Mediterranean coast road trip, from west to east

A Road Trip Along the Mediterranean Coast, West to East

Follow the coast from Oran to Annaba, via Algiers.

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Overview

Algeria’s coast from west to east.

Guided visits, full board and a bilingual tour leader included. A consular visa is required where applicable. Start in Oran and enjoy the fresh air of the Mediterranean coast, explore its canyons and discover the region’s food and flavours.

Duration
11 days / 10 nights
Departure & return
International airports → Oran
Availability
Availability : Plusieurs séjours
Minimum age
4 years

Read the full overview

Follow Algeria’s Mediterranean coast on a road trip through varied landscapes and welcoming towns. This journey introduces the major cultural highlights of the country’s north.

Discover streets shaped by Arab, Andalusian, Ottoman and French influences. From lively Oran to whitewashed Algiers, the dramatic bridges of Constantine and the coastal city of Annaba, each stop reveals a different aspect of Algeria.

Regional food, cultural heritage and encounters with local people enrich the journey, whether you travel with family or friends. For those with ties to Algeria, it is also an opportunity to rediscover familiar places from a fresh perspective.

Meet an Algeria looking towards the future and eager to share its heritage. Everyday exchanges, a glass of tea and a friendly conversation bring the journey to life and offer a personal introduction to the country.

Picture a day beside the Mediterranean: historic streets, Roman remains, a seafood lunch and a warm conversation over a bowl of chorba. These simple encounters are part of what makes travelling through Algeria memorable.

Itinerary

Your journey day by day.

Algeria’s Mediterranean coast, west to east · Photo 2

Day 1Oran: history, architecture and seafood

Arrive in Oran, a lively, cosmopolitan city whose streets and monuments reflect the many influences that have shaped Algeria.

Begin at the former Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, then walk through the city centre. Discover Place du 1er Novembre, the monument to Emir Abdelkader, the white-marble theatre and the late-nineteenth-century town hall.

At lunchtime, enjoy the day’s catch in a restaurant known for its seafood, with dishes such as grilled fish or prawns.

In the afternoon, visit Yves Saint Laurent’s childhood home in the heart of Oran. Later, discover the welcoming atmosphere of Kristel and its evening life.

Day 2Tlemcen: Islamic heritage and natural landscapes

Travel to Tlemcen, renowned for its Islamic cultural heritage and rich architectural influences. On the way, discover the striking railway bridge in the surrounding mountain landscape.

Continue into Tlemcen National Park to visit the Beni Add caves at Ain Fezza. Descend into a world of limestone formations, stalactites and stalagmites shaped by water over time.

Enjoy a traditional lunch in a local restaurant, then return to the city to visit the fourteenth-century Sidi Boumediene Mosque, an outstanding example of the region’s architecture.

Continue with the historic sites of Mansourah and the Mechouar Palace, discovering the region’s Arab-Andalusian heritage. Take the cable car to the Lalla Setti plateau for panoramic views over Tlemcen, then enjoy a dinner of local specialities.

Day 3Oran: coastal walks and panoramic views

Walk along palm-lined boulevards with views over the coast. In the old town, discover the Château Neuf and Rozalcazar fortifications before stopping at Place Kléber.

Visit the bullring before a Mediterranean lunch. Then head up towards the hills above the city to discover Ribat al-Talaba Mosque, the chapel and Santa Cruz Fort, with expansive views over Oran at sunset.

Finish with an evening walk through Oran’s lively streets and enjoy the city’s sociable atmosphere.

Day 4Tipaza and Cherchell: ancient sites and Mediterranean flavours

Leave Oran in the morning and travel towards Tipaza through changing coastal landscapes. On arrival, visit the archaeological museum to discover Roman remains and the heritage of the civilisations that shaped the region.

Continue to the Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania, also known as the Tomb of the Christian Woman. Set on a hill above the Mediterranean, this imposing monument combines a striking location with a fascinating history.

Stop for lunch at Le Dauphin restaurant to enjoy grilled fish and views over the sea. Local flavours and the maritime setting offer a relaxed pause in the day.

In the afternoon, explore historic Cherchell, with its old streets and monuments. Return to your hotel for dinner and a restful evening.

Day 5Discover Algiers: history and panoramic views

Begin your exploration of Algiers with a walk through the Botanical Garden, a peaceful green retreat in the city. Continue to the Museum of Fine Arts to discover its collections and views towards the sea, then visit Dar Abd el Latif, a fine example of traditional architecture.

In the afternoon, take the cable car up to the Martyrs’ Memorial and explore the history of independence at the museum. Continue to the Bardo Museum and its cultural collections. End the day with Algiers-style rechta: fine noodles served with a fragrant sauce of chicken, chickpeas and turnips.

Day 6Algiers: the Casbah and lively boulevards

Start the day in the UNESCO-listed Casbah of Algiers. Its maze of narrow lanes and traditional houses reveals the history and everyday life of one of the city’s most distinctive quarters.

Continue through central Algiers to Emir Abdelkader Square and the impressive Grande Poste, with its Moorish-inspired architecture. The walk also takes in the former Saint Charles church, part of the city’s varied religious heritage.

Round off the day in Bologhine at the Basilica of Notre-Dame d’Afrique. From this elevated setting, enjoy panoramic views over Algiers as the sun goes down.

Day 7UNESCO-listed Djemila and Setif: ancient and cultural treasures

Travel to the archaeological site of Djemila, around three hours away by road. This UNESCO World Heritage Site preserves remarkable Roman ruins. Explore its forums, basilicas and temples for an insight into life in Roman North Africa.

Continue to Setif, where Ain El Fouara’s nineteenth-century fountain is a city landmark. Walk through the streets, discover the city’s historic remains and spend time in its central park, a popular meeting place for residents.

Setif also holds an important place in Algeria’s modern history and independence struggle. End this day of discovery with dinner in a traditional restaurant, enjoying regional specialities and local hospitality.

Day 8Arrive in Constantine, the City of Bridges

Begin in Constantine at the war memorial, with its sweeping views over the city. Then explore the lively lanes of the Casbah, where historic buildings and everyday street life reveal another side of Constantine.

Continue to the Palace of the Bey, a striking legacy of the Ottoman period, then discover the collections of the Cirta Museum, which trace the history of the region.

Visit the Mohamed Tahar Fergani Theatre, a landmark of local cultural life, before heading to Sidi M’Cid Bridge for dramatic views into the gorge surrounding the city.

End the day with dinner in a traditional Constantine restaurant, sampling local specialities and enjoying the city’s warm hospitality.

Day 9From Constantine to Annaba

Descend into the gorge for a different perspective on Constantine from the Rhumel River. Continue to the Pont des Chutes, inaugurated in 1925, to see the waterfalls and rocky scenery beneath Sidi M’Cid Bridge.

Sample Constantine’s distinctive street food, then visit the impressive Emir Abdelkader Mosque to discover its architecture and the region’s religious heritage.

Leave in mid-afternoon for Annaba, the final destination on your journey.

Day 10Annaba: ancient history and coastal scenery

In northeastern Algeria, Annaba brings together a long history, Ottoman-era heritage and buildings from the French colonial period. The surrounding region also preserves traces of much earlier human settlement.

Discover ancient Hippo, closely associated with Saint Augustine and the history of Christianity in North Africa. Begin at the Basilica of Saint Augustine, then visit the archaeological site and museum.

Continue along the corniche towards Cap de Garde, enjoying views of Annaba’s waterfront and the surrounding coastline.

Day 11A final day in Annaba: visits and souvenirs

On your final day, transfer to the airport for your journey home. Depending on flight times, there may be time for the included lunch and one last visit in Annaba.

Whether you choose the mosque or a final stroll through the shops, make the most of your last moments in Algeria before your return flight.

Responsible travel

Riwaya’s commitments.

Transport, water and waste management, local teams and heritage protection: discover the criteria Riwaya uses to assess its journeys.

Discover our approach

Practical information

Before you travel.

Departure & return

Arrival: Tlemcen / Oran airport

Departure: Annaba / Constantine airport

Price includes

  • Accommodation in four- and five-star hotels
  • Guided visits
  • Bilingual guide
  • Full board
  • Comfortable vehicle with driver

Price excludes

  • Visa fees
  • Personal expenses: souvenirs, tips, alcoholic drinks and similar purchases
  • Comprehensive travel and cancellation insurance
  • Single-room supplement

What to expect

  • Accommodation in four- and five-star hotels
  • Private transport: comfortable vehicle or minibus
  • Bilingual tour leader
  • French- or English-speaking local guides at the sites visited
  • Full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Drinks: water, tea and coffee
  • Museum and archaeological-site entrance fees
The Mediterranean coast11 days / 10 nightsDates & prices
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