subject: The Casbah, In The Heart Of Algiers [print this page] The capital city of Algeria, Algiers is a one tourist destination in the northern part of the African continent that is truly worth a visit. Located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, this city stretches on the beach, while its old part is situated on steep hills right behind the modern area. The citadel, or casbah as it is called by the locals, is situated 122 meters above sea level and is the highest point in the entire city.
Algiers falls somewhat behind in terms of public transportation, which means it is not so easy a task to get around the city. However, the local administration is undertaking great efforts and a new Metro line is about to open for use. If you do not mind a little bit of crowd, you can take the bus as it will drive you almost anywhere inside the city and the suburbs.
Ten brand new stations will be opened once the Metro line will be ready, and the new means of transportation will be able to take you to the most important spots inside the city. Don't forget that you can always take a cab as taxis are quite cheap in Algiers. It is not a common practice to offer a tip, but you can do it anyway. Buses remain the most convenient way to get around though, and you can take one from the city center. Tickets can be bought only on the bus, so just wait for the staff with the tickets to come charge you for the trip.
The city has some important spots to visit, and travelers mostly come here to see them rather than just go around Algiers. The most important is the Casbah, as the old part of the city is called. Dating from 17th century, the Casbah is also identified with the citadel of Algiers. In the city center, you will be able to see the Monument of Martyrs. Other sites include La Grand Poste, Aquafortland and a few old mosques. The oldest is El Kebir Mosque, but El Djedid Mosque and Ketchaoua Mosque are also several centuries old.
During summer, Algiers becomes quite a crowded city, so the best time to visit is the spring. If you travel there during spring months, you won't be forced to fight off the crowds while you try to go sightseeing inside the city. The Casbah must be first on your list as it is also a very popular destination since the place was shown in "Battle of Algiers", the famous movie. Here, during the colonization times, the people of Algiers were forced to live in seclusion, being prisoners in their own city. If you walk around the city, you will certainly identify other places to see, like El Hamma botanical gardens. Here, you can enjoy a stroll on the park alleys, while taking in the views of the lush vegetation including many tropical trees. A visit to the basilica of Notre Dame must also be part of your tour but you need to take a cable car to get there.
