What to do in Siwa | Egypt's hidden gem

How go to Siwa

Before I start talking about what to do in Siwa I have to tell you that Getting to the heart of the desert is not the easiest way to get to Egypt, but it is part of the adventure and allows this remote place to avoid mass tourism.

What to see and do in Siwa

Now that you know how to get there, let's talk about what to do in Siwa, one of our favorite places in Egypt.

Bathing in the salt pools, our favorite thing to do in Siwa

Bathing in the salt pools is undoubtedly the most popular thing to do in Siwa. And no wonder, the turquoise colour is incredible and the sensation of floating is amazing! RIt is practically impossible to sink, due to the very high salinity of the water You float about 10 times more than in the Dead Sea! It is so much fun to try unlikely positions that you never imagined you could do in the water. 

I'm just saying that to us We liked the experience so much that we repeated the visit the next day.

How to get to to the salt lakes of Siwa

They are located about 10 kilometers outside of Siwa so you will need to hire private transportation to get there. I recommend negotiating with the tuk tuk drivers to accompany you throughout the morning through the different salt pools and finally take you to Cleopatra's pool to remove the salt. If you want the contact of the nicest and most trusted driver in Siwa, leave us a comment at the end of the article and we will send you his phone number, we made all the transfers with him and friends who have gone later too. 

Recommendations to take a bath

The most important thing is that you be very careful with the water because The salinity is so high that if it gets into your eye it will sting for hours.. 

You should also be careful when leaving the pools. because it cuts a lot, I got a rash on my leg and when I bathed in the next ones it stung very much. 

And finally make sure your tuktuk driver is wearing a large bottle of water to rinse when you go out because in a matter of minutes in the sun your skin becomes white and flaky. 

Tour the Shali Fortress, the best sunset to see in Siwa

Sunsets are always a must-see, so of course it's something to do in Siwa. Going to end the day at the Shali Fortress is a true icon of the oasisI recommend climbing to the top of the hill to enjoy panoramic views of the city and the dunes surrounding it. It really is one of the best things to do in Siwa.

This city, built with mud and salt in the 13th century, was forcibly abandoned just 100 years ago due to enormous storms that causedcarFloods and collapses destroyed many of the fragile buildings. Today, reconstruction is underway, following traditional architectural styles, with some local projects such as Nainshal Hotel and some craft stores. 

It is in the center of Siwa and you can walk there without any problem, I recommend going an hour before sunset to explore it and then climb to the top for the last rays of sunlight. 

Having tea on Fatnas Island

Speaking of sunsets, if you are one of those people who loves to watch the sunsets over the water in Siwa there is also a place for you. It is Fatnas Island, which although it is not an island has enviable views of Lake Siwa and you feel like you're in one.

Here you will find several food stalls, bars and restaurants where You can have a drink and sit in front of the lake to watch the sunset. To get to this place you need to hire a tuk-tuk to take you from the town or walk among palm trees for about an hour. We walked both there and back.

Visit the Temple of the Oracle

Another thing to do in Siwa is visit the Temple of the Oracle, one of the most important ruins in Siwa. People say that was visited by Alexander the Great himself.

This ancient temple dates back to the 6th century BC and It was an important center of worship for the god Amun. Here you can admire the gigantic stone pillars and walls that give an idea of ​​the ancient grandeur of the temple. Although for me the best thing about this temple is its privileged views of the palm groves that surround it. 

To access you have to buy a ticket in some lockers near the stairs that go up to the temple. The price is around €2 to change.

Take a walk through the small bazaar

On the street where the stairs leading to the Shali fortress are located, you will find a small bazaar with some shops and their crafts displayed on the adobe walls of the fortress.

Perhaps it was the only place in Egypt that we saw where crafts predominated before the souvenirs from China. There you can browse without anyone bothering you, you will find textiles and crafts made with salt, especially some very cute lamps. 

Bathe in the natural pools of Siwa

in this oasis there are more than 200 springsSome of them have been converted into swimming pools where local men take the opportunity to cool off.carsAnd, something to do in Siwa during the intense heat of the middle of the day.

The most famous pool is Cleopatra's, it is a deep circular pool with crystal clear water that springs from the ground, if you look closely you will see the little bubbles like water emerges. It's a stop perfect for removing salt upon returning from the salt pools and having a natural juice in one of the bars surrounding it.

Walking through the palm grove, another essential thing to do in Siwa

What would an oasis be without its palm trees? In Siwa, wherever you look the palm trees are not missing. Walking along the little paths that go into the palm groves that surround the town is one of the most relaxing activities to do in Siwa during the cooler hours.

Speaking of palm trees… In Siwa you can't go without buying dates. They are delicious and you will find many types for less than €1 per kilo. It's addictive!

Visit Gabal al-Mawta, the mountain of the dead

The Gabal al-Mawta tombs were dug into the mountain by the ancient Egyptians over 4000 years ago, and are still in excellent condition today. It is a very curious site with dozens of burial chambers, many of which They are adorned with hieroglyphics, although it has nothing to do with the Valley of the Kings in Luxor.

These caves were used by the inhabitants of Siwa to hide inside during bombings during the Second World War. It is a bit far from the center to walk in the desert heat, I recommend taking a tuk tuk at least on the way there or back.

4×4 desert safari, the most exciting thing to do in Siwa

This activity was not part of our initial plans when visiting Siwa because we had already done it in dunes...the other end of the Sahara. But a driver who had already convinced two other tourists offered us the tour at a good price, about 16 euros per person, and we decided to sign up. And we didn't regret it one bit!

Driving through the desert dune up dune down is an indescribable sensation. Don't think that it is the typical short tour to pose and have a souvenir photo, In Siwa the drivers take it very seriously and spend an entire afternoon touring the desertPure adrenaline! Plus, you'll stop at small oases and huge dunes where you'll have the chance to try sandboarding.

To end the excursion, he parks at the top of a dune, lays a blanket on the sand, and lights a small fire to prepare tea, which he drinks with some dates while you enjoy a beautiful sunset in the desert. Doesn't it sound like a really cool thing to do in Siwa?

Like the rest of the activities and tours in Egypt I recommend you hire the safari once you are in Siwa. Either at your hotel or even on the street you will be offered this tour. Keep in mind that depending on the area of ​​the desert you visit you will need to pay a fairly high fee. We told the driver that this fee was too much money and he told us it was no problem, that we would go to the free part. 

Experience Berber culture: a unique blend of traditions

Siwa is home to around 30,000 people, many of whom are Berbers, a North African ethnic group that has lived in the area for thousands of years. The Berbers have their own language, customs and traditions, making Siwa a truly unique destination and different from the rest of Egypt. 

You can experience Berber culture by visiting the local market, trying traditional foods or simply strolling through the streets. The Berbers are very hospitableWe were invited for tea by two gentlemen and they explained to uscarThey shared curiosities and stories about Siwa with the little English they knew.

Relaxing in the Siwa hot springs, the most relaxing activity to do in Siwa

There is a unique experience to be had in Siwa that you would never have imagined in a desert. Among all the natural springs there are also some hot springs which have been used by locals to make hot pools. The hot springs are ideal for sipping tea and relaxing your muscles after a long day exploring the oasis.

Most of these pools are located on private properties so you must pay an entrance fee., you can ask the tuk-tuk drivers to take you to one of them or ask your hotel which is the closest. 

We asked at the hotel and it was the same owner who took us to one of his friends.

Food & drink in Siwa

Abdu restaurant It is a restaurant very frequented by tourists since it is recommended by many guides and is usually meeting point for many tours. The prices are quite correct, the menu offered is varied and the dishes are abundant. 

On this same street there are several cafes where we drink tea on several occasions, all very nice and cheaper than doing it in Adbu.

Eiza3 It is a small, unpretentious restaurant that offers the typical dishes and sandwiches that you find all over Egypt. Their prices are unbeatable in the central area of ​​Siwa, this place will be your best ally if you travel on a tight budget. We tried all their dishes several times. We loved them all. If you don't want to take any risks, you can always order the delicious falafel or baba ganoush. We didn't spend more than €2 or €3 between the two of us and we left absolutely stuffed.

Nour El Waha It is a hotel and restaurant located in the middle of a palm grove. If you visit this restaurant you will eat typical food in a quiet patio surrounded by palm treesBeing part of a hotel, the food is something more... carIt's better than the restaurants in the city center, but the surroundings are much quieter.

Where to sleep in Siwa

Although Siwa is a relatively small tourist destination and not yet very popular, there are accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets. From luxury resorts to basic accommodations in the city center. Also There are accommodation options in the palm groves and in the desert, for those looking for a different experience.

backpacking trip: Forest Camp It is a camp made up of different very simple cabins located in the middle of a palm grove. The facilities are basic but its location is charming and is about 15 minutes walk from the center. This was our choice.

Good value for money: The best rated hotel in all of Siwa is Sleep In Siwa. Helpful staff, quiet place, typical construction and clean rooms. 

For a special trip: If you want to live a unique experience and sleep in the middle of the desert in a luxury camp Al Nyhaya it is the perfect choice. 

I hope this guide on what to do in Siwa helps you plan your route. To continue with your preparations, you can read our guides on travel to Egypt on your own or check out the featured stories from InstagramIf you have any questions, please leave us a comment and we will help you in any way possible. Thanks for reading!

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