Ultimate Guide: What to Do in Oran?

Oran is one of Algeria's most food-loving cities. Its cuisine blends Ottoman, Spanish, Berber and French influences into generous, spiced and 100% halal dishes. Here is our selection by category.

Restaurants — Our recommendations

From the local family restaurant to the fine-dining table on the seafront, Oran offers a wide range. The restaurants on Boulevard des Lions are a classic for grills and fresh fish. The Akid Lotfi neighbourhood concentrates modern spots popular with families: reinvented Algerian cuisine, quality pizzerias, fish restaurants. The seafront and the Oran corniche are packed with restaurants overlooking the Mediterranean. For traditional cuisine lovers, the small eateries of Mdina Jdida serve the best garantita, karantika and hrira in Oran — at unbeatable prices.

Canteens & fast food in Akid Lotfi

The Akid Lotfi neighbourhood has become Oran's food hub in recent years. Modern canteens, Oran-style fast food, burger joints, shawarma, Algerian tacos — this is where Oran's youth and the diaspora meet up. Prices are affordable and the atmosphere is lively, especially on summer evenings. Several of our nearby properties are also located here.

Pastry shops & ice cream parlours

Oran's pastry shops are an institution. Oriental pastries (makroud, baklawa, zlabia, griwech), reinvented French pastry (Oran-style millefeuille, fruit tarts), wedding cakes — every neighbourhood has its go-to pastry shop. For ice cream, several artisanal parlours in Akid Lotfi and along the seafront offer creative flavours made with local fruit. A must in the hot weather — which in Oran means 8 months of the year.

🎯 Activities & excursions in Oran: land, sea and air

Oran is far more than its beaches. The city and its surroundings offer a full catalogue of outdoor activities for every age and every budget. All the activities below can be booked through Keyin-DZ.

Water activities

The introductory scuba dive at Île Plane is the star activity of the Oran coast — available from age 8, from 2,000 DA, with underwater photos and videos included. The blue sea safari runs along the coast from Bousfer to the Madragh coves over 3 hours, with a paella option on board. For thrill-seekers: jet-skiing on the corniche beaches, sea kayaking along the cliffs, and a private boat or yacht day with a captain — perfect for exploring the Habibas Islands, Algeria's only marine nature reserve.

Land activities

Horseback riding at Les Andalouses offers beach and mountain routes (300m altitude) as well as a 5-hour forest bivouac. Quad biking in the M'sila forest offers 4 time slots a day, including a sunset package. Hiking towards Santa Cruz, Cap Blanc or the M'sila forest is free and offers exceptional views.

Air activities

Tandem paragliding from Mount Murdjadjo is Oran's most spectacular experience: take off from the heights, fly over the bay with views of the entire coastline, land on the beach. Supervised by certified pilots, suitable for complete beginners from age 14.

Relaxation & wellness

The water parks around Oran are a paradise for families in summer. Several complexes offer pools, slides and kids' areas. For adults, the private pools of our villas in Bousfer offer the luxury of swimming in complete privacy.

💆 Wellness, spas, hammams & treatments in Oran

Oran offers a complete range of wellness and treatment options, from traditional to modern:

Spas & hammams — Oran's traditional hammams offer an authentic experience: black soap scrub, argan oil massage, steam bath. Several modern spas in residential neighbourhoods (Belgaïd, Canastel, Akid Lotfi) offer facials, relaxing massages and private spa suites. Ideal for recharging after days at the beach.

Hijama (cupping therapy) — Hijama in Oran is available at several specialised centres. This prophetic practice is increasingly requested by the diaspora and visiting Muslim families. Certified practitioners offer sessions for men and women, respecting privacy.

Therapeutic massage — Relaxing, sports or therapeutic massages at professional institutes. Some offer at-home sessions — convenient when staying in an apartment or villa in Oran.

Gyms — Oran has modern gyms in all the main neighbourhoods. Recent equipment, coaching available, separate men's and women's sections in most establishments. Belgaïd, Bir El Djir and Akid Lotfi have the best gyms.

🏥 Medical & aesthetic care in Oran

Oran is also a medical and dental tourism destination, with quality practitioners at very competitive prices compared to Europe:

Dentists in Oran — Modern dental clinics with recent equipment. Routine care, orthodontics, implants, whitening, crowns and veneers at prices 3 to 5 times lower than European rates. Many diaspora visitors use their stay to complete a full course of dental treatment.

Barbers & hair salons — Hairdressing salons in Oran are numerous and of good quality. Modern barbershops for men in every neighbourhood. Women's salons with private space, bridal hairstyling, makeup. Akid Lotfi and Belgaïd have the most reputed salons.

Aesthetic treatments — Facials, hair removal, manicures, hair treatments, at accessible prices. Several institutes also offer more advanced treatments (peeling, micro-needling, laser).

🛍️ Shopping in Oran

Oran offers a varied shopping experience, from traditional souks to modern shopping centres:

Shopping centres — Centre Commercial Phare and the shopping galleries of Bir El Djir are the go-to spots for modern shopping in Oran. Brands, shops, food courts, cinema — everything under one roof. Ideal air-conditioned shopping in hot weather.

Mdina Jdida (Le Derb) — Oran's historic souk. This is where you'll find the best deals: spices, dates, ceramics, textiles, traditional clothing, handicrafts. The place is lively, colourful, noisy — an experience in itself. A must for bringing back souvenirs from Oran.

Boulevard des Lions — One of Oran's best-known shopping streets. Clothing boutiques, shoe shops, cafés and restaurants. Always lively, especially in the late afternoon and evening.

The best butchers — For diaspora visitors looking for quality fresh meat in Oran, the butchers of Belgaïd, Bir El Djir and the Mdina Jdida market are the references. Guaranteed halal meat, lamb, veal and poultry from local producers.

Akid Lotfi boutiques — The up-and-coming neighbourhood for trendy shopping in Oran. Ready-to-wear, cosmetics, Instagram-worthy cafés — the favourite neighbourhood of young Oranais and the trendy diaspora.

🏛️ Must-see places in Oran

Oran has an exceptional historical and architectural heritage, blending Ottoman, Spanish and French influences:

The Bey's Palace (Dar El Bey) — Former residence of Oran's Ottoman governor. The interior architecture is sumptuous: mosaics, arcades, gardens. One of Oran's most underrated monuments — the visit is free and takes about 30 minutes.

Santa Cruz and the chapel — The Spanish fort perched on the heights of Aïdour offers a famous view over the bay. But the real secret is the viewpoint above Santa Cruz, even higher up, which gives a 360° view over all of Oran, the sea, the port and the salt lake. A view very few guides mention and most tourists don't know about. Yet it's the city's finest viewpoint — accessible by car via the road that continues past the chapel.

Sidi El Houari — Oran's oldest neighbourhood. Stepped alleys, colonial façades, carved wooden doors, bougainvillea. This is the historic heart of Wahran, where it all began. A neighbourhood in full revival, ideal for a morning walk.

The Abdelkader Alloula Theatre — A neo-classical building on Place du 1er Novembre (formerly Place d'Armes), one of the most beautiful theatres in North Africa. Even without attending a show, the exterior is worth the detour.

The seafront — The Létang promenade and Boulevard Stalingrad run along the sea from downtown eastward. A pleasant walk at the end of the day, cafés and restaurants with views, playgrounds for children.

Fort de Mers El Kébir — A few kilometres west of Oran, the historic military port and its fortifications offer a sweeping view over the bay. A site steeped in history.