Hammam Meskoutine
The North African country of Algeria is the second largest country on the continent and boasts a wide and diverse variety of wonderful sights and sounds for travellers to visit and explore. While the likes of the Sahara Desert, the Turquoise Coast, the Hoggar Mountains, and the capital city of Algiers are well-known and bona fide locations, the Hammam Meskoutine is one of the country’s best-kept secrets and is a worth-while visit during your Algerian sojourn.
On the main road between Constantine and Annaba – which is 80km to the south – Hammam Meskoutine on first inspection doesn’t look like much: gravely, dusty, and largely unimpressive. This initial impression shouldn’t put travellers off because the Hammam, which means bath in Arabic, is actually full of pleasant surprises that makes for a memorable afternoon of sight-seeing. Hammam Meskoutine was used during the Roman occupation of Algeria and there was an ancient Roman bath built in the town, but very little remains of it bar a few stones; there is a small amphitheatre too, but according to the locals it cannot be visited.
The most popular sights in the Hammam then are the hot springs and stone waterfalls, which provide an idyllic and tranquil environment. The hot springs at Saint Couffin are one of the hottest in the world along with a few springs in Iceland, and flows in many different directions; due to the water’s temperature, the steam that rises surrounds the gullies from which the water emanates. The other highlight of Hammam Meskoutine is its mineral waterfalls that are an impressive and imposing natural structure; these are a major draw card for visitors who are provided with many photo opportunities of the stunning falls.
