Oran

Present-day Oran was founded in 903 by the Azdaja and Ajissa Berbers who lived in the area. It was captured by the Castilians under Cardinal Cisneros in 1509, and Spanish sovereignty lasted until 170 when the city was conquered by the Algerians during the Siege of Oran (1707–1708). Spain recaptured the city in 1732. However, its value as a trading post had decreased greatly, so during the reign of King Charles IV the city was recaptured in 1790-1792 by a coalition of Algerian troops against Spain which resulted in victory for the bey of Oran despite the many attempts in 1563. The beylik lasted until 183, when the city fell to the French.

Under French rule during the 19th and 20th centuries, Oran was the capital of a département of the same name. In July 1940, the British navy shelled French warships in the port after they refused a British request to surrender; this action was taken to ensure the fleet would not fall into German hands, as the Nazis had defeated France and occupied Paris. The Vichy government held Oran during World War II until its capture by the Allies in late 1942, during Operation Torch.

Before the Algerian War, 1954–1962, Oran had one of the highest proportions of Europeans of any city in North Africa. In July 1962, after a ceasefire and accords with France, a mob attacked European neighbourhoods and massacred hundreds of Europeans in Oran, This triggered a larger exodus of Europeans to France, which was already underway. Shortly after the end of the war, most of the Europeans and Algerian Jews living in Oran fled to France. In less than three months, Oran lost about half its population.

• 🌍 Ahmed Ben Bella Airport (ORN  ^IATA Es Sénia Airport). While not as large as Algiers' airport, it is still serviced by several international airlines. 
  • Air Algérie (Adrar, Algiers, Alicante, Annaba, Bechar, Brussels—Seasonal--, Casablanca, Constantine, Geneva, Hassi Messaoud, In Amenas, Jeddah, Lyon, Marseille, Paris-Orly, Ouargla, Toulouse)
  • Air France (Paris CDG, Toulouse)
  • Iberia (Madrid)
  • Tassili Airlines (Algiers, Hassi R'mel)
  • Transavia (Lyon, Montpellier, Nantes, Paris ORLY)
  • Tunisair (Tunis)
  • Turkish Airlines (Istanbul)
  • Vueling (Alicante, Barcelona)
  • Volotea (Bordeaux, Marseille)

Oran is a major railway terminus with daily trains from most Algerian cities. Trains from the capital Algiers are plentiful, however, with several services daily. Other cities along the Mediterranean coast and in Northwest Algeria also have daily trains to Oran. Additional routes include an overnight train from Bechar, deep into the Sahara and about halfway from Mauritania. While a railway line continues to Morocco, the border has been closed for decades due to political conflict.

All services are operated by SNTF, timetables are published at their website.

• 🌍 Oran Central railway station (Gare Centrale d'Oran), Rue Mankour Mahi Michel. All long-distance trains terminate here. (updated Nov 2020)

One can also reach Oran by ferries from the ports of Marseilles as well as Alicante and Almería in Spain, via the national company Algérie Ferries or Trasmediterranea.

• 🌍 Oran Ferry Terminal (Gare Maritime d'Oran). (updated Jul 2022)

Walking is the obvious mode of transport within the city centre.

• 11 Which will take you from the east to west of the city. From Hai El Sabah to Place 1er Novembre
• 51 From USTO UNIVERSITY to M'Dina Jdida
• U From Senia UNIVERSITY to M'Dina Jdida
• P1 From City center (Lycée lotfi) to Canastel (ORAN EAST)

An underground metro network is under construction, the first line is expected to open in late 2022.

A single tram line runs from Es Sénia in the south to Bir El Djir in the northeast, via Place 1er Novembre. A single ticket is DA40 and can be bought at kiosks near the tram stops.

• 🌍 Ahmed Zabana National Museum, 19, Avenue Ahmed Zabana. Named after the Algerian resistance fighter Ahmed Zabana, the first floor of the museum tells the story of the local impact of Algeria's battle for independence from France including a list of local people executed by the French between 1954 and 1962. The museum also includes artwork in the form of ancient sculptures, some mosaics terracotta portraits and paintings including works by 20th-century Algerian artists and French Orientalists including Eugene Fromentin. (updated Jul 2022)
• 🌍 Museum of Modern Art of Oran. (updated Jul 2022)

• 🌍 Wifi Resto Club, 14 Boulevard Docteur Ban Zerdjeb, ☏ +213 41-399663. 11 AM10 PMAM-10PM, closed Fridays. Pizzeria and other fast food, offers free WiFi. 

• 🌍 Le Royaume du Couscous, 15 Rue Ho Chi Minh. Many types of couscous as well as starters and desserts. 
• 🌍 Les Ambassadeurs, 1 Boulevard de la Soummam, ☏ +213 41-981000. Serves Mediterranean cuisine, located at the Royal Hotel. 
• 🌍 Restaurant le Corsaire, 09 République sidi el-Houari, Boulevard de L'A.L.N, ☏ +213 770 99 99 31. Located in the old town. 

• 🌍 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. DA600. 

• 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 are very friendly, very good in French and Arabic. DA4600. 
• 🌍 Hotel Colombe, 6 Boulevard Zabour Larbi (Southeast of the train station, near the cathedral as well as the Palace of Cultures), ☏ +213 41-466162, reservation@hotelcolombe.com. 
• 🌍 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, contact@royalhoteloran.com. Luxorius hotel located in central Oran, not far from the docks. Often rated as great value for money. 
• 🌍 Sheraton Oran (Four Points by Sheraton), Boulevard du 19 Mars, Route des falaises, ☏ +213-41-590100, fax: +213-41-590101, sheraton.oran@sheraton.com. 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. 

If you run into any trouble, or if you need assistance of any kind, head over to Algiers.