Algiers, the capital of Algeria, first had inhabitants 1000 years ago. It has since grown and developed into a large city with over three million people today. While the city center is still struggling to keep up with rapid growth, downtown Algiers looks more modern. The city's underdevelopment can be traced back to the Civil War, which started in 1991 that destroyed much of the country. However, the war never dampened the spirit of the locals, and with the work and determination they put in place, the city has now started gaining life. If you want to go on holiday to a beautiful place where you can make new, colorful memories, I recommend you travel to Algeria. It has grown to become so admirable that there are specific places you may want to visit when you travel to Algiers. Here are some of the beautiful Instagrammable places in Algiers you may wish to visit.
1. Casbah of Algiers
You can never travel to Algeria, land in Algiers, and fail to visit or even hear about the Casbah. Also known as the Medina quarter, the Casbah site in Algiers hosts the Ketchaoua Mosque, which is classified as a world heritage site too along with the Casbah site itself. The mosque was initially built in 1436 with an architectural touch of both the Moorish and Byzantine architectural elements. Its detailed architectural design makes it a symbol of the history of the city of Algiers. The mosque has transformed and has been used by both Muslims and Christians at different times over the years. In 1794 it was transformed into a typical ottoman mosque, and in 1832 it was transformed into a catholic church. It was renamed St. Philippe Cathedral until 1962 when it became a mosque again. Today, you can visit Casbah and enjoy a photo moment on this iconic site, which will undoubtedly trend in your Instagram posts.
2. El Djazair Hotel
El Djazair Hotel must be on your list if you plan to travel to Algeria. Hotels are naturally expected to be fleek, especially ones that are situated in cities and big towns. However, not all hotels in big cities like Algiers will meet the minimum threshold of being flaunted on Instagram. In Algiers, El Djazair Hotel stands out in the historical architectural design it brags of and the royal association it has. The hotel used to be the seat of Lord George's British mission before it was transformed into a hotel in 1889 and given the name Hotel Saint-Gorge. Today, the hotel and its cafe are a regular destination for couples, intellectuals, and tourists. You wouldn't want to be left out in the day's trend, and you sure will want to visit this great hotel and cafe, and while there, take some snaps and Instagrammable photos to share on Instagram with your friends.
3. El-Hamma Jardin d'Essai
This is a botanical garden measuring 32 hectares laid out by the French army back in 1832. It was later developed by the garden's respective directors, which has seen it being used as an experimental garden for scientific studies. In this garden, about 3000 plant and tree species have grown and thrived here for a long time. The Palm avenues, various bamboo trees, exotic shrubs, dragon trees, and colorful flower beds characterize the scene you will be welcomed with when visiting this historical and iconic garden. This Instagrammable garden had been closed for restoration work in the earlier years of the 21st century but was reopened in 2009 when the work was completed.
4. Monument of the Martyr (Memorial du Martyr)
The memorial was designed by a Polish sculptor known as Marian Konieczny and was built in the 1980s. This building was dedicated to the Algerian revolution, and it follows an idea by the painter Bachir Yelles. In 1982, when Algeria was celebrating its 20th independence anniversary, the memorial was inaugurated to commemorate France's war victims. The Memorial du Martyr joins other historical museums like the Army museum and the National Mujahideen Museum to form the Riadh El Feth. This combination gives you a favorite site where you can find leisure relaxation and history in one place. There are also shops, cinemas, restaurants, and bookshops to spice up your visit. This is not a place you visit and forget to take Instagrammable photos in.
5. Oscar Niemeyer’s Buildings
When the great Brazilian architect arrived in Algiers in the 1960s, he had only politics. However, with time, he became a favorite of two presidents, the Revolutionary Council president, and later president Houari Boumediene. Later his passion for architectural design manifested when he built in Algiers the EPAU University and the La Coupole d’Alger Arena, an oval indoor sporting arena made of concrete. You will quickly identify these buildings whenever you are in Algiers, thanks to their outstanding designs.
6. Promenade des Sablettes
In your long list of what to see in Algiers, you can never fail to include the Promenade des Sablettes. This former desert area has now been designed to accommodate both buses and cars on your way to the seashores. Earlier, Algiers people had no access to the sea, and this upgrade came as a blessing to them. The Promenade des Sablettes was designed by Frenchman Arte Charpentier and was officially opened in 2014, allowing masses of people into the area. Today, the place is full of activities, and you will never miss photography enthusiasts flocking the place for Instagram photos.
7. Djamaa el Djazair
Djamaa el Djazair is, by structure and demeanor, the Great Mosque of Algiers. It was designed by the Frankfurt Architecture firm KSP Juergen Engel Architekten and the Darmstadt engineering firm Krebs+Kiefer. The two firms won an international competition for building this iconic mosque. It is now the third-largest mosque in the world after the two Islamic pilgrimage sites in Medina and Mecca. This is undoubtedly a place you will want to have memories of when you visit.
8. Sacred Heart Cathedral
One of the Instagrammable places to have good photogenic pictures is the Cathedrale du Sacre-Coeur. The Cathedrale Sacre Coeur d'Algiers was designed by architects and civil engineers Paul Herbe, Jean le Couteur, and Rene Sarger. The three built the Cathedral in the Rue Ibn Hazm after they got inspiration from the Gospel of John, which stated: 'God has pitched His tent among us.' Whereas a slender dome floats on several columns rising 35 meters above the nave floor, the primary material inside the church is concrete. The church was built in 1956 and has braced the challenges of time to be an iconic church building to date. Visiting the cathedral does give you not only a feeling and taste for history but also a chance to share the images of this great church with friends.
9. The Urban Park
One of the best places to visit in Algeria is the Urban Park. Algiers prides itself in the huge urban park located in the suburbs of Algiers extending along a hill slope, which faces a critical motorway. This location makes the park an ideal spot for people to hang out and have fun as they capture the moment's good times. Its master plan proposes creating a series of gardens for an even finer touch to this great park. You will undoubtedly want to visit this iconic park on your travel to Algiers.
10. Bardo Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography
The Bardo Museum of Algeria focuses on Algeria's prehistory, making it one of the best museums to visit in Algiers. The collections you get in the museum are a well-displayed collection of videos, models, information panels, and excellent diagrams. These collections reveal how the climate and environment have changed over the years and how this has affected both human and wildlife development. The museum is rich in historical information with many fossils, rock carvings, Neolithic pottery, and some Neanderthal paintings from the Sahara.
11. Palais des Rais
Palais des Rais is a palace made up of a row of several large waterfront houses that are joined to form a single compound. It is now the home of arts and photographic exhibitions as well as performing arts. You certainly get a lot of pleasure by exploring the rich collection of arts that this palace has in store. The main building was built in 1798 by Dey Mustapha Pacha, who used it as a personal residence. The French military later occupied it for a while, which then gave way for the American consulate before it finally became the most successful restoration project in the city. This is one of the must-visit Instagrammable places in Algiers for sure.
12. National Museum of Fine Arts
National Museum of Fine Arts is one of the best Instagrammable places in Algeria. The National Museum of Fine Arts houses some of the most admired artworks globally, with both Algerian and international artists supplying artwork. Around it lays some luscious gardens that make the environment attractive and one you would love to be in. In the museum, great paintings, drawings, and sculptures are spread out over several floors waiting for you to come and view. The building itself is a great attraction that will steal your attention anytime you approach it. It serves as an ideal spot for learning and some fun too. You should no longer worry about taking photos in Algiers since you now have a comprehensive list of such great places when visiting the city. Algiers has a lot in store for you, and you walk out of the city, not only refreshed but equipped with a lot of historical knowledge.
