FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Algiers

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Algiers each year. The main ones are listed below.

In Algeria, New Year's Day is a cause for celebration with friends and family.

The birth of the Prophet Muhammad is celebrated each year in Algeria. Prayers and celebrations during these two days make them a family-holiday.

49 French-language speaking countries including Algeria celebrate their link with France. Poetry and writing contests are held for the youth, as well as meals and games about French culture and language for everyone.

Labour Day is a public holiday for all Algerians. This day is spent on parades and worker marches.

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan, during which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, is an especially pious time in Algeria, a country with a majority Muslim population. Fasting begins each day at sunrise and ends at sunset. For the entire month, Algiers operates at a slower pace during the day and stirs into action at nightfall.

In Islam, this day marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and is a time for celebrations with family and friends.

The Anniversary of the Algerian coup d'état of June 19^th 1965 which saw Houari Boumédiène take over as president is cause for yearly celebration.

This holiday commemorates the Independence of Algeria as proclaimed on July 5^th 1962 by General de Gaulle. It is an opportunity for many official speeches, parades and popular rejoicing.

It is considered the most important of the yearly Muslim holidays and honours Ibrahim as a model for all believers. This is also an occasion for sumptuous family gatherings, for which it is recommended to multiply offerings and gifts.

November 1^st 1954 is the official starting point of the war between France and Algeria. This event is cause for yearly celebrations, official memorial services and political speeches.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Algiers

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	6/43	16,5/62	80/3.1	Not the best period to go
February	6,5/48	17/63	82/3.2	Not the best period to go
March	7/45	18,5/65	73/2.8	Good period to go
April	9/48	20/68	61/2.4	Good period to go
May	12/54	23,5/74	40/1.5	Good period to go
June	16/61	27/80	16/0.6	Good period to go
July	18,5/65	30/86	4/0.1	Not the best period to go
August	19/66	31/89	7/0.2	Not the best period to go
September	17/63	29/84	34/1.3	Good period to go
October	14/57	25/77	76/2.9	Good period to go
November	10/50	21/70	96/3.7	Not the best period to go
December	7/45	17/63	115/4.5	Not the best period to go

Algiers Houari Boumediene International airport

The Algiers Houari Boumediene International airport is located 16 kilometres east of Algiers.

• Three terminals
  • T1 (Air France)
  • T2
  • T3

• By car:
  • Directions: Downtown Algiers is 20 minutes away from the airport when using the N11 road.
  • There is a parking lot in the immediate vicinity of the airport. DZD 1,200 per 24 hours.
  • Rentals: Several car rental companies are located in the arrivals hall.

• Hotel shuttles:
  
  
  • Some hotels organize their own shuttles from the airport. Check with your hotel ahead of time.

• Taxi:
  • Taxis connect the airport to downtown Algiers for about DZD 1,200. Taxis are available at the ranks 50 metres to your right when exiting Terminal 1. Allow about DZD 800 for a return trip from downtown Algiers to the airport.

• Bus:
  • The "aero-ville" (ETUSA line 100) connects the airport to downtown Algiers in about one hour, every hour.
    Allow for DZD 50 for one trip. Tickets can be bought in the bus. The line stops at Place des Martyrs, Assemblée Nationale, Essafir Hotel, Albert 1er Hotel, Place Audin, the Main Post Office and the bus station. First bus leaves downtown at 5:45 a.m. and last bus leaves the airport at 11:45 p.m.

• Services:
  • shops, bars and restaurants, free Internet access (Wi-Fi), duty-free shops, mailboxes, newspaper stands available in the airport.
• Website: https://www.aeroport-alger.com/en/index_en.php

GETTING AROUND Algiers

Downtown Algiers and its surroundings are easy to get around. Subway and tramway are the two best options.

Tramway

With one line and 28 stops, the tramway of Algiers connects the "Fusillés" station east of downtown to the western Dergana district, riding along the coastline. It is operated every day from 5:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. with one train every 5 minutes.

Tickets are DZD 40. You can buy them at the automated machines in every station.

Subway

The subway system is safe and modern in Algiers. With one line and 14 stations, it connects all major areas from Tafourah-Post Office downtown to Hai El Badr west of downtown.

It is operated 7/7 from 5:00 a.m. to 11 p.m. with one train every 3 to 5 minutes.

Tickets are DZD 50. Books of tickets are available for DZD 400. You can buy them at the automated machines in every station.

Bus

49 bus lines that connect Algiers allow you to travel downtown, especially with the "aero-ville", a line that stops at the Place des Martyrs, Algiers' airport, Place Audin, the Post Office and the Agha station.

The grid also extends far into the suburbs. The "aero-ville" is operated from 5:45 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Most bus lines are operated from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Bus tickets are 20 DZD. You can buy tickets at the automated machines in every station or in the bus.

Taxi

Taxis are a good way to navigate the city of Algiers, when you consider the dense traffic. Be careful and do not hop into non-official taxis. Taxis in Algiers must be yellow and bear a “taxi” sign. The fare must not exceed DZD 20 per kilometre.

Visitor information

Once you arrive in Algiers, don't hesitate to get in touch with tourism professionals for information and help in organising your stay.

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: 126, rue Didouche Mourad, 16004 Alger
• Telephone: +213 21 64 69 85
• Website: http://ont.dz/

Medical information

See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Algiers counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.

Obtaining a booster vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis is recommended
Typhoid, hepatitis A and B are also recommended.

For more information, contact the Air France Vaccination Centre:

• Address: 38, quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
• Website: https://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr/
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

It is strongly advised to drink water from sealed bottles.

It is recommended to keep strong food hygiene practices: make sure produce is carefully washed and food is properly cooked before eating.

Administrative procedures

Entry requirements for Algeria

As a French citizen, you need to obtain a visa if you will be staying in Algeria. The request should be addressed to the Algerian consulate.

To travel serenely in Algiers and Algeria, follow the travel advice of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/algeria/

Useful addresses

Algerian Embassy in France:

• Address: 50, rue de Lisbonne, 75008 Paris
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 53 93 20 20
• Website: www.amb-algerie.fr/

French Embassy in Algeria:

• Address: 25, chemin Abdelkader Gadouche 16035 Hydra, Alger Algérie

• Telephone: (+ 213) 21 98 17 17

• Website: ambafrance-dz.org

French Consulate in Algiers:

• Address: 25, chemin Abdelkader Gadouche 16035 Hydra, Alger

• Telephone: +213 21 98 15 05

• Website: https://alger.consulfrance.org/

Essential phrases

Good to know

+213

+ phone number

-1 : 00
of time difference with
Stockholm

There is no Daylight Savings Time in Algeria

Usually from Sunday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. In July and August, banks open only in the morning, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Usually from Sunday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m In July and August, administrations open only in the morning, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

220 V / 50 Hz

Tipping
Tipping is not necessarily required, although always appreciated if you are satisfied with the service. You may leave a tip in restaurants and hotels, for 10 to 15% of the bill.