Algerian capitals throughout history
12 Days / 11 Nights
aLGERIAN CAPITALS THROUGHOUT HISTORY
(Algiers - Medea - Cherchell - Tipaza - Msila - Béjaïa - Constantine - Oran - Tlemcen - Tiaret)
Your receptive in Algeria offers you : 12 Days / 11 Nights
Visit the most legendary places in all of Algeria
This twelve-day tour is a grand tour of Algeria that explores the country’s rich historical, cultural and natural heritage, from vibrant Algiers to ancient Constantine, passing through the Roman sites of Tipaza and Djemila, and the medieval capitals of Tlemcen and Bejaïa.
Cultural travel program in Algeria with Algeria DMC
Day 1, Sunday: arrival at Algiers airport
Arrival at Algiers airport. Assistance and transfer to the hotel with a stop in the hills above the city to visit the Makam Echahid (Martyrs’ Memorial). This monument, erected in the early 1980s in memory of the Algerian fighters who fell for the liberation of the country, overlooks the city from its 92-meter height. Visit to the museum and transfer to the hotel.
Dinner in the city.
Day 2, Monday: Basilica of Notre Dame d'Afrique – Casbah – Bastion 23
A tour of the Casbah will begin with the Dey’s Palace, nicknamed « Dar Essoltane, » which is currently being restored. We will then visit the Centenary House, followed by a meeting with cabinetmaker Khaled Mahiout, who will show us his workshop and terrace offering panoramic views. Next, we will visit the Sidi Ramdane Mosque, the Bir Chebana Fountain, the Palace of Princess Khedaoudj, and the Mustapha Pacha Palace, not forgetting the artisans of the Casbah.
We will have lunch in the fishing district, where the New Mosque (Djamâa el-djedid) stands. After lunch, we will depart for a tour of Algiers, where we will see the famous Grande Poste (Central Post Office), the National Theater, the Wilaya (Algiers Prefecture), and the Galeries de France, now a Museum of Modern Art.
Then we will ascend to the heights of Algiers to admire the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa, which overlooks the famous Bab el Oued district.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 3, Tuesday: Algiers - Medea – Algiers (220 Km)
Departure from Algiers to Médéa.
Achir (Médéa) was the first capital of the Zirid dynasty, founded by Ziri ibn Menad in the 10th century. Located in the Titteri Mountains, it served as the seat of power before the capital was moved to Kairouan and then to Mahdia. The ruins of Achir, located in the present-day municipality of Kef Lakhdar, bear witness to the importance of this fortified city.
Return to Algiers, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4, Wednesday: Cherchell & Tipaza
Departure towards Cherchell, the ancient Roman Caesarea. It boasts a museum of exceptional ancient sculptures, the National Museum of Cherchell, with, to the left, the bust of King Juba II, sculptures of the heads of Selene, his wife, and his mother, Cleopatra… The Place des Martyrs, the ancient Esplanade – Roman Square, adorned with a replica of a Roman fountain (the original is in the museum), is surrounded by a magnificent Bellombra grove (a subtropical tree) and numerous fragments of ancient structures. Next, we head to Tipasa (a city famous for its Roman archaeological remains), where we’ll have a fish lunch and a stroll along the ancient port. We’ll visit the ancient city located on the western hill, including the theater, the circus, and the baths… (This site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site)… Numerous Punic, Roman, Christian, and African remains attest to the rich history of this region. Albert Camus wrote « Noces » there in 1939.
On the way back, a short detour to visit the Tomb of the Christian Woman (Queen Selene, wife of Juba II). Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 5, Thursday: Algiers – Msila - Bejaïa (480km)
Departure for the Kalâa of Beni Hammad, Msila Province.
In a strikingly beautiful mountain setting, the ruins of the first capital of the Hammadid emirs, founded in 1007 and dismantled in 1152, offer an authentic glimpse of a fortified Muslim city. Its mosque, with its prayer hall of 13 naves and 8 bays, is one of the largest in Algeria. Then continue to Bejaia, formerly known as Saldae, became the capital of the Hammadid kingdom in the 11th century after the transfer of power from the Kalâa of Beni Hammad. Under the leadership of Emir An-Nasir, it was rebuilt and developed into a major commercial, cultural, and military center in the Mediterranean.
Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6, Friday: Bejaïa
Visit Bejaïa, passing through Place Gueydon, then stroll through the Casbah of Béjaïa. Its imposing walls pique the visitor’s curiosity about the history they hold. This governmental citadel has played an important role in the transmission of knowledge since the Middle Ages. Wander through the city center, admiring its Haussmannian architecture and Roman, Arab, Spanish, and Ottoman remains. Depart for the Gourara Massif, then visit Cap Carbon: the world’s largest natural lighthouse, bordered by turquoise waters perfect for swimming. This majestic Algerian cape, located not far from Béjaïa, was equipped with a lighthouse in 1907, towering 220 meters above the bay.
In the evening, savor seafood specialties while listening to typical Algerian music.
Day 7, Saturday : Bejaïa - Djemila - Constantine (260km)
Departure for Constantine, with a stop in Djemila, the ancient ruined city of Cuicul, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982.
Ancient Cuicul is a remarkable example of Roman urban planning, with its forum, temples and basilicas, triumphal arches, and houses. Cuicul is one of the most beautiful Roman ruins in the world. During our walk, we will explore the ancient city and also visit the museum, which is well worth a visit. In the afternoon, we will head towards Constantine. Cirta was indeed the capital of the Numidian kingdom, but it was founded by the Phoenicians before becoming the capital for the Numidians and later being rebuilt and renamed by the Romans. The ancient city of Cirta corresponds to the historical heart of the modern city of Constantine in Algeria.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8, Sunday: Constantine
We begin the day with a trip to Tiddis, located on an arid mountainside approximately 30 km from Constantine. The ruined Roman city is perhaps the most impressive of all the Roman sites in Algeria. The Romans arrived during the reign of Augustus, but built much of what we see today in the 3rd century AD. Tiddis had no natural water sources, so the canals and cisterns are one of the most interesting features of the area.
After our visit, we will return to Constantine where we will take a city tour to visit the Cirta Museum, the suspension bridges, the Constantine Museum, the Kasbah, and the Ahmed Bey Palace.
Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 9, Monday : Constantine - Oran - Tlemcen (175km)
Transfer to Constantine airport for the 10:30 flight from Constantine to Oran at 12:25, then drive to Tlemcen. Tlemcen was the capital of the Zianid Empire, establishing its prosperity as the political, economic, and cultural center of the central Maghreb. Under the Beni Abd al-Wad (or Zianid) dynasty, the city became a major trading hub connecting sub-Saharan Africa to Europe and experienced remarkable urban, architectural, and intellectual growth.
We will visit this quintessential romantic city of Algeria, which will reveal all its secrets, whether historical, artistic, or simply romantic. We will discover monuments that transport us to a charming atmosphere, such as the Sidi Boumediene Mosque with its elaborate minaret and mihrab. Wandering through the city’s streets, squares, buildings, and parks, we will uncover hidden stories and legends. We ascend by cable car to the Lalla Setti plateau to enjoy panoramic views of the city, the mountains, and the Mansourah archaeological site. Overnight in Tlemcen.
Day 10, Tuesday : Tlemcen - Tiaret (330km)
Departure for Tiaret; Tahert was the former capital of the Rustamid dynasty, an Ibadite state that reigned between 776 and 909. Founded by Ibn Rustam, this city was located in central Algeria, on the site of the present-day commune of Tagdemt, a few kilometers west of the modern city of Tiaret. The prosperous kingdom ended with the Fatimid attack in 909. A visit to the El Atik Mosque is included; it is one of the most important religious and historical monuments in the wilaya (province). Its construction dates back to 1869. The Colomanata ruins: Stone platforms located in Sidi al-Hossni. This region, considered the cradle of early humans known as Colomanata (6330-5250 BC), is currently housed in the Bardo Museum in Algiers. It is also the cradle of the Barbary horse, whose existence dates back 8,000-11,000 years. As for the Colomanata Palace, it occupies a strategic location in the Raurawa highlands.
Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 11, Wednesday : Tiaret - Algiers (250km)
The route to Algiers passes through Thénia El Had and Tissemsilt, known as « The Charms of the Ouarsenis. » The Ouarsenis region also reveals a wild and unspoiled natural environment. Tissemsilt, in particular, boasts nearly a third of its land comprised of hills and mountain peaks, their summits blanketed in snow throughout the winter and dotted with oak leaves as spring approaches. Upon arrival in Algiers, you will visit the city in the afternoon and discover its architecture, notably the works of architect Le Corbusier and those he influenced: the Aéro-Habitat building by Miquel, Bourlier, and Ferrer-Laloë, a student of Le Corbusier, as well as the famous Burdeau Bridge-Building by Pierre Marié, which was constructed according to Le Corbusier’s principles. You will then visit the Bardo Museum and the Museum of Antiquities, before concluding with the Sacré-Cœur Cathedral.
Dinner in town and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 12, Thursday : Algiers, return flight
Morning visit to the National Museum of Fine Arts. Open to the public since the 1930s, the museum boasts no fewer than 8,000 works, including paintings by great Dutch and French masters such as Brugghen, Renoir, Monet, Matisse, Delacroix, Van Goyen, Gauguin, and Pissarro. Lunch at the Jardin d’Essai (Botanical Garden). The Jardin d’Essai is located at the foot of the National Museum of Fine Arts. Created in 1832, its west wing houses the French Garden, while its southeast wing is occupied by the English Garden. Several stone sculptures by Émile Gaudissard can also be found there.
Then transfer to the airport for your return flight.
Program of your cultural trip to Algeria :
- The itinerary may be subject to changes depending on airline schedules.
Notes with our receptive in Algeria, Algeria DMC :
This Algeria tour is confirmed for a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 20 people.
All our tours can be customized and privatized upon request.
You also have the option to extend your stay in Algiers or combine this tour with another itinerary.
Key strengths and unique features of this immersive tour
- Major Historical and Cultural Immersion
- Exceptional Roman Remains
- Medieval and Dynastic Capitals
- Nature and Architecture
- Panoramic Views
- Visit two Roman sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Tipaza & Djemila
- Visit the roman ruins of Djemila and Tipaza
- Algiers and it's Casbah classified by Unesco
- Meeting with Craftsmanship
- Constantine, the "City of Bridges"
- Explore and learn about Unesco sites
- Discover the diverse flavors of Algerian cuisine
- Artistic Heritage
- Explore Algeria’s rich architectural heritage & its modern designs
- Enjoy different activities tailored to each region
Algeria DMC is proud to present this meticulously crafted tour, allowing you to discover the rich history and cultural diversity of Algeria’s capitals throughout the ages.
Travel back in time in Algiers to explore the Casbah, the Basilica of Notre Dame d’Afrique, and the Martyr’s Memorial, before venturing to the sites of the earliest capitals.
Be amazed by the vestiges of medieval dynasties as you visit the ruins of the ancient Zirid capital at Achir (Médéa) and the spectacular Kalâa of Beni Hammad (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Hammadid capital.
Step back into antiquity by admiring the magnificent Roman ruins of Tipaza and Djemila (Cuicul), both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Discover the romantic atmosphere and rich heritage of Tlemcen, the former Zianid capital, with its Lalla Setti plateau and the Sidi Boumediene Mosque.
Conclude your journey in Constantine, the city of bridges, to explore the Roman site of Tiddis and its historic heart.
Open your eyes and come experience Algeria’s history with us!
Prices and notes :
Price per person, domestical flights included :
10 pax: € 2 595 incl. VAT
11/14 pax: € 2 495 incl. VAT
15/20 pax: € 2 350 incl. VAT
Single room supplement: +€ 580 incl. VAT
Price per person of this cutural travel in the Algerian capitals includes:
- 04 nights at the 4* Ralf hotel in Algiers
- 02 nights at the 4* Saldae hotel in Bejaïa
- 02 nights at the 4* Protea hotel in Constantine
- Flight from Constantine to Oran
- 01 night at the 5* Renaissance hotel in Tlemcen
- 01 night at the 4* Mellasse hotel in Tiaret
- 01 night at the 4* Ralfhotel in Algiers
- Full board
- Dinners at local restaurants (no alcohol)
- Comfortable bus + driver + bottled water
- Tour guide throughout the tour
- Logistics support throughout the tour
- All visits included
Price per person of this cultural circuit the colors of Algeria does not includes:
- International flights
- Multi-risk cancellation and repatriation insurance
- Drinks, extras and personal expenses
- Visa fees : € 185
Contact your travel agency for Algeria :
Please contact us so we can provide prices tailored to your specific request.
Our email: algeria.dmc@gmail.com
Our WhatsApp: +33 6 15 32 59 16 or