Siwa Oasis, Egypt: travel guide
Palm groves, salt lakes and mud-brick ruins deep in the Western Desert
Egypt's most remote and enchanting oasis — a Berber island of emerald date palms and olive groves floating in the midst of the Libyan Desert, 50 km from the Libyan border.
About Siwa Oasis
Siwa is a remote oasis in Egypt's Western Desert, close to the Libyan border, where date palms and olive groves surround freshwater springs and salt lakes. Its Amazigh (Berber) culture and its distance from the Nile give it a character unlike anywhere else in the country.
Things to do in Siwa include exploring the old mud-brick fortress of Shali, visiting the ruins associated with the Oracle of Amun that Alexander the Great is said to have consulted, and floating in the salt lakes. Cycling or donkey-cart rides between springs, and desert trips to the dunes at sunset, fill the days.
Siwa suits those who want quiet and a sense of space. Because summer is very hot, the cooler months from October to April are the best time to visit Siwa.
- Country
- Egypt
- Currency
- EGP
- Time zone
- Africa/Cairo
Last updated
Top places to visit in Siwa Oasis
Cleopatra's Spring (Ain Cleopatra)
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A natural bubbling spring 1km from Siwa town — warm (30°C), crystal clear water in a stone pool that Cleopatra is said to have bathed in during her visit in 48 BC. Open for swimming; refreshingly cool in the desert heat.
Great Sand Sea Dune Safari
desert safari · 4.9 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
The eastern edge of the Sahara — massive golden dunes stretching 300 km to the Libyan border, directly adjacent to the Siwa Oasis. Guided 4WD safaris include a stop at Bir Wahed hot spring (40 °C mineral water in the middle of the desert)…
Oracle Temple of Amun (Aghurmi)
ancient oracle temple · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The sanctuary where Alexander the Great consulted the Oracle of Amun in 332 BCE — the ancient world's most famous oracle. Ruined temples of Umm Ubaydah and Amun sit atop the Aghurmi rock outcrop above oasis palm groves. The oracle…
Fatnis Island (Eye of the Sun Spring)
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A causeway-accessed island in the middle of a salt lake, 5km from Siwa town. A natural freshwater spring emerges from the island's edge creating a magical swimming spot. Best at sunset when the lake turns copper.
Shali Fortress
medieval fortress ruins · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Medieval defensive city built from kershef (salt rock) in the 13th century by Amazigh Berber Siwans. Abandoned after three days of heavy rain in 1926 dissolved the walls. Ghostly crumbling towers and arched doorways are beautiful at sunset…
Mountain of the Dead (Gebel el-Mawta)
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A conical hill riddled with 4th-century BC to Roman-era rock-cut tombs. The most decorated, the Tomb of Si-Amon, contains remarkable painted reliefs in a Greek-Egyptian fusion style. Siwa's most important archaeological site after the…
Siwa House Museum
Museum · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Small museum in a traditional kershef (salt-mud brick) building displaying Siwan silver jewellery, embroidered costumes, pottery, tools and photos documenting the oasis's unique culture, customs and history.
Dakrur Mountain Sunset Viewpoint
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A sandstone hill 2km east of Siwa town offering a panoramic 360° view over the entire oasis — date palms, olive groves, salt lakes and the Great Sand Sea dunes on the southern horizon. The most spectacular sunset viewpoint in the oasis.
Traditional Siwan Craft Workshop
Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A workshop of the Siwa Handicraft Cooperative where Siwan women weave traditional embroidery, silver jewellery and palm-leaf baskets using ancient patterns. The only legitimate source of authentic Siwan crafts — all sales directly benefit…
Ain el-Gubah (Spring of the Sun)
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Another natural freshwater spring east of Siwa town, less visited than Cleopatra's but equally pristine. The surrounding palm garden and ancient stone channel system make it one of the most picturesque spots in the oasis.
Bir Wahed Hot & Cold Springs
Nature · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Natural hot and cold springs in the Great Sand Sea near Siwa.
Siwa Salt Lakes
Nature · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Turquoise salt lakes around Siwa town, popular for floating and photos.
Things to do
- Great Sand Sea Desert Safari, Siwa Adventure · 6 h · from EGP 1,600 per person
- Oracle Temple & Old Town Siwa Walk Cultural · 3 h · from EGP 290 per person
Day trips and tours
- Great Sand Sea Safari + Cleopatra's Spring 6 h · from EGP 1,800
Where to stay in Siwa Oasis
- Siwa Town Centre about EGP 900 per night
Small, walkable Siwa town. Cheap guesthouses and eco-lodges made from local kershef (salt rock). Central for visiting the Oracle Temple, Shali ruins and all springs.
Hotels
- Adrere Amellal Eco Lodge 5-star · EGP 8,000 to EGP 20,000 per night
- Shali Lodge Siwa 3-star · EGP 1,200 to EGP 2,800 per night
- Taziry Eco-Lodge
- Siwa Safari Paradise Hotel
Where to eat
- Kenooz Siwa Restaurant Egyptian, Siwan · about EGP 120 per person
- Abdu Restaurant Siwa Egyptian, Siwan · about EGP 85 per person
- Al Babenshal Restaurant Siwan, Egyptian · about EGP 85 per person
Getting to Siwa Oasis
Nearest airport: Alexandria (HBE), about 445 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Bicycle
- Offroad Vehicle
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
4WD Fake Break-Down
Desert road to Great Sand Sea
A 4WD "breaks down" mid-dune in an area with no mobile signal, and the driver demands extra cash to "fix" the vehicle.
How to avoid it: Book only through established Siwa hotels or the Siwan Handicrafts cooperative. Get the driver's name and agency in writing before departing.
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Frequently asked questions about Siwa Oasis
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Siwa Oasis?
- The highest-rated places in our Siwa Oasis guide are Great Sand Sea Dune Safari, Fatnis Island (Eye of the Sun Spring), Dakrur Mountain Sunset Viewpoint, Cleopatra's Spring (Ain Cleopatra), Shali Fortress.
- Where should I stay in Siwa Oasis?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Siwa Oasis: Siwa Town Centre.
- How do I get around Siwa Oasis?
- Ways to get around Siwa Oasis covered in our guide: Bicycle, Off-road vehicle, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Siwa Oasis?
- Scams reported to us for Siwa Oasis include 4WD Fake Break-Down. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.