Siwa Oasis

The oasis of Siwa is located at the edge of the Western Desert near the border with Libya, the Qattarra Depression, and the Great Sand Sea.

Despite its size (82km by 28km, or 51 by 17 miles), Siwa has around 2,000 acres of cultivated land and a total population of around 33,000.

The long trip (about 10 hours from Cairo or Alexandria) is worthwhile because Siwa offers a completely different environment and culture, and several significant archaeological sites. It is an agricultural oasis that is primarily in date palm and olive tree gardens. Dates, olives, olive oil, spring water, and salt are the main products of Siwa.

The oasis has hundreds of natural spring water pools, cool or hot, some of which you swim in (others are privately owned by Siwa families and used to irrigate their gardens).

Siwa also has large salt lakes where people enjoy sunset or a boat ride. As a result of salt mining, there are also many smaller, vibrantly colored salt pools in which you can float. (Note: don’t shave any part of your body just before visiting and don’t go into the pools with any cuts, because the intensity of the salt will sting).

A desert safari into the dunes and open expanses is recommended, with interesting rock formations, beautiful sunsets, and a wealth of stars visible at night.

Ancient sites include the Temple of the Oracle at Aghurmi, the Temple at Um  Ubeyda, Ain Guba (known as Cleopatra Bath or Spring), and Gebel al-Mawta (Mountain of the Dead) tombs.

The people of Siwa are mostly Amazigh (Berber), and their culture and language Siwi are distinct from those of other areas of Egypt, due to the Oasis being relatively isolated for many centuries. To learn more about the culture visit the Siwa House Museum. 

Siwa is known to have been settled since at least the 10th millennium BC but was historically part of ancient Libya. The earliest evidence of connection with ancient Egypt is in the 26th Dynasty when a necropolis was established. During the Ptolemaic period of Egypt, its ancient Egyptian name was sḫ.t-ỉm3w, “Field of Trees”. During his campaign to conquer the Persian Empire, Alexander the Great visited the oasis. His court historians claimed that the Oracle of the Temple confirmed him as both a divine personage and the legitimate Pharaoh of Egypt.
The oasis was officially added to Egypt by Muhammad Ali of Egypt in 1819. Shali, the ancient fortress of Siwa, is as fascinating as the more ancient structures in the oasis. It dates back at least 600 years and was built on natural rock and made of kerchief (a salt and earth mix) and palm logs, a building technique that continues in Siwa although it has mostly been replaced by more standard modern construction materials.

The most important event in Siwa Oasis is the harvest season. A festival is held around the full moon in October, with many of the men and children camping for several days and nights at Gebel Dakrur (Dakrur Mountain), sharing communally cooked meals and prayers. The festival has historical roots in the ending of conflicts between the people of Siwa.

What to see:

The center of the main town (called Shali) is dominated by the spectacular shapes of old Shali, a 13th-century earth-built fortress. The fortress provided housing to thousands of people, however a torrent of rain in 1926 caused massive damage to it. Some homes and buildings continued to be in use, including the Old Mosque with its chimney-shaped minaret, however much of the fortress was ruined. In the last 20 years, there has been substantial reconstruction here including homes and hotels, and improvement to the path that leads to the summit of Shali where you can enjoy views across the oasis, a favorite place for sunset watching.

Further from the central town, rugged Jebel Dakhrour also offers stunning views, contrasting the verdant oasis with the salt lake Zeitun and the surrounding sand which is famous for its ability to ease rheumatism.

Gebel al-Mawta, the Mountain of the Dead, is a hill honeycombed with rock tombs, most of which date back to the 26th Dynasty or the Ptolemaic and Roman times. The Tomb of Si Amun has the most beautiful paintings, with well-preserved reliefs. The Tomb of the Crocodile is also famous for its inscriptions and drawings.

The fortified settlement ruins of Aghurmi also offer superb views of the salt lakes of Siwa, the town, and the palm gardens. This is the location of the famous Oracle Temple, the Temple of Jupiter Ammon. Built between 663 and 525 BC, the temple became well known due to Alexander the Great’s visit to the oasis in 332 BC. It is believed that he sought confirmation of a godly heritage.

Siwa House Museum contains an interesting display of traditional clothing, jewelry, and crafts typical of the oasis, including the many-layered bridal garments that feature intricate embroidery by Siwa women which has become known internationally. 

Fatnas Spring is located near the lake edge and is one of the preferred spots for sunset watching.

Siwa’s most well-known spring is Ain Guba (Cleopatra’s Bath), a large stone pool fed by spring water. Due to its clean water and beautiful location, it is a popular swimming spot for both locals and tourists. To respect the locals’ views it is advised that women and men dress modestly in shorts and t-shirts rather than brief swimwear here.

Bir Wahed is a hot water pool next to a freshwater lake. To soak in Bir Wahed while watching the sunset over the dunes is a great experience. Wearing swimwear here is fine, as the pool is slightly further from the locals and the oasis. There are several other hot spring pools you can also visit.