Constantine Algeria Travel Guide: 9 BEST Things To Do In Constantine

So you want to know what are the best things to do in Constantine, Algeria? Great, you're in the right place. In this video, we're going to discuss the top things to do in Constantine. Number 9. Emir Abdel Kader Mosque. The mosque is named after Emir Abdel Kader, a 19th century Algerian leader who fought against French colonization. It's the second largest mosque in Algeria, and was built between 1972 and 1994. The mosque is part of a larger complex that includes the Islamic University of Constantine. You'll see a large dome above the main prayer hall, a second prayer hall with a courtyard, and two tall minarets, each 351 feet high. The mosque also has a wide esplanade in front covering about three acres. Inside, you'll walk through quiet spaces filled with detailed tile work, chandeliers, and Islamic designs. If you come at prayer times, you can join prayers or take time for quiet reflection in the peaceful setting. Number 8. Cirta Museum. To learn about Constantine's past, head to the Cirta Museum, also called Constantine Museum. It's inside an old palace and has objects from prehistoric times to today. Inside, the museum is divided into sections on archaeology, fine arts, and daily life. You'll see tools, pottery, Roman statues, and items from the Byzantine and Islamic periods, including calligraphy, ceramics, and textiles. The fine arts section shows paintings and sculptures by Algerian and European artists from the 1600s to 1900s. The ethnographic area includes old carpets, copper tools, jewelry, and traditional clothes. There's also a garden with marble and stone statues where you can take a quiet walk under the trees. Number 7. Palace of Ahmed Bey. Built in the 1820s by Ahmed Bey, the last Ottoman ruler of Constantine, this large palace shows off local craftsmanship with over 260 marble columns, colorful zele tiles, and carved cedar ceilings. Inside, you'll walk through halls lined with mosaics and painted walls showing boats, landscapes, and old cities. The palace has two gardens with orange and palm trees, a basin, and a central building where the Bey once stayed. From his upper room, you can look through stained glass windows and mashrabia screens, just like he once did, and see everything happening around the palace. You'll also see the old harem, diwan court, and restored frescoes. Number 6. Monument Omar. This monument honors the people of Constantine who died in World War I. More than 800 names, Muslims, Christians, and Jews, are engraved on bronze plaques. It sits high on a cliff above the Rummel River, giving you wide views of the valley. You'll climb 36 stone steps to reach a large arch that's 69 feet tall. The design was inspired by the Arch of Trajan in Timgad. At the top, you'll see a statue of victory, copied from a Roman statue found in the Casbah. A terrace next to the cliff lets you look out over the valley, and there's an orientation table from 1936 that shows you what you're looking at. Number 5. Constantine's Iconic Bridges. Constantine is known as the City of Bridges because of the many bridges that connect its steep hills and cliffs. The city was built on a high plateau, with the deep Rummel River cutting through the middle, so bridges have always been needed to connect both sides. One of the most famous is the Sidi Amsid Bridge, which hangs 574 feet above the gorge, and was once the highest bridge in the world. The Sidi Rashed Bridge is another standout, with 27 stone arches stretching across the valley. The Salabey Bridge is the longest, with a modern cable-stayed design reaching over 3,609 feet. You will also see the El Cantara Bridge, built where older Roman and French bridges once stood. By the way, check the links in the description for the ultimate guide on saving money while traveling, plus recommended tour operators in Constantine. Number 4. Constantine's Old Medina. For a closer look at daily life in Constantine, take a stroll through the Old Medina. The narrow streets are full of shops selling spices, leather goods, jewelry, and fabrics. You'll hear tailors at work and smell grilled meats and fresh bread in the air. As you walk, you will see women selling homemade pastries and mint tea being poured into small glasses. The area stays lively all year, especially during Ramadan and national holidays. You can watch artisans craft goods by hand or stop to try something sweet from a street cart. It's also a place with deep ties to Islamic culture, with mosques and old buildings showing detailed tile and stone designs. Number 3. Hiking. If you enjoy hiking, you can take a trail down into the Rumel Gorge for a close look at Constantine's natural landscape beyond the views from its famous bridges. The gorge is about 558 feet deep and carved by the Rumel River, with steep cliffs and rock formations around you. The trails run through rocky areas with birds flying overhead and the river flowing below. The best time to hike is in spring or fall when the weather is mild. You'll need good shoes, water, and a camera for the changing views. Number 2. Titus Ruins. Located about 30 minutes from Constantine, the Roman ruins of Titus sit on a hillside with wide views of the mountains and valleys. You'll walk past old stone houses, temples, and a circular burial site cut into the rock. A paved road takes you through a large entrance gate and leads to small markets, shrines, and a forum. You'll see remains of temples to Vesta, Mithra, and other African gods. The ruins cover about 99 acres and include buildings carved into cliffs and old Roman roads. Many water tanks still stand, once used to collect mountain spring water. It's a quiet place where you can see how people once lived. Number 1. Local Food. Don't leave Constantine without tasting its local food. Start with a bowl of harira, a warm soup made with lentils, chickpeas, and spices. Then try majeb, a thin flatbread stuffed with onions and tomatoes, sometimes mixed with minced meat. For something heartier, chakchuka is a popular dish made with pieces of flatbread soaked in spicy tomato sauce and topped with tender lamb. Couscous is also common, often served with vegetables and meat, along with fresh salads on the side. After your meal, enjoy tamina, a soft mix of semolina, honey, and butter. You can also try makrud, a date-filled pastry coated in honey. For something richer, go for kalb el-luz, a semolina cake filled with almond paste and flavored with orange blossom. 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