Oran

Introduction

Oran is a major city on the northwestern Mediterranean coast of Algeria, and the second largest city of the country. It is closely associated with its neighbouring city, Aïn Témouchent. Located near the northwestern corner of Algeria, 432 kilometres from the capital Algiers, it is a major port and the commercial, industrial, and educational centre of western Algeria. It is the capital of the Oran Province (wilaya). The city has a population of about 800,000, while the metropolitan area has a population of approximately 1,500,000, making it the second largest city in Algeria. It seems that the name "Wahran" (Oran in Arabic) is derived from the Berber word "uharu" (lion"). The legend says that at the time (in 900), there were still lions in the area. The last two lions were hunted on a mountain near Oran and are elsewhere referred to as "mountain lions

Sights and Activities

• Cathédrale du Sacré-Cœur d'Oran. Housing the public library since 1996, this former cathedral is still a major landmark of the city. edit
• Hassan Basha Mosque (مسجد حسن الباشا, Masjid Hassan El-bacha). A very ornate mosque, built in 1797. It is however in a rather dilapidated state.

Weather

Oran features a semi-arid climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Oran’s climate does show influences of a Mediterranean climate; however the combination of the city's relatively high average annual temperature and relatively low annual precipitation precludes it from falling under that climate category. Oran averages 326 mm of precipitation annually, the bulk of which falls between November and May. Summers are hot and dry with average high temperatures in the warmest month (August) approaching 32 °C. Winters are mild in Oran, with high temperatures in the coolest month (January) at around 17 °C.

Getting There

By Plane

Oran Es Sénia Airport (IATA: ORN) offers flights to/from Marseille, Lille, Lyon, Paris-Orly, Toulouse, Adrar, Algiers, Alicante, Annaba, Bechar, Brussels, Tunis and Barcelona.

By Train

Oran is at the western terminus of the Algerian rail network, operated by SNTF. There is a line continuing towards Marocco but it has been closed for decades due to political conflict. Trains from the capital Algiers are plentiful however with several services daily. Other cities along the Mediterranean coast as well as cities in regional towns n Northwest Algeria has trains to Oran. Additional routes include an overnight train from Bechar, deep into the Sahara and about halfway from Mauritania. All longdistance trains terminates at 1 Gare Centrale d'Oran on Rue Mankour Mahi Michel.

By Boat

France:

• Algerie Ferries is one of the major operators, with scheduled services between Marseille and Oran
• Cnan Maghreb Lines (website under construction) has boats from Marseille to Oran as well.

Spain:

• Algerie Ferries operates services between Oran and the Spanish city of Alicante
• Trasmediterranea has regular ferries from Almeria to Oran
• Chan Maghreb Lines (website under construction) has boats between Barcelona and Oran.

Eat

• Wifi Resto Club, 14 Boulevard Docteur Ban Zerdjeb, ☏ +213 41-399663. Sa-Th 11AM-10PM, closed Fridays. Pizzeria and other fast food, offers free WiFi.
• Les Ambassadeurs, 1 Boulevard de la Soummam, ☏ +213 41-981000. Serves Mediterranean cuisine, located at the Royal Hotel.
• Le Corsaire, 9 Place de la République, ☏ +213 41-393120. Located in the old town.

Drink

Oran's nightlife is among the most thriving in the continent. The city has always been the capital of Algeria's parties and music. All night long, plenty of nightclubs, bars and cabarets are opened and offer music, dance and partying in the city area seafront, called La Corncihe which runs from the city's Front de Mer to the neighbouring cities of Aïn El Turk, Bou Sfer and El Ançor. All kinds of nightclubs can be found, from the very posh Atmosphère at the Sheraton Hotel that attracts now international DJs such as David Vendetta to more popular ones in the Corniche. Les Pins d'Or, SunHouse and Le Murdjadjo among others.

Sleep

• Le Raja Hotel, 12 rue Arago Place des victoires, ☏ +213 41 331431.
• Sarl Hotel El-mansour, 7 Rue Ozanam (Near le Cathedrale), ☏ +213 41 295590. The best among budget hotels in the town. Friendly staff, clean, shared bathroom, hot shower, air conditioning. 600 dinar.
• Hotel Residence Le Timgad, 22 Bd Emir Abdelkader, ☏ +213 41 294797. A 4-star hotel in the centre of the town, free wifi, breakfast, nice and big room with western standard facility. the only small problem is the staff speak little English but very friendly, very good in French and Arabic. 4600dinar.
• Hotel Colombe, 6 Boulevard Zabour Larbi (Southeast of the train station, near the cathedral as well as the Palace of Cultures), ☏ +213 41-466162, ✉ [email protected].
• Le Meridien Oran Hotel & Convention Center, Les Genets, Chemin de Wilaya, Route 75, ☏ +213 41 984000. Situated on a high cliff with a stunning view over the Mediterranean Sea and the city centre of Oran. The hotel will form part of a larger complex including an adjacent conference and exhibition centre, and an oceanfront promenade.
• Royal Hotel Oran, 1 Boulevard de la Soummam, ☏ +213 41-981000, fax: +213 41-296118, ✉ [email protected]. Luxorius hotel located in central Oran, not far from the docks. Often rated as great value for money.
• Sheraton Oran Hotel & Towers, Route Des Falaises Ave, ☏ +213-41-590100, fax: +213-41-590101, ✉ [email protected]. One of the fanciest hotels in Oran with breathtaking views of the ocean from each room. The hotel also features a complimentary airport shuttle, restaurants and a tennis court Prices start at DA14,250.

Keep Connected

Internet

There are Internet cafés in all larger towns and cities.

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

• The country calling code to Algeria is: 213
• To make an international call from the Algeria, the code is: 00

Post

Algeria Post offers fairly reliable though relatively slow services. Mail posted in any of the main cities along the coast takes three to four days to reach Europe; posted elsewhere, it could take much longer. Parcels sent by surface mail may take up to two months to reach Algeria. You might get better and faster deals with international couriers like DHL, TNT or UPS. Post officies are generally open from Saturday to Wednesday from 8:00am to 5:00pm and Thursday from 8:00am to 12:00pm, but the main post office in Algiers (5 boulevard Mohamed Khémisti) is open 24 hours.

External Links

• Visit Oran