Itinerary Algiers, Constantine & Tlemcen

June is an excellent time to visit Algeria: warm and dry weather, ideal for exploring cities, historical sites, and coastal spots. The cultural scene is vibrant, and crowds remain moderate compared to high summer.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	1,500 USD
🏨 Accommodations	980 USD
🧳 Gear	120 USD
🗺️ On-site	760 USD
Total	3,360 USD

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇩🇿 Algiers - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Casbah of Algiers ⭐⭐⭐ (~2.5h)
  UNESCO old city: winding alleys, Ottoman palaces. Take a guided walking tour for insights and safety.
• [ ] 🏛️ Museum of Antiquities ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  Top museum for Roman, Byzantine, Islamic collections. Located in the Hamma district.
• [ ] 🌳 Jardin d’Essai du Hamma ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  19th-century botanical gardens—relaxing stroll, great for photography.
• [ ] 🏛️ Bardo National Museum ⭐ (~1.5h)
  Ethnography, prehistory, Berber culture.
• [ ] 🏛️ Basilica of Notre Dame d’Afrique ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Stunning church on a hill with sweeping Bay of Algiers views.
• [ ] 🏙️ Place des Martyrs & Surrounding Medina ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Archaeological site showcasing Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic layers beneath the city.
• [ ] 🛕 Ketchaoua Mosque ⭐⭐ (~0.5h)
  Important mosque at the Casbah's entrance. Admire the mix of Moorish and Byzantine styles.
• [ ] 🏛️ Palais des Raïs (Bastion 23) ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Historic palace complex, hosts exhibitions, beautiful sea views.
• [ ] 🏙️ Rue Didouche Mourad ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  Lively avenue for architecture, coffee shops, people-watching.
• [ ] 🎨 Museum of Modern Art of Algiers (MAMA) ⭐ (~1h)
  Showcases contemporary Algerian and Maghreb art.
• [ ] 🌳 Promenade des Sablettes ⭐ (~1h)
  Seafront promenade—ideal spot for an evening walk.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Le Tantra Rooftop Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Rooftop cocktails with city views—lively yet relaxed vibe.
• [ ] 🍸 La Veranda ⭐ (~2h)
  Chic lounge for drinks—Mediterranean and French influences.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Restaurant El Djenina ⭐⭐⭐
  Iconic Algerian cuisine in a heritage setting—try couscous or mechoui; ~25 USD/person.
• [ ] 🍜 Restauration du Grand Serail ⭐⭐
  Casbah location, classic local dishes, beautiful terrace; ~18 USD/person.
• [ ] 🍜 Le Bearnais ⭐
  Historic café for pastries and coffee; ~8 USD/person.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Tipaza Roman Ruins (~0.5-day trip)
  Incredible Roman site an hour's drive from Algiers.

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🇩🇿 Constantine - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Suspension Bridges of Constantine ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  Stunning city views over deep gorges, especially Sidi M'Cid Bridge.
• [ ] 🏛️ Ahmed Bey Palace ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Masterpiece of Ottoman architecture with impressive gardens.
• [ ] 🏛️ Cirta Museum ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Fine regional archaeology and art collections.
• [ ] 🏙️ Old City Medina (Souika) ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  Evocative alleys, local shops, real Constantine atmosphere.
• [ ] 🌳 Salah Bey Viaduct & Corniche ⭐ (~1h)
  Picturesque walks with river/gorge panoramas.
• [ ] 🏛️ Monument aux Morts ⭐⭐ (~0.5h)
  Clifftop WWI memorial with panoramic views.
• [ ] 🏙️ Emir Abdelkader Mosque ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Modern Islamic landmark—impressive scale and decoration.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Café Yemma Gouraya ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Lively tea house, top spot for sampling mint tea and sweets.
• [ ] 🍸 La Renaissance ⭐
  Chic lounge bar with elegant interiors.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Restaurant Igherssan ⭐⭐⭐
  Local Constantine specialties: chakhchoukha, dolma; ~22 USD/person.
• [ ] 🍜 Le Rocher Restaurant ⭐⭐
  French-Algerian fusion; dramatic cliffside setting; ~24 USD/person.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Tiddis Roman Ruins (~0.5-day trip)
  Remote hilltop site—fascinating archaeological excursion.

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🇩🇿 Tlemcen - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Great Mosque of Tlemcen ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  12th-century Almoravid mosque—rare, majestic architecture.
• [ ] 🏛️ Mansourah Mosque & Minaret ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Striking ruins of a great Marinid mosque, minaret still dominates the skyline.
• [ ] 🏛️ El Mechouar Palace ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  Royal palace complex—beautiful Andalusian mosaics, courtyards, gardens.
• [ ] 🌳 Lalla Setti Plateau & Park ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  Scenic overlook of Tlemcen and surrounding mountains; cable car access.
• [ ] 🎨 Centre des Etudes Andalouses ⭐
  Regional cultural centre—music, exhibitions, concerts.
• [ ] 🌳 El Ourit Waterfalls ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Picturesque natural getaway—best after winter or spring rains.
• [ ] 🛕 Sidi Boumediene Mosque & Tomb ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Spiritual complex—quiet atmosphere, beautiful tilework adjacent to a charming medina.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Café Fakroun ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  Classic tea lounge popular with locals, good for relaxing post-sunset.
• [ ] 🍸 Le Ziryab ⭐
  Cosy lounge with North African fusion drinks.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Dar Samra Restaurant ⭐⭐⭐
  Must-try: pastilla tlemcenia, sweet and savoury pastries; ~20 USD/person.
• [ ] 🍜 Le Bnina ⭐⭐
  Traditional Algerian menu—tadjine lahlou, rechta; ~18 USD/person.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Nedroma Old Town (~1h, minitrip)
  Andalusian-influenced jewel just outside Tlemcen.

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇩🇿 Algiers

• [ ] 🎬 The Battle of Algiers (1966) — ⭐ 8.1
  Iconic recreation of the Algerian War; must-see for context. — Criterion Channel
• [ ] 🎬 Zabana! (2012) — ⭐ 6.2
  Biopic of a liberation hero of Algeria. — Amazon
• [ ] 📺 Parfum de Mer (2022) — ⭐ 7.0
  Series exploring life in Algiers—modern perspectives. — Arte

🇩🇿 Constantine

• [ ] 🎬 Chronique des années de braise (1975) — ⭐ 7.2
  Epic film about Algeria’s path to independence, different regions featured. — YouTube
• [ ] 📺 L'Algérie vue du ciel (2015) — N/A
  Stunning aerial documentary—see Constantine’s gorges. — France Télévisions

🇩🇿 Tlemcen

• [ ] 🎬 Tlemcen ou les lieux de l'écriture (2019) — N/A
  Documentary on writers and memory in Tlemcen. — Festival circuit
• [ ] 📺 Tlemcen, la Perle Andalouse (2011) — N/A
  TV doc on Tlemcen’s Andalusian heritage. — YouTube

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🍜 Local specialties

🇩🇿 Algiers

• [ ] Couscous algérois (semolina, vegetables, lamb or fish)
• [ ] Mechoui (roast lamb)
• [ ] Bourek (savory pastries)

🇩🇿 Constantine

• [ ] Chakhchoukha constantinoise (shredded flatbread stew)
• [ ] Dolma (stuffed vegetables with beef/lamb)
• [ ] Mderbel (eggplant and chickpeas with tomato sauce)

🇩🇿 Tlemcen

• [ ] Pastilla tlemcenia (sweet, savoury pigeon pie)
• [ ] Tadjine lahlou (meat stew with dried prunes and apricots)
• [ ] Rechta (handmade noodles with chicken)

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📍 Maps - places to pin

🇩🇿 Algiers

1. Casbah of Algiers
2. Le Tantra Rooftop Bar
3. Rue Didouche Mourad
4. Sofitel Algiers Hamma Garden
5. Restaurant El Djenina

🇩🇿 Constantine

1. Suspension Bridges of Constantine
2. Café Yemma Gouraya
3. Old City - Souika
4. Novotel Constantine
5. Restaurant Igherssan

🇩🇿 Tlemcen

1. El Mechouar Palace
2. Café Fakroun
3. Lalla Setti Plateau
4. Renaissance Hotel Tlemcen
5. Dar Samra Restaurant

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✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Algiers
• [ ] 🚅 Algiers → Constantine (4h by train)
• [ ] 🚅 Constantine → Tlemcen (train: ~5h; local transfer to Tlemcen from Maghnia station)
• [ ] ✈️ Tlemcen (Oran airport) → London

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🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Algiers	3	Sofitel Algiers Hamma Garden	450 USD
Constantine	2	Novotel Constantine	260 USD
Tlemcen	2	Renaissance Hotel Tlemcen	270 USD
Total	7		980 USD