Les Andalouses Beach

Les Andalouses lies on the coast west of Oran beyond Ain El Turk, a broad sandy bay backed by low hills and a resort development, and it is the beach the city uses in summer: shallow, wide, and long enough to absorb crowds that would overwhelm the smaller coves along the same shore. The name refers to Andalusian families who settled this coast after leaving Spain. Hotels, holiday apartments and seasonal restaurants line the road behind, and the season runs hard from late June to early September and then stops. West of the bay the coast turns rockier toward Cap Falcon and Bouzedjar, with smaller and quieter beaches.

What you actually see

• A long shallow sandy bay - the main summer beach of Oran.
• Hills behind the shore - the low ground enclosing the bay.
• Seasonal restaurants and cafes - the strip along the back road.
• Rockier coast to the west - smaller beaches toward Cap Falcon.

When to go

June to September for swimming; outside that the resort largely closes. Half a day. Weekends in July and August are packed and the road jams.

Honest expectations

It is crowded in season and litter is a problem. Development along the back of the beach is unattractive. Facilities are seasonal and close entirely in winter. Currents on the open bay can be strong and lifeguard cover is limited.

Nearby

Ain El Turk is east; Oran lies beyond it.