Tlemcen Torist Attractions, Algeria, North Africa

Tlemcen Torist Attractions, Algeria, North Africa

Tlemcen is a town and the administrative center of Tlemcen province in the northwestern part of Algeria, holding a dignity of the spiritual home of Algeria. Tlemcen popularity is expanded by olive plantations and vineyards spread up around the town. With the produce of a large amount of leather, carpet, and textile products, Tlemcen has also been developing towards becoming one of the major industrial towns of Algeria.

Tlemcen is located 842 meters above sea level, between 34°52′58″ N latitude and 01°19′00″ W longitude, around 510 kilometers southwest of the national capital, Algiers. The total area of Tlemcen measures 9,061 square kilometers.

History of Tlemcen:

Tlemcen doesn’t have any valid theory about the origin of its name, although one theory claims that the name of Tlemcen may be a combined form of the two Berber language words Tala and Imsan, and its total meaning is “the dry spring”. Tlemcen originated as a military outpost during the Roman rule in the 4^th century CE with name Pomaria.

Connectivity to Tlemcen:

Tlemcen hosts an international airport, named Zenata – Messali El Hadj Airport, located around 22 kilometers away from the center of the town of Tlemcen. The airport handles flights from and to Paris, Istanbul, Algiers, Marseille, Lille and Lyon.

Due to its position near the northern coastline of Algeria, reaching Tlemcen from the other northern cities by bus, including the national capital, Algiers would be not a difficult task for visitors.

Culture, Shopping and Food in Tlemcen:

Tlemcen holds a rich cultural diversion, mainly in music and art activities as it saw the different cultures in its long history including Moorish, Berber, Andalucian and Ottoman.

Tlemcen’s textiles and handcraft products are famous among visitors that are also colorful and affordable.

Here are some nice restaurants with both traditional Algerian and international crispy and crunchy dishes in Tlemcen:

Restaurant de l’Hotel Agadir
Restaurant de l’Hotel Ibis
Restaurant Equinoxe
L’Echappatoire

Things to do in Tlemcen:

City tours
Visiting nearby cities
Traditional shopping

Tourist Attractions in and around Tlemcen:

The Great Mosque:

The Great Mosque is the most important religious landmark of Tlemcen, dating from 1136. It is one of the illustrious mosques in Algeria, especially noted for its Almoravid architecture.

Sidi Boumediene Mosque:

The mosque dedicated to a luminary Andalusian mystic, Abu Madyan or Sidi Boumediene is a Sidi Boumediene Mosque, located in the El Eubbad district in Tlemcen and his tomb adjoins to a mosque. Sidi Boumediene was also popular as a great Sufi master.

Citadelle et Palais El Mechouar:

The Citadelle et Palais El Mechouar is one of the historical identities of Tlemcen, situated in the district of El Mechouar in Tlemcen. It is allowed for visitors and can be explored best through a guided tour.

Mansouah Minaret:

The Mansouah Minaret is a historic masterpiece holding a strong historical background and receives a large number of tourists year round. It is also one of the important landmarks of Tlemcen.

Water Fountain:

Located in downtown Tlemcen, the Water Fountain of Tlemcen is famous among both tourists and natives, where one can also enjoy the gondola lift riding that passes over the water fountain. Don’t miss it.

List of the other tourist attractions in and around Tlemcen includes:

Djebel Aïssa National Park
Fort Santa Cruz
Tlemcen National Park
Great Synagogue in Oran
Cathédrale du Sacré-Cœur d’Oran
Place du 1er Novembre
La Cathedrale du Sacre Coeur
Le Theatre d’Oran
Chapelle de Santa Cruz
Eglise St Louis
La Porte d’Espagne
La Fontaine d’Aucour
Marche Medina Jedida
Palais de la Culture

When to visit Tlemcen?

Throughout the year is best, especially the summer months between May and September are the most popular time to travel Tlemcen in Algeria.

Where to stay in Tlemcen?

Compared to other Algerian cities, Tlemcen provides modern hospitality industry with all kinds of accommodation centers, including hotels, vacation rentals, BB and inns. A list of the reputed hotels in Tlemcen, Sidi-Bel-Abbes (95 km) and Oran (175 km) includes: