• Ageeba Beach

    A small turquoise cove at the foot of a limestone cliff, west of Marsa Matrouh.

    Marsa Matrouh and SiwaMarsa Matrouh

    BudgetSea view
  • Cleopatra's Spring

    A stone pool fed by a spring, lit after dark, on the Aghurmi road out of Siwa.

    Marsa Matrouh and SiwaSiwa

    BudgetOpen late
  • Fatnas Island

    A spit of palms in Siwa's salt lake, where people sit down for the sunset.

    Marsa Matrouh and SiwaSiwa

    BudgetSunset
  • The cafés of Siwa square

    Morning tea under the palms, at the foot of the Shali fortress.

    Marsa Matrouh and SiwaSiwa

    BudgetWhere locals go
  • A glass of mango and peach juice with mint, on a wooden terrace table.

    The corniche cafés of Marsa Matruh

    A mango juice facing the most turquoise lagoon on the north coast.

    Marsa Matrouh and SiwaMarsa Matruh

    BudgetSea view
  • Brown dates in a wooden bowl and on a wooden spoon, set on a pale plank table.

    Abdu

    Siwa's canteen since the 1980s: tagines, dates and Siwan pizzas.

    Marsa Matrouh and SiwaSiwa

    BudgetWhere locals go
  • Open sacks of spices and grains on the stall

    Marsa Matruh market

    The coastal town's market: figs, dates, Bedouin wool and beach goods.

    Marsa Matrouh and SiwaMarsa Matruh

    BudgetWhere locals go
  • El Alamein military museum

    The 1942 battle told on the ground, among tanks, maps and cemeteries.

    Marsa Matrouh and SiwaEl Alamein, north coast

    BudgetHistoric venue
  • The El Alamein Commonwealth cemetery

    Seven thousand headstones aligned facing the desert, in total silence.

    Marsa Matrouh and SiwaEl Alamein, north coast

    BudgetHistoric venue
  • Red kilim benches lined up under an awning

    The tables of Siwa

    Dates, olives, garden vegetables: oasis cooking, largely vegetarian.

    Marsa Matrouh and SiwaSiwa

    BudgetWhere locals go