Located in the mountainous area of northeastern Algeria, Constantine (pop. 450,000) looks quite impressive sitting atop a high cliff. The city's attractions are mostly historical—controlled by Romans, Byzantines and Arabs, Constantine was Algeria's first capital.
In colonial times, the place was one of the last regions to come under French control. Be sure to visit the Constantine Museum (displays of ancient and modern art), the Ben-Badis Mosque, the Casbah, the Soumma Mausoleum at Khroub, the Arab Palace of Ahmed Bey, the ruins of the Antonian Roman aqueduct, the Roman city of
Tiddis and the megalithic monuments and burial grounds at
Djebel Mazala Salluste. Constantine merits a two-day stay.
200 mi/320 km east of Algiers.