Biskra: what to see in the Queen of the Ziban and where to stay

Nicknamed the "Queen of the Ziban", Biskra lies about 400 km south-east of Algiers, at the foot of the Aurès mountains, where the Sahara begins. Its mild winters make it a pleasant stop from November to April: a family break, a spa cure at Hammam Salihine or a stopover on the way to the deep south. Here is what to see, how to get there and where to stay.

Why visit Biskra in winter?

Biskra has a desert climate: long, very hot summers, often above 40 °C, but short, mild winters with plenty of sunshine and little rain. That is why the city draws visitors mostly from November to April, when you can walk through the palm groves and visit the surrounding sites in the middle of the day.

What to see in Biskra and the Ziban

• Palm groves and Deglet Nour dates: the Ziban, and the Tolga area in particular, are home to the Deglet Nour, Algeria's world-famous date. A walk in a palm grove is part of any visit.
• The Landon garden: this botanical garden was laid out from 1872 by Count Landon. It welcomed many artists and writers: André Gide stayed in Biskra, and the painter Henri Matisse named one of his paintings after the town, Blue Nude (Souvenir de Biskra).
• Sidi Okba: south-east of Biskra, the Sidi Okba mosque holds the tomb of Uqba ibn Nafi, the commander of the Muslim conquest of North Africa, who died in 683. It is one of the region's main places to visit and pray: visit it with respect for a place of worship.
• The El Kantara gorges: about fifty kilometres north of Biskra, the road and the river pass through narrow gorges crossed by a Roman-era bridge. A must-stop if you drive in from Batna.
• Hammam Salihine: a few kilometres from the city, this hot spring rises at over 40 °C. Read our guide to Hammam Salihine.

Where to stay in Biskra

Biskra is a business city as much as a tourist stop, so most hotels are city hotels. On Nreservi, Hôtel Vescera is in the city centre, less than 10 km from the airport: double or twin rooms, triple rooms and junior suites, a restaurant, Wi-Fi and parking.

To see availability and prices for your dates, use the hotels in Biskra page. If you are coming for a spa cure, staying in town and driving to Hammam Salihine and back is an easy option.

How to get to Biskra

Biskra has an airport, Mohamed Khider airport, and is linked to the rail network. By road, it is about 400 km from Algiers. For trains, buses and taxis, read getting around Algeria.

Combine Biskra with another oasis

Biskra is a good gateway to the eastern Sahara. You can continue to El Oued, the city of a thousand domes, or stop at Bou Saâda, the oasis closest to Algiers. To compare destinations in the south in winter, read the Algerian Sahara in winter: which oasis to choose? And for New Year's Eve in the dunes, see Taghit: what to see and where to stay.

How to book and pay

On Nreservi you book online or with NIA, our assistant on WhatsApp. In Algeria you pay in Algerian dinars without a bank card: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our agency in Telemly (Algiers Centre). Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you after payment. Your voucher arrives by email or WhatsApp. Algerian couples are usually asked for their family record book (livret de famille) at check-in: see hotels in Algeria and the family record book.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Biskra? In the northern Algerian Sahara, about 400 km south-east of Algiers, at the foot of the Aurès mountains. It is nicknamed the "Queen of the Ziban".

When is the best time to visit Biskra? From November to April, when days are mild and sunny. Summer is very hot.

What is Deglet Nour? Algeria's most famous date, grown in the palm groves of the Ziban, especially around Tolga.

Where should I stay in Biskra? In the city centre, for example at Hôtel Vescera, which is handy for the city, the airport and day trips to Hammam Salihine.

Can I pay for a hotel in Biskra in dinars? Yes: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our agency in Telemly, with no bank card. From abroad you can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you after payment.

See hotels in Biskra

Sources: Wikipedia (Biskra); Le Routard, Algeria guide (Biskra); Zoom Algérie ("La ville de Biskra en Algérie"). Accessed 14/11/2026.

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.