total commitment
All inclusive average budget: 1,500 – 2,200 €/person excluding international flights
Day by day
J1 — Arrival in Algiers
Same Route 1.
J2 — Algiers
Casbah, Bardo, Our Lady of Africa.
J3 — Tipaza or Cherchell
Coastal excursion. Back to Algiers.
J4 — Flight Algiers → Ghardaïa
Flight 1:30. Discovery of the Ghardaïa market, first contact with the ibadite architecture.
J5 — M Zab Valley
Visit of the 5 ksour : Ghardaïa, Beni Isguen, Melika, Bounoura, El Ateuf. Beni Isguen's ksar is only visited with an approved local guide (free or symbolic).
J6 — Ghardaïa → palm groves + desert
Half day in 4x4 in the nearby dunes, palm groves, meals at the resident.
J7 — Return Algiers / flight
Logistics
- 1 internal AR flight (~30 000 DA)
- Car useless in Ghardaïa (abundant taxis), 4x4 + driver for J6
- Accommodation in Ghardaïa: traditional dar or hostel
Route 3: "The Sahara in immersion" (Djanet)
For whom: adventurers, photographers, desert lovers
All inclusive average budget: 1 800 – 2 800 €/person excluding international flight
Day by day
J1 — Arrival in Algiers
Evening: rest in Algiers.
J2 — Algiers Express
Visit Casbah in the morning, flight Algiers → Djanet in the afternoon (2h30). Evening: briefing with the agency.
J3 to J6 — Trek Tassili n Ajjer
4-day buckle with camels: Tamrit plateau and Sefar site, 5-6 hours walking a day, bivouac, prehistoric rock paintings. To track Tamrit + Sefar + Jabbaren in the same circuit, take 8 to 9 days — set the program with your agency according to your pace.
J7 — Djanet → Algiers → international flight
Logistics
- 1 internal flight AR Algiers-Djanet (~50 000 DA)
- Tassili Tower: 100,000 – 130,000 DA for 4 days
- Tour operator reservation Djanet 3 weeks minimum in advance
Quick comparison
• Criterion
- Easy - Moderate - Sustained
UNESCO Sites, Casbah, Tipaza, Djémila* - Yes. Domestic flights
- Budget € - 1200-1800 - 1500-2200 - 1800-2800
- Ideal season - April-June / Sep-Oct - March-May / Oct-Nov - Oct-Mars
*Djemila can be added in J7 if Annaba is removed.
Common advice on 3 routes
- Visa: mandatory for most Europeans, 1 month before.
- Silver: map accepted in Algiers and high-end hotels. Cash required in the South. A possible change at the parallel market rate ("square"), much more advantageous than the bank rate — common but informal practice, at your risk.
- Ship: 23 kg in hold for domestic flights Air Algeria / Tassili Airlines. Don't overstep.
- Language: French very widespread, English few, Tamashek and Arabic in the South.
- Login: SIM Mobilis or Djezzy at the airport, ~2,000 DA for 30 GB.
Book your trip with Algeria Tourism
Accommodation, cars, excursions: everything is on Algeria Tourism, with guests and operators checked. **0% commission for guests, flexible payment for diaspora, direct contact with your provider. **