The largest country in Africa is also one of its most arid, with a majority of its central and southern areas forming a part of the Saharan desert. Algeria’s north side, facing the Mediterranean Sea, is a different story altogether. Densely populated, the Algerian coastline is an extraordinary travel destination where a wave of curious tourists is visiting modern cities like Oran and capital Algiers in search of the mysterious and the unfamiliar.

Due to the rise in tourism, ferry tickets to Algeria are more in demand now than ever. Travelers are voyaging across the Mediterranean, from Spain and France, arriving at port cities such as Mostaganem to immerse themselves into the local culture and explore Algeria’s myriad temptations. Ruled by the Romans, Arabs, Ottoman Empire, and the French until 1962, travelers can expect much diversity in food, architecture, and traditions when traversing around the country. It also doesn’t take long to realize that Algeria is a nation at an impasse wherein it is trying to move forward without having to let go of its centuries-old heritage.

Beach life in Algeria has been one of its main attractions recently. Temperatures hitting 28°C (82.5°F) in June result in warm, swimmable seawater and plenty of sunshine to sunbathe and play on the sand. The country’s rich architecture, on the other hand, is like an ancient heirloom affixed with dissimilar jewels. From Le Theatre d’Oran and Roman ruins of Tipaza to the Emir Abdelkader Mosque and Sidi M’Cid suspension bridge, the diversity in style and technique is simply astounding. As are the streets of Algiers’s Casbah and the pre-historic art found at Tassili n’Ajjer national park.

For many, Algeria is a novel entry point into Africa. Having Tunisia and Libya in the east, Niger in the south, and Mali, Mauritania, and Morocco in the west, travelers often book ferry tickets to Algeria through Ferryscanner first. Then, they drive on further to explore the rest of the continent. In a rapidly shrinking world, Algeria is one of the last unexplored frontiers with a particular appeal for adventurous explorers.