Tigzirt ... My Mediterranean Surprise ♥

Off the beaten track in the northern part of Algeria is a small town named Tigzirt. Still unknown to most travelers, this Berber town is one of the great Mediterranean places in Algeria. The  port is perhaps the most dominant structure in the center of town. It’s where the locals go for freshly-caught fish.  Built within the port is a park which serves as a playground for the children and the kids at heart.

Tigzirt Sur Mer

Just a few steps away from the  port is the Roman ruins of the basilica which was built during the Roman Empire.  Other evidence of Roman Era can also be found  around the  town buildings and parks.

Ruins of the Basilica

 Not many locals speak English in this town, which is predominantly inhabited by Kabyles and Muslims. Most people speak Kabyle, French, Arabic, and Spanish,  so a  little knowledge of French will go a long way! Luckily, my husband, who is from this town, speaks English so I was able to manage my way around.

I’ve been to Tigzirt both in the summer and the winter. The visits gave me a chance to discover what this Mediterranean town has to offer during both seasons. Summer time is definitely more preferable to be able to enjoy the beach. The winter, proved to be very nuisance for the locals and travelers alike. Road closures due to the snow along mountainous roads prohibited travels to other places. This, however, didn’t  deter us from visiting Bejaia, another Berber city in Algeria, via another bus route along the Mediterranean Sea.

 Because Tigzirt is surrounded by mountains, the winter storm resulted in a gorgeous view of the snow-capped mountains. It is  picture-perfect especially with the Mediterranean Sea in the view.

There aren’t too many hotels in this town, so I can’t say much about accommodation. Maybe if the government will invest more in their tourism industry, more hotels will be built, but until then, the tourists have to rely on a very few hotels for accommodation.  Some locals offer their houses for rent during summer time. These houses are right on the Mediterranean Sea which have great views of the sea, the sunrise and the sunset.

Roman ruins in Souma village

Just a few minutes drive from the town center are little villages, one in particular is Souma, it is home to another Roman ruin site . This is an awesome place to visit as it presents not only the view of the Mediterranean Sea but also the magnificence of the mountains. The Roman ruins will give you another insight of the Roman architecture. The local villagers will be able to share you the story behind the ruins.

A little farther drive is Petit Paradis, known for its delicious seafood. This is a popular place for tourists because of its captivating view and of course, the seafood. Visitors will be delighted with what the restaurants have to serve, delicious Mediterranean and local cuisine. Bon appétit! 

Next time you plan on a trip, check out this Mediterranean surprise in Algeria. I know I'm glad I did!

Mediterranean seafood from Petit Paradis