Snow in Algeria: where to see it this winter and where to stay

Every winter, the same pictures go round social media: Sétif under snow, the cedars of Chréa turned white, and sometimes even the dunes of the Sahara. Yes, it snows in Algeria: mostly on the mountains of the north, on the High Plateaus and in the Aurès. Here is where to see it, when, how to prepare the drive and where to stay to enjoy it with your family, without taking risks.

At a glance: where to see snow in Algeria

When does it snow in Algeria?

Snow falls mainly from December to February, sometimes from late November and until March on the highest summits. It comes in episodes, when a cold spell crosses the country: within a few hours, several provinces can be under snow. In late November 2025, for example, a single episode affected Béjaïa, Sétif, Khenchela, Guelma and Souk Ahras.

Before each episode, the national weather office (Office national de la météorologie) issues special weather bulletins (BMS) listing the provinces concerned. Checking them is the first thing to do before driving up to the mountains.

For an overview of the ranges, read our guide to the mountains of Algeria.

Tikjda and the Djurdjura

In Bouira province, high in the Djurdjura, Tikjda is the best-known snow outing in the centre of the country. People come for sledging, walks under the cedars and, on good days, skiing. You can sleep on the spot, at the Hotel Djurdjura, or in town, with our hotels in Bouira. Everything is detailed in our guide to Tikjda in winter.

Chréa, the closest snow to Algiers

Above Blida, Chréa and its cedars draw crowds on snowy days, especially at weekends (Friday and Saturday in Algeria). The road can be jammed: leave early, or sleep in Blida the night before. See our guide Chréa: snow and skiing and our hotels in Blida.

Sétif and the Babors

On the High Plateaus, Sétif regularly sees snow in winter, and pictures of the snow-covered city regularly go round social media. In the north of the province, towards the Babors and places such as Aïn El Kebira or Bougaâ, snow can fall heavily and cut roads for a few hours or a few days.

Sétif is a good base, with hotels for every taste: see our hotels in Sétif. After a day in the cold, the thermal spa of Hammam Guergour, in the same province, is a lovely idea: read our article on Hammam Guergour.

Mount Chélia and the Aurès

Mount Chélia, the highest point of the Aurès, reaches 2,328 metres, between the provinces of Batna and Khenchela. In winter, its summits and the heights of the Aurès are covered in snow. The mountain roads of the region may then be closed while the snow is cleared.

Stay in Batna, for example at the Chelia Hotel or in one of our hotels in Batna, and take the opportunity to visit Timgad: see our article on Timgad and Djémila.

Theniet El Had, the cedar forest of the west

In Tissemsilt province, Theniet El Had National Park protects an Atlas cedar forest of about 3,400 hectares. When snow falls on the heights of Tissemsilt, the snow-laden cedars offer one of the finest winter landscapes of western Algeria. To stay in Tissemsilt itself, see the Mellasse hotel or our other hotels in Tissemsilt.

Snow on the dunes of Aïn Séfra

In Aïn Séfra, in Naâma province, at the gates of the Sahara, snow covered the dunes in December 2016 and January 2018, and it has returned to the area in recent years. The sight is striking, but it remains rare and unpredictable: you cannot plan a trip around it. For the desert in winter, it is better to aim for the sun of the oases: see our guide to the Algerian Sahara in winter.

Before you go: the road and safety

Every winter the same scenes are repeated: cars stuck, roads closed, traffic jams on the way up to Chréa or Tikjda. A few simple rules:

1. Check the special weather bulletins and the state of the roads the day before and on the morning of departure. If a road is closed by the gendarmerie or the snow-clearing services, do not insist.
2. Equip the car. Snow chains are essential on snow, even for a small car. Also check the tyres, the wipers and the heating.
3. Leave early and come back in daylight. Do not drive up at night in bad weather.
4. Take what you need to wait. A full tank, water, snacks, a blanket, a phone charger.
5. Dress children warmly, with spare clothes and waterproof gloves.
6. Respect the mountain. Stay on the paths, take your rubbish away and do not feed the Barbary macaques.

Where to stay to see the snow

The simplest option is often to sleep in town, lower down, and go up for the day: Blida for Chréa, Bouira for Tikjda, Sétif for the Babors, Batna for the Aurès. That way you avoid driving on snow after dark.

The Algerian winter school holidays, from the evening of Thursday 17 December 2026 to the morning of Sunday 3 January 2027, and snowy weekends are the busiest periods: book early. The full calendar is in our article on the 2026-2027 school holidays, with more ideas for outings in weekend in Algeria. Tuesday 12 January 2027, the public holiday of Yennayer, is another occasion to go up to Kabylia: see Yennayer 2977. Couples travelling on Algerian papers are generally asked for their family record book (livret de famille) at check-in; travellers holding a foreign passport are generally not asked for it. Read our article on the family record book at hotels.

Booking your hotel

On Nreservi, you book your hotel online. In Algeria, you pay in dinars without a bank card: BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our Telemly office in Algiers. Living abroad? You can also pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you after payment.

Frequently asked questions

Does it snow in Algeria? Yes. Snow falls mainly on the mountains of the north (Djurdjura, Blida Atlas, Babors), on the High Plateaus around Sétif and in the Aurès.

Where can you see snow near Algiers? In Chréa, above Blida, and in Tikjda, in the Djurdjura, on the Bouira side. Both can be done as a day trip, but leave early.

When does it snow in Algeria? Mainly from December to February, in episodes announced by the special weather bulletins.

Can you ski in Algeria? Yes, a few days a year, on natural snow, in Tikjda or Chréa depending on the snow cover and the state of the facilities.

Does it snow in the Sahara? Rarely. The dunes of Aïn Séfra, at the gates of the desert, have been covered in snow on several occasions, but the phenomenon remains unpredictable.

Search for a hotel

Sources: TSA (28 November 2025), Algérie 360 (31 January 2012 and 11 March 2026), Paris Match Belgique (9 January 2018), Radio Algérie (special weather bulletins), Wikipedia (Djebel Chélia, Theniet El Had National Park); our Tikjda, Chréa and mountains of Algeria guides (consulted on 14/11/2026).

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

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