Diving in the Red Sea

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The city of Siwa, in Egypt, is built around the historic Shali fortress. Although the country is governed by Egyptian law, it still maintains a traditional Berber government in which the leaders of each of the local tribal governments meet to dictate the rules of the region. The Siwa region has some 225 freshwater springs spread throughout its territory, although not all of them are accessible. Easy access to hot and cold springs has turned this small, remote desert community into a literal oasis of fruit and date cultivation. This contributed to Siwa becoming a popular trading destination after the reign of Ramesses II. Although the growth of the city is relatively recent in Egyptian terms. Almost nothing is known of the region before that time.

Where is the Siwa Oasis?
The mysterious oasis of Siwa lies on the edge of the Great Sand Sea, just 50 km from Egypt’s border with Libya. The area in which Siwa is located is called the Qattara Depression. Its unique history and relative isolation have made the city one of the most tranquil and fascinating destinations in the country.

Things to do in Siwa
Siwa is a tiny place compared to Cairo’s huge population of 25 million people. The Siwan region only has about 25,000 inhabitants and seems even smaller. But for its sparse population, there are plenty of amazing things to do. With a mix of hot and cold springs, massive sand dunes, and incredible history, Siwa has a lot to offer visitors. It may not be the easiest place to get to in Egypt, but once you get to Siwa, you won’t want to leave. We recommend some of the points and experiences that you should not miss.

Explore Shali Fortress
Shali Fort, as it is known by many locals, is in the literal heart of Siwa. Walking through this ancient and imposing city of clay and salt is like stepping back in time. Shali Fort, built on a hill, was the center of Siwan life for more than 800 years. As modern life invaded the ruins of Shali Fort, many residents used walls from the original houses to blend with their own more modern structures. This causes a unique gradient of the ages to take place as the new city slowly merges with the old.

You can still climb to the top of the fort for incredible views of the city and see this fascinating urban design for yourself, even strolling around the fort’s fringes. Sometimes it is difficult to determine if you are in the Shali fort or walking among the shops in the center of Siwa.

Although it rarely rains in Siwa, when it does the Shali fortress takes damage. This is because it is mainly built with blocks of salt.

Wander through the tombs of the Mountain of the Dead
Gebel al-Mawta, or the Mountain of the Dead, is a mountain in the far north of the city of Siwa that is riddled with tombs covering from the base of the mountain to its top. It is one of the most fascinating and mysterious places that can be visited in Siwa. The visit to the Mountain of the Dead will allow you to visit tombs such as that of a pharaonic king and his family.

The tombs that dot the mountain date back to Ptolemaic and Roman times. In fact, one of the tombs is that of a Roman Si Amun, who decided to make Siwa his home.

But the importance of the mountain continued into modern times. During World War II, when the Italians bombed Siwa, the local Siwanos took refuge in the graves. In fact, the most magnificent tombs on the mountain were discovered during this time.

Cameras are not allowed inside the tombs, but visitors are welcome to use their mobile phone cameras.

Enjoy the sunset from Fatnas Island (Fantasy Island)
The magical desert sunsets are some of the best in the world. During your trip to the Siwa Oasis, you will not expect to be on the edge of the Great Sand Sea watching the sunset on an island, in the middle of a lake; however, in Siwa you will be able to do it.

The Temple of the Oracle (Temple of Alexander)
One of the most important temples in Siwa is the Temple of the Oracle. Also known as the Temple of Amun, this 26th Dynasty temple was a focal point of the region and continued to be so until Greek and Roman times. The temple of Amun was visited by Alexander the Great, where he was told that he was the son of Zeus. Alexander used this information to consolidate his dominance in the region.

One fascinating thing to pay attention to is the hidden corridor that runs along two sides of the main chamber of the temple. It’s big enough for a man to walk through comfortably. And if you call from within, those in the temple chamber might think you are the voice of the Oracle. One of the local Berber tribes continued to live in this hilltop temple until not long ago. There is also a UNESCO-endorsed mosque and several houses in the village that can be explored. This is undoubtedly one of the most interesting things to do in Siwa.

Temple of Amun
Among the ruins of the Temple of the Oracle stands a single decorated wall. This wall is all that remains of what was the great Temple of Amun. This once beautiful temple was almost completely destroyed in 1896 when a local Ottoman governor razed the entire structure with dynamite. He hoped to use the stone from the temple as a building material. The original structure is believed to date from the 30th Dynasty.

Take a dip in the Siwa Salt Quarry
One of the central elements of Siwa’s economy is the export of salt. On the outskirts of the city is a spectacle that contrasts completely with the landscape of palm trees and desert of the Siwa oasis. Here, mixed among the mountains of excavated salt, are emerald blue waters that are so idyllic to behold that visitors cannot help but get closer. The Siwa Salt Company runs the excavation operation surrounding the Siwa Salt Lake. But visitors can enter the quarry and bathe in the mineral-rich waters of the lake. The lake has one of the highest proportions of water and salt, even greater than the famous Dead Sea. Nothing lives in the crystal clear waters due to the high salt content. But be careful, any scratches you get will sting in these healing waters.

Enjoy the local waters of Cleopatra’s Well
With plenty of natural springs in Siwa, it’s hard to understand why mention of Cleopatra’s spring holds such a high place in the hearts of the locals. However, this hot spring located in the interior of the city is the place where many of the locals learn to swim for the first time. The well was never visited by Cleopatra herself, but the legendary Egyptian queen did use the water from these springs for her own baths.

The natural water from the sulfuric spring is a perfect way to relax after a day of exploring. Or to remove the salt from the Siwa salt lake. The well is surrounded by cafes and small restaurants. It can get very crowded during the summer months, but during the cooler months it is still easily accessible.

Siwa House Museum
This small, locally run but internationally funded museum displays a collection of historical clothing, ceramics and artwork. The exhibits show the history of the local Berber tribes. And, incidentally, it shows how the adaptation of the locals to modern technology has changed the landscape of Siwa. You won’t find the Siwa House Museum on the internet, in fact, they don’t even have email. But if you are looking for things to do in Siwa, make sure you set aside time to visit it.

Great safari by the sea of ​​sand and SandBoarding (Descent of dunes)
One of the most amazing things to see in the Siwa oasis is the Great Sea of ​​Sand. Most Great Sand Sea tours include visits to some of the natural hot and cold springs dotted across the landscape. And of course, you’ll most likely end up cruising the world’s biggest sandbank in an old Toyota Landcruiser while checking multiple times to see if you’re wearing your seatbelt.

Excursion to the Great Sea of ​​Sand in Siwa
It is one of the highlights of the city. One of the most interesting things is a part of what was a seabed. Scattered across the stone floor were countless marine fossils, including the remains of an ancient whale! Something incredible to find in the middle of the desert, as they call it locally: “The sea of ​​whales”.

Stroll through the city of Siwa
Among the exploration of all the fascinating things to do in the Siwa Oasis, one can highlight walking the streets of the city of Siwa itself. The streets are lined with bakeries, cafes and small restaurants. There is organized chaos in everything that happens in the city of Siwa. And everywhere you look there are smiling faces, the city is very safe.

Where to stay in Siwa
Tourism in Siwa is booming, and many great eco-lodges have sprung up in the city to keep up with the demand. Choosing the best places to stay in Siwa is difficult because of the sheer variety – there are so many options. You can check the prices and availability of the best accommodations in Siwa at Destinia.

Important Festivals in Siwa
Several amazing festivals are celebrated in Siwa. And, if you’re lucky enough to happen to visit them, you should be a part of them.

Siyaha Festival (Festival of Forgiveness)
The Siyaha, or Festival of Forgiveness, is considered the most important festival in Siwa. This unique festival is celebrated over three days on the October full moon. Every year, the locals descend on Mount Dakrur to celebrate the Siyaha, or Asihaite, in the local Berber language. During the Siwa Forgiveness Festival, all Siwanos gather, eat, dance, renew their bonds and present themselves as equals. This festival is all about resolving grievances and is a big part of what makes Siwa such a peaceful place to visit.

Moulid at-Tagmigra
The Moulid at Tagmigra is an important festival in Siwa. It is dedicated to Siwa’s patron sheikh, Sidi Suleyman. The festival, often called the Feast of the Saint, includes the Zikr dance by circles of men, it takes place during the late summer maize harvest. The festival takes place near the tomb-shrine of Sidi Suleiman.

Average temperature throughout the year in Siwa Oasis

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Siwa Oasis Photos