Oran (Arabic: وَهران, Wahran) is the second largest city in Algeria and the capital of Oran province, with more than 1,500,000 people.
Oran's beautiful sea shore, constructed under French rule, was inspired by Nice's seafront. It consists of a long boulevard lined with cafés, restaurants, and ice cream shops. The boulevard also offers a splendid view of the sea, the harbour, Santa Cruz and the cliffs ("les Falaises"). It was renamed "Boulevard de l'ALN" by the government after the independence but it is still called Front de Mer by the locals. Present-day Oran was founded in 903 by the Azdaja and Ajissa Berbers who lived in the area.
Walking is the obvious mode of transport within the city centre. 11 Which will take you from the east to west of the city. From Hai El Sabah to Place 1er Novembre 51 From USTO UNIVERSITY to M'Dina Jdida U From Senia UNIVERSITY to M'Dina Jdida P1 From City center (Lycée lotfi) to Canastel (ORAN EAST) A single tram line runs from Es Sénia in the south to Bir El Djir in the northeast, via Place 1er Novembre. A single ticket is DA40 and can be bought at kiosks near the tram stops. Called a 'téléphérique' in French, there are three stations that allow you to get from the old city up to Santa Cruz. Return to the top DA100, one way DA60. Opens 0730 and runs till 1900, very frequent.
Oran has a very walkable historic city centre with a mix of Islamic and European buildings. district of Sidi El Houari municipal gardens Djebel Murdjadjo 1 Santa Cruz Fort. Fortress on top of the hill overlooking Oran. (updated Jul 2022) 2 Santa Cruz chapel (Chapelle de Santa Cruz). (updated Jul 2022) 3 Sacred Heart Cathedral of Oran (Cathédrale du Sacré-Cœur d'Oran), Blvd Abderahmane Mira. Former Roman Catholic church, built in 1930. Now turned into a library. (updated Jul 2022) 4 Hassan Pasha Mosque (مسجد حسن الباشا, Masjid Hassan El-bacha). A very ornate mosque, built in 1797. However, it is in a rather dilapidated state. (updated Jul 2022) 5 Oran zoo (zoo d'Oran).
1 Walk along the Corniche (Next to the sea from near Place 1er Novembre in the west to the Sheraton hotel in the east.). Sidewalk with good views
Dishes to try: Bourek - fried spring-roll like dish with meat Brik - deep-fried pastry filled with meat, vegetables or cheese Merguez - spicy lamb or beef sausages Chakhchoukha - traditional Berber dish Tajine - traditional North African dish Couscous - traditional North African dish Harira - lentil soup (v) Here are some popular places to eat 1 Le Royaume du Couscous, 15 Rue Ho Chi Minh. Many types of couscous as well as starters and desserts. 2 Les Ambassadeurs, 1 Boulevard de la Soummam, ☏ +213 41-981000. Serves Mediterranean cuisine, located at the Royal Hotel. 3 Restaurant le Corsaire, 09 République sidi el-Houari, Boulevard de L'A.L.N, ☏ +213 770 99 99 31.
Oran's nightlife is among the most thriving on the continent. The city has always been the capital of Algeria's parties and music. All night long, plenty of nightclubs, bars and cabarets are open and offer music, dance and partying in the city area seafront, called La Corniche, which runs from the city's Front de Mer to the neighbouring cities of Aïn El Turk, Bou Sfer and El Ançor. All kinds of nightclubs can be found, from the very posh Arena at the Sheraton Hotel to more popular ones in the Corniche, such as Solazur, Djawara and Neptune.
Oran is considered a safe city. Just use some common sense: avoid wearing expensive jewellery or looking flashy, do not flash large quantities of cash, and avoid unfamiliar and deserted areas at night. If you walk in crowded streets or use a bus, keep a hand in your pockets. Women should avoid low-cut tops, midriffs, or shorts to avoid harassment (which almost always consists of comments, but nothing physical) although this is less of a problem than in other cities. Don't feel the need to be polite.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
Top-rated tours and tickets from €104 — book ahead for the popular ones.
Tours and tickets provided by Viator (a Tripadvisor company). Some links earn Stayonomy a commission.
In Oct, Oran typically sees ~27°C daytime highs and 4 rainy days.
Cheapest destinations travellers searched recently — refreshed daily.
Flight prices are real fares travellers found in the last 48 hours, refreshed daily — the booking site confirms the final price. Train, bus and ferry fares are shown on the operators' booking sites. Weather data by Open-Meteo; exchange rates: ECB reference. Data updated 2026-10-09. Some links earn Stayonomy a commission at no cost to you.
stayonomy