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Egypt's regions, cities and villages
Abusir
Absur is located west of Alexandria on the road to Mersa Matruh. The village has some ancient building from the time of the Ptolemaic rule. These include the Taposiris Magna, dedicated to Osiris, but all that remains is the outer walls and pylons. Apparently animals were worshipped at the temple, as there is an animal necropolis nearby.Inside the walls of the temple are the remains of a Christian church. Near the church, one also finds the remains of some public baths, a seawall, quays and a bridge reported to have been built by Justinian. There are also the remains of the Burg el-Arab, known as the Arab Tower to the North.
Though now ruined, it has a square base surmounted by an Octagonal structure and then a round story. Built by Ptolemy II Phiadelphus, the tower was said to be a duplicate of the famous Pharos Lighthouse.
Abu Tig
A few miles south of Asyut is the small agricultural town of Abu Tig, which was derived from the Greek apotheke meaning 'shop', or 'warehouse'. The town is interesting from the aspect that the curving, terraced fields give some idea of how agricultural land was laid out prior to the building of the High Dam. Other than that, there is little historical here.
Agami
Traditionally an exclusive resort where Cairo and Alexandria elite vacations. Known as the EgySt-Tropez, Agami today also caters to the middle and working class. The resort village was founded in the 1950's, but their are few structures remaining from this period.
And while most of the housing in the area is simple, there are exceptions, including the Villa Lashin, built in 1962 by architect Ali Azzam and the Beit el-Halawa built by Abd el-Wahid el-Wakil. Near here, you will also find the resort villages of Hannoville and Sidi Kheir, which are also popular summer retreats. Historically, there is a small French fort built during French occupation of Egypt.
El Alamein
El Alamein is most notable as the place where the Allied forces of WW II gained a decisive victory of the Axis forces. Today, the village located about 66 miles east of Alexandria is mostly a port facility for shipping oil.However, it was once described by Churchill as having the best climate in the world. There are several hotels and a beach resort nearby (Hotel Atic). There is also a war museum with collectibles from the Battle of El Alamein and other North African battles. The only historical interest in this village would be related to WW II, and includes an Italian and German military cemeteries on Tell el-Eisa Hill just outside of town.
Alexandria
The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria, known as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean", has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern ; its ambience and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is actually only 225 km. from Cairo. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria became the capital of Graeco-Roman Egypt, its status as a beacon of culture symbolized by Pharos, the legendary lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony, Alexandria was also the center of learning in the ancient world. But ancient Alexandria declined, and when Napoleon landed, he found a sparsely populated fishing village. For further information on Alexandria, please click here
Akhmim
Just across the river from Sohag on the east bank of the Nile lies the town of Akhmim. It is an ancient town, known as Ipu or Khent-Menu to the early Egyptians and Panopolis to the Greeks. Panopolis was named for the principal god of the city, Min, who was Pan to the Greeks and the god of fertility and master of the deserts between the Nile and the Red Sea. Plutarch states that, "The pans and Satyris who live near Chemmis (Akhmim) were the first to learn of the death of Osiris and spread the news. This was how the sudden fear that grips a multitude became known as panic".
A recently discovered statue of Meryetamun (Beloved of the God Amun), the tallest statue of an ancient queen, now stands in the middle of town. She was one of the consort of Rameses II after the death of Nefertari, as well as a priestess of the Temple of Min. As a side note, near the statue is a weaving factory where one may purchase bolts of silk and Egyptian cotton.
The main attraction here is the Necropolis of El-Hawawish, where the governors of the area were buried from the 4th to the 11th Dynasties and at the El-Salamuni Promontory where rock cut tombs of the Graeco-Roman period can be found. Nearby is the gate to the Grotto of Pan, the temple dedicated to Min and Amun-Re. It was built by Ay who succeeded Tutankhamun, and is one of the few temples attributable to him.
El 'Araba el Madfuna
South of Sohag is the small village of El 'Araba el Madfuna. The principle reason for visiting this town are the ruins of the necropolis of Abydos and the Temple of Seti. It lies near Al-Balyana, a larger city where one may eat, but the area is usually visited by day trip.
Armant
Armant is the ancient Greek settlement of Hermonthis, but the history of the city much predates that. Located a little over 12 miles south of Thebes, it thrived during the Middle Kingdom and was enlarged during the 18th Dynasty with the construction of huge temples (now gone). Cleopatra VII made it the capital of the surrounding nome, and we know that the city continued to do well into the beginnings of the Christian era.
Today, nothing is left of Cleopatra's Temple, as it was used for materials to build a 19th century sugar refinery. The Temple dedicated to the god Montu still exists. Here, Montu is represented by the Buchis bull, which were buried in sacred vaults of the Bucheum near the Temple of Montu.
In ancient times, Armant was part of the Palladium of Thebes, which was sacred land placed under the protection of Montu. This is an area consisting of Hermonthis, North Karnak, Medamud and Tod.
Aswan
Aswan, Egypt's sunniest southern city and ancient frontier town located about 81 miles south of Luxor, has a distinctively African atmosphere. Its ancient Egyptian name was Syene. Small enough to walk around and graced with the most beautiful setting on the Nile, the pace of life is slow and relaxing. Days can be spent strolling up and down the broad Corniche watching the sailboats etch the sky with their tall masts or sitting in floating restaurants listening to Nubian music and eating freshly caught fish.
Asyut
Asyut is the largest town in Upper Egypt and lies about 234 miles south of Cairo. It is an old city which was first settled in pharaonic times, then the capital of the Thirteenth Nome of Upper Egypt and named Syut. Later, the Greeks renamed it Lycopolis which means 'city of the wolf'. This was due to the importance of the Jackal gods Wepwawet (Opener of Ways) and Anubis. Although the city was of considerable strategic value in its position between Upper and Lower Egypt, it somehow managed to stay clear of national importance as a capital.
Atfih
Atfih is located about 2 miles east of the Nile river and near the Fayoum Oasis. The Egyptian name is Tp-yhwt, or 'the first of the cows' referring to Hathor. This became Petpeh in Coptic, which in Arabic is Atfih. There is little historical here to see. Apparently there is an animal necropolis and some Greek era family tombs. Also Sepulchers of cows in huge limestone tombs, but these may not be open to the public yet.
El Badari
In reconstructing Egyptian history, the term Badarian is derived from the name of this small village South of Asyut. The term refers to the earliest era of the Predynastic period, when the Egyptians truly became and agricultural and stock breeding society. The cemetery nearby has yielded considerable artifacts dating from 5500 to 3800 BC.
Benha
Benha is located 48 km north of Cairo and was developed before the Greeks arrived in Egypt. Nearby are the remains of Athribis which was once the capital of the 10th Nome. Athribis was associated with the worship of the black bull. During the Roman period the city was at its greatest importance. There are little remains of the town except for traces of temples that date from the 18th to the 26th Dynasties. There is also an extensive Graeco-Roman cemetery. Some 26th to 30th Dynasty silver ingots and jewelry that were found at the Athribis site that are now in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Beni Suef
The capital of the Beni Suef governorate, Beni Suef is an important agricultural center which grew from a small village since the turn of the century and now hosts a population of over 150,000. It is famous for its linen manufacturing in the Middle Ages, and continues to be heavily involved in cotton-spinning and carpet making. Located about 75 miles south of Cairo, the Meidum Pyramid is nearby, as is the Fayoum Oasis.
The most interesting aspect of Beni Suef is the Museum. The first floor of the museum is devoted to Pharaonic items such as statues, canopic jars and saarcophagi and various Graeco-Roman items. Most of these items came from nearby Abusir and Heracleopolis Magna. The second floor is devoted to Coptic and Muslim items which came from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Bilbeis
Bilbeis is an ancient city that lies on the eastern edge of the southern Delta It has always been a fortress city. It was captured during the Islamic invasion of Egypt. During the crusades, it was the staging point for Muslim armies heading to Palestine. At the entrance to the city is the barrage built during the reign of Baybars and the Emir el-Geish Mosque which was originally built in 640 and renovated in 1593.
Bir Shalatein
Bir Shalatein is a small village located on the Egyptian border with Sudan. It was one a major seaport but is no longer. There are great dive sites in the area which mostly must be booked from dive charters further north. Few people visit the area, probably due to the need for permits which must usually be arranged well in advance. This is a very quite and remote Red Sea destination.
Cairo
Cairo is one of the greatest cities to explore, but it is not a fairytale city, with beautiful minarets and pitturesque bazars. Of course it has those, but they are not the essence of Cairo. Cairo is exciting, alive and with over 10 million people an overcrowded city. For further information on Cairo, please click here
Dahab
This pearl of the gulf actually consists of two villages, the Bedouin village of Assalah is the southern half, with the business and administrative center of Dahab to the north. Dahab means 'gold' in Arabic. In Sinai it means golden sands, turquoise sea and off-beat cafe life. It is a focus of tourism development, with swaying palms, fine sand and wonderful snorkeling opportunities. Dahab has excellent hotel accommodations, but also affords less expensive housing in the village, or camping. About 5 miles from town is the famous Blue Hole, for diving. Towards the Israeli border is the Island of Coral, where the Crusaders built a fort. The remains can still be seen.
Dairut
Dairut is a small City about 6 miles south of Deir Mawas, but there is little of historical interest here. It does have a large Christian population.
Damanhur
Damanhur is located 160 km northwest of Cairo in the middle of the western Delta. It was once the site of the city of Tmn-Hor, which was dedicated to Horus. One attraction for a visitor occurs in November when there is the Moulid of Sheikh Abu Rish. There is also a Jewish moulid that occurs over two days in January. The moulid is held at the shrine of a 19th century mystic called Abu Khatzeira. All non-Jewish Egyptians are kept out of the festival by the police. Most that attend are Europeans and Israelis that bring their sick relatives or bottled water that is blessed at the shrine during the festival.
Damietta
The Nile river divides Damietta, which is the Capital of the Egyptian Governorate by the same name. The city has had a long history, but alas much of its ancient history is gone, as is often the case in the Nile Delta cities due to the river's destructive forces. The Hebrews knew the city as Kaftoud. In ancient Egypt, it was Tamit, or Tim Any, while in the Roman era and Coptic eras, it was Tamyatish and Tameat, respectively.
Daraw
The main and really only attraction of this town just south of Kom Ombo is the camel market. Sometimes up to 2,000 camels are bought to the market, which is usually liveliest on Sundays. Most of the camels come from the Sudan in caravans up to Abu Simbel, where they are trucked the remainder of the way.
Durunka
About 6 miles south-west of Asyut on a cliff face lies the town of Durunka. The buildings here are modern, constructed by the Coptic leadership of Asyut. It is believed that the Holy Family stayed in the city's oldest church, which is built on an ancient quarry in the middle of the cliff. In a area that is heavily Christian (Coptic), the monastery and convent 'of the Holy Virgin' here is one of the most important, and is inhabited by around 50 nuns and monks. During the Moulid of the Virgin, many thousands of Christians pilgrimage here and there are daily religious parades. Nearby, other monasteries have churches which are dedicated to Saint Athanasius, Saint John the Baptist, Claudius, Philotas and Moncurius. Also nearby is a clearly visible rectangular opening in the cliff face which is generally believed to have been the hermitage of Saint John of Lycopolis.
El-Arish
Shady Palm-lined beaches, Mediterranean waves and the glowing colors of Bedouin crafts mark this northern sea resort town. Here, you will find good restaurants, hotels and several resort complexes. There is a Pharaonic fortress at El-Arish that was rebuilt by the Ottomans in 1560, Restored by Boneparte's troops in 1799, and destroyed by British bombers during World War I. In addition you will have a rare find in the permanent exhibition of the arts and traditions of the Bedouins near the zoological gardens on the edge of town.
Girga
Today, we are unsure whether the ancient site of This (Thinis), which was the capital of unified Egypt during the 1st and 2nd Dynasties, is Girga or the nearby village of Birba. The city derives its name from Saint George, for whom the local monastery is dedicated. At any rate, the approaches to Girga have for centuries been famed for the beauty of the landscape. There is a beautiful paved suq, and also the El-Sini (Porcelain Mosque), which at one time was almost washed away by the Nile. There are several ancient sites nearby including the Beit Qallaf, a necropolis where one may find 3rd Dynasty mudbrick tombs.
El Gouna
Under the silhouettes of sharp edged mountains and bordering the crystal waters of the Red Sea lies El Gouna, the region's most exclusive destination. Built on clusters of islands surrounded by turquoise lagoons, El Gouna spreads over 11 kilometers of the most pristine beachfront.
Hiw
Hiw is a modern town located in the southern bend of the Nile upriver from Qena and some miles south east of Girga. We note here that it was the capital of the Seventh Nome of Upper Egypt where Amun of Thebes and Hathor were worshipped, because there is nothing left of the ancient city.
El Lahun (Illahun)
About halfway between Beni Suef and the Fayoum, the town of El Lahun is located on the right bank of Joseph's Canal. This was the ancient town of Ro-hent, meaning 'mouth of the canal' which translated to coptic is Illahun. Notable for the Pyramid of Senwosret II, there are other sights to see in the area as well. Necropolises dating all the way from pre-Dynastic to the Roman era can be found in the hills around the town. A 12th Dynasty mastaba to the west of town under a hillock was the resting place of Chancellor Inpy, who designed Senwosret II's pyramid. Also nearby is the ancient town of Kahun, which was founded by Senwosret II for the people who worked on his pyramid.
Luxor
Luxor has often been called the worlds greatest open air museum, as indeed it is and much more. The number and preservation of the monuments in the Luxor area are unparalleled anywhere else in the world that know of. Actually, what most people think of as Luxor is really three different areas, consisting of the City of Luxor on the East side of the Nile, the town of Karnak just north of Luxor and Thebes, which the ancient Egyptians called Waset, which is on the west side of the Nile across from Luxor.
El Mansura
El Mansura is a relatively new city that was founded in 1220 AD by Sultan al-Kamil, who was Salah al-Din's nephew. The name El Mansura means 'the victorious' and is known as the 'city of vicotry'. The Crusaders reoccupied Damietta on the coast in 1249 and captured the town after the death of Kamil's son Sultan Ayyub. His death was hidden from the troops by his wife to keep their moral from falling. After a bout of food poisoning, the Crusader troops were weakened and the Muslims counter-attacked. They captured El Mansura as well as France's King Louis IX. He was ransomed for the return of Damietta. The city itself is an attractive city with elegant villas along the Nile. These villas are from the era when cotton was very important. The inhabitants are light-skinned and fair-haired and their city is regarded as the Queen of the Delta. It is located 55 km (34 miles) north of Zagazig.
El Minya
El Minya is called the 'Bride of Upper Egypt' do to its location which is roughly at the border of Upper and Lower Egypt. It lies about 153 miles south of Cairo and is a center for the manufacture of soap, perfume and sugar processing. It is also the provincial capital. Once a cotton center, there are some fine houses here, though not very old, which housed the Greek and Egyptian cotton barons, but now house government offices.
There is little historical to see here, though the tree lined Corniche along the Nile is pleasant. About four miles outside town is a Muslim and Christian cemetery called Zawiyyet al-Mayyiteen (Place of the Dead) which is said to be one of the largest cemeteries in the world. Other sights to see include the El-Umra Mosque, which is the town's oldest and the El-Lamati Mosque.
Minya obtained lately a reputation for Islamic opposition to the Egyptian government.
El Dikheila
El Kikheila lies on the coastal road between Alexandria and Mersa Matruh, just west of Alexandria. There is a military camp and near this, the ruins of an ancient monastery called Enaton. This monastery was built in the fifth century by monks who also left some evidence of their existence in the area of Lake Mariut and Wadi Natrun.
El-Tor (Tur Sinai)
El-Tor is a rapidly developing city and the capital of the South Sinai Governorate. It is a clean and modern city with a number of different tourist accommodations and amenities.
The Town of Fayed (Fayid)
Fayed is peaceful holiday paradise with year-round sunshine. On the Bitter Lake, Fayed is between Ismailia and Suez, and is said to be the nearest resort to Cairo. A relatively new resort area that is blooming, it offers a beautiful blend of palm trees, sandy beaches, clear waters and green open spaces.
Hurghada
Hurghada was founded in the early 20th century, and until a few years ago, remained a small fishing village. But today, it has gone on to become the foremost tourist resort of the Red Sea coast and an international center for aquatic sports. If it takes place in or on the water you can do it here: windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, swimming, but, above all, snorkeling and diving. The unique underwater gardens offshore are some of the finest in the world, justifiably famous amongst divers. The warm waters here are ideal for many varieties of rare fish and coral reefs, which may also be observed through glass bottom boats. This area has many fine accommodations, usually offering warm and efficient service. Restaurants are mostly along the main road. While in Hurghada, don't miss the museum and aquarium, with their complete collections of flora and fauna of the Red Sea.
Ihnasya el Madina (Ihnasiya el-Medina)
This town has been known by many names. Today it is sometimes called Ihnasiya Umm el-Kimam which means 'mother of the shards'. In ancient times it was called Nen-nesu, or Hwt-nen-nesu which means 'house of the royal child'. It was the capital of the twentieth Nome of Upper Egypt. Later, it became the town of Heracleopolis Magna to the Greeks, and later Hennes in Coptic and Ahnas in Arabic.
During the chaotic and relatively unknown period of the 9th and 10th Dynasties, the city became very important as the seat of power for Lower Egypt, and at times, virtually all of Egypt. These rulers were later ousted by the Thebian Kings. Needless to say, there are a number of ruins in the area.
The ancient ruins of the city covers an area of about 165 acres. There was a temple of Herishef built by Ramesses II in a depresion to the southwest, but this is mostly gone and all that remain are scattered blocks. When built, it had a columned court, a columned portico with palm decorated capitals and two colossi seated statues of Ramesses II. There was also a hypostyle hall with twenty four columns that opened onto a pronaos and sanctuary. To the south near some Roman ramparts is a very old cemetery, military tombs from
Ismailia
The Ismailia Governorate consists of an area of approximately 4482.8 km2 or 0.46% of Egypt's area, along the west bank of the Suez Canal. It has 70 km along the east coast.
Isna (Esna)
Isna is located about 33 miles south of Luxor. The town's Greek name was Latopolis and here fish (lates) where thought to embody the goddess Neith, who was sacred to the area. Isna was increasingly important during the 18th dynasty due to Egypt's developing relationship with the Sudan. There was a route established between Isna and Derr. Later, the city slowly declined until it received renewed interest during the 26th Dynasty. Later, under the Greeks and Romans, it became the capital of the Third Nome of Upper Egypt.
Kom Ombo
The Town of Kom Ombo is located about 41 miles south of Idfu. Kom Ombo is the ancient site of Ombos, which is from the ancient Egyptian word 'nubt', which means 'City of Gold'. It has been occupied since prehistoric times. In ancient Egypt, the city was important to the caravan routes from Nubia and various gold mines. The local industry is primarily agriculture, including irrigated sugar cane and corn. Besides the native Egyptians, there is a large population of Nubians who were displaced from their land when Lake Nasser was created. It is a nice place to visit, but is usually a day trip from Aswan.
The major attraction here is the Temple of Kom Ombo, located on a hill west of the village. There is a wonderful view of the countryside from the Temple, and south of here is the Roman Chapel of Hathor. It was dedicated to the wife of Horus, and is used to store mummified crocodiles form the nearby animal necropolis and a few sarcophagi.
Qift and Koptos
The ruins of Koptos lay in the center of the modern City of Qift. The locals here rebelled during Diocletian's rule and for this the city was destroyed, so little remains to tell the tale of the glory of this ancient city. Its position of importants was superseded in the Mameluke period by Ques, to the South and in modern times by Qena in the North.
The principle god worshipped here was Min, (Pan to the Greeks) and both Koptos and Min date to the beginnings of recorded history in Egypt. In this context, Min was the protector of the gold mines, quarries and caravan routes. But the only remains of his temple are some foundations and bits and pieces of the enclosure wall. In fact, the only monuments which remain relatively intact or towards the south. There, one may find a single gateway dating from Claudius, the uprights of a door from Ptolemy XII and Caligula, and the chapel to Cleopatra.
Just north of Qift is also the small Temple of El-Qal'a which dates from Roman times, dedicated to Isis and Harpocrates.
Mersa Matrouh
Mersa Matrouh lies 290 km. West of Alexandria and 222 km. from Sallum. The distance from Cairo to Matrouh is 524 km. It lies on a bay on the Mediterranean and is distinguished by its seven km. long beach, which-as all visitors have testified-is one of the most beautiful in the world.
The beach is famous for its white soft sands and calm transparent
Mersa Alam
Mersa Alam is a village with a small harbor and stone quay. It is the ideal base for a fishing holiday. The Dokki Shooting Club has a resthouse here and can arrange deep sea fishing trips. Sharks, lobsters, turtles and muraena are among the catches. There are some fine offshore coral reefs and diving facilities are being developed. A nature reserve stretches from here to Gebel Elba in the south.
Naqada
Though there is little to see at Naqada, this was a necropolis which contained burials from Egyptian pre-history. Excavations here were so important that the site's name lends itself to the pre-history periods between 3800-3100 BC, and are called Naqada I, II and III. The deceased were found in fetal positions on their sides, with surrounding pots, schist offering basins and terracotta figurines. This indicated a belief in the afterlife, given that the burial items where meant to assist the dead.
The village of Naqada itself is interesting in that perhaps seventy five percent of the population is Christian. There are several ruined monasteries nearby.
Nuweiba
Noweiba can be divided into three main sections and runs for some ways along the beach. The three areas consist of the port of Noweiba which has become fairly busy these days, Noweiba City which has a bazaar and tourist shops, and Tarabin which is the real party area of the area.
Port Said
The origins of Port Said is that of a working camp founded in 1859 by Said Pasha to house men working on the Suez Canal. By the late 19th century, it was an important port where all the major maritime powers had consulates. Much of the city was built on a section of Lake Manzala which was reclaimed by landfill.
The City was damaged during the Suez Crisis, and again during the wars of 1967 and 1973, but the city has largely been rebuilt and today is a pleasant city of 400,00 people. It is also considered a summer resort by Egyptians and the beach is lined with vacation bungalows. The main street, with most commercial enterprises, is Sharia Palestine
Qena
Qena is a provincial capital located about 57 miles from El Balyana and 39 miles north of Luxor. It is most famous for its proximity to the ruins of Dendara. It owes its modern prosperity to the opening of the Wadi Qena towards the Red Sea, which is a major traffic route between Upper Egypt and the Red Sea. Tourists traveling between Luxor and the Red Sea will assuredly pass through this City.
The city also has a considerable Islamic heritage and a famous Mosque. The Maghrebi Abd el-Rahim settled in Qena upon his return from Mecca and founded a Sufi center here. Upon his death in 1195, the mosque was built above his tomb and became a place of pilgrimage. There is a huge modern mosque of Sheikh el-Qenawi in the main square which attests to his importance.
Qus
Qus was founded in 1083. There are two ruined gates at Qus that are all that remain of the Temple of Harwer (Horus the Elder). They are also all that remain of Apollinopolis Parva, the ancient name of Qus. This was a relatively unimportant area until the opening of an alternate route to the Red Sea during the 13th century. After that, Qus replaced Gift as the primary commercial center for trading with Africa, India, Arabia and Yemen. In fact, it became the second most important Islamic town in Egypt (after Cairo) during the medieval times
Today, Qus is the site of a major US/German commercial project to convert the waste products of sugar cane refining (bagasse) into paper products.
Quseir
Al-Quseir, known in Ptolemaic times as the White Harbor, has a long history as one of the major ports of the Red Sea. From here, Queen Hatshepsut launched her expedition to the Land of Punt, as depicted in the reliefs in Deir el-Bahari temple at Luxor. Legend has it that the expedition returned with two live panthers and 21 incense trees. The 16th century fortress of Sultan Selim, still standing in the center of town, shows al-Quseir's former strategic importance. Today, it is a quiet resort with sandy beaches, clear waters and coral reefs. The town's narrow streets are lined with colorful bazaars which have a decidedly Bedouin accent. An ancient caravan trail, to Qift in the Nile Valley, leads from al-Quseir through the mountains, passing several Pharaonic and Roman sites. A new road, directly to Luxor, opens soon.
Rafah
Twenty-seven miles from El-Arish is the border town of Rafah. Notable is the changing geography, where rainfall begins to be notably heavier, and so vegetation begins to be far more lush. There are several Bedouin markets about, and apparently local leaders are attempting to introduce the area to tourism. The town marks the Egyptian border with the Giza Strip.
Ras el-Hikma
Ras el-Hikma has some beautiful beaches, and an official camping site. It is located about 30 miles east of Marsa Matruh and might make a pleasant distraction on the way there. The town is little more than a Bedouin village, and is situated on an land mass that juts out into the Med.
Ras As-Sudr
Ras As Sudr is an industrial town located about 37 miles south of the Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel, which connects mainland Egypt to Sinai, and is the second most important town on the Gulf of Suez after El-Tor. However, there are a number of resorts growing up around the town, and these have become popular retreats for residents of Cairo. Look for more information here as we expand this section in the future, as more information becomes available and the new resorts are finished.
Rosetta (Rashid)
With its deep-rooted history, unmatchable civilization and everlasting monuments, Egypt has always attracted the attention and admiration of Egyptologists as well as fans from all corners of the globe. This has developed into what came to be known as Egyptomania. In this context, celebrations were held last July simultaneously in Britain and France o mark the bicentenary of the discovery the Rosetta Stone ( July 1799 )
Safaga (Port Safaga or Bur Safaga)
Safaga, or Port Safaga (Bur Safaga) is a working port located 37 miles from Safaga with several tourist villages specializing in diving holidays, a handful of hotels and some excellent fish restaurants. Its unspoiled beaches and stiff breezes made it the ideal venue for the 1993 World Windsurfing Championships. Day trips to Tobia Island or Mons Claudianus in the Red Sea Mountains can be arranged with local guides
Sallum
While Sallum is not a tourist area, there are nevertheless one hotel (al-Ahrum) and a few other places to stay. However, this is certainly not a town familiar with western travelers. This was the ancient Roman port of Baranis, and there are still some Roman wells in the area. It is also a Bedouin trading center. It sits on the Egyptian North Coast, but it's location basically on the boarder with Libya about as far east as one may travel in Egypt means that it is out of the way of most everything, with few attractions other than a WWII Commonwealth war cemetery. There is a post office and a National Bank of Egypt branch, and some nearby beaches may be isolated and attractive. However, one should ask for permission prior to visiting these.
Sharm el-Sheikh
The simplicity of sun, sea and sand. The luxury of five-star hotels, water sports, shopping and entertainment. This is Sharm el-Sheikh, one of the most accessible and developed tourist resort communities on the Sinai peninsula. All around are Bedouins, colorful tents, mountains and sea. There are small, intimate hotels with modern designs, as well as larger hotel complexes belonging to International chains, plus about all the amenities one could expect of a tourist center, including casinos, discos and nightclubs, golf courses and health facilities. In fact, with diving and snorkeling, windsurfing and other water sports, horses and camel riding, desert safaris, and great nearby antiquities attractions, it is almost impossible for a visitor to ever suffer from boredom.
Sidi Abdel Rahman
About 15 miles west of El Alamein lies Sidi Abdel Rahman, with beautiful sugar white beaches and the Mediterranean. This is one of those virgin beach areas you read about but rarely see. Bedouins inhabit a small village a little over a mile away. There is a beach resort located here.
Sohag
Located about 72 miles south of Asyut, the City of Sohag is the captial of the Sohag governorate. It is also a major Coptic Christian center for Upper Egypt. There is little here other than the White and Red Monasteries just outside town. Of somewhat more interest is the town of Akhmin just across the river. Most tourists visit this area as a day trip.
Sidi Barani
Sidi Barani is a town on the Northern Coast of Egypt situated East of the Libyan boarder and west of Marsa Matruh. Mostly it is a Bedouin community with food and gasoline resources, a single small hotel, and very little if any tourist activity or historical curiosities.
Suez (el-Suweis)
Suez (el-Suweis) is located on the Southern tip of the Suez Canal, and has been a commercial port since the 7th century. The spice trade and pilgrimages to Mecca made it prosperous throughout the Middle Ages. It became a naval base in the 15th century and, in 1869, the opening of the Suez Canal ensured its development as a modern city. Today, Suez is one of Egypt's largest ports. It is situated near the scenic Ataga Hills (Jebel Ataga), about 134 kilometers (83 miles) from Cairo and 88 kilometers (55 miles) from Ismailia, this city affords an excellent view of Sinai and the Red Sea. It is also interesting to watch ships passing through the Canal form Suez's vantage point.
Taba
With it's five star hotels, Taba is a meeting of borders. It overlooks Jordan, Israel and Saudi Arabia, and Egypt has major plans for this area as a tourism center. It currently has good restaurants and beach cafes, and the border can be crossed on foot, with bus service into Eilat.
Taba Heights is a new Beach Resort community which, when completed, will offer many different activities.
Tanta
Tanta is Egypt's fifth largest city (the largest in the Delta) and is located 94 km (59 miles) north of Cairo and 130 km (81 miles) southeast of Alexandria, in the heart of the Gharbiya province. There are about 335,000 people in Tanta and a major university is located here. Tanta is reached by the Damietta branch of the Nile and northwest and by way of Birket el-Sab.
This city comes to life in late October at the end of the cotton harvest. About two million people from around the Delta and other parts of the Arab world come for the Moulid of Sayid Ahmed el-Badawi, which is an eight day celebration. The moulid is centered around the Mosque and Tomb of Sayid Ahmed el Badawi. El Badawi was the founder of one of Egypt's largest Sufi orders called Badawiya. He was born in Morocco, but emigrated to Arabia. He was sent to Tanta in 1234 as a representative of the order from Iraq. He was given permission to start a new order in Tanta and it soon flourished. His tomb was destroyed in the mid-nineteenth century but another was built and is the center of the festival. During the festival many sugar-coated nuts called 'hubb el Azziz' ('seeds of the Beloved Prophet') are eaten. They have been considered a delicacy since ancient times. The Museum of Tanta contains collections from present day back to Pharaonic times.
Tod
Todd is an ancient city which dates to the Old Kingdom. It lies just across the Nile from Armant, but really little is known of the area due to the fact that most of the ancient town is still buried under the modern housing in the area. There is a temple and sacred lake that dates to Ptolemaic times and scenes commemorating its foundation can be found towards the back. In the chapel-shrine of Thutmose II, which was designed to receive the sacred barque of Montu, there is a falcon-headed god surmounted by a solar disk, two uraei and two tall feathers. Under this Middle Kingdom sanctuary were found considerable gold and silver ingots, silver chalices and lapis lazuli buried in four chests and now in the Egyptian and Louvre museums.
El-Qusiya
Al-Qusiya is a small town about 22 miles south of Mallawi. The City was originally settled in the the Old Kingdom and was the ancient City of Cusae. It was the capital of the Fourteenth Nome of Upper Egypt, where Hathor, who became the Greek goddess Aphrodite Urania, was worshipped. The main interest here is the Deir al-Muharraq (the Burnt Monastery) which is about 5 miles south-west of town, and about 4 miles west of that, the Tombs of Mir. There are a few hotels in the area, but usually visits here consist of day trips.
Zafarana
Zafarana is simply a small village that many go through to reach the monasteries of St. Anthony and St. Paul, nearby. It is a quite little village, but the area is being rapidly developed into Red Sea Resorts.
Zagazig
Zagazig is the capital of the Sharqiyyah Province and is located 50 miles northeast of Cairo. It was founded in the 1820's as a camp to house workers on the barrages of the eastern branch of the Nile.
It was the birthplace of Colonel Ahmed Orabi who led the revolt against the British in 1882. It is located on the Muweis Canal and is the chief center of the corn and cotton trade. There is a small museum called the Orabi Museum that contains some interesting archaeological exhibits.
There are the ruins of Bubastis located 3 km southeast of town. Bubastis was the ancient capital of the 12th nome and is home to the feast celebrating the cat-goddess Bastet. Bubastis is the Greek name of the Egyptian Per-Bastet. Bubastis became the capital of Egypt in the 22nd and 23rd Dynasties. There are remains of the temples built by Osorkon II and Nectanebo II. Catacombs where the sacred cats were buried are located behind an Old Kingdom chapel remains that are from the period of Pepi I.
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