Siwa 3 days 2 nights Discovery
From€680 for 2 people
Western Desert
Siwa Oasis
Salt lakes you float in, the mud-brick town of Shali and the Oracle Temple Alexander the Great came to visit.
At a glance
What Siwa Oasis is famous for
Oasis · Western Desert
Siwa
Salt lakes, Shali fortress, Great Sand Sea
Taste: Dates, olives · Best: Oct–Apr
Explore Siwa Oasis
Area by area: what to see and why it matters
Open any place for its story, key facts and how long you need.
Siwa town
The mud-brick heart of the oasis, 50 km from the Libyan border.
Shali Fortress13th century1 hour
The old fortress town of Siwa, built from kershef, a mix of salt, clay and rock. Three days of heavy rain in 1926 melted much of it.
- Families lived inside its walls for centuries
- Climb to the top for sunset over the oasis
Mountain of the Dead (Gebel al-Mawta)Late Period to Roman45 minutes
A hill full of rock-cut tombs. The tomb of Si-Amun still has painted walls.
- During World War II people from Siwa hid in the tombs
Aghurmi & the palm groves
Temple of the Oracle of Amun6th century BC45 minutes
On a rock above the palm groves of Aghurmi, the oracle Alexander the Great crossed the desert to consult in 331 BC.
- The oracle was famous across the Greek world
- Alexander left, some say, believing he was the son of a god
Cleopatra’s Spring30–60 minutes
A round stone pool fed by a warm natural spring, surrounded by cafés.
- Legend says Cleopatra swam here
- Swimwear is fine at the springs; cover up in town
Fatnas Island1 hour
A palm-covered spot on the lake, famous for the best sunset in the oasis.
- Tea and dates at the café at sunset
Around the oasis
Salt lakes1–2 hours
Turquoise pools so salty that you float without effort. Siwa also mines its salt here.
- Bring fresh water to rinse off
- Best in the afternoon light
Dakrour Mountain1 hour
A mountain known for its hot-sand baths in summer, believed to help with rheumatism.
- Sand baths are taken in July and August
The Great Sand SeaHalf a day
One of the largest dune fields on Earth, stretching south from Siwa. Visited by 4x4 for sandboarding and hot springs in the sand.
- A desert permit is needed – arranged by the operator
Tours & prices
All trips →Trips in Siwa Oasis
Where to eat
The best places to eat in Siwa Oasis
Famous for: Dates, olives & olive oil, abu mardam (meat cooked in sand), mint tea – the oasis cuisine.
Oasis cuisine€
Abdu's Restaurant
Market square
Order: Couscous, grilled chicken, pizza
Good for: independent, budget
Cash only
Oasis cuisine€€
Kenooz Siwa (Shali Lodge)
Near Shali fortress
Order: Siwan dishes on a rooftop
Good for: couples
Sunset over Shali
Price per person: € under €10 · €€ €10–30 · €€€ over €30. Opening hours change, so check before you go.
Hotels by travel style
Where to stay in Siwa Oasis
Our picks for families, friends, couples and solo travellers.
Families
Siwa farmland
Talist
Quiet farm stay with home-grown meals.
Friends & young travellers
Next to Shali fortress
Albabenshal Lodge
Mud-brick lodge steps from the market.
Outside Siwa town
Mountain Camp Ali Khaled
Budget camp with springs and bonfire nights.
Couples
By the White Mountain
Adrère Amellal
Candle-lit eco-lodge, no electricity, very special.
By the salt lake
Taziry
Ecovillage on the lake, candles and silence.
Solo
Next to Shali fortress
Albabenshal Lodge
Central and easy, good base to meet other travellers.
Want more information about a hotel or an evening out? Write to us on WhatsApp →
Nightlife
Evenings in Siwa Oasis
A night out or a quiet evening: where to go.
Quiet evenings
Fatnas Island
Sunset at Fatnas
The classic Siwa sunset over the salt lake, with tea.
Siwa town
Shali fortress at dusk
Climb the old mud-brick town as the lights come on.
Great Sand Sea
Bonfire in the dunes
Dinner by the fire and a sky full of stars.
Want more information about a hotel or an evening out? Write to us on WhatsApp →
Local food
Dishes to try here
Abu mardam
أبو مردمMeat buried and cooked in hot sand
Tender, smoky · Try it at Siwa restaurants
Dates & olives
بلح وزيتونOrganic dates, olives and olive oil
Great souvenirs · Try it at Siwa markets
Nature & wellness
Springs, parks and places to slow down
Western Desert
Siwa Oasis
Hot-sand baths at Gebel Dakrour, Cleopatra spring, Bir Wahed hot spring
Good for: rheumatism, joint pain, relaxation · Best: Sand baths Jul–Aug; springs all year
Siwa
Siwa eco-lodges
Candle-lit mud-brick lodges, salt lakes
Good for: couples, slow travel · Best: Oct–Apr
The desert
What you'll see out there
West of the Nile to Libya
Western Desert
Oases, dunes, chalk & volcanic landscapes
Siwa, Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla, Kharga · Best: Oct–Apr
Siwa to the south
Great Sand Sea
Huge dunes, fossils, hot & cold springs
4x4 dune bashing, sandboarding · Best: Oct–Apr
Desert safety: Water - Min. 3 L per person per day · Layers - Hot days, cold nights – bring a fleece · Sun - Hat, sunglasses, SPF 50, scarf/buff for dust · Shoes - Closed shoes – sand is hot and full of thorns · Respect - Leave no trace; don't take fossils or crystals · Guides - Always go with licensed guides & 4x4 – permits are needed for remote areas
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