Tourism in Marsa Alam – the Red Sea

Marsa Alam is a port and resort located on the Red Sea in the eastern desert, 280 kilometers south of Hurghada. After the opening of the Marsa Alam International Airport in 2001, Marsa Alam becomes an important destination for tourism from different European trips, especially from Italy.

The history of Marsa AlamIn ancient times, Marsa Alam was famous for its mountains used in mining and digging for gold and emeralds, as an ancient town dating back to the ancient Egyptian civilization is discovered in Marsa Alam by the supreme council of antiquates.
Marsa Alam is divided into two villages. The first is Bernice that is a small city located north of Al Quseir. This village is famous for therapeutic tourism. The second village is Abu El Hassan Al Shazly village, housing a famous Islamic center.

    Activates in Marsa Alam
  • Enjoying diving, snorkeling, and submarine trips in the Red Sea and seeing coral reefs and the wide range of underwater wildlife such as dugongs and dolphins. The levels of diving vary to be accessible for less experienced divers and experienced drivers.
  • Marsa Alam includes several marinas offering the best service as Spas for relaxation and entertainment.
  • Marsa Alam is famous for kite surfing and windsurfers.
  • In Marsa Alam, you will be able to enjoy doing safaris in the desert and wilderness exploration.
  • Marsa Alam houses many National Parks such as Gebel Elba, Hamata Island, and Wadi al Gimal, where a variety of birds and desert animals.
  • Also, Marsa Alam is considered a therapeutic tourism destination.
  • In addition, it has great economic importance as it contains many golds, emeralds, and marble mines.>

Several tourism projects are planned for the near future in Marsa Alam to become rival the popularity of the other Egyptian resorts such as Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh.

Bahariya Oasis – The Western Desert

Bahariya Oasis is one of the most fabulous Egyptian oases in the western desert, as Egypt contains six oases El Fayoum Oasis, Farafra Oasis, Farafra Oasis, Kharga Oasis, Dakhla Oasis, and Siwa Oasis. It is affiliated with Giza Governorate.

The history of Bahariya Oasis Like other Egyptian oases, Bahariya Oasis was an important stop point on the trading route between the Western Desert and the Nile Valley.

Bahariya Oasis are two Arabic words meaning the northern oasis in English. This oasis played an important role during the ancient Egyptian civilization as it was known with two names (Djesdjes) and (wḥꜣt mḥtt).

Its importance increased during the Greco-Roman period as it was used as a trading route and began producing a lot of goods such as cereals, dates, olive oils, and wine.

The main economic sectors of this society are iron ore mining, tourism, and agriculture as they are growing guavas, mangos, dates, and olives.

The attractions in Bahariya Oasis Bahariya Oasis is surrounded by mountains and has numerous springs. It is considered as the start point for many safari trips into the western desert as it is the closest oasis to Cairo, as well provides immediate access to the White Desert, Black Desert, and the Crystal Mountain.

  • El Bawiti is the largest and the administrative center in Bahariya.
  • El Hayz: In El Hayz, the golden mummies have been discovered. It is a necropolis housing nearly 10,000 mummies dating back to the Greco-Roman period.
  • Bir Al-Ghaba: it is a hot spring worth visiting in this oasis.
  • Bawiti Museum: it is an Ethnographic museum displaying the customs and traditions community of Bahariya Oasis. It was built by Mohamed Eid, one of the oasis’s local artists.
  • The White Desert is divided into two deserts: the old white desert, where the Mushrooms and tents area, and the new white desert with its limestone formations. In ancient times, this desert was covered with the sea leading to its rocks contain some seashells. It is located on the road between Bahariya and Farafra.
The White Desert - Farafra Oasis - Egypt Vacation Tours
The White Desert
  • The Black Desert contains mountains formed from black stones and rocks created due to volcanoes.

The Black Desert - Farafra Oasis - Egypt Vacation Tours
The Black Desert

Farafra Oasis – The Western Desert

Farafra Oasis is one of the most fabulous Egyptian oases in the western desert, as Egypt contains six oases El Fayoum Oasis, Bahariya Oasis, Farafra Oasis, Kharga Oasis, Dakhla Oasis, and Siwa Oasis.

Farafra is located on the southern road between Cairo and Bahariya. Farafra Oasis is affiliated to the Al-Wadi Al-Gadid governorate in Southern Egypt, the largest governorate in Egypt in terms of space.

The history of Farafra Oasis As other Egyptian oases, Farafra Oasis was an important stop point on the trading route between the Western Desert and the Nile Valley.

Farafra Oasis had a great position during the ancient Egyptian civilization, especially during the reign of the 10th dynasty, as it was named (Ana Akhet), meaning the land of the cow referring to the goddess Hathour.

During the Roman period, Farafra and other oases were famous for growing grains.

During the Coptic period, the Egyptian Copts escaped to Farafra and other oases due to Roman persecution.

This oasis is considered partly isolated what explains why its community still committing to its old traditions and customs. It is famous for growing dates, olives, and apricots.

The attractions in Farafra OasisFarafra is the start point for tours desert safari in the western desert to visit the white desert, the black desert, and the Crystal Mountains.

  • The Qaser Al Farafra or the Farafra Palace is a roman monument.
  • Qaser Abu Monqar is a roman attraction.
  • Farafra Oasis houses other roman attractions as some rock-cut tombs and ruins of a Roman Temple.
  • The White Desert is divided into two deserts: the old white desert, where the Mushrooms and tents area, and the new white desert with its limestone formations. In ancient times, this desert was covered with the sea leading to its rocks contain some seashells. It is located on the road between Bahariya and Farafra.
The White Desert - Farafra Oasis - Egypt Vacation Tours
The White Desert
  • The Black Desert contains mountains formed from black stones and rocks created due to volcanoes.
The Black Desert - Farafra Oasis - Egypt Vacation Tours
The Black Desert
  • Badr’s Museum: it is a mud-brick house owned by Badr Abdel Moghny, who is a local artist. It displays the customs and traditions of the Farafra community.
Badr’s Museum - Farafra Oasis - Egypt Vacation Tours
Badr’s Museum
  • Farafra distinguishes with its geographical location and geological formation, so it contains natural water wells using in therapeutic tourism as it has sulfurous wells for treating some respiratory diseases.

Abu Al Abbas Al Mursi Mosque

Abu Al Abbas Al Mursi, or Al Mursi Abu Al Abbas Mosque as the people of Alexandria use to call it, is one of the most famous mosques and Islamic monuments in Alexandria. The mosque is located in the Anfushi neighborhood of Alexandria, close to the Citadel of Qaitbay.

Abu Al Abbas Al Mursi Abu Al Abbas Al Mursi was a Andalusi Sufi. He lived during the 13th century in the Andalusia region of Spain and was born to a wealthy family. In 1242, he traveled with his family to Tunisia.

Then he moved to Alexandria in Egypt to study jurisprudence and religion, as it was a popular destination of many Muslim scholars at the time, and lived almost 43 years there. He lived in Alexandria as a scholar and teacher till his death in 1286. He was buried in a small building there.

There is an annual festival held in Alexandria on the 5th of July for celebrating the birth of Al Mursi Abu Al Abbas.

The history of the mosque The mosque was constructed in 1307 when El Sheikh Zein El Din, one of the richest traders of Alexandria, visited the building where Abu Al Abbas Al Mursi was buried and wanted to develop this mausoleum in honor of Abu Al Abbas Al Mursi.

The current building was redesigned and reconstructed in 1929 by Eugenio Valzania and Mario Rossi as it appears very influenced by the architecture of old Cairo buildings. Then, King Farouq I built the Midan el Masged or Mosque Square.

The mosque has two entrances in the north and the east. Also, it has a minaret with Ayoubids design standing on the southern side. As well, the ceiling is decorated with arabesque and has four unique domes.

The mosque is built on the tomb of Abu Al Abbas Al Mursi as he was buried there.

Abu Al Abbas Al Mursi’s tomb became one of the destinations of many Muslims during their pilgrimage to Mecca as they pass in Alexandria on their way from Egypt and Morocco.

Petra City – The Red Rose City

Petra city is one of the largest historic and archaeological sites in the world. It is situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea in the south of Jordan.

It is also known as the Red Rose City, due to most of its buildings were established by using red stones. This city is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, as UNESCO described Petra city as one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage.

Petra is the Greek name of this city which means the rock or the rocky site, but its original name is Raqmu.

The history of PetraThe great history of this city began at the beginning of the 4th century BC with the Nabataeans as they took it as a capital for their kingdom. They controlled a huge tract of the Middle East from the Levant to the northern Arabian Peninsula.

It is thought that the Nabataeans were nomadic Arabs who exploited the strategic location of this city as it is located close to trade routes. They had skills in harvesting rainwater, agriculture, and stone carving.

Later, the Nabataean kingdom was occupied by the Romans during the first century BC. After that, the trade of the Nabataeans began to wane.

The tourist destinations in Petra Petra are famous for their rock-cut buildings, as it is half-built, half-carved into the rock, as well as water conduit system. The buildings of Petra vary between the Nabataean and Greco-Roman architectural styles.

Al-Khazneh (the Treasury) The most famous building in this city is Al-Khazneh structure. Al-Khazneh is an Arabic word meaning treasury. It is believed that Al-Khazneh is dedicated to being the mausoleum of Nabataean king Aretas IV.

Al-Khazneh has been considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World since 2007. You can reach Al-Khazneh through a gorge called the Siq.

Egyptian Adventure team is allowed to visit this red rose city from different cities in Egypt as Taba, Dahab, and Sharm El Sheikh.

Bab Al Nasr in Fatimid Cairo

Bab Al Nasr is one of the most famous sights in Islamic Cairo. It is one of the rare examples of military architecture in the Islamic world before the Crusades.

Bab Al Nasr is an Arabic name for this gate, meaning Gate of Victory in English.

The historyBab Al Nasr was constructed by Jawhar al‑Siqilli during his foundation of Fatimid Cairo city. It was erected by brick. But the current gate was built by the vizier, Badr al‑Jamali, in 480 AH/1087 AD during the reign of the Fatimid Caliph al‑Mustansir Billah, and named it Bab al‑‘Izz, meaning the gate of glory or power. He founded this new gate from stone to be more protective.

Later, during his campaign in Egypt, Napoleon Bonaparte named this gate after the name of its officer, Thomas-Prosper Jullien, who was responsible for its security.

Despite this, the inhabitants use the original name, the Gate of Victory, which has remained in use.

It is one of the eight gates of Fatimid Cairo, located on the northern wall. Only three gates remain: Bab Zuwayla, Bab Al Futuh, and Bab Al Nasr.  It opens onto al‑Gamaliya Street.

The design consists of two great square stone towers linked by a shelf. This shelf has small windows allowing soldiers to pour boiling oil on invaders, as well defensive rooms with arrow slits.

The gate holds an inscription written in Kufic calligraphy dating to the year of construction of this gate and its official name.

The gate and towers are distinguished by their decorations, holding a series of shields. It is thought that it refers to the protective role of the Fatimid fortifications, representing the protector of the city, as well as the victory as it is said that Bab Al Nasr or Gate of Victory was called this name because it was used for entering the soldiers when comeback victorious from their wars.

Bab Al Futuh in El Moez Street

It is one of the most famous sights in Islamic Cairo and El Moez Street. It is one of the rare examples of military architecture in the Islamic world. Bab Al Futuh is an Arabic name for this gate, meaning Gate of Conquests in English.

The History Jawhar al-Siqilli constructed it during his foundation of Cairo city. But the current gate was built by the vizier, Badr al‑Jamali, in 480 AH/1087 AD during the reign of the Fatimid Caliph al Mustansir Billah and named it Bab al-Iqbal or Gate of Prosperity.

It is one of the eight gates of Fatimid Cairo, located on the northern wall. It opens onto El Moez Street and leads to Bab Zuwayla at its southern wall. Only three gates remain: Bab Zuwayla, Bab Al Futuh, and Bab Al Nasr.

It is said that Bab Al Futuh, or Gate of Conquests, was called by this name because soldiers used this gate when they were going out on a military campaign.

The Design: This gate consists of two rounded towers. A stone shelf links those towers. This stone shelf has small windows allowing soldiers to pour boiling oil on invaders, as well defensive rooms with arrow slits. The gate is covered in vegetable and geometric decorations.

The towers of this gate have inscriptions for the names of the commanders of the French expedition of Napoleon Bonaparte for documenting their usage of those forts during their campaign.

The Mausoleum of Sidi Hassan El Zouk is located behind Bab Al Futuh. It dates back to the Mamluk period. This mausoleum is famous for an Egyptian saying that El Zouk did not go out of Egypt) it is noted that Hassan El Zouk was a pious man helping people resolve disputes. But one day, he was annoyed by the many conflicts and decided to leave Egypt. Suddenly, he died at the gate of Cairo, Bab Al Futuh, and was buried where he died.

The Nubian Museum in Aswan

The Nubian Museum, also known as the International Museum of Nubia, is one of Egypt’s most important archaeological museums. It is located in Aswan city. It was opened to the public on November 23, 1997.

UNESCO constructed the Nubian Museum’s history during their International Campaign in Aswan to save the Nubian monuments such as Abu Simbel Temples and Philae Temple after the building of the High Dam in the 1960s. Its construction was a part of the UNESCO project to build the Nubian Museum in Aswan and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Cairo, Fustat.

The Nubian Museum building The museum has an area of 50,000 square meters, 7,000 of which are dedicated to the building of the museum. In contrast, the rest of the area is devoted to gardens and other public spaces, as the museum has a theatre holding Nubian dances.

The museum building consists of two floors. The museum was designed by the architect Mahmoud El-Hakim. This design refers to traditional Nubian village architecture, and it was built with local sandstone and pink granite.

The Nubian Museum display museum concept is dedicated to displaying the development of the Nubian culture and civilization, the land of gold as it was named in the ancient Egyptian language.

It houses three thousand objects ranging from prehistoric times to the Islamic periods and objects displaying the Nubian and Aswan heritage. These collections are exhibited inside the museum building and outdoors in the garden. UNESCO discovered these collections during their project to save the Nubian monuments.

Some of the masterpieces displayed in the museum are a skeleton dating back to the prehistoric period, crowns and jewelry made of silver, and an anthropology exhibition displaying the customs and traditions of the Nubian community.

The Mosque of Ahmad Ibn Tulun

Ahmad Ibn Tulun Mosque is one of the landmarks in Islamic Cairo. It is located on Jebal Yashkur in Al-Saliba Street or Cross Street. It is beside Gayer Anderson Museum or Bayt Al-Kritliyya.

Ahmad Ibn Tulun

Ahmad Ibn Tulun was an Abbasid governor who began the Tulunid dynasty and founded a new administrative capital that was al-Qata’i. Ahmad Ibn Tulun established the first independent state in Egypt during the Islamic periods.

Ibn Tulun Mosque

Ibn Tulun Mosque was constructed by Ahmad Ibn Tulun in 263 AH / 876 AD and completed in 266 AH / 879 AD for asserting his independence as a ruler of Egypt from the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad. The mosque is the only remaining building from al-Qata’I city.

This mosque is considered the second oldest mosque in Egypt after Amr Ibn Al As mosque, as well as it is the biggest mosque in Egypt as it was built on six acres and a half-acre.

Ibn Tulun decided to found this mosque by fired brick and on the top of Jebal Yashkur, a mountain in al-Qata’I city, to not burn or drown.

The architectural layout of this mosque was built on the traditional plan for congregational mosques, as it consists of four riwaqs and an open courtyard in the center of the mosque. This courtyard houses a water fountain surmounted by a dome and supported by marble columns.

The minaret of the mosque is one of the landmarks. It was supposed to be built on the same design as the minaret of the Abbasid mosque in Samarra in Iraq. This minaret of Samarra takes the spiral shape. You will be able to climb this minaret of Ibn Tulun Mosque and enjoy a fabulous view Al-Saliba Street and its monuments.

The mosque distinguishes with its windows made of stucco and designed with geometric and foliation forms, as there are no two windows are alike.

The Bent Pyramid of Dahshur

The Bent Pyramid of Dahshur was the second of three pyramids constructed by King Snefru, the red Pyramid and Meidum pyramid. It is considered an important step in the development of the construction of pyramids in ancient Egypt.

King Snefru King Snefru is the founder of the 4th dynasty, the old kingdom. Also, he is the father of King Khufu, who owns the Great Pyramid of Giza Plateau. His main wife was queen Hetepheres I, who also is the mother of King Khufu.

The Bent Pyramid It is called the bent pyramid because of its broken lines due to a change of angle during the construction. It was an engineering issue in the design of the pyramid, as the construction of the pyramid started with an angle of 55 degrees, but in the middle of the pyramid, this angle had to be changed to be 43 degrees due to an overload in stones resulting in instability that posing a danger to the inner chambers of the pyramid.

The Bent Pyramid can be considered as a transition phase between the step pyramid of King Djoser at Saqqara and reaching the true pyramid as the red pyramid.

This angle of 43 degrees became the used angle in the construction of later pyramids as the red pyramid and the Great Pyramid of King Khufu at Giza Plateau.

The bent pyramid still has remains of its limestone casing that referring to how the pyramids looked like with their limestone casing.

The plan of The Bent Pyramid This pyramid has two entrances, the first entrance on the north side, while the second one on the west side. There are wooden stairs newly added for the northern entrance.

Both of those entrances lead to chambers with a corbelled roof. The chamber of the northern entrance is built below ground level, while the chamber of the western entrance is built at a higher level in the body of the pyramid.