Desert dreams and Roman echoes: why Algeria belongs on your travel list

For travellers craving a destination where ancient history and vast, untouched landscapes collide, Algeria offers an experience unlike any other. Stretching from the Mediterranean coast to the remote reaches of the Sahara Desert, this North African nation invites you to step into a world of forgotten empires, vibrant cultures, and stunning natural beauty. On a two-week journey through this immense and varied country, you’ll encounter some of the finest Roman ruins on the continent, sip mint tea under Saharan stars, and witness the rhythms of daily life in cities steeped in centuries of tradition. It’s this rare blend of deep history and raw wilderness that makes Algeria so compelling—and why Algeria belongs on your travel list

Start in Algiers

Our trips - the two-week trip can be split in two shorter ones - begin in Algiers, a city perched on the Mediterranean and draped in layers of history. You’ll explore the Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where winding alleys, Ottoman palaces, and historic mosques create a living museum of North African Islamic architecture. French colonial grandeur unfolds along tree-lined boulevards, while the city’s elevated position offers sweeping views of the sea. Not far from the capital lies the remarkable Roman site of Tipaza, set dramatically between the mountains and the sea. As you wander among temples, baths, and an amphitheatre, the Mediterranean breeze adds a vivid sensory layer to the ruins.

Into the M’Zab Valley

From Algiers, the first week's tour ventures inland to the M’Zab Valley, where fortified hilltop settlements—founded by the Ibadi Muslim sect nearly a thousand years ago—rise above groves of date palms. Ghardaïa and its sister towns of Beni Isguen, Malika, and El Atteuf showcase striking architecture, their pastel homes and minarets laid out in geometric harmony. A home-cooked meal with a local family offers a warm introduction to the Mozabite way of life, where deep-rooted customs are still practised with pride. The pace of life here is slower, reflective of the desert surroundings, and it's a welcome contrast to the buzz of the cities.

Roman Numidia

Further east, the Roman city of Timgad awaits—its well-preserved street grid, arches, and forum earning it the nickname “Pompeii of Africa.” Here, you can walk through time, standing in the shadow of Trajan’s Arch or sitting in a Roman theatre that once echoed with applause. Another gem, Djemila, is nestled high in the mountains and reveals how Roman engineers adapted their plans to the local terrain. The city’s ruins are scattered with colourful mosaics and surrounded by rolling hills, a testament to the enduring reach of Rome.

Constantine, known as the “City of Bridges,” adds yet another dimension. Built dramatically above the Rhumel Gorge, this city astonishes with its series of vertiginous crossings, linking its historic quarters. The Ottoman Palace of Ahmed Bey and the National Museum of Cirta offer glimpses into the city's layered past, while a stroll across the suspension bridges reveals its striking natural setting. Walking through Constantine’s souks and stone alleyways, there’s a palpable sense of history that’s both preserved and lived.

4WD into the Sahara

This is where you choose to return to Algiers at the end of the first week of touring, or continue on the second week's tour. And it’s in this second week - when you fly south into the vast Sahara - that Algeria reveals its most otherworldly landscapes. Leaving roads behind, you travel by 4WD across the Tassili n’Ajjer plateau and into the region of Tadrart, a sandstone wilderness shaped by wind and time. Camping in this remote desert is both a digital detox and a spiritual reset. There’s no mobile signal, just the rustle of wind through dunes, the crackle of campfires, and the rhythm of Tuareg tea ceremonies.

The desert is more than scenery—it’s an open-air museum. Prehistoric rock paintings and carvings, some over 10,000 years old, depict scenes of early life when the Sahara was a green savannah. You’ll see elegant depictions of giraffes, hunters, and cattle painted on stone walls, their colours preserved by the dry desert air. Days in the Sahara blend simple pleasures with profound experiences: climbing sand dunes for sunset views, dining on lamb stew beneath the stars, and sleeping in tented camps far from light pollution. Each morning begins with warm bread baked in hot sand, and each night ends with constellations so bright they seem to hum.

Tuareg hospitality

Despite the remoteness, the journey through the desert is not austere. The crew sets up camp each evening, prepares meals, and shares insights into Tuareg culture and traditions. The hospitality is unassuming but genuine, and the bond among the small group of fellow travellers strengthens over shared meals and stories.

This tour doesn’t just take you across Algeria—it immerses you in the pulse of its history and the quiet wonder of its wild places. From mosaics and mausoleums to dunes and desert silence, Algeria offers a unique window into a part of Africa few travellers have seen. It’s a place to slow down, to listen to the land and its stories, and to come away with a deeper sense of connection to a vast and ancient world.

Best time to go

Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Algeria, offering pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and ideal conditions for exploring both the coast and Sahara. Summer brings extreme desert heat, while winters can be cold, especially inland. It is best to avoid Ramadan due to the limited availability of restaurant meals.

Our tours

We offer three tours in Algeria, two shorter ones that combine into one longer tour.

Ancient Algeria - This ten-day journey through Algeria explores its rich heritage, from Algiers’ Kasbah and colonial charm to Roman ruins in Tipaza, Timgad, and Djemila. Highlights include the hilltop towns of the M’Zab Valley, Constantine’s dramatic bridges, and warm local hospitality—offering deep insight into Algeria’s layered history and vibrant culture.

Algeria - Camping Adventure in the Sahara - This nine-day Sahara camping adventure explores Algeria’s breathtaking desert landscapes, from Algiers to the Tassili n'Ajjer plateau. Travelling by 4WD, you'll discover prehistoric rock art, vast dunes, and Tuareg culture. Nights spent under the stars in remote camps offer a deep, immersive connection to this timeless and majestic region.

Algeria in Depth - This 16-day journey through Algeria combines the two tours mentioned above and offers Mediterranean cities, Roman ruins, and Saharan adventure. From Algiers to the M’Zab Valley, Constantine, and Djemila, explore layers of history and culture. The trip continues with a desert expedition in Tassili n'Ajjer, where rock art and wild camping reveal the Sahara’s timeless beauty.