In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Algeria
Constantine
قسنطينة
Spend 2–3 days in Constantine to see its bridges, historic sites and nearby Roman ruins; longer only if you plan day trips to Tiddis or Djebel Mazala.
Constantine, the "City of Bridges", sits atop a deep gorge in northeast Algeria. Its eight bridges, Ottoman‑era architecture and nearby Roman sites (Tiddis, Djebel Mazala) can be explored comfortably in 2–3 days. The city is a common stop en route to Djemila and Timgad, and offers tram, bus and airport links.
- Country
- Algeria
- Local name
- قسنطينة
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot, occasional sandstorms)
- Stay
- 2–3 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- DZD
- Money
- Currency is the Algerian dinar (DZD). Foreign cards are rarely accepted and ATMs often reject them; bring euros in cash and exchange at banks or hotel bureaux.
- Daily spend
- Budget د.ج 150–250 excl. bed · Mid د.ج 250–400 excl. bed · High د.ج 400+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Mobilis, Djezzy and Ooredoo sell SIMs with a passport; buy in an official shop in town.
- Emergency
- Police 17 · Fire & ambulance 14 · Gendarmerie 1548
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · European plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: Round up or 5–10%.; Guide: €10–20 per day on tours.; Porter: DZD 100–200.
- Water
- Drink bottled water.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels; squat toilets elsewhere.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (café) | د.ج 100–150 |
| Couscous plate | د.ج 200–350 |
| Tea with mint | د.ج 50–80 |
| Taxi 5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi 3.1 mi (5 km) | د.ج 300–500 |
| Tram ride | د.ج 30–50 (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CZL · Mohamed Boudiaf Airport
- 12 km (7.5 mi) from city centre; flights to Paris, Lyon, Istanbul, Marseille, Tunis7.5 mi (12 km) from city centre; flights to Paris, Lyon, Istanbul, Marseille, Tunis
Typical fares
- Airport → city centre (taxi)
- ≈ د.ج 2,500 (check)
- Tram day pass
- ≈ د.ج 120 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Tram line runs south‑north, connecting the old town, bus stations and the university. Buses and shared taxis link Algiers (5 h) and Sétif (2 h). Taxis are common; negotiate fare or use meter.
See and do
Known for
- Eight historic bridges
- Ottoman‑era mosques
- Nearby Roman ruins
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tiddis (Roman ruins) | Local bus from Constantine bus station, about 30 min | ≈1 h |
| Djebel Mazala Salluste (megalithic monuments) | Taxi or organized tour, 45 min each way | ≈2 h |
Sleep
- Hotel Marriott Constantine
- Five‑star, central, tram access; good for 2‑night stay
- Novotel Constantine
- Four‑star, near Casbah; suitable for mid‑range budget
- Ibis Constantine
- Budget chain close to old city
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | عذرًاʿudhran |
| Thank you | شكرًاshukran |
| How much is it? | بكم؟bikam? |
| Where is the bathroom? | أين الحمام؟ayna al‑ḥammām? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'salam'; hand on heart; avoid: Offering to shake a woman's hand first
- Dress: Long trousers and covered shoulders; avoid: Shorts in towns
- Checkpoints: Calm, patient, passport ready; avoid: Photos or arguing
- Hospitality: Accept coffee and dates; avoid: Rushing off
Scams and watch-outs
- Pick‑pocketing in crowded markets; keep cash concealed
- Avoid walking alone after dark, especially in the gorge area
- Some bridge railings are low – watch children near edges
Generally safe for tourists; stay alert in crowded markets, avoid solo night walks, and keep valuables hidden.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Constantine yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Eight historic bridges
- Ottoman‑era mosques
- Nearby Roman ruins
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Algerian National Tourism Office: www.algeria-tourism.com/constantine
- Wikivoyage: Constantine, revision 5210434 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5210434
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/constantine). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.