Siwa Oasis is a less-travelled area of Egypt just 50km from the Libya border. A fantastic get-away to escape the busy bustle of Cairo, Alexandria, and Luxor, especially in high season, Siwa Oasis should be considered for every Egypt itinerary.
Why Go to Siwa Oasis?
Siwa is the largest of Egypt’s nearly seven Oases (I’m yet to understand why it’s ‘nearly’ seven…), and is absolutely seeping in culture and history. The Shali fortress is a breath-taking spectacle standing high above the town. The sand sea lay close by for a desert safari and sand sports. This area of Egypt is also much less crowded than the big attractions in Cairo and Luxor, giving you a chance to truly absorb the culture and take things slow.
How To Get There
The Siwa Oasis is roughly an 8 hour drive from Cairo. However, it is heavily advised against driving there yourself. Military checkpoints line the road between, often refusing tourists to pass through alone without a military escort. We recommend organizing transport to the oasis via busses, or even booking a fully guided tour.
To get there by bus, you can either travel by day, stopping at Marsa Matruh, or travel direct by night.
Travel By Day
The first step is to head to Marsa Matruh. Busses can be booked online or at a bus station in person. Get more information about this bus route on getbybus. We found stopping here gave us a good chance to enjoy the Mediterranean before moving on inland.
The next step is to get a microbus from Marsa Matruh. Microbuses to Siwa depart not far from where you alighted in Marsa Matruh. These buses will leave when full, and will cost you around 100EGP.
Travel By Night
There is a direct overnight bus option from Cairo to Siwa; getbybus will give you a good overview of your options. This option will allow you to squeeze more into your Egypt itinerary, combining sleep and travel, at the cost of a rather uncomfortable night’s sleep. This option also skips the intermediary stop of Marsa Matruh, which in our opinion is worth the slightly longer option of travelling by day.
Things To Do in Siwa Oasis
Here is an overview of the top things to do in Siwa.
- Walk Through the Shali Fortress
- Visit the Tombs in the Mountain of the Dead
- Float in the Natural Salt Lakes
- Dune Bash and Sand Board in the Sand Sea
- Watch the Sunset Over The Oasis
Shali Fortress
Shali Fortress stands in the middle of town, and is honestly like a step back in time. Tourists are able to walk through the ruins, and it is possible to hire a local guide to take to take you to the best locations within the fortress.
Mountain of the Dead
The Mountain of the Dead is home to many ancient tombs, including the notable tomb of Si-Amun. It is recommended not to talk when entering these tombs, as breath can damage the millennia-old paintings.
Salt Lakes
The salt lakes in the desert are mesmerizing pools of bright blue, that not only look beautiful but are a wonder to swim in with incredibly high salt content. Like the dead sea, you will naturally float in these lakes, and the salt is great for you skin.
Sand Sea
Organized trips into the sand sea will let you experience dune bashing, riding in 4x4s across desert dunes, and sandboarding, the desert’s answer to snowboarding.
Sunset Over Siwa Oasis
There are some beautiful places to watch the sunset in the desert, but the best for us was at Fatnis Island. Small wooden structures head out slightly into the lake, with comfortable seating all around to chill out and watch the sunset. A juice bar is also available, so grab a smoothie and relax!
Food and Accommodation in Siwa Oasis
There are many options for accommodation in Siwa Oasis, but one place stood out to us above the rest: Carols Ghaliet Ecolodge. The complex surrounds a beautiful garden with a swimming pool, and the rooms are traditional Siwan rooms built from mudbrick. The staff there were friendly, and taxis and minivans had no problems finding the place. We thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast served here, with good size portions and more western-style options for those who need it.
As for restaurants, once again you are spoiled for choice, but we do have some recommendations. Tanta Wa (or Jubana Cafe on google maps) is a beautiful place to eat with great food and a huge pool to swim in before your meal. Tekeyet Elamir is another strong contender, with some of the best food we ate during our trip to Egypt. Both of these places have a good mix of authentic Egyptian food and western meals if you fancy.
One of our top experiences was a picnic in the desert. Whilst not a full meal, snacking on locally-grown bananas, watermelons, and peanuts whilst in the middle of the Sahara was possibly the most scenic picnic we’ve ever experienced. When heading into the sand sea, see if you can include this in your trip.
Final Tips for Siwa Oasis
As a final note, we would heavily recommend hiring a guide for your trip to Siwa. Whilst this option is more expensive, the extra expenditure is worth the safety and security of having a local with you who knows the area, and often tours will include transportation from Cairo.
For more ideas for your Egypt itinerary, check out all of our articles about Egypt. To help plan your trip, visit our travel advice for Egypt.
