Algiers has a Mediterranean climate: hot dry summers and mild wet winters. June and July are the hottest months and can be uncomfortable for sightseeing. December and January bring the most rain — about four inches per month — though it rarely disrupts a trip.
The best time to visit is autumn, from September through November. Temperatures are pleasant, rain is rare, and the summer crowds have thinned. Spring (March to May) is also good, with slightly more rain but cooler days.
Algeria hosts a handful of festivals worth timing a visit around. The Festival du Rai d'Oran celebrates Rai music — a blend of western rock and Arabic rhythms — with over 50 artists performing. The Marathon des Dunes draws international runners to the desert town of Bechar. Eid al-Adha, usually in late autumn, is a major celebration with feasting across the country. The Ghardaia Carpet Festival in March brings weavers from across Algeria.