Marsa Matruh

Marsa Matruh, or the comatose state, gives you an experience of brilliant-white sand and turquoise-lined bays in Egypt.

Marsa Matruh was founded by Alexander the Great on his way to Siwa. According to tradition, it was a place where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra sought solace after their defeat at Actium.

It lies on a bay on the Mediterranean and is distinguished by its 7 km (4.5 miles) long Cleopatra beach, which – as all visitors have testified – is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

In the summer months of June to September, half of the Lower Nile Valley descends on this sleepy Mediterranean town for their annual holiday. During this time the streets buzz with people late into the night, throngs of street stalls sell hot food and souvenirs, and impromptu street musicians bang out rhythmic tunes.

The two key streets in Marsa Matrouh are:

The Corniche- which winds its way around the waterfront,

Alexandria Street, which runs perpendicular to the Corniche.

What to see:

Agiba Beach, or ‘Miracle’ beach, is about 24km (15 miles) West of Marsa Matrouh. It is distinguished by its numerous natural caves and enchanting scenery. The water here is dazzlingly clear turquoise, though it isn’t ideal for toddlers, as the waves roll in strongly.

Cleopatra’s Beach is possibly the most beautiful piece of coastline in the area and lies about 14km (9 miles) west of town, around the bay’s thin tentacle of land. The sea here is an exquisite hue, and the rock formations are worth a look. You can wade to Cleopatra’s Bath, a natural pool where legend has imagined the great queen and Mark Anthony enjoying a dip, but there’s actually no swimming due to the waves and rocks just offshore.
Lido Beach, the main beach in town, has golden sands and clear water. Calm, shallow water is great for small kids to play in and there are also palm-frond shades for you to relax under.

The remains of the Egyptian Fleet Anchorage, built during the reign of the Ptolemy Pharaohs, still stand west of the port.

Rommel’s hideout is a cave hewn in the rock, where Rommel drew up plans of his military operations in WWII. It has now been turned into a military museum.

Matrouh is a wonderful relaxing resort that can be added to the end of any tour through Luxor, Cairo, Aswan, and Alexandria.