Algerian Dinar (DZD) Calculator

Algeria's Dinar: Africa's Largest Country by Area

Algeria is the largest country in Africa by land area and has significant oil and natural gas reserves that fund the majority of government spending. The Algerian dinar is managed by the Bank of Algeria under a managed float system, and it has depreciated gradually against the dollar over the past decade. One dollar buys roughly 135 to 140 DZD at the official rate, though a parallel market exists where dollars trade at a premium of 30% to 50% above the official rate. This gap reflects capital controls that restrict the free conversion of dinars to foreign currencies.

Algeria's economy is heavily dependent on hydrocarbons, which account for over 90% of export revenue. Natural gas is particularly important, as Algeria is one of Europe's main suppliers through pipelines to Italy and Spain and via LNG shipments. The government has used energy revenue to fund extensive social subsidies on fuel, food, housing, and utilities, keeping the cost of living low for residents but creating fiscal pressures when energy prices fall.

The Parallel Market Reality

The parallel (or informal) market rate for dollars is a defining feature of Algeria's currency landscape. While the official rate is used for approved imports, government transactions, and formal banking operations, many everyday currency exchanges between individuals happen at the parallel rate. This higher rate reflects the genuine demand for foreign currency that the official banking system cannot fully satisfy. For tourists, the parallel rate means that exchanging dollars informally (which is technically illegal but widely practiced) provides significantly more dinars than the bank rate.

The government has periodically attempted to close the gap between official and parallel rates through devaluations of the official rate, import restrictions, and crackdowns on informal currency trading. These efforts have had limited long-term success because the underlying causes, capital controls and restricted access to foreign exchange, persist.

Costs in Algeria

Algeria is very affordable at either the official or parallel rate. A hotel in Algiers costs 8,000 to 20,000 DZD per night. A meal at a restaurant runs 600 to 1,500 DZD. Couscous, the national dish, is served on Fridays across the country and costs 400 to 800 DZD at a local restaurant. A taxi ride across central Algiers is 300 to 600 DZD. The Saharan oasis towns of Ghardaia, Timimoun, and Djanet offer breathtaking desert landscapes at even lower costs.

At the official rate of 137 DZD per dollar, divide by 140 for quick math. A 12,000 DZD hotel is about $86. A 1,000 DZD meal is roughly $7.

USD/DZD Conversion

USD/DZD = 137 (official) means one US dollar buys 137 dinars at the bank rate. The parallel rate may be 190 to 210 DZD per dollar. Converting $200 at the official rate gives you 27,400 DZD. At the parallel rate, the same $200 might yield 40,000 DZD or more. International credit cards have limited acceptance in Algeria. ATMs from BNA and CPA banks accept some foreign cards but not reliably. Bringing euros or dollars in cash is the most practical approach.

Roman Ruins and Saharan Landscapes

Algeria holds some of North Africas most impressive historical sites. The Roman ruins at Djemila and Timgad are UNESCO World Heritage sites that rival anything in Italy or Tunisia but receive a fraction of the visitors. The Casbah of Algiers, a UNESCO-listed maze of Ottoman-era streets and houses tumbling down a hillside to the Mediterranean, is the cultural heart of the capital. In the south, the Saharan oasis towns of Ghardaia (a UNESCO-listed Mzab Valley settlement with remarkable Islamic architecture), Timimoun (a red-walled oasis town), and Djanet (gateway to the Tassili nAjjer rock art) offer experiences unlike anything in the more touristed parts of North Africa. Algeria requires a visa for most nationalities and has less developed tourist infrastructure than Morocco or Tunisia, but for travelers willing to plan ahead, the country rewards with an authenticity and sense of discovery that is increasingly rare in the Mediterranean region.

Algerian cuisine is among the most underrated in the Mediterranean. Couscous is the centerpiece, prepared differently in every region and served with lamb, chicken, or vegetables. Chorba frik, a spiced wheat soup traditionally served during Ramadan, and makroud, a semolina pastry stuffed with dates, are staples that appear in homes and restaurants across the country. The street food scene in Algiers, Oran, and Constantine offers borek (stuffed pastry), merguez sausages, and fresh-squeezed citrus juices at prices that would be unthinkable in neighboring Moroccos tourist zones.

Frequently asked questions