Siwa

A desert oasis near the Libyan border, known for its salt lakes, springs, mud-brick ruins and Amazigh culture.

Siwa lies deep in Egypt's Western Desert near the Libyan border. This oasis sits below sea level, ringed by date palms and olive groves, and its people preserve a distinctive Siwan Amazigh culture. Highlights include the ruins of the old town of Shali, built of salt-rich mud brick; the Temple of Amun, where Alexander the Great is said to have consulted the oracle; Cleopatra's Spring; salt lakes where you can float; and dune bashing in the Great Sand Sea. The best season is Oct–Apr. The usual route is about 300 km by road from Marsa Matruh, and there are also long-distance buses from Cairo.

Destinations

• Siwa Oasis

Itineraries

• El Alamein, Siwa Oasis & Alexandria – Travel west along the Mediterranean via El Alamein to Siwa, wrapping up in Alexandria on the way back to avoid a long…