Fort Santa Cruz
Fort Santa Cruz
4.3
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.3
308 reviews
Excellent
164
Very good
105
Average
28
Poor
4
Terrible
7
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mrc282
World9,928 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
the fort and chapel of santa cruz are worth a visit especially on a clear sunny day but there are a couple of things to keep in mind
1. many taxi drivers do not want to drive there (~500 dinars, each way, from Place du 1er Novembre, per Yassir app and also what i was quoted by a non-Yassir taxi). it is a little out of the way and i guess no guaranteed passengers back. but you may be able to convince them by asking them to stay for 1 h and drive you back. Yassir drivers also tend to cancel rides often.
2. the teleferico hill top station is about 30 min walk away, and uphill from fort santa cruz. both the hill top and base station dont look like a place with many taxis lurking either.
so plan accordingly so that you dont get stranded. this is not a place you want to linger around after dark.
if you decide to walk from town, it is possible, but it will be a very long walk under the sun and through the alleys of casbah, which you will stand out like a sore thumb as a foreigner. i recommend a car.
1. many taxi drivers do not want to drive there (~500 dinars, each way, from Place du 1er Novembre, per Yassir app and also what i was quoted by a non-Yassir taxi). it is a little out of the way and i guess no guaranteed passengers back. but you may be able to convince them by asking them to stay for 1 h and drive you back. Yassir drivers also tend to cancel rides often.
2. the teleferico hill top station is about 30 min walk away, and uphill from fort santa cruz. both the hill top and base station dont look like a place with many taxis lurking either.
so plan accordingly so that you dont get stranded. this is not a place you want to linger around after dark.
if you decide to walk from town, it is possible, but it will be a very long walk under the sun and through the alleys of casbah, which you will stand out like a sore thumb as a foreigner. i recommend a car.
Written 18 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
generalstudies
Oldenburg, Germany1,659 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
The fort offers many beautiful views of the harbor and the city of Oran. You have to be careful when climbing because there are many uneven steps. But it's worth it, the view is always fantastic when the weather is clear. It's difficult to find a free parking space.
Written 14 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
spc354
Clarks Summit, PA599 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
Hard trek to the fort. Many stairs to climb. But beautiful views of port and city certainly make it worthwhile. Lot of families visit with small children. Ok if yo keep slow pace. Keep drinking water with you. Can take car but parking is a not nearby (about 500 meters).
Written 22 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martina J
France2 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
arduous hike to the fort. There are lots of stairs to ascend. However, the breathtaking views of the city and port make it well worth it. Many families with young children come to visit. It's okay if you move slowly. Carry water with you at all times. Acceptable to drive, but parking is far away (approximately 500 meters).
Written 9 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Naija M
Algiers, Algeria1,121 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
Undoubtedly the number one tourist attraction in Oran. The views of the city and the Mediterranean are fantastic. I opted to visit by you and arranged for the driver to wait for me and then take me down into the city. This worked well for me.
Written 17 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
helensQ8438HY
London, UK12 contributions
Mar 2023
It's a long climb up to the church of Santa Cruz but well worth it for the spectacular views . I thought I was transported to the other side of the Mediterranean to the bay of naples because of the mountains and the olive trees. The church here was restored by the Spanish. There is a very touching wall piece dedicated to the victims of terror in the 1990's and beyond.
Written 29 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hadijarkas
27 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
Very nice spot in oran, an old church facing the beach, its better to go in the morning. You can go with kids and take alot of photos .
Written 7 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hexy
Gloucester, MA1,160 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
This ancient stone fort offers breathtaking views of the city and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. There is parking available right below in front of a lovely statue of Santa Maria. A not overly steep path brings you up to the fort on foot in under ten minutes. A very pleasant guide was available to give information and answer questions about the Spanish invaders, who built the fort. The vegetation along the way, cacti and what looked like aloe, was fun to see also. Definitely worth a visit.
Written 4 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NICUDRAG
Bucharest, Romania61 contributions
Apr 2014 • Business
An unforgettable and excellent panoramic view of Oran as well as of its Mediterranean coast may be seen from this Fort (built by Portuguese conquerors, over 5 centuries ago) which is located on the small mountain ("djebel") called Murdjadjo at over 400m altitude.
Written 1 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rabia B
Paris, France3 contributions
Mar 2016 • Friends
I travelled to Oran with friends to attend a wedding Tuesday 23rd Feb 16. On our first day out on Wednesday with 2 locals we headed to Santa Cruz. Our driver stopped maybe 1 km from Santa Cruz as there was a nice spot to park the car where we could take some pictures. 2 minutes later 3 guys armed with knives showed up behind us, we were all trying to escape 3 of us made it to the car, one of them was chasing the driver and 2 of them got hold of my Lebanese friend one of the mugger was carrying a taser which he used on my friend and they stole her handbag where she had her money and phones. The driver came back running after he had his bag stolen and we drove off to the city and stopped at the police station. The police went back to the place with the driver but as you can imagine the muggers fled. We were all pretty shaken and shocked. I, as a woman, travelled a lot on my own and always felt safe and here I am in Algeria where my parents are originally from being attacked. My Lebanese friend was so shocked that she returned to her country the following morning with the Jordanian friend. Up to now she still hasn't recovered and has nightmares. The police in Oran was helpful and arrested some guys but to be honest they all looked alike and the attack lasted a couple of minutes and it was so scary that we couldn't remember their faces. I was told few days later that Mike Tyson and Barracuda, while in Oran for a movie, had to be escorted by the Police to Santa Cruz so as you can imagine we didn't stand a chance unfortunately. So please be aware of the danger if you are going there and make sure to let the police know as we were told we should have done.
Written 1 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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