The Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania

Sunset in Tipasa

Tipaza is in Northwest Algeria.

Understand

First a Punic trade post, the Romans expanded it into a military colony named Tipasa. The colony was destroyed by the Vandals in the 5th century and Arabs in the 8th, and the modern city of Tipaza was established there in 1857. Today the city of 25,000 inhabitants is one of Algeria's most popular tourist destinations thanks to its ruins.

Get in

Tipaza is about 70 km west of the capital Algiers. Buses from Algiers leave from the 1 Mai station next to the Agha railway station, and take about 1.5h. They arrive at the 1 Bus station. (updated Mar 2022)

The last bus back to Algiers leaves already around 4-5PM.

Get around

The town is small and walkable. For outings outside town, there's a 2 Taxi stand. (updated Mar 2022) near the port.

See

Ruins from the Roman Empire colony of Tipasa

• 1 Roman ruins. The Romain ruins of Tipasa are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. DA130. (updated Mar 2022)
• Tipaza Longwave mast. The second highest structure in Algeria, transmitting broadcasts to northern Africa and southwestern Europe. 
• 2 Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania (between Cherchell and Tipaza). Built in 3 BCE, the mausoleum is where the Numidian Berber King Juba II and the Queen Cleopatra Selene II, who ruled Numidia and Mauretania Caesariensis, are said to have been buried, although their remains have not been found. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered to be an endangered site. (updated Apr 2021)

Buy

A handful of small shops line the two roads converging at the entrance of the Roman ruins. Antiques, carpets, jewelry, art, and ceramics are sold for reasonable prices.

Eat

Seafood restaurants next to the water are a good way to end the day.

Sleep

La Corne d'Or

• Hotel Club La Corne d'Or. Built as a tourist village in the 1970s, the complex is a "modernist interpretation of the Mozabite vernacular architecture of Algeria". The hotel is apparently run-down and has received awful reviews on travel forums, so it is probably better to regard it as a sight rather than accommodation. 

Go next

• Tipaza Archaeological museum (in Cherchell, 15 km west). Displaying artefacts found in the region.