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Egypt North Coast

Published: 07/27/2009 by Andrew Muigai

A vacation in Egypt is without doubt one of the most popular forms of travel in Africa. Egypt has many great attractions, with the northern coast being one of them. Every year, this region receives millions of visitors, making it one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world. Sahel Shimali, as the area is known in Arabic, is a 500 kilometer coastal stretch from the Marsa Matrouh village at the border with Libya, all the way to Agami, a resort town just west of Alexandria.

Northern Egypt has become a preferred holiday destination both for foreign tourists (Arab and European) who come for relaxation and to enjoy the year-round sun, and for Egyptians resident in Cairo and Alexandria, who come for vacations here to cool off during summer. Today, this northern coast ranks together with the Nile River, the sandy beaches and turquoise waters of the Red Sea, and the historical sites from ancient Egypt, as some of the best tourism attractions in Egypt.

There are many beautiful spots along the Northern Coast from Alexandria to Mersa Matrouh, among them Sidi Abdel Rahman resort. Situated in secluded bay with very clear waters, Sidi Abdel Rahman has several villas and hotels. In Mersa Matrouh, a natural bay and unspoilt beach, you will find perhaps the finest spot for swimming and sunbathing in Egypt. To many travelers, Mersa Matrouh is among the most beautiful beaches in the world, with its soft white sand and amazingly clean waters. It is located 290 km west of Alexandria, and dates back to the days of Alexander the Great.

Mersa Matrouh has a number of other attractions besides the beaches. Cleopatra’s Bath is one of these. Anthony and Cleopatra are believed to have used this off-shore rock-hewn whirlpool bath. The others are an early coptic chapel, the ruins of an ancient temple fort constructed by Ramses II, and Rommel’s Hideout a cave that was used for planning military campaigns during world war II, and is now a military museum.

Ageebah Beach, situated about 28 km west of Mersa Matrouh, is also a huge attraction in the region and it is famed for its enchanting scenery and many natural caves. Al-Abyad Beach, placed just 20 km west of Mersa Matrouh,is equally alluring with many visitors believing it is even more beautiful than the Mersa Matrouh beach.

Alexandria, the second largest city in Egypt, is in its own right a great travel destination. Popularly known as the Pearl of the Mediterranean, Alexandria has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern, yet it is situated only about 200 km from Cairo. It is also distinguished from the other Egyptian cities by its cultural and historical heritage and its general ambiance.

Alexander the Great founded the city of Alexandria in 331 BC. The architect Denokrates II designed the city in the shape of a chessboard. Today, Alexandria is best known for commerce and an interaction of multiple cultures, and bohemian lifestyle. It’s population stands at over 3 million people. Many of Egypt’s tour attractions are found in Alexandria, including museums, several ancient monuments, and a number of beautiful beaches.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria is among the popular tourism destinations in Alexandria. The Lighthouse was originally built in 280 BC to serve as that port’s landmark. With a height variously estimated at between 115 and 135 metres (383 - 440 ft) it was among the tallest man made structures on earth for many centuries, and was identified as one of the 7 Wonders of the World by classical writers.

The weather along Egypt’s Mediterranean coast becomes drier and hotter as you travel westwards. However, in Alexandria it is windy and cold during winter, accompanied by torrential rains. You may not be able to swim in the Mediterranean sea until June when the sea gets warm enough. You can however be sure of continuous sunshine from April to November.

In Egypt, including in the northern coast, you will find a variety of hotels and accommodation facilities, from 5-star luxury resorts, to budget lodging. If your trip to Egypt falls in the popular winter season, it is best you make your hotel reservations in advance. Generally, Egypt is a good value destination, and therefore Egypt hotel rates are cheaper when compared to equivalent hotels in many other travel destinations in Africa.