In a bold pivot from its oil-rich reputation and often overlooked tourism potential, Algeria has announced its ambitions to become North Africa’s next big destination. The country’s tourism board has set its sights on attracting a whopping 12 million tourists by 2030—an ambitious target given that it currently welcomes fewer than three million annually. But the message is clear: Algeria wants your flip-flops, your selfies, and your euros.
The timing couldn’t be better. As European tourists grow weary of overcrowded beaches in Spain and the ever-rising prices in Morocco, Algeria is sliding into the conversation with a unique proposition: authentic North African charm without the tourist traps. Think Roman ruins older than Rome, vast stretches of Mediterranean coastline untouched by resorts, and Saharan adventures where the only queues you’ll face are for mint tea under the stars.
But for a country that has long kept its doors closed to the world—politically, culturally, and administratively—breaking into the tourism game won’t be easy. Algeria’s bureaucratic visa process has historically deterred even the most enthusiastic adventure-seekers. “People didn’t even consider it,” says Anna Marquez, a Spanish travel blogger who tried and failed to get a tourist visa in 2019. “It was like applying for a job, not a holiday.”
That’s changing, slowly but surely. In a series of recent reforms, the Algerian government has simplified its visa policy, especially for group tours and visitors to southern provinces like Tamanrasset and Djanet, gateways to the vast and visually stunning Sahara. There are whispers of a streamlined e-visa system being rolled out soon—a move that would bring Algeria in line with regional tourism rivals like Tunisia and Egypt.
Then there’s the flight situation. Historically, getting to Algeria has been a bit of a mission. But this, too, is improving. The country recently launched direct flights between London and Algiers through British Airways, and more connections from Paris, Istanbul, and Madrid are being added. It’s all part of a national effort to make Algeria accessible and appealing to global tourists—especially the kind who are curious, culturally engaged, and ready to stray from the beaten path.
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What’s in it for tourists? A lot, actually. Algeria is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Roman ruins of Timgad and Djemila—both breathtaking and uncrowded. There’s the Casbah of Algiers, a labyrinth of Ottoman-era alleys, palaces, and secrets. The Tassili n’Ajjer National Park in the Sahara is another highlight, boasting prehistoric cave paintings that rival anything in Europe.
And yet, despite all this, the country remains refreshingly uncommercial. No aggressive salesmen chasing you with carpets. No neon-lit tourist bazaars peddling plastic pyramids. What you get instead is sincerity—real places with real people who are often surprised, if not mildly amused, to see a foreigner wandering through their village or sipping espresso in their café.
The government, sensing this unique selling point, is treading a careful line. Officials say they want tourism, but not the kind that leads to overdevelopment or cultural erosion. “We’re not Morocco, and we’re not trying to be,” a tourism ministry spokesperson told a local paper. “We want to grow organically, sustainably, and on our own terms.”
That may be a tall order, especially as the country faces economic pressure to diversify away from hydrocarbons. Oil and gas still account for over 90% of Algeria’s exports, and the global energy transition is forcing even the most reluctant producers to rethink their models. Tourism, with its promise of job creation and foreign currency, has become a key piece of the puzzle.
Still, challenges remain. Infrastructure in many regions is patchy. There’s a shortage of quality hotels outside major cities, and Algeria’s hospitality industry is still catching up with international standards. English is not widely spoken, and independent travelers may find planning a trip requires more grit than they’re used to.
But for the growing number of tourists who value authenticity over convenience, Algeria might just be the best-kept secret in the Mediterranean. It’s not polished. It’s not packaged. But it’s real—and sometimes, that’s the most luxurious thing of all.
So if your suitcase is packed and your spirit is up for something different, Algeria is sending you a clear message: come over, the tea is hot, and the ruins are older than your Airbnb password.
