Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone has had to put everything they planned on hold and that includes vacations and trips, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy discovering more about the places you wish to visit, because surely you will get to see them sooner than later once all this is over.
Siwa Oasis is an amazing and magnificent oasis found between the Qattara Depression and the Great Sand Sea in Egypt. It’s such a popular tourist attraction that it was given the name of Oasis of Amun Ra due to its role in Ancient Egypt as the home to an oracle of Ammon. There is a richness in culture as well as beauty in its nature. The best time to visit the oasis is during the Wintertime for you to get the best experience out of your trip.
Indulge in Siwa’s never-ending adventures
Siwa Oasis holds many different attractions for you to see and to start you off there is the Temple of the Oracle of Amun which was believed to have been built by Alexander who was officially named the son of Amun. It is the most significant temple built in the Egyptian desert in its time and was dedicated to Amun who was the God of the desert.
Another amazing sight is the Mountain of the Dead where tombs cover most of the mountain. The tombs were built ever since the 26th dynasty and Ptolemaic and Roman times. In the very middle, you can find the Ancient Tombs of the Pharaonic King and his family members. You can also climb to the peak of the mountain to see a panoramic view of Siwa.
Visit the Shali Fortress to find ruins built with a mix of clay and salt called Karshef. You can climb up for a beautiful view of the oasis or enjoy the handcraft shops you will find going down with many unique goods at reasonable prices.
Next, you can visit the Museum of Siwan Traditions which is located in a traditional Siwan house. It holds many traditional objects including jewelry, musical instruments, costumes and ceramics. This house was built by a Canadian diplomat to help preserve and display many of Siwa’s artifacts.
Cleopatra’s Pool is where Cleopatra used to water as her natural bath and has now been surrounded by Arabian Desert themed cafes and local shops, and it is a sight to witness. Enjoy swimming in the popular natural warm groundwater or sit at one of the amazing cafes playing beautiful music.
Looking for fun activities in Siwa?
Two things you cannot miss are the sand-boarding and safari trips done in Siwa. The Great Sand Sea safari is sure to be one of the most exciting safaris there is. You can also camp in the desert to watch the starry nights and have a chill evening toasting marshmallows, or have Siwian desert tea and a delicious meal while you’re watching the sunset in the middle of the desert.
For a means of transportation, try renting a bike or hop into local tricycles to take you on a tour or wherever you need to go. Also, don’t miss a chance to taste the deliciousness of locally produced foods such as dates and olives, which are Siwa’s primary crops. Another amazing place to eat is Abdu’s Restaurant, located at Siwa’s Market Square. Known for not only a great dining menu, but also a delicious breakfast menu.
Discover the Taghaghien Touristic Island; a beautiful African-themed village in the middle of the lake in Siwa. The entire island is handmade, even the bathrooms are made with desert stone. It’s a unique experience to enjoy a night in one of the African houses, with nothing but moonlit lake and desert to surround you.
Book a night in Siwa’s Ecolodge Adrere Amellal – a beautiful hotel made entirely out of mud and salt with no electricity, but is only candle-lit. It’s the perfect getaway as it is built away from the town, so you can have the chance to meditate and disconnect from anything and everything around you.
Attend the at-Tagmigra festival or a Sufi Dhikr circle, both very different. The festival is held after corn harvest in the Summer, where Dhikr is performed outside the small tomb shrine of Sidi Suleiman. On the other hand, the Sufi Dhikr circle is a gathering held each Thursday where Sufists immerse in prayers and chants. These gatherings are of spirituality which is why you have to show respect to this aspect if you wish to attend.
Whether you’re interested in visiting historical attractions, or just planning a trip to experience the adventurous side of the oasis, you will not regret the beauty of it as it is something you don’t witness in everyday life. Don’t forget to buy local souvenirs to help you remember an already unforgettable trip.
Sherif Khalil is Owner of Dunes & Beyond. Dunes & Beyond offers luxury tours, Nile cruises and desert safaris in Egypt.If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Sherif Khalil is the Chairman and Founder of Dunes & Beyond, a company he established after spending 11 years in the field of luxury tourism. Dunes & Beyond is a travel company that provides luxury tours, where tourists are sure to experience excitement and thrills, but with a 'five star' attitude. Egypt is one of the main destinations alongside Jordan, Sudan and Morocco. When tourists book with Dunes & Beyond, they gain access to private guided tours, the best Egyptologists, luxury accomodations and more. Dunes & Beyond is the first travel company in Egypt to offer glamping; having the fun of camping in the deserts, but in a more luxurious form. Having spent a lot of time with international VIPs, organizing and arranging high-end journeys, Sherif Khalil is set on a vision to fill the gaps left by other travel companies and is determined to provide the highest quality services to all travelers and tourists.
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12 Comments
You know, I’m familiar with the Oasis of Amun Ra but Siwa isn’t ringing any bells. I’ve never been to Egypt and I guess my geographical knowledge of the area is pretty thin on the ground. It sounds like a fascinating place to explore with plenty of historical and cultural ‘attractions’, for lack of a better word. The Mountain of the Dead sounds pretty ominous and yet I find that strangely intriguing! I guess a lot of people have an inner explorer for all things mysterious leftover from their childhood. Taking a safari would be an excellent way to cover more ground and it’s good to have another option for eco friendly travel with bike and tricycle hire available. I don’t think I would have really considered somewhere like this before but now I’m actually really liking the idea of visiting and doing something a little off the beaten track away from your typical holidays. Great post.
Siwa is a remote oasis in Egypt, however it is full of Roman monuments, moreover it is part of the great Sand Sea, so you can imagine the adventure you can have there.
Best,
Sherif Khalil
Fascinating place. I used to like learning about Ancient Egypt years back in school so it would be pretty awesome to check out the tombs and ruins and artefacts first hand. So you can actually use the water at Cleopatra’s Pool? Bet that get quite popular in peak tourist season.
So glad to know you are interested in Ancient History of Egypt.
Yes you can swim in Cleopatra Spring and there are more well and springs over there is Siwa.
Best,
Sherif Khalil
It’s truly fascinating, indeed. And that’s what I was picturing when I read about Cleopatra’s pool. I figured that would get a lot of tourists, or at least it would in the past. Maybe visiting Egypt sometime soon isn’t such a bad idea to avoid the crowds.
This is absolutely beautiful! I loved learning about the history, culture, and overall ambiance that Siwa offers. I had no idea that it had so many cool local adventures to take part in and restaurants to explore. I’m especially interested in traveling to the Taghaghien Touristic Island, it sounds so beautiful and serene to be in the middle of nowhere like that!
So glad to know you are interested in Ancient History of Egypt.
Siwa is a remote oasis in Egypt, however it is full of Roman monuments, moreover it is part of the great Sand Sea, so you can imagine the adventure you can have there.
Best,
Sherif Khalil
How romantic would that be to have dinner out in the middle of the desert under the stars? Just got to find me a partner and I’m good to go! Seriously though, Siwa looks like a beautiful place to visit and it’s well balanced whether you want to be more active or take things down a notch to just enjoy the view.
Pleasant to know you liked Siwa, there is a famous ecolodge there called “Adrere Ameellal” where there is no electricity.
Please contact us anytime when you need to plan your trip.
Best,
Sherif
There have been some really great posts about Egypt recently. I’m learning a lot about the country. I guess I only imagined the pyramids and maybe the coastal cities. But this was really informative to know there are many sides to Egypt, so much to see and do there. It seems like such a unique country to travel to.
Totally agree with you.Egypt has much more than the Pyramids, and even if we talk about Pyramids, we have much more than Giza Pyramids, read our next article and you will know more about the unknown pyramids in Egypt. Looking forward to hosting you with our company in Egypt soon.
Best,
Sherif
It was amazing. And that’s what I was picturing when I read about Cleopatra’s pool. I figured that would get a lot of tourists, or at least it would in the past. Maybe visiting Pyramid wont be bad idea to avoid the crowds.
Indulge in Siwa’s never-ending adventures
Siwa Oasis holds many different attractions for you to see and to start you off there is the Temple of the Oracle of Amun which was believed to have been built by Alexander who was officially named the son of Amun. It is the most significant temple built in the Egyptian desert in its time and was dedicated to Amun who was the God of the desert.
Another amazing sight is the Mountain of the Dead where tombs cover most of the mountain. The tombs were built ever since the 26th dynasty and Ptolemaic and Roman times. In the very middle, you can find the Ancient Tombs of the Pharaonic King and his family members. You can also climb to the peak of the mountain to see a panoramic view of Siwa.
Visit the Shali Fortress to find ruins built with a mix of clay and salt called Karshef. You can climb up for a beautiful view of the oasis or enjoy the handcraft shops you will find going down with many unique goods at reasonable prices.
Next, you can visit the Museum of Siwan Traditions which is located in a traditional Siwan house. It holds many traditional objects including jewelry, musical instruments, costumes and ceramics. This house was built by a Canadian diplomat to help preserve and display many of Siwa’s artifacts.
Cleopatra’s Pool is where Cleopatra used to water as her natural bath and has now been surrounded by Arabian Desert themed cafes and local shops, and it is a sight to witness. Enjoy swimming in the popular natural warm groundwater or sit at one of the amazing cafes playing beautiful music.
Indulge in Siwa’s never-ending adventures
Siwa Oasis holds many different attractions for you to see and to start you off there is the Temple of the Oracle of Amun which was believed to have been built by Alexander who was officially named the son of Amun. It is the most significant temple built in the Egyptian desert in its time and was dedicated to Amun who was the God of the desert.
Another amazing sight is the Mountain of the Dead where tombs cover most of the mountain. The tombs were built ever since the 26th dynasty and Ptolemaic and Roman times. In the very middle, you can find the Ancient Tombs of the Pharaonic King and his family members. You can also climb to the peak of the mountain to see a panoramic view of Siwa.
Visit the Shali Fortress to find ruins built with a mix of clay and salt called Karshef. You can climb up for a beautiful view of the oasis or enjoy the handcraft shops you will find going down with many unique goods at reasonable prices.
Next, you can visit the Museum of Siwan Traditions which is located in a traditional Siwan house. It holds many traditional objects including jewelry, musical instruments, costumes and ceramics. This house was built by a Canadian diplomat to help preserve and display many of Siwa’s artifacts.
Cleopatra’s Pool is where Cleopatra used to water as her natural bath and has now been surrounded by Arabian Desert themed cafes and local shops, and it is a sight to witness. Enjoy swimming in the popular natural warm groundwater or sit at one of the amazing cafes playing beautiful music.
Looking for fun activities in Siwa?
Two things you cannot miss are the sand-boarding and safari trips done in Siwa. The Great Sand Sea safari is sure to be one of the most exciting safaris there is. You can also camp in the desert to watch the starry nights and have a chill evening toasting marshmallows, or have Siwian desert tea and a delicious meal while you’re watching the sunset in the middle of the desert.
For a means of transportation, try renting a bike or hop into local tricycles to take you on a tour or wherever you need to go. Also, don’t miss a chance to taste the deliciousness of locally produced foods such as dates and olives, which are Siwa’s primary crops. Another amazing place to eat is Abdu’s Restaurant, located at Siwa’s Market Square. Known for not only a great dining menu, but also a delicious breakfast menu.
Discover the Taghaghien Touristic Island; a beautiful African-themed village in the middle of the lake in Siwa. The entire island is handmade, even the bathrooms are made with desert stone. It’s a unique experience to enjoy a night in one of the African houses, with nothing but moonlit lake and desert to surround you.
Book a night in Siwa’s Ecolodge Adrere Amellal – a beautiful hotel made entirely out of mud and salt with no electricity, but is only candle-lit. It’s the perfect getaway as it is built away from the town, so you can have the chance to meditate and disconnect from anything and everything around you.
Attend the at-Tagmigra festival or a Sufi Dhikr circle, both very different. The festival is held after corn harvest in the Summer, where Dhikr is performed outside the small tomb shrine of Sidi Suleiman. On the other hand, the Sufi Dhikr circle is a gathering held each Thursday where Sufists immerse in prayers and chants. These gatherings are of spirituality which is why you have to show respect to this aspect if you wish to attend.
Whether you’re interested in visiting historical attractions, or just planning a trip to experience the adventurous side of the oasis, you will not regret the beauty of it as it is something you don’t witness in everyday life. Don’t forget to buy local souvenirs to help you remember an already unforgettable trip.
Sherif Khalil is Owner of Dunes & Beyond. Dunes & Beyond offers luxury tours, Nile cruises and desert safaris in Egypt.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
You know, I’m familiar with the Oasis of Amun Ra but Siwa isn’t ringing any bells. I’ve never been to Egypt and I guess my geographical knowledge of the area is pretty thin on the ground. It sounds like a fascinating place to explore with plenty of historical and cultural ‘attractions’, for lack of a better word. The Mountain of the Dead sounds pretty ominous and yet I find that strangely intriguing! I guess a lot of people have an inner explorer for all things mysterious leftover from their childhood. Taking a safari would be an excellent way to cover more ground and it’s good to have another option for eco friendly travel with bike and tricycle hire available. I don’t think I would have really considered somewhere like this before but now I’m actually really liking the idea of visiting and doing something a little off the beaten track away from your typical holidays. Great post.
Hi Charlotte,
Siwa is a remote oasis in Egypt, however it is full of Roman monuments, moreover it is part of the great Sand Sea, so you can imagine the adventure you can have there.
Best,
Sherif Khalil
Fascinating place. I used to like learning about Ancient Egypt years back in school so it would be pretty awesome to check out the tombs and ruins and artefacts first hand. So you can actually use the water at Cleopatra’s Pool? Bet that get quite popular in peak tourist season.
Hi Alex,
So glad to know you are interested in Ancient History of Egypt.
Yes you can swim in Cleopatra Spring and there are more well and springs over there is Siwa.
Best,
Sherif Khalil
It’s truly fascinating, indeed. And that’s what I was picturing when I read about Cleopatra’s pool. I figured that would get a lot of tourists, or at least it would in the past. Maybe visiting Egypt sometime soon isn’t such a bad idea to avoid the crowds.
This is absolutely beautiful! I loved learning about the history, culture, and overall ambiance that Siwa offers. I had no idea that it had so many cool local adventures to take part in and restaurants to explore. I’m especially interested in traveling to the Taghaghien Touristic Island, it sounds so beautiful and serene to be in the middle of nowhere like that!
Hi Jenna,
So glad to know you are interested in Ancient History of Egypt.
Siwa is a remote oasis in Egypt, however it is full of Roman monuments, moreover it is part of the great Sand Sea, so you can imagine the adventure you can have there.
Best,
Sherif Khalil
How romantic would that be to have dinner out in the middle of the desert under the stars? Just got to find me a partner and I’m good to go! Seriously though, Siwa looks like a beautiful place to visit and it’s well balanced whether you want to be more active or take things down a notch to just enjoy the view.
Hi Cathy,
Pleasant to know you liked Siwa, there is a famous ecolodge there called “Adrere Ameellal” where there is no electricity.
Please contact us anytime when you need to plan your trip.
Best,
Sherif
There have been some really great posts about Egypt recently. I’m learning a lot about the country. I guess I only imagined the pyramids and maybe the coastal cities. But this was really informative to know there are many sides to Egypt, so much to see and do there. It seems like such a unique country to travel to.
Hi Beth,
Totally agree with you.Egypt has much more than the Pyramids, and even if we talk about Pyramids, we have much more than Giza Pyramids, read our next article and you will know more about the unknown pyramids in Egypt. Looking forward to hosting you with our company in Egypt soon.
Best,
Sherif
It was amazing. And that’s what I was picturing when I read about Cleopatra’s pool. I figured that would get a lot of tourists, or at least it would in the past. Maybe visiting Pyramid wont be bad idea to avoid the crowds.