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Have you ever gone down the rabbit hole looking for the next big thing, hoping you’ll discover it before everyone else?
We all wanted to find the next hidden gem, because let’s face it: sometimes the most visited places can be the biggest duds on our travels.
The Eiffel Tower is just a tower, Times Square is bright lights with chain restaurants, and LA’s famous “Hollywood” sign isn’t worth the quote to get the best selfie possible.
One Mediterranean country that has gone completely off the radar for most has been the antithesis of popularity, having only recently opened its arms to becoming a tourist destination.
When you travel to North Africa, you probably think of Morocco, or maybe even Tunisia.
But 2024 is the year to set your sights on Algeriaa previously closed country full of potential and now welcoming 2.2 million international tourists.
Relaxed visa policy…Kind of
Americans with Algeria on their bucket list have rightly mentioned Africa’s largest country by landmass – it’s a phenomenal place to visit with hospitable locals and historical roots dating back to Roman times.
The problem is that the country hasn’t exactly laid out a ‘welcome’ mat for Western travelers. Until last year, when a new loophole was presented.
You see, most travelers arriving in Algeria start their journey in the beautiful capital Algiers, but this costs an extra $160 for a visa, which requires a tedious process, which often serves as a deterrent.
The good news is that connecting flights from Spain and France are so cheap that you can forget all about the extra money you have to spend.
This policy still applies even as the country has seen an influx of international tourists, but this could be due in large part to a separate relaxed visa policy.
Travelers also have the option to… visa on arrival by visiting the even lesser-known region of Djanet, which is easily accessible to the world-famous Sahara Desert.
Or should we say the former location of Atlantis? Okay, okay… that’s another conversation for another day.
Unlike Algeria’s standard visa requirements, obtaining a visa on arrival is easy with just these two requirements:
- Book a tour with a recognized Algerian tour operator
- Arrival directly in Djanet
An unexpected beach destination
Algeria’s busy streets and fascinating architecture certainly leave tourists with their jaws on the floor, but where the country has seen a rise in tourism is in its breathtaking coastline and underrated beaches.
A waterfront city, Algiers is best suited to urban explorers, while outside the city limits, Algeria’s beaches give tourists a Mediterranean vibe that rivals other notable vacation destinations.
Although, given the similar cultures, the best comparison is with neighboring Tunisia, such as the picturesque coastal city of La Marsa.
Algeria may not be known for its high-rise beach resorts and pool bars, but life in the Mediterranean is no different here, aside from some easily recognizable cultural norms.
Algeria still offers beautiful blue waters and a relaxing atmosphere, but is slowly but surely making a name for itself beyond the Sahara, inviting tourists to kick back on their beautiful beaches for a different kind of sandy holiday.
There are several seaside resorts along the coast, of which Skikda, Tipiza and Jijel are among the most popular.
No matter how remote Algeria may seem, travelers have the opportunity to stay in a beach hotel with a household name. The 5-star Sheraton Club des Pins Resort outside Algiers is a bargain at less than $175 a night.
Tourists are safe here
In the minds of some travelers, the words “Africa” and “safe” don’t always go hand in hand, but in this case, tourists are generally considered safe as long as they get a visa and respect their culture.
The U.S. Department of State last issued a travel advisory for Algeria on July 13, 2023, designating the country as Level 2, in line with mega-popular destinations the Dominican Republic and many regions of Mexico.
Americans are advised to avoid remote areas of the Sahara and its southern borders, which should be easy since the top destinations are on the northern side of Algeria.
There are concerns about terrorism and kidnappings, but these incidents usually occur outside the traveler network.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.