Algeria: Tipaza Roman Ruins

Tipaza is a sprawling complex of ancient Roman Ruins about an hour drive west of Algiers. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing the coastal hills with innumerable amount of ancient Roman buildings, churches, theaters, and other structures. Tipaza was a major center in the African Roman Empire, it dates back to the 1st century and at its high had a population of over 20k people. The setting is spectacular – right on the coastal cliffs above the pounding surf. While the ruins are not as well preserved as at some other Roman sites, these are considerably older and the sheer scale of the city is very impressive.