Egypt Marsa Matruh

Marsa Matruh

The city is a convenient stop-over for travelers on their way to Siwa.

Lies 295 km west of Alexandria and 510 km northwest of Cairo

Marsa Matruh is the last town before the Libyan border and shares its history with some famous figures. Alexander the Great is said to have stopped here on his way to the Siwa Oasis and Cleopatra is reputed to have come here to bathe. It was here that General Rommel set up his field headquarters and directed German troops in the decisive Battle of El-Alamein in 1942.

The beaches

Marsa Matruh lies on the edge of a large lagoon protected by a Corniche along which tourists are ferried in local donkey-drawn carriages known as caretta. Whilst the most beautiful beaches are located outside the town, it is advisable to stay within the built-up areas. Among the most amazing of the beaches is that of Agiba (28 km west) with its natural caves. On the edge of the desert, the place known as “Cleopatra’s bath” is a wonderful bay, its clear waters surrounded by rocks giving the impression of a vast, square pool in which, according to legend, Cleopatra came to bathe. The ruins of one of her palaces were uncovered on the hillside opposite the pool.

Libyan Souk (market)

Nowadays the market sells goods from Libya, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Europe as well as local produce such as wool, olives, barley, sheep, dates and watermelons.

Fortress and temple dating from Ramesses II

The ruins present today are proof of a time when the walls of the pharaonic Temple of Ramesses II stood here. Built at the end of his campaign against the Libyans in 1200 BC, the complex was used as a stronghold to defend the frontier with Libya.