Siwa Geography

Bahey El Dine

A small village 20 kms away from Siwa beyond the village of Maraky. It is predominantly inhabited by Arab tribes of non-Berber origin and overlooks the beautiful panoramic Salt Lake Bahey El Dine.

Desert Tea

Shiata

25km away from Siwa in the desert and 8km beyond Sidi Saleh, the famous local Saint buried in the middle of the desert, lies lake Shiata surrounded by palm groves and availing the visitor a beautiful isolated spot to enjoy the day in the calm and serene natural surroundings.

Bir Wahed Hot Sulfuric Spring

This is a hot spring in the dunes of the edge of the desert and is situated 12 km southwest from Siwa. You can swim in the hot spring in the middle of the desert and enjoy the soothing effect of the sulphur water. On the way, you will refresh in the cold spring, which is in fact lake-sized with very fresh and clean water. Watching the sunset over the dunes while soaking in a hot spring is a surreal experience.

Cultural Tours

Star-Gazing

The sky in Siwa, particularly in the beginning of the lunar cycle, is so clear that it offers star-gazers a unique opportunity to examine, recognize and locate the various planets, stars and constellations with a great deal of ease. Truly, the sky is nowhere as clear as in Adrar Ahkek!

Bird-Watching

Some of the most beautiful and versatile birds live or migrate through Siwa Oasis. It is no surprise that our friend Jens Herring has discovered a unique species of bird here.

Temple of Amoun

The Temple of Amoun/Zeus/Jupter (Temple of The Oracle) in Aghurmi was built during the 26th Dynasty. There is a mystery about this temple which is paired with all the great legends told about Siwa. The most famous one is Alexander The Great`s journey to Siwa and the Temple, where he was baptized Son of Amoun (Zeus in Greece), Defender of the cult of Amoun (long assaulted by the Persian conquerors) and Protector of Egypt.

Cleopatra's Bath

This natural spring is very popular and is also known as The Spring of Juba. The natural spring water bubbles up into the large stone pool. It is particularly famous as the bathing place for brides and grooms on their wedding night.

Ruins of Shali

Shali is located in the centre of modern Siwa and is originally the old town. The Ruins of Shali were originally built from a material called Karshif, a mixture of salt and clay and is not waterproof. It was in full use until three days of heavy water destroyed it in 1926. Some of the buildings of the old town are still in use.

Gabal Al Mawta

Located about 1km north of the centre of Siwa town, its name simply means Mountain of the Dead. The Siwans buried in its caves their loved ones for over 2000 years. The mountain looks great from a distance, but is much more impressive up close.

Siwa Town

The central square in downtown is the main marketplace of the Oasis. Here you can shop around Siwa your heart`s content. From old Siwan artifacts, wickerwork, characteristic embroidery, unique collectible silver jewellery, Bedouin kilims and wooden blankets, all the way to exotic spices, herbs and most particularly dates, olives and their wide variety of by-products.

Fatnas

Fatnas Spring is situated near the city of Siwa in Fantasy Island. It is another famous spring like that of Cleaopatra but more pleasant and secluded. Fatnas lies on the opposite side of Adrar Ahkek and represents its sunshine horizon line. In the late afternoon it is here that you can enjoy watching the sun setting.

Gabal Dakrour

Situated about 4km from the town. People go there from July to September to be relieved of rheumatism. They are buried up to their necks in very hot sand, for up to 20 minutes at a time. Three days of this treatment completely heals rheumatism. The mountain also supplies the red pigment used for the local pottery.

Bicycling and Caretta Rides

Bicycles are available for rental to roam around the Oasis and its various surrounding lakes, palm and olive fields, historical sites and nearby villages. The same may be enjoyed aboard one of the local donkey-drawn carettas.

Abou Shourouf

Famous for its fine warm water pool as well as its being the home of all female donkeys in Siwa which are kept there in isolation from the males except during the mating season, to obviate the possibility of their mating in public and thus blemishing the community`s sense of decency.

El-Garah

Garet Om El-Saghir is one of the smallest villages in Egypt accessible through the halfway point between Matrouh and Siwa. Its population is allegedly fixed at 400 individuals not to increase or decrease over time. It boasts the oldest cotton tree in Africa predating Mohamed Aly`s modern introduction of cotton to Egypt by hundreds of years.