The Wilaya of Tlemcen is both a coastal and border region, with a coastline measuring 73 kilometres. It also has extensive forest areas and historic sites, giving nature and cultural heritage distinct roles in a trip. If you would like to decide first what to explore, forests, protected areas, old quarters and historic structures offer a variety of starting points.
Landscapes between coast and forest
The forests of the wilaya cover at least 217,000 hectares. Their landscape is home to Mediterranean tree species as well as resident and migratory birds. Tlemcen National Park extends across areas in seven municipalities. Its varied landscapes include the Lalla Setti Plateau, Oued El Mafrouch, and the forests of Moutas and Zarifet.
Smaller natural destinations also give the region its own character. Dhayat el Ferd is a protected site in the municipality of El Arricha, Daïra of Sebdou. The waterfalls of El Ourit in the municipality of Ain Fezza are considered a visitor attraction. Both places add named destinations to the region’s landscapes, without requiring you to limit your trip to a single kind of nature experience.
Discover history and culture
Tlemcen brings together diverse traces of the city’s history. Its medieval old town is designated as a protected area. Bordj Bab El Hadid is also considered protected medieval cultural heritage. The Great Mosque of Tlemcen features architectural motifs adopted from the civilisations that succeeded one another in Tlemcen. This makes it possible to explore the city’s architectural history through different forms of cultural heritage rather than reducing it to a single building.
Another protected historic site is in Nedroma: the medieval Bain Maure is protected there as a historic site. The cultural tourism of the Wilaya of Tlemcen also includes customs, folklore and musical arts. Traditional crafts in Tlemcen include shag-pile carpets, embroidery, basketry, esparto grass crafts, leatherwork and saddlery. Other crafts include traditional clothing for men and women, as well as traditional pottery.
Events are also part of the wilaya’s cultural scene: various festivals take place there every year. In Béni Snouss, the Ayrad Carnival is associated with 11 and 12 Yennayer. If festivals are important to your trip, check the event dates in advance for your travel year.
A destination to suit your interests
Those particularly interested in nature can explore different themes in the forest areas, the landscapes of the national park, and the protected and natural sites mentioned above. Those who want to focus on architectural history and traditions can explore Tlemcen’s protected old town, the mosque and the cultural heritage in Nedroma. The Grand Bassin, now dried up, offers another aspect of the city’s design: it has been redeveloped as a green space with an open-air theatre and areas for recreation and relaxation, and connects to the public garden. These varied themes can help you plan your trip around Tlemcen according to your own interests.
Discover more destinations: Tlemcen, Maghnia, Sétif Province, Boumerdès Province, Bouïra, Blida, Béchar Province, Adrar.
View the main travel overview: Algeria.
