Algiers Alicante ferry

Algiers Guide

Algiers is the capital city of Algeria and is situated on the Mediterranean coast. Found in the north-central area of the country, Algeria’s largest city sits on the west side of a Mediterranean bay. The North African country has a variety of beautiful landscapes, from stunning beaches with picturesque coastal towns, to the spectacular Sahara Desert, which makes up 85% of the country.

The French-African city boasts a large number of museums thanks to the rich history and diverse culture of the area and also has the nickname of ‘Alger la Blanch’ (Algiers the White) due to the stunning setting of gleaming white buildings rising from the sea. The local architecture is a standout feature with the Kasbah quarter containing a mix of squares, mosques and cathedrals from the Islamic and Roman Catholic influences which have gripped the city over different periods.

The Port of Algiers stretches ten miles across the Bay of Algiers and is arguably the most important seaport in North Africa. The port area itself has a number of attractions to keep you occupied while you wait for the ferry. There's a fascinating 17th Century Kasbah by the terminal, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.

The terminal is easily accessible from transport links with Algiers Train Station just a short walk away and the N11, Rue d’Angkor linking the port to major road networks. The port runs ferries to Marseille in the south of France and Alicante in Spain, with a handful of long distance services a week.

Alicante Guide

Alicante is the capital of the province of Alicante in the southern part of the Valencian community in Spain. Alicante was founded in 324 BC by the Greeks, who named it Akra Leuke (White Peak). In 201 BC it was captured by the Romans who called it Lucentum, and Hannibal is said to have unloaded his famous war elephants here. Between 718 and 1249, the city was ruled by the Moors. In 1265 it was retaken by Alfonso X of Castile and incorporated into the kingdom of Castile. In 1304 it was incorporated into the kingdom of Valencia, in the Aragon Crown. The city was besieged by the French in 1709 and 1812, and later by the Federalists of Cartagena in 1873. In the Spanish Civil War, Alicante was bombed by Italian aircraft, and was one of the last cities to fall to Franco. In Alicante, the Falangist José Antonio Primo de Rivera was executed in November 1936. In 1982 and 1997 heavy rain caused severe flooding and some loss of life.