Algeria

⚠️ SAFETY WARNING: Major government agencies (including the US State Department and UK FCDO) advise against all travel to Algeria's border regions (especially near Libya, Niger, Mali, and Tunisia) and overland travel in the deep Sahara due to security risks. Families should stick to major northern cities and coastal areas, fly between destinations rather than driving long distances, and always travel with reputable, government-approved guides.

Algeria is Africa's largest country, offering adventurous families a blend of Mediterranean coastline and spectacular desert landscapes. While it lacks the polished tourism infrastructure of its neighbors, it rewards patient travelers with genuine hospitality and uncrowded historical sites. The country is divided into the green, fertile north-home to most of the population and the cooling sea breeze-and the vast, arid south where the Sahara begins.

In the capital, Algiers, families can visit the Jardin d'Essai du Hamma, a stunning botanical garden where kids can run among massive, twisting tree roots that were famously used as a filming location for Tarzan movies. A short drive west leads to Tipaza, a UNESCO World Heritage site where Roman ruins tumble down into the turquoise sea. Unlike many European sites, these ruins are often open for exploration, allowing children to walk through ancient basilicas and amphitheaters without fighting through crowds.

For a true adventure, families can take a domestic flight to the "Red Oasis" of Timimoun or the dunes of Taghit. Here, the Sahara is accessible and magical. Local guides can arrange 4x4 tours to desert castles (ksars) or set up sandboarding sessions on the dunes-a highlight for active teenagers. The sunsets over the Grand Erg Occidental provide an unforgettable geography lesson.

Culturally, Algeria is deeply welcoming to children. You will likely be invited to drink sweet mint tea and eat pastries like makroud. However, travel here requires planning. The economy is cash-based, and obtaining a tourist visa often requires an invitation letter from a local agency. French is widely spoken alongside Arabic, which can be helpful for navigation.