To travel to Algeria for tourism or for work, it is necessary to have a visa.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A TOURIST VISA FOR ALGERIA
The visa service of the Consular Section of the Embassy of Algeria in Rome is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10.30 to 12.00 and covers the following regions of central and southern Italy: Abruzzo, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania , Lazio, Marche, Molise, Sardinia, Sicily, Umbria.
The visa service of the Consular Section of the Algerian Embassy in Milan (Address: Via Rovello, 7/11 TEL: 0272080603/0272080595 FA X: 0289015912, E-mail: visas-affaireseconomiques@consulatgeneralalgeriemilan.it), is open from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 11.00 for the presentation of the documentation and from 14.00 to 15.00 for the withdrawal of the visa.
It covers the regions of Northern Italy, namely: Valle d'Aosta, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Lombardy, Piedmont, Trentino-Alto Adige, Tuscany.
Keep in mind that the 2 Consulates do not respond to e-mails requesting information on how to obtain visas and therefore it is necessary to call.
Another important thing to know is that it is not possible to obtain a visa for Algeria if you have a passport with the stamp of Israel.
Please note that visa applications submitted more than 30 days prior to the departure date are not accepted.
Another thing to know is that the Algerian Consulate in Milan does not accept Visa Applications submitted by Travel Agencies but it is necessary to go personally to the Consulate, where you must identify yourself at the entrance desk and get the ticket with the number of priority and wait in the first small waiting room. When there are many people you can take the number and go to the bar to pass the wait.
The documentation to be submitted to obtain the tourist visa for Algeria valid for 45 days is as follows:
- original passport (valid for no less than 6 months);
- 2 color passport photos taken recently;
- passport photocopy;
- original residence certificate (keep in mind that it is valid for 6 months from the date of issue);
- Invitation letter. (To this end, I specify that it can be easily obtained if you book through "Booking.com", at Guest House Marhaba, located in Algiers, at Residence Soummam - Bapt B, Appt. 17 - Said Hamdine, 6th floor, owned by the very kind and extremely helpful Nadjib Benyoucef, E_mail: nadjib_ben@yahoo.fr, Telephone: +213557919935. He will be the one who will send it to you in a few days by e_mail). Keep in mind that it is also possible to obtain a visa by presenting a hotel reservation, but I am not sure if the one obtainable through "booking.com" is sufficient, or the same must be received from the Hotel located in Algiers. For the latter hypothesis it is not so easy to obtain it as the hotels are very few, expensive and above all not used to dealing with tourists since tourism in Algeria is almost non-existent. However, for clarification it is possible to call the Consulate.
- Number 2 Forms AC-51 of the completed and signed entry visa application;
- travel insurance “valid for Algeria which covers medical expenses for the entire duration of the visa. The policies of the “Colombus” and “Viaggiare Sicuri.it” companies are accepted.
- Euro 85 in cash for chancellery fees for issuing the visa;
- Copy of the pay slip;
- Return flight ticket;
- Simple declaration with which you write that you have sufficient resources (Euros, Dollars, credit card) to cover my stay in Algeria;
Once you deliver the aforementioned documentation by hand, the Dear Employee, who speaks excellent Italian, checks it and if it is complete he will issue you the receipt of payment of the 85 Euros for the secretarial fees and tells you on which day to present yourself for collection of the passport with the visa (from 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm), at the Algerian Consulate in Milan. Generally the visa is issued in one week.
On the day fixed for the withdrawal of the visa, you must present yourself at the Consulate of Algeria in Milan from 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm, with the receipt of payment of the 85 Euros for the administrative fees and in a few minutes you will be given the Passport with the face valid for 45 days from the date of issue. Keep in mind that if, for example, the visa is ready on Monday, you can also present for collection the days after Monday.
THE JOURNEY TO ALGERIA
To reach Linate Airport from the Lambrate or Milano Centrale train station, you need to take the subway (cost of a single ride: 1.60 Euros) and get off at the Piazza San Babila stop (red line). From there walk for about 200 meters. in a southerly direction passing Largo Arturo Toscanini and find on the right the bus stop n. 73 which leaves every 15 minutes towards Linate Airport. The journey takes just under an hour. You can use the ATM ticket, previously used for the subway ride, which is valid for up to 90 minutes from the first validation. Remember to validate it even when you get on the bus.
Keep in mind that in order to spend the night inside Linate airport, you must have a valid plane ticket for the next morning. The security officers come by around midnight to check the above.
Punctual as never before from Milan Linate at 8.00 my plane n. IB 3257 of the Spanish Flag Company "Iberia", in the direction of Terminal 4 of the Adolfo Suarez International Airport of Madrid - Barajas (Spain), (return ticket price including taxes from Linate to Algiers (Algeria) with a stopover in Madrid : Euro 135.58).
Food is served on the aforementioned aircraft but only for a fee.
Punctual arrival at 10.20 am, at Terminal 4 of Adolfo Suarez International Airport in Madrid - Barajas (Spain). There is no time zone difference compared to Italy.
Keep in mind that from Terminal 4, if you are leaving for a Location outside the Scenghen Area, you need to move to Terminal 4S and to do so you must follow the clear directions. You have to take the elevator or the escalators to go to the floor below, then the automatic train (without driver) that leaves in each direction, approximately every 3 minutes. The journey between the two terminals is also 3 minutes. Then you have to go through passport control where sometimes there are queues of up to almost an hour. For these reasons, it is necessary to keep in mind that the journey between terminal 4 and terminal 4S can last from just 30 minutes to, in the most extreme cases, 1 hour and a half.
Punctual as never before, my Airplane no. 4S leaves from Terminal 4S of Adolfo Suarez International Airport in Madrid - Barajas (Spain) at 11.55. IB 3308 of the Spanish Flag Company "Iberia", in the direction of the Houari Moumediene International Airport in Algiers (Algeria), (return ticket price including taxes from Linate to Algiers (Algeria) with a stopover in Madrid: Euro 135.58 ).
Food is served on the aforementioned aircraft but only for a fee.
Punctual arrival at 13.25, at Houari Moumediene International Airport in Algiers (Algeria). There is no time zone difference compared to Italy.
To enter Algeria you need an entry visa, both for tourism and for work and you must also fill in a form, available only in Arabic or French, containing the personal data and contact details of the person and the Hotel or Guesthouse, which is then collected by the border police, who without too many questions affix the entry stamp to your passport. Subsequently, after having collected the baggage it is necessary to pass the control of the same by the staff. It is likely that if you only have a small backpack like mine they will let you pass without checking you.
Currency and customs formalities: upon arrival it is mandatory to declare the currency that is imported, only if it exceeds a predetermined amount of which I am not aware (I had with me 500 Euros in cash, a mobile phone and a camera and not I needed to declare anything). Credit cards are accepted in a very limited number of large international hotels and restaurants. The chances of obtaining cash from ATMs or with "Traveler's checks" are scarce. Before leaving, it is therefore advisable to make sure that you have the adequate amount of cash with you.
Imports: there are restrictions on the importation, even temporary, of professional video cameras and binoculars, computer servers, fax equipment and broadcast material, telephone switchboards, firearms, gold. For these items, prior authorization must be requested.
At the Houari Moumediene International Airport in Algiers (Algeria), it is possible to withdraw money at the ATMs of 2 banks, or to change cash (Euros, Dollars or Pounds), but with a clearly unfavorable exchange rate compared to what you can get in center in Algiers and precisely by the unofficial money changers who are stationed near the National Theater in Port Said Square and in the adjacent streets.
On my own I changed money at the Guest House Marhaba, located in Algiers, at the Residence Soummam - Bapt B, Appt. 17 - Said Hamdine, 6th floor, owned by the very kind and helpful Nadjib Benyoucef at the following exchange rate: 1 Euro = 136 DA.
Keep in mind that it is forbidden to leave the country in possession of Algerian Dinars, but that the official exchange from Dinars to other official currency is also prohibited. So you must remember before leaving Algeria to change the currency for black or to spend everything you have.
In Algeria practically everyone speaks Arabic and French while hardly anyone speaks English. Even at the international airport there are only written in Arabic and French.
One thing to know is that it is absolutely forbidden to photograph Police Stations, Airports, ect. and logically also the policemen, present massively in almost every corner of the capital. The latter, if they see you taking pictures, they will want to see what you photographed and in case they will force you to delete what is prohibited.
From the Houari Moumediene International Airport in Algiers (Algeria), located about 20 km south of the center of the capital Algiers, there are 3 solutions to reach the latter:
1. exit the airport, turn left and walk on the main road for a short 1 km until you reach a fountain and just beyond a bus station where only from dawn to dusk the minibus no. . 110 which in about 40 minutes leads to the center of Algiers and precisely to Blvd Zirout Youcef, 100 mt. north of the Safir Hotel. Ticket cost: 50 DA. It is paid to the employee inside the vehicle.
2. take a taxi at a price between 500 DA and 1000 DA (depending on your bargaining ability).
3. Get picked up by the hotel staff, as I did. The very kind and helpful Nadjib Benyoucef came out of work on purpose to pick me up at the airport without asking me anything. I brought him some Novi Chocolate as a gift for his children and I gave him a 10 Euro tip.
During my stay in Algeria I stayed at the Guest House Marhaba (booked through "Booking.con", located in Algiers, at the Residence Soummam - Bapt B, Appt. 17 - Said Hamdine, 6th floor, owned by the very kind and extremely available Nadjib Benyoucef, E_mail: nadjib_ben@yahoo.fr, Telephone: +213557919935. Basically it is an apartment, where it is necessary to share the premises with the kind family of Nadjib consisting of Him, Wives and 2 children. You will sleep on a sofa bed in the room where you can use wifi and computer for free. Even the delicious breakfasts and dinners are served free of charge by Nadjib's talented wife. The bathroom and shower are shared with the aforementioned family. The cost per night is 30 Euros. You can pay both in Euros both in Algerian Dinars.
Nadjib Benyoucef will bend over backwards for you and with his broken car taking you anywhere in Algiers, before and after work. He works from 8.00 to 16.00, from Sunday to Thursday. So after 4.30 pm he can come with you to visit the Casbah, the Church of Notre Dame d'Afrique, the illuminated monument of Macham Echahid, etc., he will introduce you to a lot of people, he will make you eat the typical specialties of Algeria, will accompany you to purchase the best dates to take home, which cost from 500 DA to 700 DA per kg.
He will explain to you in detail the culture and history of Algeria. You will be able to enter the Mosques with him. Every evening he will show you the attractions to visit the next day, also lending you his tour guide in French and taking you by car every morning before going to work wherever you want. If you want, he can help you organize your trip to the desert. He knows a lot of people in every part of Algeria. In short, Nadjib can make the difference in the success of your trip to Algeria.
To reach Tipaza, go to the Tafoura Bus Terminal, located a few kilometers south of the Grande Poste, where frequent minibuses leave for the Tipaza Gare Routiere, located a few kilometers west of the center of Tipaza. The journey of about 70 km takes about 1 hour and a half. The ticket costs 200 DA. It is paid to the employee inside the vehicle.
To reach the Ruins of the Tipaza Archaeological Park, from the Tipaza Gare Routiere, take one of the frequent Minibuses to the center of Tipaza. The journey takes a few minutes. The ticket costs 15 DA. It is paid to the employee inside the vehicle.
From the bus stop it is necessary to walk less than 500 meters. to reach the entrance of the Tipaza archaeological park which is declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco and is open every day from 9.00 to 19.00 in Spring and Autumn, from 9.00 to 17.00 in Winter and from 9.00 to 20.00 in Summer. Admission costs 200 DA.
The Tipaza Archaeological Park is located in a fantastic position in the middle of the woods and overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It therefore offers incomparable views. It takes about 3 hours to shoot it all.
The Port of Tipaza is also very folkloric to visit and it is nice to admire the fishermen who set up their nets on their return from fishing.
In Tipaza, on the road between the main Mosque and the Port, about 100 mt. from the latter, taxis are stationed, asking for 1,000 DA (you need to bargain), to take you to visit the Mausoleum of the Royal of Mauretania, located in Sidi Rached, 13 km from Tipaza, to wait for you 20 minutes while you see it and to take you back to the Gare Routiere in Tipaza.
The Mausoleum of Royal of Mauretania is open every day from 9.00 to 19.00 in Spring and Autumn, from 9.00 to 17.00 in Winter and from 9.00 to 20.00 in Summer. Admission costs 100 DA.
To reach Cherchell, located 20 km west of Tipaza, from the Tipaza Gare Routiere, take one of the frequent westbound minibuses. The journey takes about half an hour. The ticket costs 50 DA. It is paid to the employee inside the vehicle.
Minibuses generally drop you off at the edge of the center or at the Cherchell Race Routiere.
From there on foot in a few minutes or with a minibus at a cost of 15 DA you can get to the center.
The center of Cherchell can be easily explored on foot. You can see the port and some Roman Ruins, such as the Baths of the East, the Roman Theater, Le Forum, which are not accessible to the public and the Baths of the West whose entrance ticket costs 150 DA.
To reach the Tafoura Bus Terminal in Algiers, go to the Gare Routiere in Cherchell, located on the southern edge of the center, where frequent minibuses leave for Algiers which also stop in Tipaza. The journey of 90 km scarce lasts 2 hours scarce. The ticket costs 250 DA. It is paid to the employee inside the vehicle.
To visit Algiers, you can move on the only Metro Line that starts from the Grande Poste stop located in the center up to that of El Harrach, located on the south-eastern outskirts of the city. The single ride costs 50 DA. There are many stairs to climb to reach the train platforms. The writings are in French and Arabic.
To visit the southern outskirts of Algiers you can use the Tram at a cost of 40 DA for a single journey. The first station is that of Rouisso.
The symbol of Algiers is Makam Echahid, that is the Monument to the Martyrs, 92 meters high and visible from all over the city, especially at night when it is illuminated with the 3 colors of the flag of Algeria. To reach it, take the subway to the Jardin d’Essai stop and take the funicular that reaches the aforementioned monument.
Under the Makam Echahid is the Musee National du Moudjahid, which aims to exhibit objects documenting the struggle against colonialism. It is open from 9.00 to 19.00, sometimes until 21.00. The entrance fee is 50 DA.
The Jardin d’Essai, located next to the metro stop of the same name, are the most beautiful in Algiers and are worth a visit. They are open every day from 10.00 to 17.00 from January to February, from 10.00 to 18.00 from March to April, from 10.00 to 19.00 from May to August, from 10.00 to 18.00 from September to October, from 10.00 to 17.00 from November to December. The entrance fee is 100 DA.
The Musee des Beaux Arts in Algiers can be reached by taking the subway to the Jardin d’Essai stop and facing the numerous steps that lead up to the main entrance. It is open from 9.00 to 12.00 from Sunday to Thursday and from 13.00 to 17.00 on Saturday. The entrance fee is 200 DA.
Part of the beautiful White Building of the Grande Poste can be visited inside for free. The entrance is in front of the post office.
The Bardo Museum of Prestoira and Ethnography in Algiers can be reached by taking the metro to the Khelifa Boukhalfa stop and traveling south for approximately 1.5 km Rue Mourad. It is open from 9.00 to 17.00 from Sunday to Thursday and from 13.00 to 17.00 on Saturday. The entrance fee is 200 DA.
The National Museum of Antiquities in Algiers, located 200 meters. about beyond the Bardo Museum it can be reached by taking the underground to the Khelifa Boukhalfa stop and going south for about 1.7 km Rue Mourad. It is open from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 16.30 from Sunday to Thursday and from 13.00 to 16.30 on Saturday. The entrance fee is 200 DA and also allows you to visit the Museum of Islamic Art.
Next to the National Museum of Antiquities in Algiers is the Museum of Islamic Art. It is open from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 16.30 from Sunday to Thursday and from 13.00 to 16.30 on Saturday. The entrance fee is 200 DA and also allows you to visit the National Museum of Antiquities.
The Palais des Rais Bastion 23, located 200 meters. about beyond Piazza dei Martiri, it can be reached by taking the subway to the Grande Poste stop and heading north for a good 2 km until you reach and pass Piazza dei Martiri and thus reach the Palazzo in Argomento. It offers beautiful views over the Mediterranean Sea. The interior is gorgeous. It is open from 10.00 to 12.00 from Sunday to Thursday and from 13.00 to 16.30 on Saturday. The entrance fee is 200 DA.
The Citadel, located above the Casbah is still undergoing renovation and it is not possible to visit it.
The Casbah of Algiers is an absolutely unique urban reality, as recognized by Unesco by placing it on the World Heritage List and describing it as one of the most beautiful coastal sites in the Mediterranean. Built on the side of the Hill that slopes down from the Citadel to the Lungomare, the Casbah looks like a maze of alleys and stairs, which wind through a dense network of whitewashed houses, where the sun has difficulty in penetrating for most of the day. For safety reasons it is best to avoid visiting it after sunset and even better is to be accompanied by someone from the place.
The Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions is located in the lower part of the Casbah. It is open from 9.00 to 15.00 from Sunday to Thursday and from 13.00 to 17.00 on Saturday. The entrance fee is 100 DA.
The mosques of Djemaa el Djedid, Djemaa el Kebir, Djemaa Ali Bitchin and Djemaa Ketchaou, are all located near Piazza dei Martiri and can also be visited by non-Muslims, logically taking off their shoes before entering. You don't pay anything.
From the center of Algiers, to reach the Houari Moumediene International Airport of Algiers (Algeria), located about 20 km south of the center of the capital, there are 3 solutions:
1. In Algiers, in Blvd Zirout Youcef, 100 mt. to the north of the Safir Hotel, minibus no. 1 leaves every hour or every 2 hours from sunrise to sunset. 110 which in about 40 minutes leads to the bus station, located less than 1 km from the airport. From there, walk towards a large fountain, pass it and continue on the main road. Pass a check point and thus arrive at the International Terminal. Ticket cost: 50 DA. It is paid to the employee inside the vehicle.
2. In Algiers, in Blvd Zirout Youcef, 100 mt. north of the Safir Hotel, take a taxi at a price ranging between 500 DA and 1000 DA (depending on your bargaining ability).
3. Have the hotel staff bring you, free or for a fee;
Keep in mind that it is forbidden to leave the country in possession of Algerian Dinars, but that the official exchange from Dinars to other official currency is also prohibited. So you must remember before leaving Algeria to change the currency for black or to spend everything you have, for example by buying the dates that are sold both before and after Customs at 600 DA per kg, or the Green Tea.
To leave Algeria it is necessary to fill in a form, available only in Arabic or French, containing the personal data and contact details of the person and the Hotel or Guesthouse where you stayed, which is then collected by the border police, who without too many questions affixes the exit stamp to the passport.
At the Houari Moumediene International Airport in Algiers (Algeria), to leave the country it is necessary to face 3 security checks: the first to enter the Terminal, the second to access the Gates and the third before boarding the plane.
Punctual as never before, my plane no. IB 3305 of the Spanish Flag Company "Iberia", in the direction of Terminal 4S of the Adolfo Suarez International Airport of Madrid - Barajas (Spain), (return ticket price including taxes from Linate to Algiers (Algeria) with a stopover in Madrid : Euro 135.58).
Food is served on the aforementioned aircraft but only for a fee.
Punctual arrival at 3.40 pm, at Terminal 4S of Adolfo Suarez International Airport in Madrid - Barajas (Spain). There is no time zone difference compared to Italy.
Keep in mind that from Terminal 4S, if you are leaving for a location in the Scenghen area, you need to move to Terminal 4 and to do so you must follow the clear directions. You must first go through passport control (there is also the automatic one), then take the automatic train (without driver) that leaves in each direction, approximately every 3 minutes. The journey between the two terminals is also 3 minutes. Finally take the elevator or the escalators to go upstairs and go to one of the 3 gates (J, H, K) of terminal 4. It should be borne in mind that the journey between terminal 4S and terminal 4 can last from scarce 30 minutes to, in the most extreme cases, 1 hour and a half.
Punctual as never before, my Airplane no. 4 leaves from Terminal 4 of Adolfo Suarez International Airport in Madrid - Barajas (Spain) at 19.50. IB 3256 of the Spanish Flag Company "Iberia", in the direction of Linate International Airport, (return ticket price including taxes from Linate to Algiers (Algeria) with a stopover in Madrid: 135.58 Euros).
Food is served on the aforementioned aircraft but only for a fee.
I arrive on time at 10.05 pm, at Linate International Airport, where my fantastic journey ends.
My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:
http://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/p/esperienze-di-viaggio.html
Nessun commento:
Posta un commento