SIWA OASIS

A beautiful green lake sits among this ocean of yellow

sand, but Siwa has more than just breathtaking sceneries, it carries a culture of its own; local habitants of Siwa actually speaks their own language, which is more like the language spoken by the Berber (desert people from further west), than the Egyptian Arabic spoken in the rest of Egypt.https://kingofegypttours.com

Where is Siwa Oasis located?

Located approximately 350 miles from Cairo, east of the Libyan border, Siwa Oasis is one of Egypt’s best western desert oases with its thousands of palm trees and gorgeous hot springs.https://kingofegypttours.com

Until the 1980’s when a highway was finally completed connecting it to the coastal town of Mersa Mahruh, it was completely isolated from the rest of the country. Technologies such as television and phones were introduced relatively recently and the internet only within the past few years.https://kingofegypttours.com

There is an increasing number of hotels ranging from budget hostels to a 5-star eco-lodge in the oasis and the tourist trade is now firmly rooted as part of the local economy, but this has not managed to affect the core of the life in Siwa. To this day Siwa is still a very conservative community and visitors are recommended to respect their local cultural values. Alcohol is banned and local women are rarely seen outside of their houses, it is very welcoming to visitors and the slow pace of the Siwan life is incredibly intoxicating.

Until 1926 the entire population of the oasis lived in a 13th-century mud-brick fortress at the center of town known as Shali, but it was completely destroyed by a heavy 3-day rainstoProper Dressing for Women in Siwa https://kingofegypttours.com

Though Siwa is a very friendly place, women should be cautious about dressing appropriately to respect the local culture. Keep upper arms and legs covered. Women swimming at any of the public springs like the popular Cleopatra’s Bath can expect some extra attention. If you would like to avoid the attention then swimming in the desert hot springs are better recommended.https://kingofegypttours.com

Places to Visit While in Siwa Oasis

Siwa Oasis is one of the most mysterious of all Egypt’s oases. Siwa Oasis offers a variety of things to do, places to visit, and unique attractions. https://kingofegypttours.com

The Shali

Shali is now a tourist attraction, where visitors climb up the melted mound of mud and salt that is the traditional Siwan construction material so they can get a glimpse of the view of dates and olives groves that stretches out for miles in each direction of the Siwa Oasis.

Cleopatra’s Springhttps://kingofegypttours.com

Also known as Cleopatra’s Bath or Cleopatra’s pool, on the way to the Oracle temple, Cleopatra’s Spring is a natural spring water stone pool where locals and tourists enjoy the benefits of a spring bath among the town of Siwa. Even though there are no studies that back up the correlation to this pool to Queen Cleopatra VIII herself, the beauty of the site at the Cleopatra springs sure does the justice to its mysteriously acclaimed name.

The Salt Lakeshttps://kingofegypttours.com

One of the most beautiful sceneries in Siwa, the Salt Lakes are not to be missed. With waters so clean and transparently green, the Salt Lakes attract people to Siwa all year round, with its health benefit for its high concentration of salt, floating and swimming in the Salt Lakes of Siwa is something you cannot miss.

Being one of the best natural pools, many locals in the area bathe and visit the pool frequently, it’s important to remember and respect the local customs and female tourists are advised to wear appropriate swimming attire to avoid unnecessary attention.

The Temple of the Oracle https://kingofegypttours.com

In antiquity, Siwa was famous for the Temple of the Oracle that dates from the 6th century BC and was renowned throughout the Mediterranean world. Alexander the Great came here to ask about his fate and whether or not he was really the son of Zeus, as his mother had told him. After consulting the oracle, Alexander requested that his generals bury him in Siwa once he passed. The ruins of the temple of the Oracle are still open to visitors to this day.

Mountain of the Dead https://kingofegypttours.com

Also near the center of Siwa, you can find the Mountain of the Dead, a rocky hill covered in more than 1500 tombs that dates back to the late pharaonic period. Some of the tombs from the Greco-Roman Period are decorated with beautiful and ornate funerary drawings. The tombs are locked and can be open by the local guards with the payment of a tip.

The Great Sand Sea https://kingofegypttours.com

Siwa oasis sits on the doorstep of the Great Sand Sea, beautiful scenery of sands that forms mountains along with an endless desert view. Tours are available with local drivers and are recommended as the view is a must-see, Desert safaris in 4x4 will take visitors out for day trips, overnight, or on longer expeditions to visit the beautiful springs and rock formations within this vast and magnificent sites. A trip into the desert should not be missed during your time in Siwa.