Essentials
- Budget Accommodation
- Hôtel de la Gare (approx. 3000 DZD/night) or Hôtel Timgad
- City
- Oran, Oran Province, Algeria (La Radieuse)
- Population
- Approximately 1,500,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 20-50 Mbps on 4G/LTE; Fiber (Idoom) up to 100 Mbps in select areas
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 134 DZD (Official Rate), 1 EUR ≈ 145 DZD (Official Rate). Note: Parallel market rates are significantly higher.
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; buy bottled water (e.g., Ifri, Lalla Khedidja) for 35 DZD per 1.5L
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and E sockets
- SIM Card
- Mobilis, Djezzy, and Ooredoo. Best coverage is Ooredoo; 2000 DZD for 50GB monthly data
- Banking for Expats
- Société Générale Algeria, BNP Paribas El Djazaïr; cash is king, cards rarely accepted outside major hotels
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Hotel Liberté, or local real estate agencies (Agences Immobilières)
- Cashless Friendly
- No, very low card acceptance; carry Algerian Dinars at all times
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (approx. $30-$60/night) or Appart-Hôtels like Residence Es-Safir
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Front de Mer (Boulevard de l'ALN) for views and central access
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Akid Lotfi (vibrant, many cafes, modern) or Bel Air (residential and quiet)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Address Oran (Akid Lotfi) - approx. 1500 DZD/day
- Best Cafe for Work
- Columbus Café & Co (Akid Lotfi) - reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets
- Networking Events
- Events hosted by the Oran Chamber of Commerce (CCIO) or 'Startup Weekend Oran' sessions
- Social Events for Expats
- Institut Français d'Oran (1 Rue des Aurès) - cultural events and language meetups
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Yassir, Heetch, and TemTem (Reliable and affordable)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not common due to terrain and traffic; private arrangements only
- Best Beach Nearby
- Madagh Beach or Les Andalouses (30-40 mins from city center)
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Algérie
- Top International Airline
- Air France, Tassili Airlines, Turkish Airlines
- Highway Access
- East-West Highway (A1) connecting Oran to Algiers
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gare d'Oran (Moorish-revival style station in Plateau)
- Public Transport Passes
- Oran Tramway (40 DZD per ticket); no integrated weekly passes
- Regional Travel
- Train (SNTF) to Algiers (approx. 5 hours, 1000-1500 DZD)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- EHU Oran (Etablissement Hospitalier Universitaire) in Bir El Djir
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Centre de Bien-être El-Khalid (Akid Lotfi)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Pro-Gym (Canastel) - approx. 5000 DZD/month
- Laundry Services
- Pressing Moderne (widely available in Akid Lotfi / Maraval)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Yassir Express, Jumia Food
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Karantika (chickpea flan served with harissa) - 50 DZD at street stalls
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Le Petit Chalet (Mediterranean salads and pasta)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pâtisserie Orientale 'Ghardaïa' for traditional sweets
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Marché de la Bastille (Daily fresh produce and local goods)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Jumia Algeria (Jumia.dz)
- Grocery Delivery
- Yassir Express Grocery
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Luxury hotels (Sheraton, Le Méridien) have the most active bars/lounges
- Local Brewery
- Brasseries d'Oran (Tango beer is the local staple)
- Wine Bars
- Atmosphère at Le Méridien (High-end Selection)
- Street Food Stalls
- Rue des Aurès (formerly Rue de la Bastille) for Karantika and grilled meats
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pizza Hut (Akid Lotfi) or Le Mediterraneen (French/Seafood)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Fort Santa Cruz (High on Mount Murdjadjo for panoramic views)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Ahmed Zabana National Museum (Archaeology and Fine Arts)
- Historical Sites
- Place du 1er Novembre (Great theater and City Hall)
- Religious Sites
- Chapelle de Santa Cruz (Catholic) and Abdallah Ibn Salam Mosque (Former Synagogue)
- Annual Events
- Oran International Arabic Film Festival
- Cultural Districts
- Sidi El Houari (The historic old quarter)
- Theater Venues
- Théâtre Régional d'Oran Abdelkader Alloula
- Local Markets
- Marché Mdina Jdida (Huge bazaar for textiles and electronics)
- Music Scene
- Raï Music (Oran is the birthplace); live music at Cabaret nightclubs
- Street Art
- Murals around the Sidi El Houari district
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes often arranged via Airbnb Experiences or local associations
- Art Galleries
- Galerie d'Art Civile (Sidi El Houari)
- Historic Buildings
- Palais de la Culture (Emir Abdelkader)
- Local Heritage
- Raï music and Spanish-Ottoman-French architectural fusion
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Forêt de Canastel (Popular for jogging and walks)
- National Parks Nearby
- Murdjadjo Forest Park (Surrounds Santa Cruz)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Front de Mer Promenade (approx. 2km stretch)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Upper terrace of Fort Santa Cruz
- Birdwatching Locations
- Sebkha d'Oran (Huge saltwater lake, seasonal flamingos)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Restricted; allowed only in specific camping zones in Madagh
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Algérie Poste (EMS) or DHL Express (Avenue Loubet)
- Tech Repair Services
- Mobile shops in Mdina Jdida or Akid Lotfi
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local sports clubs in Petit Lac area
- Language Classes
- Institut Français (French), Centre Culturel Espagnol 'Cervantes' (Spanish)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Bibliothèque Régionale d'Oran (Cathedral of the Sacred Heart)
- Community Centers
- Association Santé Sidi El Houari (SDH)
- Gaming Lounges
- Zone 51 Gaming Center (Bir El Djir)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Algeria
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 180,000 DZD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 7,200,000 DZD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 110,000 DZD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 4,400,000 DZD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 160,000 DZD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 9,600,000 DZD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 100,000 DZD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 6,000,000 DZD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 140,000 DZD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 11,200,000 DZD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 90,000 DZD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 7,200,000 DZD)
- Corporate Tax
- 19% for manufacturing, 23% for building/public works, 26% for others
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents; 183-day rule applies
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (for income above 120,000 DZD per month)
- VAT
- 19% (Standard rate), 9% (Reduced rate)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules, but general anti-avoidance measures apply
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual 'Taxe Foncière' based on rental value
- Property Transaction Tax
- Registration fees 5%, Notary fees 1-3%, plus Stamp Duty
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; standard progressive income tax applies