History
Sétif is rich with fierce history; the city was part of the ancient Berber kingdom of Numidia, and was a Roman colonia. Today, tourists can unearth the Sétif massacre.
Sétif is the ancient city of Algeria. With 288,461 inhabitants, it is the capital of the Sétif Province in eastern Algeria. Sétif is renowned for its forward-looking aesthetic and offers a wonderful journey into its vast history. The city has sensational attractions to entertain tourists such as incredible natural landscapes, Zoo Sétif and Sétif Museum.
Cheap flights to Sétif are now available for a limited period of time, so get ready to explore the ancient miracles of this fascinating city! Sétif is the home of Ain Arnat Airport (QSF), which is located on a 25-minute drive from the city centre.
Sétif is rich with fierce history; the city was part of the ancient Berber kingdom of Numidia, and was a Roman colonia. Today, tourists can unearth the Sétif massacre.
Enjoy flavoursome dishes, which consist of tantalizing hot red chili sauces and scrumptious bonbons comprised of honey and dates.
The city is home to the successful football team, ES Sétif. The club has become the first fully professional club in Algeria. Watching a football game is highly advised!
Essential details you need to know before your trip
| Country | Algeria |
|---|---|
| Currency | Algerian Dinar |
| Language | Arabic |
| Hub Airport | Ain Arnat Airport (QSF) |
| Airline | Air Algerie |
| Time Zone | GMT +1 |
| Travel Adaptor | Type C and F |
Sétif weather is characterised by hot and dry summers, whilst its winters are cool and slightly wet. The city is located on the high plateaus, thus making it one of the coldest regions during winter, in Algeria. Summer (June to August) is uncomfortably hot, with temperatures averaging 40 degrees Celsius. It is important to know that many tour companies do not operate during these blistering months. Winter (December to January) is the low season of the city, when the weather is rainy and frosty. Tourists are advised to plan for a spring (March to May) or autumn (September to October) vacation, with cheap flights, lower room rates and fewer crowds.
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall level (mm) per month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low °C | 1°C | 2°C | 4°C | 6°C | 11°C | 15°C | 19°C | 15°C | 11°C | 11°C | 5°C | 2°C |
| High °C | 10°C | 12°C | 15°C | 17°C | 24°C | 29°C | 33°C | 33°C | 27°C | 22°C | 15°C | 11°C |
| Rainfall (mm) | 37 | 26 | 35 | 42 | 43 | 24 | 18 | 13 | 43 | 31 | 36 | 45 |
Sétif is pleasingly located on the high plateaus of north-eastern Algeria, with incredible sights of snow during winter. This destination is filled with many tales of struggle and bravado; journey into its history and you will be exposed to the period of Roman rule. On the formal day (8 May 1945) of the end of World War II in Europe, an uprising against the occupying French forces occurred, resulting in the death of 104 pied-noirs. Today, it is known as the Sétif Massacre. This painful history is deeply sewn into the fabric of this ancient city!
Discover interesting attractions along your voyage to this bountiful landscape, including the fountain known as Aïn Fouara!
Compare several airlines, and book your cheap flights to Sétif online at Travelstart!
Travellers going to Sétif should be up to date on their routine vaccinations. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio and yearly flu shot. Most travellers are also encouraged to get vaccines for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and malaria.
When visiting Sétif in the summer, tourists should be cautious of heat stroke. You should also be wary that an upset stomach could occur due to changes in food and water. Be sure to hydrate thoroughly!
Most visits to Algeria are trouble-free; tourists should be warned that incidences of robbery and theft do occur. Sétif is not immune to pick-pocketing and bag-snatching; tourists should take adequate caution when strolling through the streets of the city.
Staying safe in Sétif:
• Avoid walking around after dark.
• Avoid carrying large sums of money.
• Do not wear expensive jewellery or sentimental items.
• Keep your bag and other belongings in eye sight on the public transport system and crowded touristic spaces.
• Carry any form of identification with you at all times.
• Be cautious of thieves disguised as police officers.
• Do not accept food or drink from strangers – it may be drugged.
• Stay in tourist areas with good perimeter security.
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