Bordj el Kiffan
Introduction
Bordj El Kiffan is a suburb on the eastern side of Algiers, in northern Algeria, and sits close to Matares Beach. Use it as a base for the capital's eastern stretch, with the seafront within easy reach.
Getting around
You can get around Bordj el Kiffan comfortably without renting a car. The suburb is well connected to central Algiers and to the airport and exhibition zones by bus, tram and taxi. Two public modes do most of the work: the ETUSA bus network and the Algiers tramway, both inexpensive. ETUSA Line 39 runs from Station 02 Mai in Bordj el Kiffan to Place Audin in Alger Centre, with roughly hourly departures and a journey of about a quarter of an hour — the cheapest and fastest car-free option. ETUSA Line 8 connects Bordj el Kiffan to the Palais des Expositions at Pins Maritimes in Mohammadia, and also serves Bab Ezzouar, central Algiers and Dergana. Trams leave the BEK – Centre stop towards Les Fusillés (or via Ruisseau) roughly every ten minutes; journeys take around half an hour, a little more if routed via Tafourah – Grande Poste. For the exhibition area, use the Foire d'Alger or Les Pins tram stops — Foire d'Alger sits directly by the Palais des Expositions, which has its own dedicated tramway entrance. Buy tickets at the point of travel, on board or at station counters depending on the mode; fares are low enough that a pass is rarely necessary for a short stay.
- Taxis are the quickest door-to-door option and widely available; a taxi to Alger Centre takes roughly the same time as the bus but costs considerably more. For groups or travellers with luggage that can still be good value — agree the fare or confirm the meter before setting off.
- Bordj el Kiffan is not on the metro. The practical pattern is to take the bus or tram into the city, then use the metro to reach other parts of Algiers.
- By road there is a direct highway link from the capital; driving from central Algiers along the Corniche eastbound takes roughly twenty to thirty minutes outside peak hours. Avoid the morning rush and the evening rush, around 5–7pm. Parking at the exhibition centre is paid, with separate visitor and exhibitor areas.
- Treat walking as local rather than city-wide: the suburb is compact enough to stroll between nearby streets, the seafront and Matares Beach, but central Algiers and the airport are too far on foot. Walk the last stretch — for example from Foire d'Alger or Les Pins to the Palais des Expositions — and use public transport or a taxi for everything else.
- Houari Boumediene International Airport lies just south of Bordj el Kiffan, making the area a convenient first stop if you arrive by air. A taxi is the simplest option with luggage or a late arrival; ETUSA buses connect the Bordj el Kiffan and Bab Ezzouar area with central Algiers and the Palais des Expositions; and the tramway serves the Pins Maritimes and Foire d'Alger area, with a change in central Algiers for the metro if you need to go further.
- Allow extra time during the morning and evening rush hours, and check current routes and schedules before travelling, as lines, stops and timetables can change.
Three days in Bordj el Kiffan
Day one: Start your stay in Bordj El Kiffan by getting your bearings along the coast. Matares Beach is the natural place to begin, with the sand and sea giving you a feel for the town before you head inland. From there, make your way toward the centre of BEK to see how the town is laid out, and use the afternoon to plan the rest of your trip around the transport options available to you.
Day two: Head into Algiers for the day. Use ETUSA buses or the trams to reach Alger Centre, where you can walk from Place Audin toward the Grande Poste and Tafourah, taking in the heart of the city on foot. Continue to the Palais des Expositions and the Foire area at Les Pins, and if you want to see the coast from a different angle, follow the Corniche. Treat taxis as a backup rather than your main way of getting around, and avoid parking problems by leaving the car behind.
Day three: Spend your last day closer to Bordj El Kiffan. Take ETUSA Line services toward Bab Ezzouar, Mohammadia or Dergana to see the surrounding neighbourhoods, or head to Les Fusillés and Ruisseau if you want to stay nearer the city. Finish with a last stretch of time by the sea at Matares Beach before you leave.