Oran
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At a glance
- Country
- Algeria
- Region
- Oran Province
- Population
- 850,000
- Best time to go
- April to June, September to October
- Main airport
- Oran Ahmed Ben Bella (ORN)
- Coordinates
- 35.70°N, 0.63°W
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Overview
Oran is Algeria's second city, a busy Mediterranean port with a looser, more outward-looking character than Algiers. Spanish, Ottoman and French rulers all left their mark, and it is the birthplace of raï music.
The centre is a grid of colonial buildings and broad squares, while the coast to the west is lined with beaches. Albert Camus set his novel The Plague here.
Things to see
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Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY 4.0 Santa Cruz Fort and Chapel
A Spanish fortress high on Mount Murdjadjo, with a chapel below it and a view over the whole city and bay.
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Photo: وهراني, CC BY-SA 3.0 Place du 1er Novembre
The main square, framed by the town hall with its bronze lions and the old theatre.
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Photo: L'Algérie Pays du Soleil et de Beauté, CC0 Front de Mer
A long seafront boulevard high above the port, where Oranais come to walk in the evening.
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Photo: Rachid Hamatou, CC BY-SA 4.0 Pasha Mosque
An Ottoman-era mosque from the late 18th century with an octagonal minaret, in the old quarter.
Things to do
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Photo: Saber68, Public domain Listen to raï
The music was born in Oran's bars and cabarets, and you will hear it in cafés, taxis and at weddings.
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Photo: Imad007 at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0 Beaches at Aïn El Turk
A string of sandy beaches and summer resorts along the coast west of the city.
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Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY 4.0 Ahmed Zabana Museum
The city's main museum, with archaeology, natural history and fine art collections.
Find tours
Where to stay
City centre
Close to the squares, cafés and restaurants, and good for walking.
Hotels in City centreFront de Mer
Hotels with sea views along the boulevard above the port.
Hotels in Front de MerAïn El Turk
A summer beach base west of the city, best with a car or taxi.
Hotels in Aïn El Turk
Getting around
A tram line crosses the city, and taxis are cheap and plentiful.
The airport is about 10 km south of the centre, roughly 20 to 30 minutes by taxi.
When to go
Spring and autumn are warm and dry. Summers are hot and the beaches fill up, while winters are mild with some rain.
Plan your trip to Oran
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.