City centre and seafront
Ideal for: first visit, nightlife
The seafront boulevard, Place du 1er-Novembre, cafés and restaurants, served by the tram.
Oran
Western Algeria's big city, its bay, the Santa Cruz fort and chapel, and raï music.
First visit: where to stay
Algeria: the essentials
Plan your stay in Oran
Best areas to stay in Oran
Corniche (Aïn El Türck)
Ideal for: beach, summer
The beaches and hotels of the corniche, west of the city.
When to go to Oran: the weather month by month
The warmest months are July and August (average highs up to 32 °C); the coolest, January and February (average lows of 5 °C). The driest months: July and August; the wettest: November and December.
| Month | Average low and high | Rain |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 46 mm | |
| Feb | 42 mm | |
| Mar | 38 mm | |
| Apr | 36 mm | |
| May | 23 mm | |
| Jun | 4 mm | |
| Jul | 1 mm | |
| Aug | 2 mm | |
| Sept | 17 mm | |
| Oct | 34 mm | |
| Nov | 65 mm | |
| Dec | 48 mm |
Averages from the Oran (Ahmed Ben Bella Airport) weather station (1991–2020 normals): the weather in any given year may differ. Source: Wikipedia, “Oran” (accessed 28 October 2026), CC BY-SA 4.0. This table is shared under the same licence.
Practical info about Oran
Algeria’s second city, Oran opens onto a wide Mediterranean bay. A lively city and the birthplace of raï music, it is overlooked by the Santa Cruz fort and chapel.
What to see in Oran
- The Santa Cruz fort and chapel, on Mount Murdjadjo, for the best view of the bay;
- the seafront, its promenade above the port;
- Place du 1er-Novembre and its theatre;
- Sidi El Houari, the historic old quarter;
- the beaches of the Oran corniche, towards Aïn El Türck.
Getting to Oran
Oran has an international airport (Ahmed Ben Bella). In town, the tram serves the centre; taxis and pre-booked transfers are handy from the airport.
All our tips for the country: Travel in Algeria.