Casbah

Historic district with Ottoman architecture. Safety is a concern after dark - hire a licensed guide, go in the morning, leave before sunset.

The Casbah is a UNESCO site with narrow alleyways, Ottoman palaces, and whitewashed houses on a hillside overlooking the sea. During the day it's busy with families, vendors, and the occasional tour group. The architecture mixes Algerian, Ottoman, and Andalusian styles from the 16th-18th centuries. Get a licensed guide through your hotel for your first visit - the passageways are confusing and you'll want someone who knows where pickpockets hang out. After 5pm shops close and residents go inside. The narrow streets that feel fine during the day become poorly lit and empty after dark. Locals from other parts of Algiers avoid the Casbah at night. Go in the morning, don't accept unlicensed guides on the street, and leave before sunset.