Traditions of Algiers
A white city on the bay, with an old kasbah, Andalusian music and the roots of the Algerian couscous Friday.
Algiers is built in terraces above the Mediterranean and holds a casbah, the old city, of narrow stepped lanes and courtyard houses. Algerian culture is a blend of Berber, Arab, Ottoman and French influence. Its music styles include chaabi, an urban folk form, and Andalusian classical song.
Chaabi and the casbah
Chaabi, a music of the casbah, developed from Andalusian songs, and it is played at weddings and in cafes. In Ramadan, the streets fill at night and families share dishes such as chorba frik. At the end of the fast, families make sweets and visit each other. Many Berbers celebrate Yennayer, the Amazigh new year, in January.
At the table
Couscous is made on Friday with lamb, chickpeas and vegetables. Chakchouka, a spicy dish of peppers and eggs, and garantita, a chickpea flatbread, are street foods. Makroud el louz, almond sweets, and the famed qalb el louz are served with mint tea. Dates from the Saharan oases are everywhere.
Signature traditions of Algiers
Also part of it, and being written: Chorba (The Ramadan soup.), Couscous (The Friday dish.), Basbousa (The semolina and almond sweet.).
A trail idea for Algiers
- Casbah of Algiers Walk the steps.
- Notre-Dame d'Afrique A hilltop basilica.
- Jardin d'Essai A botanical garden.
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
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Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Zajal: 13th century artist, Public domain, source
- Yennayer: Vermondo, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Ashura in Algeria: Jan Janssonius, Public domain, source