The rue Didouche Mourad is the best shopping street in Algiers. There are two state-run craft centres with fixed prices. One is located at Algiers airport. Horseracing is popular. The northern coastline offers fishing, swimming and sailing, mainly in Algiers and Annaba.
Football is also popular.
The provision and acceptance of hospitality are as important a part of Algerian culture as elsewhere in the Arab world. In the main cities the urban population lives at a frantic pace much akin to European urban dwellers, but in the south and in rural areas people are much more open and friendly. Algerian women have strict social and dress codes. Western women should respect Muslim tradition and cover themselves as much as possible or they may incite hostility. For more information see the section World of Islam on the contents page.