Egypt is one of those countries which has been blessed with a plethora of magical locations. From the crystal blue waters of the north coast to the enchanting mountains of the Sinai Peninsula to the glorious greatness of the pyramids just to name a few. One of those beautiful locations which is arguably not being mentioned as much as it should be though, is the Siwa Oasis.
Siwa is located in the western desert of Egypt, not too far from the border with Libya. It is around 500 Km from Cairo. Siwa quite literally looks like a piece of heaven amidst the endless sand of the desert in which it is located.
Siwa is renowned for its breathtaking natural scenery in the form of serene green areas, its soothing lakes and its traditional local markets which clearly reflect the unique culture of the place and the friendliness of its local community. All those reasons (and many more) make Siwa a prime destination for spiritual tourism where people seek spiritual serenity through connecting with nature.
So now that we’ve given you a brief idea of what Siwa is all about, let’s get a little bit specific and talk in a bit more detail about some of the countless activities you can do while you’re staying at this magical place.
Siwa Salt Quarry
A must do activity when you’re in Siwa is going for a swim in the Salt quarry located just outside the town. The water has a very high concentration of salt and so, if you’re afraid of fish or any sort of marine life, you have nothing to worry about when swimming there. The quarry water is also known as healing water due to being rich in minerals.
This quarry, in addition to being a tourist attraction, is actually a main pillar of the Siwa economy where it plays a critical role in the salt export business.
Cleopatra’s Well
The name suggests that Cleopatra did use this particular well, but it turns out that is actually not true. Cleopatra has been known to use warm water for bathing and this well is basically a warm water spring and that’s why it has become known as Cleopatra’s well.
Taking a dip in the well is an amazing way to relax, especially after a busy day of sightseeing. The well is located inside the town where it is conveniently surrounded by local cafes and restaurants.
Great Sand Sea Safari and Sandboarding
If you’ve had enough of relaxation and are looking for a little change of pace, maybe a bit of an adrenaline rush, then this can be a great option to consider.
The Great Sand Sea desert is a sight to behold on its own which only serves to add to the magic of the safari experience. You’ll basically get in cars with local drivers, put on your seat belt and enjoy a thrilling ride driving through the sand dunes. An experience which you shall probably not soon forget.
You’ll also make stops next to some of the bigger sand dunes for some sandboarding fun. Take care though, climbing those sand dune and reaching the top looks a lot easier than it actually is.
The Tombs of the Mountain of the Dead
Don’t let the name scare you. Even though the name looks like it came straight out of a horror movie, this is actually an exciting experience that is not to be missed if you’re in Siwa.
The Mountain of the Dead is located north of the town and scattered throughout the mountain are ancient tombs that date back to the Ptolemaic and Roman era. The mountain has also played a pivotal role in more recent historical events where the locals used those tombs for shelter during World War 2 when Siwa was being bombed by the Italians.
Walking on a mountain that has witnessed so much history is enough to give most visitors an emotional sense of respect and excitement towards this historic site.
Fatnas Island
Very famous for its magically beautiful sunsets. The sunsets are that special over there compared to other places to the extent that it is the main reason why tourists visit the island.
The sunset can be enjoyed while sitting in one of the two café’s available on the island sipping a refreshing drink, lying on a hammock or sitting next to a fire pit in preparation to enjoy the cool desert night breeze. So, the whole setting is basically tailored to allow visitors to enjoy those beautiful sunsets this island is famous for.
So, if you’re ever in Siwa, be sure to check out Fatnas Island.
How do I travel to Siwa
The most basic way is to take a flight to Marsa-Alam Airport in Egypt and from there to either take a bus or drive a car to Siwa. It roughly takes around 4 hours to reach Siwa by bus and 3 hours by car.With that, we conclude our article discussing the magical experience of the Siwa oasis as well as going through some of the activities you can engage in while you’re there. If you would like to get more information and read various other interesting articles, we invite you to check out myBayut blog and stay up to date with the latest we have to offer.
