Annaba
Introduction
Annaba sits in the northeastern corner of Algeria, close to the border with Tunisia, where the Seybouse River meets the sea. A seaport city and the capital of Annaba Province, it has been known by several names over its long history — Hippone, Bona and Bône among them. Today it is a leading industrial centre for the country, so expect a working port city rather than a resort town.
Before you go
Before you go, it helps to understand the rhythm of the city: like much of Algeria, Annaba is lively during the day but quiets down quickly after dark, when most shops close. Street lighting is sparse, which can give the streets an unsafe impression once the sun goes down. Women in particular may not feel at ease late in the evening, since anyone still out at that hour will be almost exclusively male. Plan your day around daylight hours and keep evening movements limited.Getting there
Annaba Rabah Bitat airport mostly handles domestic flights to Algiers and Oran, with less frequent international services to Paris (both Charles de Gaulle and Orly) and Istanbul. Because these international flights don't run often, check the Air Algérie timetable when planning your trip. A ferry service from Marseille operated by Algérie Ferries is supposed to exist, but it was not running as of March 2022.
SNTF runs daily trains from Algiers and several other large cities, including a daily night train from Algiers' Agha station with first class couchette bunk beds; ticket sales start on the day of departure. There is also an international service from Tunis three times per week. Annaba railway station sits just south of downtown. You can also arrive by road from most major Algerian cities, though road construction and traffic jams make this the least desirable option. The long distance shared taxi station, about a kilometre south of the rail station, connects to other provinces and cities such as Constantine, and unofficial taxis to Tunis can be found in or around the station, with the trip taking six to seven hours including stops and border formalities.
Getting around
Taxis are the easiest and most efficient way to get around Annaba, and they are readily available, making them a reliable choice if you are unsure how to reach a particular neighbourhood. For longer journeys, a shared taxi station south of the railway station handles inter-province routes, including services to Constantine, and you can also find unofficial taxis to Tunis in or around that station. Keep in mind that road travel between Algerian cities can be slowed by construction and traffic.
Annaba has a bus network linking downtown with the rest of the city and the surrounding suburbs, and a regular shuttle bus runs between Rabah Bitat Airport and downtown. The city sits on the national rail system, with the station just south of downtown and daily trains to Algiers and other large cities, plus a cross-border service from Tunis several times per week; for the overnight train from Algiers, tickets go on sale on the day of departure, so buy yours promptly. There is no metro or tram. The compact downtown sits on the seafront, so much of what you want to see is within walking distance, and the seafront promenade — lined with arcades, covered restaurants, terraced cafes and kiosks — is the natural place to stroll in the evening. For anything beyond the centre, take a taxi or a bus.
Where to stay
Annaba's accommodation is concentrated in the city centre, within easy reach of the main boulevards and the train station. The Sheraton Annaba Hotel on Boulevard Victor Hugo is the largest and newest hotel in town, while the Hôtel Seybouse International sits on Boulevard du 1er Novembre 1954, one of the main arteries of the centre. For a smaller, more central option, the Hotel Hoggar at La Placette Alexis Lambert lies a few hundred metres north of the train station. It offers decent Wi-Fi and a basic breakfast included in the room rate, making it a practical base for exploring the city on foot.Food & drink
Annaba has no shortage of places to eat, from small family-run cafes and restaurants to larger, fancier establishments. The upscale restaurants cluster almost exclusively at La Corniche and beside the major beaches, while cafes and restaurants are scattered right across town.
- Bourek — an Algerian "eggroll" that eastern Algeria, and Annaba in particular, specialises in.
- Pizza — sold at local cafes and restaurants throughout Algeria, made in a lighter style closer to Italian pizza than the heavy, topping-laden rounds common in the West.
- Coffee and a croissant at a cafe among the locals.
On the drinks side, Annaba is much like any other Algerian city: plenty of traditional drinks and bars, with alcoholic drinks fairly common. Algerian tea, "Atay", is usually served in cafeterias.
What to see and do
Annaba's central districts mix domestic and French colonial architecture, and the central square, Le Cours, is lined with local cafés and ice cream parlors. The city has its own kasbah, dating to the 12th century, where you can wander narrow alleys and walkways past Ottoman architecture; it sits on the hill just east of Place d'Armes. The Church of Saint Augustine of Hippo, known as Lela Bouna, is one of the must-sees — it stands on a hill not far outside downtown and is a dominating sight, with striking architecture and ancient Roman ruins right behind it, and Saint Augustine's hand kept inside. Taxis run regularly to and from the church. Also worth seeking out are the historic Salah Bey Mosque, built in 1792, and the Hippo Regius Museum, entered from rue d'El Hadjar.
A visit to Annaba is not complete without enjoying its Mediterranean coastline and one of its many beaches. Spend the day relaxing at a beach, then head at night to "La Corniche", located at Chappui beach, which comes alive with restaurants, clubs and people enjoying the crisp, cool refreshing air. Families with young children can head to the amusement park in the "Les Allemande" neighbourhood.
When to go
Annaba has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, so the season you choose shapes your trip considerably. Summer is long, hot and dry, with the driest and hottest stretch running from mid-July to mid-August. Rain is scarce during these months, so days are reliably sunny, though the coast is at its busiest then.
Winters are mild but extremely wet, and the rain can fall torrentially. Snow is rare but not unknown. Expect grey, damp days and fewer visitors if you travel outside the summer season.
Three days in Annaba
Day one: Arrive at Annaba Rabah Bitat Airport, known simply as Rabah Bitat Airport, and make your way into the city. Because Annaba sits in Annaba Province on Algeria's eastern coast, with Tunisia close by, it is reachable by air from Algiers, Oran, Paris, Marseille and Istanbul, with Air Algérie among the carriers serving the route, and by ferry from Marseille on Algérie Ferries. Once settled, take a first walk along Boulevard Victor Hugo and get your bearings in the centre. If you have energy left, head toward the Seybouse River, which runs through the city.
Day two: Give the day to the old city and its history. Annaba has been known as Hippone, Bona and Bône before taking its present name, and the layers of that past are what you are here to see. Plan your walking around the streets rather than trying to cover everything at once. In the evening, return to the centre for a meal and an early night.
Day three: Use the morning for anything you missed, then decide how you will leave. Trains on SNTF connect Annaba with Constantine and other Algerian cities, taxis are available for local trips, and Rabah Bitat Airport handles departures by air. If you are continuing overland, Tunis is within reach. Keep the Sheraton Annaba Hotel in mind as a landmark on Boulevard Victor Hugo when you are finding your way back.