Bechar
Introduction
Béchar is the capital of Béchar Province in Algeria, and the city is also a commune that is coextensive with Béchar District. It sits in the west of the country, where the settled life of the town gives way to the desert beyond.
If you are planning a visit, think of Béchar as a provincial centre rather than a resort: its interest lies in its role as the hub of the surrounding province, and in the dry landscapes that define this part of Algeria.
Getting there
Bechar sits on the national highway N6, roughly 600 km from Oran. The road is paved, but expect limited speeds along the route. Although Bechar lies close to Morocco and would be easily accessible from there, the border has been closed since 1994 because of political conflict, so you cannot cross into or out of Morocco here.
By rail, the national rail company SNTF runs a daily overnight passenger service from Oran. The journey takes just over 12 hours, with arrival in Bechar in the early morning. Trains arrive at Bechar railway station.
Getting around
Béchar is a hot desert city with extremely hot summers and warm winters, so plan your movement around the heat and schedule sightseeing for the cooler hours. There is no metro or tram network, and no documented city bus system, so don't count on formal urban public transport to move around town.
- Rail: SNTF is the only fixed-track public transport serving Béchar, and it works as intercity travel rather than a way to get around town. The most useful service for visitors is the daily overnight train from Oran, which takes just over 12 hours and arrives in the early morning. You'll arrive and depart from the city's railway station.
- Airport transfer: Boudghene Ben Ali Lotfi Airport lies northwest of the city. No fixed airport transfer service is documented, so arrange your onward transfer locally and confirm options and fares on arrival.
- By car: The N6 highway runs through Béchar, connecting north to Mecheria, Saida, Mascara and Oran, and south to Adrar and Timiaouine. Driving in from Oran is about 600 km on paved road, but speeds are limited, so allow generous time. The town has several fuel service stations.
- Border note: Although Béchar lies close to Morocco, the border has been closed since 1994, so you cannot cross into Morocco from here.
Where to stay
For accommodation in Béchar, your options are limited, and the source material names only one place: El Djazira Hotel. It is the sole listed place to stay in the city, so plan your trip around its availability rather than expecting a range of choices.Food & drink
No notable food and drink options are covered in the source material for this section.What to see and do
The source material for Bechar offers no entries for what to see or do, so there is nothing to describe here.When to go
Béchar has a hot desert climate, so the main thing shaping your trip is heat rather than rain. Rainfall is scarce throughout the year, and you should not count on showers to break the heat at any time.
- Summer: Extremely hot and especially dry, with almost no rain. This is the harshest time to visit, so plan around the heat and expect little relief from showers.
- Winter: Days are the most comfortable of the year for being outdoors, and rain remains very scarce. Despite the high elevation, winter days are warm, though nights at this elevation can feel cool.
Three days in Bechar
Day one: Arrive in Béchar, the capital of Béchar Province in western Algeria, and settle into the El Djazira Hotel as your base. Béchar District surrounds the city, and the Sahara begins at its edges. Although Béchar is a gateway to the desert, the summer is extremely hot, so plan your walking for the cooler hours. Winter days are milder, though nights can be cold.
- Start with the city itself and its markets.
- Use the El Djazira Hotel as a fixed point while you get your bearings.
Day two: Take the train. SNTF trains run from Béchar toward Oran in the north, passing through Mecheria, Saida and Mascara. There is also rail south toward Adrar. If you prefer the road, driving gives you more freedom, but the distances are long. You can also fly into Boudghene Ben Ali Lotfi Airport, which serves Béchar.
- Ride the rail north to Oran, or south toward Adrar.
- Alternatively, drive and stop where you choose.
Day three: Look toward the border and the deep desert. Timiaouine lies to the south, and the border with Morocco is nearby. Although Béchar is far from the coast, it is connected: by rail, by road, and by air. For a final day, keep it simple — a last walk through Béchar before you leave.
- Consider a route toward Timiaouine or the Moroccan border.
- End your stay back in Béchar.