If you are a traveler and lover of off-beaten destinations, then Algeria would be the best option for you. The country offers numerous opportunities for adventure seekers.
For example, you can visit the beaches, the desert, the sunshine, and the Roman ruins. Moreover, you can also even ski in winter.
Therefore, if you want to travel to Algeria to discover its top locations, read this blog. It will help you identify the places that you can visit when traveling to the target country.
Besides, your trip to this North African country may require you to get a visa to enter its territory legally. Furthermore, you must book tickets for visa purpose as well.
Introduction to Algeria
Algeria lies in the Maghreb region of North Africa. The country joins its borders with the following other states.
- Tunisia in the northeast
- Libya in the east
- Niger lies in the Southeast side
- Mali, Western Sahara, and Mauritania in the southwest
- Morocco in the west
- Northside is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea
What makes the country famous?
The desert of the Sahara is the most prominent part of the country making it a place worthy of a visit once in a lifetime. Besides, it is a mixture of several cultures and civilizations including,
- Phoenicians
- Romans
- Vandals
- Byzantine Greeks
- Turks
Population and area
The country occupies almost 919,595 sq mi (2,381,741 square kilometers) of the land. Concerning the area, it is the tenth-largest country in the world. Besides, Algeria is the largest state in Africa.
Moreover, the country has a population of almost 45 million. Thus, this makes it the tenth-most populous state in Africa and the 32nd in the world.
Algiers is the largest city of Algeria that lies on the far north side of the Mediterranean coast.
Language and religion
Arabic and Tamazight are the national languages of Algeria. Whereas French is used in education, administrative affairs, and media. Moreover, the majority of the population speaks Arabic in the Algerian dialect.
Mostly, Algerians are Arabs. However, Berbers make up the minority. Lastly, the official religion is Sunni Islam, followed by almost 99 percent of the population.
Places You Can Visit When Traveling to Algeria
While on your way to Algeria to discover its most beautiful places, make sure to add the following destinations to your list. However, you are not just bound to them and can explore further on your own.
- The Martyrs’ Memorial, Algiers
Algiers is the capital of Algeria, a city famous for its hard battle for independence. This place was founded by the Phoenicians in the 4th century BC. Besides, cultures from the Phoenician, Ottoman, Roman, French, and Byzantine strongly influenced Algiers.
Kasbah is a narrow street in Algiers that is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is known as a tribute to Ottoman rule.
- Timgad
Timgad lies in the northeastern side of Algeria near Batna. The place is famous for the Roman urban area and architecture. Moreover, Timgad will offer you a chance to experience Roman life.
Besides, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has numerous features. For example, it may include,
- 3,500 seat theater
- Thermal baths
- Houses and ships
Timgad has the nickname ‘The Pompeii of Africa’ due to its burial under sand over time.
- Djémila
Djémila is also a living example of Roman culture. Back in the time, it was known as Cuicil. Moreover, it was discovered as a military garrison in the first century AD.
Furthermore, Djémila offers its visitors,
- Well-kept ruins
- Green hills
- Theater
- Basilicas
- Arches and houses
Besides, the site has the Arch of Caracalla which is made to honor the emperor and his mother.
- M’Zab Valley
This valley makes its place in the Sahara Desert region of Ghardaïa. This site has several architectural buildings that represent the culture of Berbers.
Moreover, this valley has almost five villages, called Ksour. They are made of rock for defense purposes. Besides, buildings are made of limestone and mud bricks with narrow streets to create a cooling effect for harsh climates.
- Oran
The second-largest city in Algeria is Oran. Andalusian traders first discovered it and then Spanish, French, and Ottoman cultures had a strong influence on Oran.
Besides, the boulevards and public squares of Oran reflect the French planning of colonialism
- Ahaggar National Park
This national park protects the Hoggar Mountains. It lies in the central Sahara of southern Algeria. Surprisingly, it covers almost 450,000 square kilometers of land.
The Ahaggar National Park has the highest peak, Mount Tahat, and also possesses the following:
- Towering cliffs
- Deep valleys
- Plateaus
What Documents Do You Have to Travel to Algeria?
Your trip to Algeria requires you to apply for a visa from your home country. For this purpose, you have to submit certain documents to start your visa application process. You can learn about other additional visa requirements from the relevant embassy near your location.
Besides, the standard visa documents are as follows.
- The first important requirement is to submit your diplomatic passport. It should be valid for a specific period so that you can travel through the country without any difficulty.
- You can also attach two passport-size pictures as well. This will help the immigration officer identify you.
- Furthermore, another thing you must do is to book tickets for visa purpose. This will show your travel and flight details to the embassy. For instance, your flight and seat number, airline company name, visa purpose, travel dates and time, booking ID, etc.
- You can also disclose where you will stay during your journey to Algeria. Therefore, you can reserve a hotel or rent an apartment to manage your trip to the target country.
- Writing a cover letter also helps you strengthen your visa application. You can include additional details that present your journey through a new perspective. For this purpose, you can discuss the activities you have planned, the length of your trip, and when you will come back.
Finally, you can get these documents from RFV which is a well-trusted travel agency that excels in providing visa and flight services.