The Mediterranean coast
Béjaïa & the Kabylie coast
Capes, coves and mountain villages: walk Gouraya National Park, swim at Aokas and eat grilled sardines by the harbour.
From €850
Coastal escape
Béjaïa
A port city between mountains and sea: medieval capital of the Hammadids, Gouraya National Park, Cap Carbon and the coves of the Kabylie coast.
Overview
Béjaïa curves around a bay at the foot of Mount Gouraya, about 220 km east of Algiers by road. In the 11th century it became the capital of the Hammadid dynasty and one of the great Mediterranean ports; the mathematician Fibonacci studied here, and the city's name gave French the word "bougie" (candle) from the wax it exported. Today it is the gateway to the beaches and mountain villages of Kabylie.
Top attractions
- Gouraya National Park — trails up to Fort Gouraya with views over the bay.
- Cap Carbon — a lighthouse on a dramatic headland and the "Pic des Singes" where Barbary macaques live.
- Bab El Bahr and Bab El Fouka — medieval gates of the old city.
- The Casbah and the old town above the port.
- The Corniche towards Aokas and Jijel, with beaches and the Marvellous Caves.
Culture
Béjaïa is a centre of Kabyle culture: Tamazight language, music, pottery and silver jewellery from the mountain villages. Olive oil and figs come from the surrounding hills.
Experiences
- Hiking in Gouraya National Park.
- Swimming and seafood on the coast at Aokas and Tichy.
- A day in the Kabyle villages of the Djurdjura foothills.
Tours in Béjaïa
Béjaïa
Djurdjura: walking between Berber villages and summits
An eight-day mountain trek in Upper Kabylie: cedar forests, Lake Goulimine, the summit of Lalla Khedidja (2,308 m) and nights in Kabyle villages.
Price on request
Trekking
Béjaïa
Kabylie of the Babors: from the sea to the wild summits
Eight days from the coast of Béjaïa into the forested Babor mountains: an eco-lodge, the summit of Adrar Amellal, fir forests, waterfalls and the Roman city of Djemila.
Price on request
Trekking
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