Central Algiers including the Casbah, Grande Poste, and waterfront areas.

About Algiers City Center

Algiers — 'La Blanche' (The White) — is one of the Mediterranean\'s most striking capitals, its Ottoman-era Casbah tumbling down steep hillsides to meet French colonial boulevards and a sweeping waterfront. The city center along Rue Didouche Mourad and the area around the Grande Poste (Central Post Office) — a magnificent neo-Moorish building — showcase the architectural legacy of French colonial rule blended with Islamic design traditions.

The Casbah of Algiers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a dense labyrinth of narrow alleys, Ottoman palaces, mosques, and traditional houses that predates the French era. Below it, the modern city features the Jardin d\'Essai du Hamma — one of the world\'s most important botanical gardens — and the striking Monument des Martyrs (Maqam Echahid), a concrete memorial to Algeria\'s war of independence.

Algiers\' food scene reflects its Mediterranean and North African heritage, with couscous, mechoui (slow-roasted lamb), and fresh seafood dominating menus. The café culture along the waterfront and in the colonial center is central to daily life. The city is increasingly opening to tourism, though it remains less visited than its North African neighbors, giving visitors an authentic and uncommercial experience.

Nearby Landmarks

The Casbah Grande Poste Maqam Echahid Notre-Dame d'Afrique Jardin d'Essai

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost $10-15
Time 20-40 min

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost $8-12
Time 20-40 min

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Exit Houari Boumediene Airport arrivals hall and proceed to the taxi area.
2. Take an airport taxi toward Algiers center (negotiate fare: DZD 1,500-2,500).
3. The route follows the autoroute north/west through Bab Ezzouar toward the city.
4. Ask for your specific destination: Grande Poste area, Didouche Mourad, or the waterfront.
5. There is also a bus (line 100) from the airport to central Algiers (DZD 25, runs daytime, 45-60 min).
6. Journey by taxi takes 25-40 minutes outside rush hours.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi $10-15 20-40 min Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare $8-12 20-40 min Budget-conscious, app users

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

After midnight, taxis are the only option. Airport taxis operate 24/7 — negotiate the fare before departing (expect DZD 1,500-3,000 to the city center). There is no ride-hailing app widely used in Algiers. Stick to airport taxis or pre-arranged hotel transfers for late arrivals. The city center is quiet but generally safe late at night.

Luggage Tips

Standard Algiers taxis (usually white Renault Symbols or Hyundai Accents) have limited trunk space. For more than 2 suitcases, you may need two taxis or a larger vehicle. Confirm luggage fits before departing. The airport bus has limited luggage capacity. Algiers streets in the Casbah area are steep and narrow — confirm vehicle access to your accommodation.

Accessibility

Algiers Airport has basic wheelchair assistance. The city itself has very limited accessibility infrastructure. The Casbah is entirely inaccessible to wheelchairs (steep stairs, narrow alleys). The colonial center along Didouche Mourad is flatter and more navigable. Contact your hotel in advance for transport and accessibility arrangements.