Ancient ruins in Tipaza on Algerian Mediterranean coast give witness to past glories of the Roman Empire. One day trip from Algiers to Tipaza will make you discover a history of “the city of Gods“, as called by the philosopher Albert Camus.
One day trip from Algiers to Tipaza
The hotels will try to sell you one day trip from Algiers to Tipaza. Algeria is not an expensive country. However, be aware that you will pay 10 times more than if you just go by yourself. It’s easy to take a bus from Algiers to Tipaza directly. Why not having a bit of adventure and skip the taxi?
Safety in Algeria can be a very misleading topic. Knowledge about the country is little, and tourists are often afraid to come due to what they’ve heard. Belive me, it’s possible to travel in Algeria without organised tour! In the end of this article, I will tell you how to get from Algiers to Tipaza and you will see how easy it is. Now let’s see the marvellous complex of Tipaza ruins and fall in love with this city of Gods!
Roman heritage in Algeria – Tipaza
Ancient ruins in Tipaza offer the opportunity to discover history of civilisations as well as the close relationship between the North Africa and the Roman Empire. Equally ruins in Rome, Tipaza is on the UNESCO heritage list together with other ancient Roman cities in Algeria like Timgad or Djemila. As ruins in Tipaza are close to Algiers, they are the most popular to visit by tourists. You can meet some foreigners there as well as plenty of locals having a bath in the sea near ruins.
Set on three small hills the ruins of the ancient Roman city overlook the Mediterranean Sea. On the archeological site you will see theatre, amphitheatre, basilicas, villas and forums, avenues, baths and fountains. It’s a nice walk discovering the ruins with a great view on the sea.
Ticket costs 100da, which is ~$0.50. In front of the entrance there are plenty of souvenirs stands.
Tipaza & Camus
Albert Camus loved Algeria and mentions in his writing Roman ruins in Tipaza, as well as his time in Oran. Close to the cliffs stands a headstone with the quotations from one of the books of Camus Nuptials. It says: “Here, I understand this thing they call glory: the right to love without measure.”
Camus says “Tipaza is inhabited by the gods;” And that the gods speak in the sun, in the silver armor of the sea, in the raw blue sky, the flowers covered the ruins. Ancient ruins in Tipaza were conquered by Phoenicians, Romans, Ottomans… Nonetheless, the sun still shines from the raw blue sky over the ruins, and it’s easy to believe the gods still live here.
Royal Mausoleum of Mauritania – the Kbor er Roumia
The most interesting monument from the ancient ruins is not in the Tipaza archeological site. The Kbor er Roumia or the great Royal Mausoleum of Mauritania is 18 km from Tipaza in the little village Sidi Rachid.
The Kbor er Roumia houses the tomb of Juba, the Berber King and Cleopatra Selene II. This impressive tomb from 3 BC truly reminds the piramids in Egipt. No wonder why, princess Cleopatra was daughter of the Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt and Roman Mark Antony. Mausoleum is also called The Tomb of a Christian woman.
When I read that Ottomans were trying to destroy the tomb with artillery and French Navy used it as a target practise, I am actually surprised it’s still standing. Unfortunately, as most of the monuments in Algeria, the tomb was a victim of vandalism. Even quite recently kids could still jump on and climb to the top to throw down the stones. Royal Mausoleum of Mauritania lost 8 m. in height and 60 Ionic columns around. UNESCO protects the mausoleum only since 2002. You wonder what is inside? The door is closed and people say that no body was ever found here…
I loved the view from behind the tomb. This peaceful place has a little stand with Algerian tea and tiny table in the shade of the tree. The ticket to the mausoleum costs 100da which is around $0.50. In front of the gate there is a little souvenirs stand.
How to get from Algiers to Tipaza?
Tipaza is 70 km from Algiers which takes 1-1,5 hours by car or bus. To get there you can try hitch-hiking or take a bus from Tafourah bus station in Algiers for 80-100da. From the bus terminal in Tipaza take a local bus to the ancient ruins (Tipaza Ruines Romanes – in French). It should take another 15 min and cost ~25da.
Unfortunately, there is no public transportation to The Tomb of the Christian Woman. Therefore, you can take a taxi from Tipaza (~600da) or better Yassir – mobile app – Algerian equivalent to Uber.
One day trip from Algiers to Tipaza is a must-see, when you have just a few days in Algeria. I bet you will love it. I was surprised how many ancient ruins are in Algeria. Some of them in really great condition. The most impressive were these in Timgad, close to Constantine. Interested in seeing ancient Roman-period ruins in Timgad?
Staying in the capital check out my 2 days itinerary in Algiers and how to visit the Kasbah of Algiers without a guide.
Happy travels around Algeria!
PL Pszczoła kocha przyrodę, kwiaty oraz herbatę. Najbardziej sprawia jej przyjemność życie i podróże w rytmie slow, bez pośpiechu. Stara się podróżować bardziej ekologicznie i inspirować do tego innych. Lubi poznawać inne kultury, tradycje, spędzać czas z lokalnymi i kosztować ich przysmaków. Jej ulubione miejsca w każdej podróży to uliczne bazary.
ENG The Bee is a nature lover and tea addict. Loves the idea of slow life and responsible traveling, constantly trying to improve to bee more eco-friendly. Appreciates old cultures and traditions, loves to immerse with locals, listen to ethnic music as well as taste regional food and drinks. Her favorite spots while traveling are family houses and street markets.
What a great idea? So many people head to Rome etc to see history like this but it’s amazing how far the Roman’s actually got to! Plus, I find the lesser known places are more exciting and interesting to visit. Thanks for sharing.
Roman Empire was all around the Meditarenean Sea at it’s biggest extend, so you will have a lot to see 😉
What an amazing piece of history there among the ruins at Tipaza. Would be quite a memorable experience to visit this beautiful place and explore the Roman heritage. Also, a good note on traveling in Algeria – appreciate that.
Thanks a lot!
Love learning the background and history of a destination. This area of Algiers to Tipaza looks like such an enlightening experience!
It was gorgous! I love to see ancient ruins
Never thought that Romans left something in modern time Algeria. Although, I am a bit of Roman history enthusiast – I am more focus on military, not architecture.
Roman Empire was abslutely all around the Medditarenian Sea in its biggest extend
I have seen Roman ruins in a number of countries so it is interesting to see just how far their influence spread. Your photo with the camel in the foreground is an image that I never saw for Roman ruins. I love it.
Yes, it’s a unique building, it’s a tomb of the king and princess
Thank you for virtually tagging as in Algiers. It is such a gorgeous place! How’s the climate and temperature during night time?
It’s hot 🙂
I’ve never been to Algeria, I only saw it from the plane when I was flying to Lanzarote. I see that there are a lot of interesting things to see. I have to go there one day.
During WW II my Father was an officer in the Royal Tank Regiment, which I believe was cleaning up after the Germans had been defeated. In his belongings, along with many other drawing, I found a pencil drawing or a Roman well – in Hippône. It was drawn 15 March 1944.
I wonder if it is still visible?
Keith
WHat a story! Thank you for sharing it Keith! I wish to know, if it’s still visible. You need to go to Algeria and check 😉
Algeria is small and tourists are often afraid to move around the country without a travel agency. It’s not as scary as Algeria is great and you can definitely travel around the country without organized trips.