Santa Cruz Fort
A Spanish-built fort on the mountain above Oran, with a small chapel nearby. The ramparts give sweeping views over the city, the port and the Gulf of Oran.
Oran
Raï music was born in this lively port city, which also has a Spanish-era fort, a seafront and beaches close by.
Attractive locations
Ahmed Zabana National Museum
The city's main museum, with collections covering archaeology, natural history and fine arts, and displays about the history of western Algeria.
Bey's Palace
An Ottoman-era palace of the local governors, set on a hill above the old quarter. Its courtyards and decorated rooms show the style of its time.
Hassan Pasha Mosque
An Ottoman-era mosque in the old part of Oran, with a slender minaret and a quiet prayer hall. Visitors should dress modestly and respect prayer times.
Cap Falcon
A rocky headland west of Oran with a lighthouse, small coves and sea views. Locals come here for swimming, picnics and coastal walks.
Sacred Heart Cathedral (former)
A grand church from the early twentieth century in the city centre, now used as a public library rather than for worship. It is worth a look for its imposing architecture.
Airports
Oran Es-Sénia (Ahmed Ben Bella) International Airport ORN
It is about 9 km in a straight line from Oran.
Zenata – Messali El Hadj Airport TLM
It is about 107 km in a straight line from Oran.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Algeria page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan11.2 °C65 mm
- Feb11.8 °C48 mm
- Mar14.1 °C50 mm
- Apr16.4 °C65 mm
- May19.6 °C39 mm
- Jun23.6 °C12 mm
- Jul26.9 °C4 mm
- Aug27.3 °C13 mm
- Sep23.9 °C32 mm
- Oct20.5 °C49 mm
- Nov15.1 °C79 mm
- Dec12.2 °C60 mm
Driest months: Jun, Jul, Aug. Wettest months: Jan, Apr, Nov.
Costs
Prices here are about 33% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
Reported numbers: police 17, ambulance and fire 14 - confirm with your hotel or guide.
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Algeria
Helps with: The UN migration agency, present in Algeria since 2002. Its work covers migration management and crisis response, and its contact page also lists a migrant assistance hotline.
Who qualifies: Migrants in Algeria and partners working on migration. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +213 661464622
Email: iomalgiers@iom.int
Address: 16 Chemin des Cretes, Hydra, Algiers
local government
Police emergency number 17
Helps with: Reaches the police in Algeria. UK government travel advice lists 17 or 1548 for the police; this entry gives 17.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 17
local government
Ambulance emergency number 1021
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service in Algeria. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 1021
local government
Fire emergency number 14
Helps with: Reaches the fire service in Algeria. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 14
ngo
Algerian Red Crescent
Helps with: The ICRC says its cooperation with the society covers first aid, disaster management and restoring family links. No contact details are given, so use the society's website.
Who qualifies: The page does not say who can use it. The ICRC calls it the leading humanitarian organization in Algeria, present in all provinces.