Egypt is certainly more than just the pyramids and The Sphinx as there are lots of attractions and activities you can enjoy all over this historical land. Accommodations wouldn’t be a problem either as there are lots of options all over the country including themed hotels and Airbnb vacation rentals. As for places to go to and enjoy various activities, check out other popular destinations, which include the beautiful desert oasis of Siwa.
Located between the Qattara Depression and the Egyptian Sand Sea in the Western Desert, the isolated Siwa oasis lays 50 km (31.06 miles) east of the Libyan borders. The distinctive culture and magnificence of its nature and topography attract many tourists to this little paradise. It offers great desert tours, craft shops, restaurants, and nice hotels. The Environmental Sustainable Tourism Program built an Eco lodge in association with USAID and the Ford Foundation in 1997, thereafter a number of beautiful resorts have come up within this once forsaken land. If you’re planning a visit, read on to see some of the top things to do in Siwa, Egypt.
1. Bir Wahed Siwa
Have you ever been to a true oasis with natural springs in the middle of the desert? If you haven’t and you’re thinking about what to do in Siwa, visit Bir Wahed Siwa. This magnificent place is about 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from Shali Fortress on the edge of the Great Sand Sea.
Bir Wahed consists of three natural hot springs with sulfurous water bubbles, which not only offer a great place to unwind and fully appreciate the beauty of nature but provide healing properties as well. While getting to the spot requires a short drive via 4WD vehicles with a guide, it’s totally worth it as you get to see stunning desert sceneries along the way.
Bir Wahed Siwa
Address: 4CCJ+QVF, Siwa, Matrouh Governorate, Egypt
2. El Dakrour Mountain
Your trip to Siwa, Egypt, would certainly not be complete without visiting El Dakrour Mountain. What makes the place one of the country’s top tourist draws is, of course, its natural beauty of desert and mountain sceneries. It also features two ancient cemeteries that take you back to the Greek and Roman periods.
Another reason why tourists visit El Dakrour Mountain is its healing properties. It is said that if you cover your body in hot sand for a certain period, it can cure different illnesses including rheumatism.
El Dakrour Mountain
Address: Matrouh - Siwa, Siwa, Matrouh Governorate, Egypt
3. Camp Ali Khaled
Camp Ali Khaled is a camping spot and accommodation in Siwa that offers a comfortable place to stay near the top attractions in the area. It’s just a few minutes for Shali Fortress and features modern conveniences including a restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, and even WiFi access.
What’s even greater about it is its location as you’ll practically be right in the middle of everything Siwa has to offer including the beautiful desert sceneries, the nearby mountains, and, of course, the ever-popular hot springs.
Camp Ali Khaled
Address: Matrouh Governorate, Egypt
4. Siwa Nature Reserve
Siwa is more than just an oasis, it’s actually a nature preserve as well. This means that the whole area is managed and protected by the authorities to preserve its flora, fauna, topography, as well as its historical features.
Some of the natural wonders to be seen here include desert areas, lakes, underground water sources, and sulphuric water springs. A wide array of plant and animal life is also protected here—from various olive trees, palm trees, and fig trees to many wild animals like gazelles, deer, wolves, hares, foxes, cheetahs, and more.
Siwa Nature Reserve
Address: Matrouh Governorate, Egypt
Website: Siwa Nature Reserve
Opening hours: 7am - 5pm (daily)
5. Shali Fortress
The Shali Fortress is built with kharshef, a mix of clay and salt, a unique building material, and is a fantastic ruin that makes one feel like they are traversing through a past life.
You can go to the top of Shali Fortress to see the oasis and have a fascinating view of the palm trees, salt lake, and houses of Siwa. Visualize how people were living here in the past. Going down you will find the hand craft shops with colorful goods, dates boxes, and more, all at very reasonable prices.
Shali Fortress
Address: Old Town Hill, Siwa 51714, Egypt
Website: Shali Fortress
6. Gebel al-Mawta/Mountain of the Dead
Gebel (Jebel) al-Mawta is also known as the Mountain of the Dead. It is a historical mountain dating back to the Pharaonic era. The place has elements of mysteriousness as the tombs cover most of the mountain base and sides. At the middle point of the mountain, you can see the ancient tombs of the Pharaonic king and members of his family. Only the king’s tomb has some inscriptions. If you climb the mountain to the highest peak you will be able to see a panoramic view of Siwa.
Gebel al-Mawta/Mountain of the Dead
Address: Qesm Siwah, Matrouh Governorate, Egypt
7. Great Sand Sea Safari
This is one of the most exciting safaris in the world and one of the top Siwa activities. Surfing sand dunes is like a fantasy come true, you can do a dessert car 4x4 safari, and enjoy a swim in the warm natural waters.
Have a Siwian desert tea, dessert, lunch or dinner, and enjoy the marvelous sunset scenery. Camp in the desert, enjoy the camp fire and eat delicious marshmallows. Sleep and enjoy the sky’s stars, nature, and the cold weather.
Great Sand Sea Safari
Address: Siwa, Egypt
Website: Great Sand Sea Safari
8. Fatnis Island (Fantasy Island)
If you are looking to enjoy the beauty of nature in a chilled and relaxing environment, you should go here. The place is famous for its nice and romantic sunset and its palm drink with milk. Amidst the tranquil and calm atmosphere, the sunset is just awesome.
Fatnis Island
Address: Birket Siwa, Siwa 51714, Egypt
9. Temple of the Oracle of Amun/Aghurmi
This temple complex is quite large with a number of great stories. Alexander the Great is believed to have built it. This place is a turning point in history where Alexander was officially named the son of Amun who was considered to be a God.
Temple of the Oracle of Amun/Aghurmi
Address: Aghurmi, Siwa 51714, Egypt
Website: Temple of the Oracle of Amun/Aghurmi
10. Taghaghien Touristic Island
As one of the top Siwa attractions, you should definitely add a visit to Taghaghien Touristic Island to your itinerary. It is an African-style village on the island in the middle of the lake in Siwa. There are a couple of other smaller islands beside it and you can rent a boat and spend a whole day on one of them. The resort is all hand-made. The bathroom is all made with the desert stone, and there is also a big natural spring.
A night in a round palm leave roofed African house, with the feeling that you are the only one in the middle of the Great Sahara, is a unique experience. A double room costs only 60 USD per night. You can enjoy romantic evenings under the stars and the moonlight. The view from every point of the island is amazing.
Taghaghien Touristic Island
Address: Great Lake of Siwa, 51714 Siwa, Matruh, Egypt
11. Moulid at-Tagmigra
The small tomb shrine of Sidi Suleiman is the venue of a moulid (saints’ festival), known as the Moulid at-Tagmigra. The festival is held after the corn harvest in late summer. Zikrs are performed outside the tomb after banners announce the moulid.
Moulid at-Tagmigra
Address: Sidi Suleiman, Siwa, Egypt
12. Lake Siwa
Another one of the top places to visit in Siwa is definitely this wonderful lake. The best time to visit the lake is at sunset. It is a nice place for photography and enjoying the natural beauty. You can enjoy Siwa drinks and Bedouin tea served by Bedouin people. Have a glimpse of the traveling birds that rest by the lake before flying from cold Europe to warm Africa.
Lake Siwa
Address: Lake Siwa, Siwa, Egypt
Website: Lake Siwa
13. Cleopatra's Pool
Cleopatra used the natural warm water as her natural bath. You can enjoy swimming in natural sulphuric ground water or sit in a cafe enjoying Bob Marley music. The place is surrounded by cafes with Arabian Desert setups and shops that sell local products “Kleem”. There is a nice cafe beside Cleopatra’s Pool called Tanta Waa cafe that serve amazing drinks and brunch amidst great music.
Cleopatra's Pool
Address: Qesm Siwah, Matrouh Governorate, Egypt
Website: Cleopatra’s Pool
14. 10. Museum of Siwan Traditions
It is a place to know the way of life, traditions, and clothing of Siwa’s people. The museum represents a traditional Siwan house, including traditional costumes, the traditional silver accessories, special brides’ gowns, household materials, and more.
Museum of Siwan Traditions
Address: Siwa 51714, Egypt
Website: Museum of Siwan Traditions
Spend some time in Siwa!
The historical Siwa where Alexander was officially named the son of Amun, who was considered to be a God, will leave you spell bound with its distinctive culture and magnificence of its nature and topography. It is a place worth visiting!