A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the M’zab Valley is one of Algeria’s most beautiful treasures. We’ll take you to discover its capital: the fortified city of Ghardaïa. Pack your bags for an authentic and ultra-exotic stay through what is nicknamed “the Pearl of the South”…

Ghardaïa, the capital of the M’zab Valley

Nicknamed “the pearl of the south” of Algeria, the city of Ghardaia is the capital of the M’zab Valley. Located 600 km south of Algiers, in the northern Algerian Sahara, Ghardaia is part of a group of fortified cities called “ksour”. These cities were built by the Mozabites, an Ibadi Berber community.

The 7 ksour of the M’zab valley

As you can see, Ghardaïa is part of a pentapolis. The first cities of the traditional pentapolis were built between the 11th and 14th centuries. These are:

• Ghardaïa ;
• Al Ataf ; 
• Bou Noura ; 
• Melika et 
• Béni Ysguen.

From the 17th century, two other cities were added to the original ensemble:

• Guerrara et 
• Berriane. 

Fondée en 1053, Ghardaïa est la plus grande des cités de la Pentapole. 

A unique and preserved architecture

Built around oases, each ksar has its own identity and palm grove. But they all have one thing in common: a similar architecture. Built in pyramids on hills, the cities are shaped around a central point: the mosques. As for the houses, they were designed for community life, while respecting family structures.

The result of a long, millenary stratification, the architecture of a ksar is characterized by simplicity, functionality and concern for preserving the ecosystem. This was possible thanks to the palm groves and the ancestral know-how of the Mozabites who created an ingenious system for capturing, storing and distributing the flood waters of the Oued M’zab.

The city of Ghardaïa today

Classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1982, the old town of Ghardaia and the Mzab Valley are major tourist sites in Algeria.

The architecture and ingenuity of the places have inspired great masters throughout history, such as Fernand Pouillon, André Ravéreau and Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, known as Le Corbusier (who described the city as follows: “Houses built according to plans moving with efficiency and deference to the desires of the soul”) and even some artists like Simone de Beauvoir who fell under the spell of the region.

What to do and see in Ghardaïa?

Getting lost in the city’s alleys

In Ghardaia, time seems to have stopped. To take a trip through history, you can stroll through the narrow, labyrinthine streets. Take the time to admire the old stone and clay houses with their flat roofs and colorful facades that seem to sparkle in the rays of the Sahara sun.

By getting lost in the city center, you can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere and meet the locals who are renowned for their incredible hospitality.

Visit the Great Mosque of Ghardaïa

The Great Mosque of Ghardaia was the first building to be built on the highest point of the city when the ksar was founded in 1048. Today, it remains one of the most important historical mosques in Algeria.

Nicknamed “the spiritual beacon”, the Great Mosque of Ghardaia has always been a central point in the city and has played several roles throughout history: that of fortification, school, town hall and court.

It is characterized by two minarets (one 23 m high, the most recent and another 6 m high dating from its foundation) and a sober architecture excluding any unnecessary ornament. The Great Mosque contains two prayer rooms, “Mahdrates”, places reserved for learning the holy book, as well as other structures intended for the administration and management of the control and defense system of the ksar.

Note that the city of Ghardaïa has other mosques such as the Sidi Bou Gdemma mosque, the Chikh Baba-ouljemma mosque and the Chikh Baissa-oualouane mosque.

Take a tour of the Ghardaïa souk

It is impossible to visit Ghardaïa without going to its souk. Formerly frequented by caravaners, the Ghardaïa souk remains today the largest and most important in the region. The Ghardaïa market is held on the southwestern outskirts of the Ksar, on a beautiful rectangular square surrounded by arcades where a series of stalls are nestled.

A true Ali Baba’s cave, you can find food (fruit, spices, dates, etc.), fabrics and many handicrafts (pottery, jewelry, leather, wooden objects and the famous Ghardaïa carpets).

Good to know: if you stay in Ghardaïa in March, you can attend the famous carpet festival. This major event highlights traditional crafts from the different Algerian regions. The typical Ghardaïa carpet is made from wool and goat hair and is distinguished by geometric patterns in red, black and ochre colors.

Visit the M’zab folk museum

Located in the lower town, the M’zab Folklore Museum offers a true immersion in the history and daily life of the Mozabites. The museum houses various antique pieces as well as the reconstruction of a house furnished and decorated according to tradition.

Explore the irrigation system of the Ghardaïa palm grove

Head south of the city to reach the palm grove of Ghardaïa to discover the incredible irrigation system inherited from the first civilizations of the region. The opportunity to understand how the flood water sharing system works and to explore the dikes built on the bed of the M’zab wadi. You can also enjoy a breathtaking view of the M’zab valley from the belvedere.

Taste the local specialties

In addition to its architectural and historical treasures, the city of Ghardaia is also famous for its local cuisine. Among the culinary specialties that you absolutely must try during a stay in Ghardaia, we can mention:

Ouchou souffer, a couscous with herbs, a real specialty of the city;

Ouchou Tinni, a couscous with dates that the locals prepare especially for special occasions such as weddings;

Tiftitine, a dish made with artisanal pasta accompanied by a red sauce with date juice and pieces of lamb or camel meat;

“Ibaoun”, a local dish, prepared on the occasion of the celebration of Ashura. These are beans soaked in fresh water from the palm grove that are dried before boiling and seasoning them with salt, cumin and olive oil;

Maghlouga, a traditional Algerian dish, originally from Ghardaia, which resembles a pancake stuffed with minced meat, onions, tomatoes, peppers, herbs and spices from the Sahara.

As for drinks, don’t miss the “Takerwait”, an infusion based on medicinal plants with therapeutic virtues and of course, the unbeatable tea with menthe.

Visit the other fortified towns around Ghardaïa

The M’zab Valley is not limited to the city of Ghardaïa. After exploring the fortified city from top to bottom, you can discover the other jewels of the region:

Beni Isguen, its magnificent palm grove, the Boulila tower as well as its unmissable auction market which takes place every Friday at the end of the day;

Melika and the Sidi Aissa cemetery housing its famous mausoleum;

El Atteuf, the oldest city of the pentapolis which was built in the year 1012;

Zelfana and its thermal springs;

The oasis of Sebseb and its ochre-colored dunes…