Most Famous Must-See Tourist Attractions in Algeria

 Algeria Travel Guide to Top Tourist Attractions

As the African continent's largest country, Algeria is thought of as the doorway between Europe and Africa. The country has a stunning geographical diversity, more than enough to occupy any tourist for months! From vast open deserts with sand dunes, Atlas Mountains soaring as high as 2,328 meters to the Mediterranean Sea dominating the narrow but fertile coastal plains.

Once visitors step into this country, there's an immediate sense of adventure floating in the air, and they can't help feeling aroused to explore very soon. Algeria is jam-packed with numerous pretty cities with zigzagging ancient streets and magnificent architecture dating back to Roman times, Mediterranean Coastal water sports, verdant landscapes, and several Roman ruins that speak volumes of history.

But one of the top-rated tourist attractions in Algeria is the breathtaking Saharan desert, where the ceaseless sand together with vibrant and enigmatic cities guarantee to impress even the most experienced tourist.

When visiting, don't be surprised to be warmly greeted by smiling Algerians, who are very friendly, eager to help tourists out, provide tips on how to save money by going to certain local hotels, restaurants, and cafes, and even share their manner of life with perfect strangers. You are advised to conduct thorough research to ensure you follow all the travel rules of this country.

To have an amazing time, plan your trip with my Algeria travel guide to find the top tourist attractions in Algeria.  

1) Atakor.  Despite being a challenge to arrive here in any other way, except with your own transportation, the Atakor Plateau, located in the Ahaggar National Park, will not disappoint.

The general geography is red-brown dry dotted with rough sheer peaks. The landscape resembles something directly out of a science fiction movie and is a site you'll remember always.

Be sure to visit the Assekrem Peak. In fact, Assekrem translates "the end of the world" in Tuareg, a suitable way for describing both the view from up there and the terrain's rugged severity.

2) Constantine.  As a natural wonder, Constantine has undergone multiple subtle transformations over the ages, becoming recently a major and popular tourist attraction. Once Numidia capital, then Roman Numidia, and it's obvious that power and politics must have played an important role here.

Visitors can tour most of the city's buildings by first crossing the bridge that stretches across a huge canyon, which blesses the city with a type of magical feeling, retained since Roman times. The city has a particular unique appearance, architecture, and stunning history inscribed everywhere you turn your head. 

A two- or three-days' stay should suffice to see everything in this city. 

3) Setif.  Settled by the Romans, Setif located in Algeria's Little Kabylie region, also sits more than 1,100 meters over sea level.

All the Roman ruins found here justifies a visit to this city. Besides the Roman ruins, there are also landmarks left behind by the French.

A highlight not to dare miss includes the main square along with a number of Roman sculptures. You'll be generously rewarded by going off the beaten path to discover amazing sights surrounding Setif.

4) Cathedral of Our Lady of Africa.  Situated on the harsh coast of the Mediterranean Sea, the cathedral rises 124 meters high, and is Algeria's chief religious' landmark.

Today the popular belief still lives on those two Lyon residents were inspired to build the temple, and who once erected a little sculpture representing the Virgin Mary in an olive tree's hallow here.

Constructed in 1872, the cathedral's design uses an architectural style that combines finely both Byzantine and Roman motifs.

5) Monument of Glory & Martyrdom.  The monument was built in Algiers to pay homage to all the courageous soldiers who died fighting for Algeria's independence during the middle of the 20th century. 

The monument stands 92 meters tall and can be noticed from nearly anywhere while in the city. The monument's designer was a Polish sculptor. His work imitates 3 palm leaves that soar upwards, which, joining at the top, create a sort of dome, and below it the eternal flame always burns.

You'll find an observation deck at the very top, where you could catch a fantastic, all-encompassing sight of Algiers, including views of the beautiful sea.

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Most Famous Must-See Tourist Attractions in Tunisia

 Tunisia Travel Guide to Top Tourist Attractions

Though usually regarded only as a beach destination, Tunisia boasts a boatful of surprising of things to do and top-rated tourist attractions for everyone venturing off white sandy shorelines.

In a nutshell, it's North Africa encapsulated into one convenient tourist package. There are pathways of pastel-painted homes and crammed bazaar avenues to explore in the neighboring cities; marvelous ancient ruins to uncover way out in the secluded countryside; and 5 extensive deserts with their craggy mountains, sweeping dunes, and concealed palm-tree-laden oases.

Once Rome's breadbasket, the cultural wealth that Tunisia inherited from the Romans more than justifies a visit here. But the fascinating history of many Arab Empires marching in throughout the ages along with their intricate manner of ruling also has given the nation many fine examples of spectacular Islamic architecture.

After you've lifted your head to behold Kairouan's two domes and win playing gladiator at El Djem, now it's high time to sample Sahara's untainted and unfiltered beauty; the sun-drenched beaches along the Mediterranean coastline; and Tunisia's most famous sweets sold everywhere such as French Petit Four, Makroudh, and Kaak Warka.

Use my Tunisia travel guide to learn which are the top tourist attractions in Tunisia.

1) El Djem Amphitheater.  The walls of the towering El Djem shames the nearby surrounding but now modern town.

This unusually well-preserved relic from the Romans is today Tunisia's major sightseeing attraction, a popular thing to do while on a day trip. It's one of the world's greatest examples of amphitheater-type architecture still standing tall as though with a trace of defiance. The substantial mass of the walls act as a friendly reminder of Rome's previous unyielding firm grasp across North Africa.

You could yet stroll through the ancient hallways beneath the arena how the gladiators once did after winning or losing. Or, if you prefer, walk to the higher seating tiers, and after sitting, gaze across the arena and try to imagine the fierce and bloody sword fights that broke out below your nose, and the then emperor smugly following every intense movement to survive with unnatural sadistic pleasure and deciding each combatant's fate with a swift gesture of his thumb. 

2) Carthage.  Once Rome's greatest rival and foremost enemy after suffering an unforgettable major reversal, Carthage used to be the proud and mighty city belonging to maritime Phoenicians. The airy ruins of the ancient town today lie next to the sea among Tunis' suburbs as though an ominous warning that the largest and most powerful cities nonetheless could be turned into mere dust.

These ruins though expansive spread out, and if having already seen Morocco's Volubilis, or Turkey's Ephesus, which are preserved quite well, Carthage could appear at first anti-climactic.

However, these World Heritage-protected remnants are yet extremely significant historically, and thus, anyone touring here and interested in the ancient past in North Africa should not overlook a trip here.

3) The National Bardo Museum.  Even museum haters wouldn't resist fleeting traces of awe at the mega tow of masterfully beautiful mosaics displayed inside the Bardo, in a bigger-than-life dimension.

As one of the top museums in North Africa, Bardo Museum is home to one of the most significant mosaic collections in the world, each curated wonderfully.

It's an exhibit of the resplendent, elaborate artistry of both the Byzantine and Roman eras, with carefully chosen pieces from each significant archaeological location in Tunisia.

If you got only one single day to spend in Tunis (Tunisia's capital), Bardo Museum should rank high on your list of tourist attractions to see.

4) Sidi Bou Said.  Irrepressibly charming, and astonishingly photo-friendly, Sidi Bou Said happens to be a clifftop village that sports diminutive dimensions giving the overall impression of having just rolled off a master artist's canvas.

Predictably, artists have graced this small hamlet, today an upper-class suburb of Tunis, for a long time--think decades. While the whitened alleys, colorful blue doors, and iron-fashioned window frames represent the best Tunisian village architecture, the Mediterranean background enhances the overall effect.

This is the ideal place for spending a lazy afternoon, for absorbing the carefree atmosphere, and for shopping at the several local handicraft and artisan stalls.

5) Grand Erg Oriental.  Although Tunisia's massive Sahara encompasses a lot of the nation's interior, the indisputably most lovely part of the desert consists of a field filled with sand dunes now called Grand Erg Oriental.

These poetical and even enchanting dunes are a beautiful and surreal landscape of giant waves, formed whimsically by the ever-moving desert sands.

Though for several tourists, this is a fun playing field for riding camels, treks, and dune buggies, nothing beats the innocent pleasure of just relaxing seated on top of the vast sand mountains and observing the sun beginning to set across the Sahara with varying intense shades of dark red enveloping the whole darkening sky.

The closest center lies in the Douz desert town, and here you could organize fun activities that include 4WD, hiking, and camel excursions.

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