UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed via list ref 102) in Al, Algeria.
- Region
- High Plateaus & Steppe
- Located in
- M'Sila
- Coordinates
- 35.813, 4.792
- Status
- UNESCO World Heritage
Knowledge hub
Algeria History
A connected view of Algerian history, from the green-Sahara rock art of the Tassili to Rome, the medieval dynasties, the Ottoman Regency and independence in 1962.
Quick answer
Algeria History on Algeria Compass brings together 32 mapped entities — unesco sites, roman sites, museums and more — with the destinations, experiences and guides that connect to them.
A connected view of Algerian history, from the green-Sahara rock art of the Tassili to Rome, the medieval dynasties, the Ottoman Regency and independence in 1962.
Key entities in this hub
UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed via list ref 179) in Tassili, Algeria.
- Region
- The Great South
- Located in
- Djanet
- Coordinates
- 24.500, 9.500
- Status
- UNESCO World Heritage
UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed via list ref 191) in Djémila, Algeria.
- Region
- Eastern Algeria & the Aurès
- Located in
- Sétif
- Coordinates
- 36.321, 5.737
- Status
- UNESCO World Heritage
UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed via list ref 193) in Tipasa, Algeria.
- Region
- North-Central Tell
- Located in
- Tipaza
- Coordinates
- 36.589, 2.447
- Status
- UNESCO World Heritage
UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed via list ref 194) in Timgad, Algeria.
- Region
- Eastern Algeria & the Aurès
- Located in
- Batna
- Coordinates
- 35.484, 6.469
- Status
- UNESCO World Heritage
UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed via list ref 565) in Kasbah, Algeria.
- Region
- North-Central Tell
- Located in
- Algiers
- Coordinates
- 36.783, 3.060
- Status
- UNESCO World Heritage
Roman and early-Christian city, home of Saint Augustine, near Annaba.
- Region
- Eastern Algeria & the Aurès
- Located in
- Annaba
- Coordinates
- 36.880, 7.750
Roman legionary camp and town at Tazoult, Batna.
- Region
- Eastern Algeria & the Aurès
- Located in
- Batna
- Coordinates
- 35.490, 6.250
Roman town with a well-preserved theatre at Guelma.
- Region
- Eastern Algeria & the Aurès
- Located in
- Guelma
- Coordinates
- 36.460, 7.430
Everything in this hub
Roman sites
Museums
Plan around this topic
Provinces
coast
Algiers
Algiers (El Djazaïr) is Algeria's capital and largest city — a Mediterranean port famous for its UNESCO-listed Ottoman Casbah, white tiered waterfront, French-colonial boulevards, the vast new Great Mosque of Algiers, and grand monuments like Notre-Dame d'Afrique and the Maqam Echahid. It's the country's main gateway and a city best explored on foot, with a guide for the Casbah.
andalusian
Oran
Oran is Algeria's vibrant second city — a Mediterranean port on the west coast with a strong Spanish and Andalusian imprint, the birthplace of raï music, the Spanish-built Santa Cruz fort above the bay, a lively seafront, and easy access to the Andalusian heritage of Tlemcen and the western beaches.
roman
Sétif
Sétif is a highland province in north-eastern Algeria, best known for Djémila — one of the world's best-preserved Roman cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. It sits at around 1,100 m on the High Plateaus, has a cool four-season climate, the cedar forests of Babor, the landmark Ain El Fouara fountain, and a defining place in Algeria's road to independence.
Destinations
coast
The Casbah of Algiers
The Casbah of Algiers is the city's historic Ottoman citadel and old town — a steep maze of whitewashed houses, palaces, mosques and covered lanes overlooking the bay. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, it is best explored on foot with a local guide.
highlands
Constantine
Constantine is the 'City of Bridges', a dramatic highland city in north-east Algeria built across a deep gorge above the Rhumel River and spanned by spectacular bridges. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth.
sahara
Djanet
Djanet is an oasis town in south-east Algeria, the gateway to the Tassili n'Ajjer plateau (UNESCO) and the red dunes of the Tadrart Rouge — Algeria's premier Sahara destination.
roman
Djémila (Cuicul)
Djémila, ancient Cuicul, is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. Set on a mountain spur in Sétif province, it preserves temples, forums, a theatre, the Arch of Caracalla and outstanding mosaics.
sahara
Tassili n'Ajjer
Tassili n'Ajjer is a vast sandstone plateau in south-east Algeria, a UNESCO World Heritage Site holding around 15,000 prehistoric engravings and paintings that record a once-green Sahara. Reached from Djanet, it is one of the world's greatest open-air galleries of rock art.
andalusian
Tlemcen
Tlemcen is a historic city in north-west Algeria, the country's great centre of Andalusian and Islamic heritage — famous for the Great Mosque, the ruins of Mansourah, and refined Hispano-Moorish art and music.
Tour programs
Frequently asked questions
What are the main periods of Algerian history?
Prehistoric Sahara, Numidian kingdoms, Carthaginian and Roman North Africa, the Islamic and medieval-dynastic eras, the Ottoman Regency, French colonisation, and post-1962 independence.
Where can you see ancient history in Algeria?
At Roman cities such as Timgad, Djémila and Tipasa, and at Tassili n'Ajjer, whose rock art records the prehistoric Sahara.