Tlemcen Torist Attractions, Algeria, North Africa

Tlemcen Torist Attractions, Algeria, North Africa

Tlemcen is a town and the administrative center of Tlemcen province in the northwestern part of Algeria, holding a dignity of the spiritual home of Algeria. Tlemcen popularity is expanded by olive plantations and vineyards spread up around the town. With the produce of a large amount of leather, carpet, and textile products, Tlemcen has also been developing towards becoming one of the major industrial towns of Algeria.

Tlemcen is located 842 meters above sea level, between 34°52′58″ N latitude and 01°19′00″ W longitude, around 510 kilometers southwest of the national capital, Algiers. The total area of Tlemcen measures 9,061 square kilometers.

 

History of Tlemcen:

Tlemcen doesn’t have any valid theory about the origin of its name, although one theory claims that the name of Tlemcen may be a combined form of the two Berber language words Tala and Imsan, and its total meaning is “the dry spring”. Tlemcen originated as a military outpost during the Roman rule in the 4th century CE with name Pomaria.

 

Connectivity to Tlemcen:

Tlemcen hosts an international airport, named Zenata – Messali El Hadj Airport, located around 22 kilometers away from the center of the town of Tlemcen. The airport handles flights from and to Paris, Istanbul, Algiers, Marseille, Lille and Lyon.

Due to its position near the northern coastline of Algeria, reaching Tlemcen from the other northern cities by bus, including the national capital, Algiers would be not a difficult task for visitors.

 

Culture, Shopping and Food in Tlemcen:

Tlemcen holds a rich cultural diversion, mainly in music and art activities as it saw the different cultures in its long history including Moorish, Berber, Andalucian and Ottoman.

Tlemcen’s textiles and handcraft products are famous among visitors that are also colorful and affordable.

Here are some nice restaurants with both traditional Algerian and international crispy and crunchy dishes in Tlemcen:

  • Restaurant de l’Hotel Agadir
  • Restaurant de l’Hotel Ibis
  • Restaurant Equinoxe
  • L’Echappatoire

 

Things to do in Tlemcen:

  • City tours
  • Visiting nearby cities
  • Traditional shopping

 

Tourist Attractions in and around Tlemcen:

The Great Mosque:

The Great Mosque is the most important religious landmark of Tlemcen, dating from 1136. It is one of the illustrious mosques in Algeria, especially noted for its Almoravid architecture.

 

Sidi Boumediene Mosque:

The mosque dedicated to a luminary Andalusian mystic, Abu Madyan or Sidi Boumediene is a Sidi Boumediene Mosque, located in the El Eubbad district in Tlemcen and his tomb adjoins to a mosque. Sidi Boumediene was also popular as a great Sufi master.

 

Citadelle et Palais El Mechouar:

The Citadelle et Palais El Mechouar is one of the historical identities of Tlemcen, situated in the district of El Mechouar in Tlemcen. It is allowed for visitors and can be explored best through a guided tour.

 

Mansouah Minaret:

The Mansouah Minaret is a historic masterpiece holding a strong historical background and receives a large number of tourists year round. It is also one of the important landmarks of Tlemcen.

 

Water Fountain:

Located in downtown Tlemcen, the Water Fountain of Tlemcen is famous among both tourists and natives, where one can also enjoy the gondola lift riding that passes over the water fountain. Don’t miss it.

 

List of the other tourist attractions in and around Tlemcen includes:

  • Djebel Aïssa National Park
  • Fort Santa Cruz
  • Tlemcen National Park
  • Great Synagogue in Oran
  • Cathédrale du Sacré-Cœur d’Oran
  • Place du 1er Novembre
  • La Cathedrale du Sacre Coeur
  • Le Theatre d’Oran
  • Chapelle de Santa Cruz
  • Eglise St Louis
  • La Porte d’Espagne
  • La Fontaine d’Aucour
  • Marche Medina Jedida
  • Palais de la Culture

 

When to visit Tlemcen?

Throughout the year is best, especially the summer months between May and September are the most popular time to travel Tlemcen in Algeria.

 

Where to stay in Tlemcen?

Compared to other Algerian cities, Tlemcen provides modern  hospitality industry with all kinds of accommodation centers, including hotels, vacation rentals, BB and inns. A list of the reputed hotels in Tlemcen, Sidi-Bel-Abbes (95 km) and Oran (175 km) includes:

  • Hotel les Zianides
  • Ibis Tlemcen
  • Renaissance Tlemcen Hotel
  • Hotel Stambouli
  • Hotel Belkaid
  • Hotel Residence Pomaria
  • Hotel Beni Tala
  • Le Raja Hotel
  • Hotel Eden Airport
  • Hotel Eden Belabbes
  • Best Western Plus Liberte Hotel
  • BEST WESTERN Hotel Colombe
  • Le Meridien Oran Hotel & Convention Centre

Hotel Residence Le Timgad

Tourist Attractions in Timimoun, Algeria, North Africa

Tourist Attractions in Timimoun, Algeria, North Africa

Timimoun is a town belonging to the province of Adrar in the south-central part of Algeria. It is the administrative center of Timimoun district, especially noted for its red ochre color buildings. Timimoun is situated around 288 meters above sea level, between 29°15′46″ N latitude and 0°14′20″ W longitude, around 195 kilometers northeast of the provincial capital, Adrar and 1230 kilometers southwest of the national capital, Algiers.

Timimoun is situated in the northern part of the province, surrounded by the plateau of Tademaït to the southeast and salt lake or sebkha towards the northwest. Timimoun features a hot desert climate with mild winters and very hot summers, but rainfall is very little year round.

 

Connectivity to Timimoun:

Timimoun Airport is served by Air Algérie with scheduled flights from and to Oran, where one can get frequent flights to the national capital, Algiers. The airport is located around 5 kilometers away from the heart of the town of Timimoun.

Through national highways like N51, N6 and N1, Timimoun is linked to Béchar, Adrar, Ghardaïa, In Salah and Tamanrasset and visitors can hire a car from the local travel agency to get in and around Timimoun.

 

Culture, Shopping and Food in Timimoun:

The majority of the Timimoun’s population is formed by Muslim citizens. Berber is a widely spoken language in the town and some people also communicate in Arabic and French.

All kinds of shops and restaurants can be seen in Timimoun but it is difficult to get memorable experience, so it is advised for visitors to reach Adrar city (around 195 kilometers) for more comfort.

Two well known restaurants in Timimoun are as follows:

  • Restaurant E Rahma
  • Restaurant Djudjura

 

Things to do in Timimoun:

  • Visiting nearby cities
  • Walking

 

Places of interest in Timimoun:

Adrar:

Adrar is the provincial capital, around 190 kilometers away from Timimoun. Adrar is famous among visitors for its cultural centers, historical sites and entertainment centers. It can be reached by bus from Timimoun.

 

Timimoun Airport:

Timimoun Airport is a modern airport known for its nice construction and surroundings. The airport has all the basic facilities and is located 5 kilometers away from the town center.

 

Red ochre color buildings in Timimoun:

Timimoun is well known for its red ochre color, buildings spread up all around the town and most buildings have a historical background.

 

List of other places of interest in and around Timimoun include:

  • Tuat
  • Notre Dame d’Afrique
  • Musee National du Bardo
  • Le Jardin d’Essai du Hamma
  • La Rue Didouche Mourad
  • Jamaa El Kebir
  • Memorial du Martyr
  • Kasbah of Algiers
  • La Grande Poste d’Alge
  • Musee des Antiquites
  • Le Musee National Des Beaux Arts
  • Musee de l’Armee
  • Cathedrale du Sacre Coeur
  • Le Port de Sidi Fredj
  • Tombeau de la chretienne
  • Museum of Modern Art Algiers

 

Best time to visit Timimoun:

Due to its extremely hot summer, visitors can choose the winter months between November and March to visit Timimoun in Algeria while rainfall is also very little.

 

Accommodation options in and around Timimoun:

Timimoun has a limited number of hotels, so it is suggested for visitors to book hotels well in advance prior to reaching the town through online otherwise they may get difficulty in finding hotels during high season and furthermore, one can refer the nearby city hotels. Here are some hotels located in and around Timimoun in Adrar:

  • Hotel Gourara
  • Djenane Malek
  • Bab Sahara
  • Hotel Ksar Massine
  • Mraguen Hotel
  • Auberge Inimi
  • Auberge Caravane de Tergit

 

Tourist Attractions in Tiaret, Algeria, North Africa

Tourist Attractions in Tiaret, Algeria, North Africa

Tiaret is a town situated in the province of Tiaret in central Algeria, between 35°22′ N latitude and 1°19′ E longitude, around 245 kilometers southeast of the city of Oran and 265 kilometers northeast of Algiers, the capital of Algeria. There are many archeological sites, including Jedars surrounding Tiaret drawing a large number of tourists year round.

Agriculture is the backbone of the Tiaret’s economy and in recent years, industries have also been the part of the economy and other province of Tiaret also depends on agricultural activities. Tiaret covers a total area of 20.086.62 square kilometers.

 

History of Tiaret:

It is believed that, the name of Tiaret may be derived from the Berber language in which Tiaret means ‘lioness’, indicating the presence of Barbary lions in Tiaret in the past. Although ruled by many eminent powers, Tiaret considerably developed during the French rule who built it around 1845.

 

How to reach Tiaret?

Tiaret has a domestic airport, named Abdelhafid Boussouf Bou Chekif Airport, with scheduled flights only from the national capital, Algiers, served by Tassili Airlines. The airport is located around 16 kilometers away from Tiaret which can be reached by bus or rental vehicle.

Reaching Tiaret from Algiers by bus would be not a difficult task for visitors as buses ply regularly between these two cities and other important northern Algerian cities.

 

Shopping and Food in Tiaret:

One can find all sorts of shops in Tiaret but relatively upgraded, so it is advised for visitors reach either Oran or Algeria to buy a variety of colorful traditional handicraft products and branded clothes at affordable costs.

Restaurant Youcef is a famous restaurant in Tiaret offering a menu with updated traditional and international delicacies.

 

Things to do in Tiaret:

  • City tours
  • Shopping
  • Walking

 

Tourist places in and around Tiaret:

Jedars:

Situated around 30 kilometers away from Tiaret, the Jedars are the sepulchral monuments dating from the 5th to 7th centuries. It can be explored best through a guided tour.

 

Mechra-Sfa:

Mechra-Sfa is a peninsula featuring a plenty of megalithic monuments. Mechra-Sfa is situated in the valley of the Mina River, a few kilometers away from Tiaret.

 

Great Synagogue of Oran:

Located around 240 kilometers from Tiaret, the Great Synagogue of Oran is a former synagogue showing a blend of Neo-Mudejar and Moorish Revival architectural style constructed in the year 1880 and at present it serve as a mosque.

 

Santa Cruz Fort:

Originally constructed by the Spanish between 1577 and 1604, Fort Santa Cruz is a fort located on a hill in Oran, around 240 kilometers from Tiaret. Santa Cruz Fort is considered as one of the historical identities of both Oran and Algeria.

 

List of other attractive places in Tiaret includes:

  • La Cathedrale du Sacre Coeur
  • Qasr el-Bey
  • Le Theatre d’Oran
  • Eglise St Louis
  • La Gare d’Oran
  • Chapelle de Santa Cruz
  • Marche Medina Jedida
  • La Fontaine d’Aucour
  • Porte de Santon
  • Cathédrale du Sacré-Cœur d’Oran
  • Place du 1er Novembre
  • Palais de la Culture
  • La Porte d’Espagne

 

Ideal time to visit Tiaret:

The ideal time to visit Tiaret in Algeria depends on visitors’ interest and the most popular time is between May and September.

 

Where to stay in Tiaret?

As like other Algerian cities, Tiaret has a lack hotels, so it would be better if visitors drive towards the Oran city (around 240 kilometers) to have memorable hospitality services. The prominent hotels in Tiaret and Oran are as follows:

  • Le Raja Hotel
  • Royal Hotel Oran
  • BEST WESTERN Hotel Colombe
  • Houna El Ferdaous
  • Hotel Residence Le Timgad
  • Le Meridien Oran Hotel & Convention Centre
  • Sheraton Oran Hotel
  • Le Privilege Hotel
  • Ibis Oran Les Falaises
  • Eden Palace
  • El Mouahidine
  • Hotel Eden Airport
  • Best Western Plus Liberte Hotel
  • Le Littoral Les Andalouses
  • EDEN Phoenix Hotel

Best Tourist Places in Tamanrasset, Algeria, North Africa

Best Tourist Places in Tamanrasset, Algeria, North Africa

Tamanrasset is the capital city of the province of Tamanrasset in the southern part of Algeria. It is located at an elevation of 1,320 meters, at 22°47′6″ N 5°31′22″ E, around 1930 kilometers south of Algiers, the capital of Algeria. It has only few tourist attractions including Maison de la Culture and visitors can consider it as a starting point of the Algerian tour as it is located in the southern end of Algeria and serve by an international airport.

The Tuareg people form the majority of the Tamanrasset’s population. Although experiencing hot desert climate, the weather of Tamanrasset is supportive for the productions of citrus fruits, almonds, figs and dates.

 

History of Tamanrasset:

Tamanrasset originated as a military outpost to defend the trade routes of Trans-Saharan. During the French rule in Algeria, Tamanrasset was called Fort Laperrine which was named after General François-Henry Laperrine. Tamanrasset was the site of the crash of Air Algérie Flight 6289 in 2003.

 

Getting Tamanrasset:

Aguenar – Hadj Bey Akhamok Airport is the airport serving Tamanrasset with scheduled flights from Algiers, Constantine, Djanet, El Golea, Ghardaia, Illizi, In Salah, Oran, Ouargla and Paris, catered by Air Algérie.

The airport is located 7 kilometers away from the center of Tamanrasset which can be reached by bus or taxi.

Tamanrasset is also connected to the national capital Algiers by bus services through the National road A1.

Visitors can get around Tamanrasset with rental cars are accessible in addition of availing buses.

 

Culture, Shopping and Food in Tamanrasset:

Compared to other southern Algerian cities, Tamanrasset houses number of cultural sites, including Maison de la Culture and Musée du lOPNA.

Tamanrasset houses many modernized restaurants of which most accept credit cards for visitor’s convenience.

The famous food corners in Tamanrasset are as follows:

  • Restaurant Nina
  • Restaurant Tassili
  • Restaurant Chelia

 

Things to do in Tamanrasset:

  • Hiking
  • Shopping
  • Visiting museums

 Places of interest in Tamanrasset:

The Museum of the Hoggar:

The Museum of the Hoggar in Tamanrasset is concentrated on showcasing the life and culture of the indigenous people Tuareg. It receives a large number of tourists year round.

Musée du Hoggar:

The Musée du Hoggar is a specialty museum as well as one of the tourist attractions of Tamanrasset housing a nice collection of objects showcasing the features of Hoggar Mountains. Another important museum in Tamanrasset is Musée du lOPNA. It is worth a visit.

Hoggar Mountains:

The Hoggar Mountains are a mountain region known for its highest peak, Mount Tahat (2,908 meters), the tomb of Tin Hinan, rock paintings dating back to 6000 BC and endangered fauna species, Lycaon pictus.

Tassili N’Ajjer National Park:

Situated around 700 kilometers away from Tamanrasset, the Tassili N’Ajjer National Park was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its archaeological sites and prehistoric rock paintings are famous among visitors coming to the park year round.

 List of other places of interest in and around Tamanrasset includes:

  • The city gate of In Salah
  • Municipal stadium
  • Notre Dame d’Afrique
  • La Rue Didouche Mourad
  • Memorial du Martyr
  • Mosque in In Salah
  • Le Jardin d’Essai du Hamma
  • Museum of Modern Art Algiers
  • Cathedrale du Sacre Coeur
  • La Grande Poste d’Alger
  • Musee National du Bardo
  • Tombeau de la chretienne
  • Le Musee National Des Beaux Arts
  • Musee des Antiquites
  • Le Port de Sidi Fredj

Best time to visit Tamanrasset:

Probably the best time to visit Tamanrasset is during the months of the winter season between November and March as its summer is very hot.

Accommodation options in Tamanrasset:

There are modernized hotels less in number in Tamanrasset city, so it is advised for visitors to find hotels in nearby cities for more comfort with a wide variety of facilities and services. The prominent tourist favor hotels in and around Tamanrasset are listed below:

  • Complexe Touristique Saharien Bois Petrifie
  • Hotel Tahat
  • Gîte Saharien
  • Mraguen Hotel
  • Djenane Malek
  • Bab Sahara
  • Hotel Ksar Massine
  • Auberge Inimi
  • Hotel Gourara
  • Auberge Caravane de Tergit
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