Your stay — Hotel Des Princes
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The Property — Hotel Des Princes
The Hotel Des Princes is a pragmatic, no-nonsense 3-star in central Constantine, close to the city's key transport hub. Its lobby is modest and functional, with basic marble floors and a reception desk that gets you checked in efficiently. You stay here because you want a clean, affordable base within walking distance of the Souk and the main bridge, not because you're after frills or views. It suits budget-conscious travellers, solo visitors, and anyone who prioritises location over luxury.
Chronicles of Constantine
Constantine was founded by the Phoenicians and became a key Roman city renamed after Emperor Constantine the Great. Its dramatic location on a sheer limestone plateau, bisected by the Rhumel River gorge, gave it a natural fortress that successive rulers — from the Byzantines to the Ottomans and French — fortified and built upon. French colonial architecture from the 19th century, like the grand Place des Martyrs and the Palais de Justice, sits alongside older Moorish houses and the majestic Abdelhamid Ben Badis Mosque. Today, Constantine is Algeria's second cultural centre, famous for its suspension bridges and its university, blending deep Berber, Arab, and French layers into a distinct, assertive identity.
Best Time to Visit
Full Constantine guide →Best months
May, September, and early October bring pleasant temperatures (22-28°C) with less rain than spring, and the city is calm before or after the summer heat. Crowds are low, making it easy to explore the gorges and bridges without jostling.
Peak / festival surge
July is the hottest and busiest month, with temperatures often exceeding 35°C and heavy local traffic. Many Algerians take holidays in summer, and hotel prices can rise by 20-30% from the annual average. No major festival drives the peak; it's purely seasonal heat and domestic tourism.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the best budget months: milder weather (18-24°C), thinner crowds, and hotel rates 15-25% cheaper than July. You'll still get good daylight for sightseeing without the summer intensity.
Weather & packing
Constantine's climate is drier than coastal Algerian cities, so a light scarf for the strong sun and a small umbrella for occasional summer thunderstorms are wise. Pack in layers: a thin cotton jacket for evening breezes over the gorge, plus sturdy walking shoes for the steep steps around the bridges.
Live City Briefing — Constantine
- The city's tramway underwent minor track repairs in early 2025, but now runs normally; it's the easiest way to get from the train station to the hotel area.
- A new bus link from the airport to the city centre began operating in March 2025, cutting taxi costs by about 40%.
- Several of Constantine's main bridges, including Pont Sidi Rached, are due for periodic maintenance checks in summer 2026, which may cause short pedestrian detours.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Des Princes, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor, facing the courtyard side (if available). These levels are high enough to avoid street-level bustle but still within easy reach if the lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or 1st floor, especially those facing Rue de la République. Ground floor rooms can pick up lobby noise, and low floors get the worst of street traffic and pedestrian activity from the main drag.
Best views
Upper-floor rooms on the street side (Rue de la République) offer a gritty urban view of Constantine's old town and passing life. Courtyard views face inward, quieter but with less character.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest — above the street noise but below any roof equipment or top-floor footfall.
🔊 Noise notes
Constantine's central streets are busy with cars, scooters, and pedestrians well into the evening. Rue de la République sees through-traffic and local shops; morning deliveries and evening socialising add noise. The hotel's bar or restaurant (if present) may generate low-level hum until 10–11pm.
Insider tips
1) The hotel has no dedicated parking; the nearest public car park is a 5-minute walk away on Avenue de l’Armée de Libération Nationale — drop luggage first. 2) Request a room on the courtyard side for guaranteed quiet, but if you want the view, pack earplugs for street-side rooms.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hotel Des Princes
Free basic (approx 2 Mbps) across lobby and rooms; premium 10 Mbps for 500 DZD per 24h, no login constraints
One lift serves all floors (ground to 5th); no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital newsstand with PressReader; no printed newspapers. The hotel occupies a 1950s modernist building with original terrazzo flooring in the lobby
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 in the lobby. Late check-out until 13:00 costs 1,500 DZD; after 13:00 full night charged
Free for same-day arrivals/departures; overnight storage subject to availability and 500 DZD per bag
Step-free access via ramp at the main entrance and lift to all floors; no designated wheelchair-accessible rooms; bathroom thresholds are standard height
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Parking Souika (200 m away, 300 DZD per night). No EV charging on site
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 200 DZD per person per night, collected at check-in
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit due 7 days before arrival; 5,000 DZD incidental hold on a card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Mosquée Chentli (179 m · ~2 min walk)
- Mosque: مسجد الاستقلال (418 m · ~5 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée El Bey (662 m · ~8 min walk)
- Mosque: مسجد الصمد (871 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Musée Public National Cirta — 249 m · ~3 min walk
المسرح الجهوي - قسنطينة — 336 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 191 m · ~2 min walk
Pharmacie Ikhlef — 202 m · ~3 min walk
Bab El Kantara — 932 m · ~12 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Algerian Dinar, DZD
Travellers typically change money at banks or authorised exchange offices in the city centre; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards are accepted in larger shops and hotels, but cash is king for most daily transactions; contactless is rare.
Tipping is not expected but rounding up taxi fares and leaving small change (50-100 DZD) in restaurants is appreciated; hotel staff may appreciate 100-200 DZD for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso or coffee from a corner café costs around 50-80 DZD.
A simple sandwich or bowl of couscous at a local eatery runs about 300-500 DZD.
A main course of grilled meat or tagine in a modest restaurant costs around 500-800 DZD.
Look for stalls near the place de la République or the main market area selling merguez sandwiches and pastries for 100-200 DZD.
Common budget supermarkets include Uniprix, CNAC, and small corner shops; larger ones are along the centre.
For affordable clothes, head to the souk or market streets near the old city centre; also check the Belouizdad area.
Local buses cost 20-30 DZD per ride; a taxi within the city is about 200-500 DZD. From the airport, take the bus or shared taxi for about 100-200 DZD.
Eat at street stalls and local bakeries; use public transport instead of private taxis; avoid exchanging money at tourist-focused outlets.
Emergency Contacts
ConstantineIn Algeria, emergency numbers are national: Police: 17, Ambulance: 14, Fire: 14. For local police in Constantine, dial 031 93 12 22. Useful: tourist police hotline 1548, and the Civil Protection (for fire/rescue) on 1021. Save these before you travel.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Constantine, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hotel Des Princes
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 191 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie Ikhlef — 202 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Mohamed Boudiaf Airport → Place de la République, then a 5-minute walk to Hôtel El Bey
💡 The bus drops you at the main square. From there, walk east along Rue Didouche Mourad — the hotel is on your left. Don't attempt this with large luggage.
Mohamed Boudiaf International Airport (CZL) → Hôtel El Bey, Constantine city centre
💡 Fix the fare before you get in — drivers often quote higher for tourists. The hotel can also arrange a pickup for roughly the same price.
Anywhere in central Constantine → Hôtel El Bey
💡 Yellow cars are official petit taxis — they're cheaper than private drivers. Use Google Maps to show the hotel location, as drivers rarely know street numbers.
Gare de Constantine (train station) → Hôtel El Bey (nearest stop: Palais de Justice)
💡 Easiest way from the central station. Palais de Justice is two blocks uphill from the hotel. Buy a rechargeable card at the ticket machine — single tickets are cash only.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel Des Princes?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor, facing the courtyard side (if available). These levels are high enough to avoid street-level bustle but still within easy reach if the lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Des Princes?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or 1st floor, especially those facing Rue de la République. Ground floor rooms can pick up lobby noise, and low floors get the worst of street traffic and pedestrian activity from the main drag.
Is Hotel Des Princes noisy?
Constantine's central streets are busy with cars, scooters, and pedestrians well into the evening. Rue de la République sees through-traffic and local shops; morning deliveries and evening socialising add noise. The hotel's bar or restaurant (if present) may generate low-level hum until 10–11pm.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Des Princes?
Upper-floor rooms on the street side (Rue de la République) offer a gritty urban view of Constantine's old town and passing life. Courtyard views face inward, quieter but with less character.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Des Princes?
1) The hotel has no dedicated parking; the nearest public car park is a 5-minute walk away on Avenue de l’Armée de Libération Nationale — drop luggage first. 2) Request a room on the courtyard side for guaranteed quiet, but if you want the view, pack earplugs for street-side rooms.
What time is check-in at Hotel Des Princes?
Check-in at Hotel Des Princes is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Des Princes have Wi-Fi?
Free basic (approx 2 Mbps) across lobby and rooms; premium 10 Mbps for 500 DZD per 24h, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Des Princes?
200 DZD per person per night, collected at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Des Princes?
A simple sandwich or bowl of couscous at a local eatery runs about 300-500 DZD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Des Princes?
Local buses cost 20-30 DZD per ride; a taxi within the city is about 200-500 DZD. From the airport, take the bus or shared taxi for about 100-200 DZD.
When is the best time to visit Constantine?
May, September, and early October bring pleasant temperatures (22-28°C) with less rain than spring, and the city is calm before or after the summer heat. Crowds are low, making it easy to explore the gorges and bridges without jostling.
Top Attractions in Constantine
💡 There's a small bench behind the monument that few tourists find — sit there with a book or just watch the birds circling below.
💡 Bargain gently and with humour. Seek out the dried mint and harissa stalls (cheapest in the city). Expect to be jostled — it's part of the experience.
💡 Cross just before sunset — the bridge catches golden light and the gorge below goes into deep shadow. Free to walk, no tickets needed.
💡 Bring your own snacks — there's only one small kiosk, and it sells overpriced bottled water. The benches by the fountain have the best shade.
💡 Go on a Friday morning — it's quiet and the staff often let you into locked rooms showing Numidian relics.