Algeria the largest nation on the African continent and a famous mediterranean location, a mix between the past and the modern. Known for its stunning landscapes and grand architectural structures, a warm welcoming people with interesting cultures. Though Algeria has had its fair of tough times in the past from serious wars and violent attacks. The country today, is one of the visited destinations in Africa. Thanks to the abundance natural luxury of Mediterranean Sea on its northern coast. While on the south, it goes deep into ever hot the Sahara. From Ahaggar National Park to Notre-Dame d’Afrique to Jardin d’Essai du Hamma, here are some of the top unique things to see and do in Algeria, one of the most visited countries in Africa.
Ahaggar National Park
Ahaggar National Park is known to be one of the largest national parks in the world with an area of about 450,000 square kilometers and 2,000 kilometers distant from the Mediterranean sea. Visiting this highland in Algeria is definitely one of the top things to do in the country. A home to different wildlife as well as the last remaining Saharan cheetahs. The park which barely witnesses rainfalls annually also includes the jagged volcanic rocks of the ahaggar mountains.
El Kala National Park
This is the ideal place for lovers of all things aqua life which was established in 1983. The park boasts of mosaic forests, ocean dunes and lakes which gives it a high biological value. El kala park which is one of the biggest national parks in Algeria visited by more than 30,000 tourists annually, is home to a unique ecosystem protecting a wide range of Flora and fauna endemics recorded to be more than 300 species in total.
Notre-Dame d’Afrique
Notre-Dame d’Afrique is a 19th century Roman Catholic Church located on a cliff which overlooking the Bay of Algiers, the capital of Algeria. A grand architecture you shouldn’t miss when you are in Algeria. The church also known as “Our lady of Africa” catholic basilica took fourteen years to complete and was inaugurated in 1872. The basilica had 46 stained glass windows installed during it’s construction but was demolished twice during a bomb attack in the city. It later got reconstructed in 2003 with over 5.1 million euros in total.
Address: Rue de Zighara, Bologhine, Algeria
Beni Hammad Fort
This is a lovely historical site also known as Al Qal’a of Beni Hammad located in a mountainous setting of exquisite beauty on the southern part of Djebel Maadid. The Qal’a which comprises of 7km of partially dismantled fortified walls, monumental vestiges and a series of palaces with impressive architectural structures. It was found in the 11th century by the son of Bologhine (founder of Algiers) “Hammad” and abandoned in 1090 after an Hilalian invasion. The fort enjoys a view of powerful mountains, clear blue skies and lush nature.
Jardin d’Essai du Hamma
Jardin d’Essai du Hamma is a top unique thing to do right in the heart of Algiers. A grand botanical garden with the most lush palm trees and fountain, established in 1832. The historical garden is one of the most beautiful places both visitors and locals can relax and share wonderful moments with their loved ones. It consists of a museum and zoo with different animals.
Address: Rue Mohamed Belouizdad, Belouizdad, Algeria
Museum of Antiquities
This is one of the best places to get detailed insights into the rich history of the Algerian people as each antique would take you on a trip back in time. Though most of the antiques and other items in the museum are captioned in French and Arabic, available guides are always very ready to provide accurate translations to each items. A section of the museum is dedicated to prehistoric Islamic antiquities with some of the most amazing mosaics and statutes while the other section would take you back to the Roman times in Algiers.
Bardo National Museum
This is museum predominantly ethnography and prehistoric focused with a grand architectural structure. Each collection of items within the monument are well displayed both with videos, models, excellent diagrams and information panels. Also within the grounds of the monument is an Ottoman-era palace of courtyards, fountains and sub-tropical gardens. The museum is home to lots of fossils, neolithic pottery as well as rock carvings.
Address: 03 Rue Franklin Roosevelt, Sidi M’Hamed 16000, Algeria
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