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Algeria travel guide

Africa's largest country, from Mediterranean coast to deep Sahara dunes

Best: Feb, Oct, Nov, Dec

Photo: DigitalByNADAS Photography / Pexels

Capital
Algiers
Language
Arabic
Currency
Algerian dinar
Time zone
UTC+01:00
Plugs
Type C, E, F · 230 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
14 / 17 / 1548

Why visit Algeria

Algeria spans 2,381,741 km², from coastal cities like Algiers and Oran to Saharan towns like Tamanrasset and Djanet. It suits travellers drawn to desert landscapes, old medina streets and a coastline that gets far fewer visitors than its neighbours. For the country overall, November, December, October and February bring milder, more comfortable temperatures. Coastal cities and the deep south have different rhythms, though, so check city-level timing if you're planning a specific route.

  • Africa's largest country, barely touristed

    Algeria covers 2,381,741 km2, the biggest country in Africa, yet it stays off most itineraries. With a population of 47400000, you get huge Saharan landscapes and old cities without the crowds found in neighbouring countries.

  • Algiers, a coastal capital

    Algiers is the capital and largest city, with a population of 2364230. It sits on the coast, so you can pair city sightseeing with sea air. Locals rate June, October, May and April as the best months to visit.

  • Inland Constantine and desert gateways

    Constantine, population 465138, is built inland rather than on the coast, a contrast to Algiers and Oran. Further south, Tamanrasset and Djanet open the door to Saharan travel, with Tamanrasset listing January and February as top months.

  • A long cool season for travel

    The country's best months overall are November, December, October and February, pointing to a cooler, more comfortable stretch for moving between coast and interior rather than the summer heat.

  • Smaller coastal and oasis towns

    Béjaïa, population 176139, is a coastal city best visited June through October, while Ghardaia, an oasis town of around 120000 people, favours March, November, February and April, giving you two very different climates to plan around.

Is Algeria right for you?

Great for

  • Warm-sea swimmers, with Algiers sea temps near 25-26°C from July to September
  • Sun seekers, with 13 sun hours a day in June and July in Algiers
  • Travellers chasing mild, dry shoulder-season weather, like October and November with 9-10 sun hours
  • Desert and Sahara trips timed for cooler months, like Tamanrasset and Djanet's best months of November to February
  • City breaks in Algiers, Oran or Constantine built around spring or autumn (April, May, October)

Less ideal for

  • Heat-sensitive travellers in Algiers in July and August, when highs reach 31°C
  • Anyone avoiding rain, since Algiers gets 92 mm and 11.3 rain days in November
  • Winter beach-goers, as Algiers sea temperature drops to about 16°C from December to March

Algeria right now: October

8.5/10
Avg high
26°C
Avg low
17°C
Rain days
6
Sea
23°C

Averages for Algiers.

Weather by month

This data is for Algiers. Weather is best from October to December and February to May, with mild highs of 16–25°C and warm sea temperatures up to 23°C, making these months comfortable for sightseeing. July and August are toughest, with highs of 31°C, almost no rain, and the lowest comfort scores (around 5), so the heat can be intense.

Average highs and lows in Algiers by month January: high 16°C, low 8°C , 10 rain days . February: high 17°C, low 9°C , 8 rain days . March: high 18°C, low 10°C , 10 rain days . April: high 20°C, low 12°C , 8 rain days . May: high 23°C, low 15°C , 6 rain days . June: high 27°C, low 18°C , 2 rain days . July: high 31°C, low 22°C , 0 rain days . August: high 31°C, low 22°C , 2 rain days . September: high 29°C, low 20°C , 5 rain days . October: high 26°C, low 17°C , 6 rain days . November: high 20°C, low 13°C , 11 rain days . December: high 18°C, low 10°C , 7 rain days . 16°C 8°C JAN 10d 17°C 9°C FEB 8d 18°C 10°C MAR 10d 20°C 12°C APR 8d 23°C 15°C MAY 6d 27°C 18°C JUN 2d 31°C 22°C JUL 0d 31°C 22°C AUG 2d 29°C 20°C SEP 5d 26°C 17°C OCT 6d 20°C 13°C NOV 11d 18°C 10°C DEC 7d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Algiers · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Algeria: month-by-month weather →

Algeria's climate regions

The weather varies across the country; each region has its own best months.

  • Mediterranean Coast

    Algiers, Oran, Constantine, Béjaïa, Tlemcen

    Algiers, Oran, Constantine, Béjaïa and Tlemcen have a Mediterranean climate: mild winters around 15°C in January and hot summers near 32.4°C in July. With 74 rain days a year, April, May, June and October are the best months for comfortable, drier weather.

    Best: Apr, May, Jun, Oct

  • Sahara Desert

    Ghardaia, Tamanrasset, Djanet

    Ghardaia, Tamanrasset and Djanet sit in the desert interior, with January highs of 18.1°C and scorching July highs of 37.2°C. Rain is rare, just 8.3 days a year, so November to February offers the coolest, most bearable conditions for travel.

    Best: Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec

Sample itineraries

7 days

North Algeria: Coast and Cities

  1. Day 1–3

    Algiers

    Explore the capital city, home to over 2,364,230 people. Walk the coastal districts and old quarters, with June, October, May or April giving the best weather.

  2. Day 4–5

    Béjaïa

    Head to this coastal city of 176,139 people for beaches and hillside views. June, September, July or October are the best months to visit.

  3. Day 6–7

    Constantine

    Finish inland at Constantine, a city of 465,138 people known for its deep gorge and bridges. October, April, May or November bring the mildest conditions.

10 days

Algeria Coast to Desert South

  1. Day 1–3

    Algiers

    Start in the capital, home to over 2,364,230 people. Spend time along the coast and in the older neighborhoods, ideally in June, October, May or April.

  2. Day 4–5

    Oran

    Move west to this coastal city of 803,329 people for its seafront and markets. May, October, December or April are the best months to go.

  3. Day 6–7

    Tlemcen

    Continue inland to Tlemcen, a city of 173,531 people with a long history. October, May, November or June offer the mildest weather here.

  4. Day 8–10

    Ghardaia

    End in the Sahara at Ghardaia, home to 120,000 people and known for its distinctive architecture. March, November, February or April are the best times to visit.

Food to try in Algeria

Couscous

This is Algeria's national dish, made of steamed semolina grains served with vegetables and meat, often lamb or chicken. It's eaten across the country, especially on Fridays and at family gatherings.

Chorba

Chorba is a warm soup made with tomatoes, vegetables, and sometimes lamb or vermicelli noodles. It's a common starter during Ramadan to break the fast at sunset.

Mechoui

Mechoui is whole roasted lamb, slow-cooked over an open fire until tender. It's a centerpiece dish for celebrations, weddings, and large family events.

Chakhchoukha

This dish from the Biskra region mixes torn pieces of flatbread with a spiced tomato and meat sauce. It's a hearty meal often served at weekend lunches.

Bourek

Bourek are thin pastry rolls filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables, then fried or baked until crisp. Street vendors and home cooks alike serve them as snacks or starters.

Mint tea

Mint tea is a sweet green tea infused with fresh mint leaves, served throughout the day in cafes and homes. It's a common way to welcome guests across Algeria.

Know before you go

  • Language: Arabic is the official language of Algeria. French is also widely used, especially in business and cities, a legacy of colonial history.
  • Currency: The currency is the Algerian dinar. Carry cash for daily spending, as card use is not consistent across the country.
  • Plugs and voltage: Algeria uses plug types C, E and F, with a standard voltage of 230 V. Bring an adapter if your home plug type differs.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right in Algeria. Keep this in mind if you plan to rent a car or cross the border by road.
  • Emergency numbers: Emergency numbers in Algeria are 14, 17 and 1548, depending on the type of emergency. Save these before you travel.
  • Calling code: Algeria's international calling code is +213. Use this when dialing from abroad or setting up a local SIM.
  • Time zone: Algeria runs on UTC+01:00 year-round, so there is no seasonal clock change to plan around.

Algeria: frequently asked questions

Is Algeria good to visit in August?

August scores 5 out of 10 in Algiers, the lowest-rated month along with July (5.4). Highs reach 31.1°C and lows stay at 22.3°C, so days and nights are both hot. Rain is rare, with only 1.8 rain days and 5mm, and sea temperature is a warm 25.7°C, which suits swimming more than sightseeing.

What is the best time to visit Algeria?

November, December, October and February are the top-rated months, all scoring 8.3 or higher in Algiers. November tops the list at 8.7, with mild highs of 20.3°C and lows of 12.6°C. These months avoid the summer heat of July and August and the heaviest rain, which peaks in November itself at 92mm over 11.3 days.

Is Algeria rainy?

It depends on the season. Algiers gets most of its rain from October to March, with November the wettest month at 92mm over 11.3 rain days. From June to August, rain almost disappears, with July seeing just 1mm over 0.1 rain days. So coastal Algeria has a clear wet winter and dry summer pattern.

When is the sea warm enough to swim in Algeria?

Sea temperature in Algiers is warmest from July to September, ranging from 25.1°C to 25.7°C. It starts rising in May (19.4°C) and June (22.6°C), and cools back down through October (23°C) and November (20.7°C). Winter sea temperatures drop to around 15.8–16.3°C from January to March.

Is the Sahara in Algeria hot year-round?

Desert towns like Tamanrasset and Djanet are rated best in the cooler months, listing January, February, November and December as their top times to visit. This suggests summer heat in the Sahara is intense enough that travellers prefer winter, unlike Algiers, which peaks in spring and autumn.

How does Algiers compare to other Algerian cities for timing a visit?

Coastal cities like Algiers, Oran and Béjaïa favor spring and early summer, with Algiers listing June, October, May and April as best months. Inland cities split by climate: Constantine and Tlemcen favor October to May, while desert towns like Ghardaia, Tamanrasset and Djanet lean toward winter months such as November, December, January and February.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Algeria.