Packing list for Algeria, travel insurance for Algeria and taking your belongings

What to take to Algeria: brief

To pack and check:

• Documents and money: a passport valid for at least 6 months upon arrival and, for most travelers, a visa. Check current visa requirements well before departure. Bring a few paper and digital copies of your passport, visa, any vaccination booklet, and travel insurance. The local currency is the Algerian dinar (DZD). Foreign bank cards do not work everywhere, and withdrawing cash can be difficult. Therefore, bring sufficient cash (euros) to exchange locally at official exchange offices or banks.
• Clothing: light, airy clothing is pleasant during the hot summers. Because Algeria is a conservative country, modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered, for both men and women) is the norm in cities and villages. If you are traveling to the Sahara, be prepared for large temperature differences between day and night and also bring a warm sweater or fleece.
• Shoes: comfortable shoes are suitable for the cities. If you are visiting the Sahara, Tassili n'Ajjer, or mountainous areas, sturdy hiking boots with good grip are recommended. Sandals or flip-flops are comfortable in warm weather.
• Personal care and hygiene: sunscreen and lip balm with a high SPF.
• Packing and protection: a rain cover for your backpack is handy during the wetter winter months on the Mediterranean coast. For desert trips, sealable sand bags for electronics are a good idea.
• Insects and animals: bring mosquito repellent containing DEET or picaridine, especially if you are traveling to the coast or oases during the warmer months.
• Medicines and travel first-aid kit: a first-aid kit with plasters, ORS, painkillers, blister plasters, personal medication, and possibly remedies for stomach and intestinal complaints.
• Outdoor items and handy items: a reusable water bottle, sunglasses, a sun hat or cap, and a scarf or buff to protect against sun, dust, and desert wind.
• Technology and equipment: a universal adapter for type C and F sockets. 
• Safety and theft: Always follow current travel advice. Safety risks or travel restrictions apply to some border areas and parts of the Sahara. For desert tours, traveling with a recognized guide or tour operator is recommended.

To consider:

• A power bank for long journeys through remote areas.
• A quick-drying towel.
• Water shoes if you visit the Mediterranean coast with rocky beaches.
• Knowledge of local customs and photography rules: taking photos of military buildings, police checkpoints, border posts, or government buildings is forbidden. It is recommended to ask for permission before photographing local residents. During Ramadan, eating, drinking, and smoking in public during the day are not customary.

Are there mosquitoes in Algeria?

• Yes, mosquitoes are mainly found along the Mediterranean coast, near rivers, oases, and other watery areas. They are most active during the warmer months.
• For most travelers, mosquitoes are mainly annoying; Mosquito-borne diseases generally pose a limited risk.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in Algeria?

• Sandflies are found in large parts of Algeria, especially in dry and semi-desert areas and around oases, but also near cities. They are mainly active around sunset and at night.
• In Algeria, sandflies can transmit leishmaniasis, and that is no fun.
• Fortunately, protective clothing and an insect repellent containing DEET or picaridine also offer protection against sandflies.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Are DEET, or other insect repellents, available in Algeria?

• Yes, insect repellents are available at pharmacies and larger supermarkets in the cities.
• If you are traveling to remote parts of the Sahara or smaller towns, it is wise to bring enough of your own trusted insect repellent.
• More about DEET and percentages.

Is it legal to buy a joint or weed in Algeria, or to bring it with you into Algeria?

• No, Algeria has a strict drug policy. Cannabis is illegal, and possession, use, trade, and import can lead to severe penalties.