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Travel Newsletters > Alexandria and the Mediterranean Coast
1. Alexandria and Egypt's Mediterranean Sea Coast: Unrivalled Beauty in Ancient Lands
The
Mediterranean
coast of ancient Egypt has one of the longest legacies of
tourism in the world. Known as Sahel Shimali in Arabic, Egypt's
Mediterranean coast consists of a 500 kilometre pristine shoreline
spanning from the resort town of Agani just west of Alexandria to the
Marsa Matrouh village on the Libyan border.
The Mediterranean
region is one of the world's largest tourism market, and among the top destinations in
Egypt travel, claiming millions
of visitors each year. Egypt's Med Sea region is frequented by
Egyptians living in Cairo and Alexandria looking to cool off during the
summer months, as well as Arab and European visitors seeking year-round
sun and relaxation.
Egypt is a destination mainly known for
its rich history, the Nile River, white sandy beaches, and the blue
turquoise waters and coral reefs of the Red Sea. It has however stepped
up efforts to include its Mediterranean shores as a primary attraction
to draw visitors to the country.
Egypt's Med Sea coast has
arguably some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. There are
spectacular beaches stretching along the coast from Alexandria to Mersa
Matrouh, including the resort of Sidi Abdel Rahman. Sidi Abdel Rahman
is a secluded bay with clear waters and a selection of villas and
hotels.
Mersa Matrouh, located 290 km west of Alexandria,is
famed for its breath-taking 7km long Mediterranean beach. Its long
white beach is good for sunbathing and swimming in calm transparent
waters. Some visitors believe this beach is among the most beautiful in
the world. The beach is not only acclaimed for its soft, white sands
and crystal-clear waters, but for the natural bay in which it resides.
The bay is protected from the open sea by a series of rocks but it has
a narrow passage that permits the entry of light vessels. The beach
dates back to the days of Alexander the Great.
Ageebah Beach,
situated 28 km west of Mersa Matrouh, is also a huge attraction in the
region and is famed for its enchanting scenery and many natural caves.
Al-Abyad Beach, placed just 20 km west of Mersa Matrouh, is equally
alluring and its may fans believe it is even more beautiful than the
Mersa Matrouh beach.
Besides the beaches there are other
attractions in the Mersa Matrouh area. These include: Cleopatra's Bath,
a rock-hewn whirlpool bath off-shore which is said to have been used by
Antony and Cleopatra; a ruined temple fort built by Pharaoh Ramses II;
an early Coptic chapel; and "Rommel's Hideout", a cave where some World
War II military campaigns were planned, and which has now been turned
into a military museum.
The city of Alexandria is itself a big
attraction in the northern coast of Egypt, and makes for some of
Egypt's best tours. Known as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean",
Alexandria is the second largest city of ancient Egypt, and has has an
atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern. The city's
atmosphere and cultural feel sets it apart from the rest of the country
although it is only 225 km from Cairo.
Alexandria was founded
by Alexander the Great in 331 BC and designed by architect Denokrates
II in the shape of a chessboard. The city became the capital of
Graeco-Roman Egypt and a center of learning in the ancient world. The
city's splendour later declined as a result of epidemic diseases and
administrative neglect to a sparsely populated fishing village. It is
linked to Cairo by the Delta Road and the Desert Road.
Beginning
the 19th century, Alexandria took a new role as a focus for Egypt's
commercial and maritime expansion. This is the Alexandria that has been
immortalized by renowned writers such as E.M Forster, Lawrence Durrell
and the poet Cavafy. The commercial success of Alexandria saw numerous
immigrants from as far as Italy and Greece making the city their home.
The modern day Alexandria is synonymous with commerce, and a
cosmopolitan and bohemian culture. 'Gateway to Egypt' for the Europe
and Mediterranean countries, Alexandria is a busy trade port and a
centre of tourist activity. The city has a population of over 3 million
people. Alexandria boasts a good number of Egypt's major tourist
attractions, including ancient monuments, museums, as well as
spectacular beaches.
Major monuments in Alexandria are
Pompeii's Pillar - a granite pillar with a height of 25 m surrounded by
the ruins of the Serapuim, and the Catacombs of Kom-al-Shoqafa, the
largest Roman cemetery dating back to the 2nd century AD. The cemetery
is built in three levels representing Pharaonic and Roman art.
Pompeii
Pillar is the biggest memorial column in Egypt. It is a huge column of
red granite with a height of about 28 m and a diameter of 2.7 m at the
base. On the upper part is an inscription in Greek, which reads: “To
the most just Emperor, tutelary of Alexandria Diocletian, the
invincible, Postumus, the Prefect of Egypt (has erected this monument)”.
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