About Algiers, Algeria:
Algiers is the capital city of Algeria, on the country’s Mediterranean coast. The city has a population of approximately 3.9 million, with about 5 million population in the metropolitan area. Nicknameed Al-Jazā’ir al-Baydā’ (“Algiers the White”) because of its gleaming white buildings cascading down to the sea, Algiers is one of the most beautiful urban settings in the entire Mediterranean (often compared to Naples or San Francisco), due to being situated on a natural amphitheater facing the Mediterranean: white-and-pastel buildings climb steep hills around a perfect bay.
The city has a walled, old city section (commonly called a medina in many North African cities), characterized by narrow, maze-like streets and traditional buildings, with steep, winding streets, Ottoman palaces and a ruined citadel.
The architecture is a mix of Ottoman, French colonial, brutalist 1970s, and shiny new glass towers, as well as informal neighborhoods. The clifftop Catholic basilica of Notre-Dame d’Afrique features a large silver dome and mosaics
Catholic places of interest in Algiers, Algeria:
Basilica of Our Lady of Africa (Notre-Dame d’Afrique): Famous 19th-century hilltop basilica overlooking the bay; very tourist-friendly; Mass in French daily. Click here for the official website of the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa (Notre-Dame d’Afrique in Algiers, Algeria (in French).
Cathédrale du Sacré-Cœur d’Alger: Completed in 1956, it became the new cathedral in the capital after the Cathedral of Saint Philip of Algiers reconverted into a Muslim Ketchaoua Mosque. Located in downtown Algiers it is the seat of the Archbishop.
Address: Q27W+MXW, Sidi M’Hamed 16000, Algeria
Phone: +213 697 10 37 72
Traveling to Algiers, Algeria:
By air: Algiers has an international airport, Algiers International Airport Houari Boumediene, code ALG. It is located approximately 9 miles north of the city.
U.S. citizens, please note that a visa is mandatory for U.S. citizens arriving by air and must be secured before travel, as visa on arrival is generally only for those on organized cruise ship excursions.
By Sea:
There are ferry services to Algiers, primarily connecting it with France and Spain. Major routes include those from Marseille and Sete in France, and from Alicante, Barcelona, Almeria, and Valencia in Spain. Operators like Corsica Linea, Algérie Ferries, Balearia, and GNV provide these services, with travel times varying by route.
Algiers is also a cruise port for several cruise lines, including Viking Ocean Cruises, MSC Cruises, and Ponant. Other cruise lines that have visited Algiers are Azamara Cruises, Explora Journeys, and Scenic. The Algiers cruise port is called Port d’Alger (Port of Algiers) and is located centrally, close to the city’s main attractions.
The timezone is (UTC+1), the same as Paris.
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