Marsa Alam, a city located in eastern Egypt, will impress everyone with its impressive historical monuments and exceptional nature. However, it is not only nature that is green here, but also the emerald mines, which are one of the many tourist destinations in the area.
Explanation of why emeralds are nicknamed stone of queens and kings, probably originated in ancient Egypt. This green mineral, which incidentally is one of the four the rarest gems in the world, enjoyed by the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. Visitors can still admire the remains of her emerald mines in the Marsa Alam area today.
It is claimed that smaragdy The emeralds that came from these mines were the most beautiful in the world. The mineral was mined here until the 14th century. The mines were rediscovered in the 19th century, but by then there were no emeralds left. All that awaited the discoverers was a sophisticated system of mine shafts and ruins, which are now part of the tour.
The port of Berenice, sometimes also referred to as Berenike, is located near Marsa Alam. It was founded by Ptolemy II Philadelphus, who named the port after his mother Berenice I, Queen of Egypt. At that time, 275 years before Christ, it was one of the most important ports on the coast of the Red Sea.
In 2021, in the immediate vicinity of the port of Berenice, a team of archaeologists excavated 2,000-year-old remains dogs, cats, and monkeys. People therefore believe that this is the oldest pet cemetery in the world. Some of the bodies were carefully placed in coffins and accompanied by items such as collars.
This is certainly not the only secret that this place holds, making it the ideal trip for all adventurers.
Port Ghalib is modern port town, where visitors can indulge in shopping sprees, treatments at several wellness resorts, or try snorkeling. The harbor promenade is also ideal for walks or visits to local restaurants, cafes, and bars. A popular evening activity is sitting with family or friends around a hookah, which is commonly available in almost all local businesses.
The following are a matter of course beaches with full amenities in the form of sun loungers, several refreshment options, toilets, and a rich entertainment program. Port Ghalib is also a good location, as it is less than 10 kilometers from the airport.
Read more: Saqqara: The oldest pyramids in Egypt.
National Park Wadi El Gemal, translated as "valley of camels," is a vast area covering approximately 7,000 km² of land and sea. It is home to many rare species of animals, including Nubian ibex, wild asses and, as the name suggests, camels. In the Red Sea, you can see around 450 protected coral species and more than 1,200 species of fish.
Typical for the national park, although it is mainly located in the desert, are rich mangrove forests and mountainous areas. Tourists can thus experience firsthand a truly rare ecosystem that must not be disturbed in any way.
Throughout the area, there is strictly forbidden to hunt game, picking or otherwise destroying plants, or littering. On the contrary, there are many activities that visitors can enjoy here. These include camel riding, ATV rides, hiking, or snorkeling.
Egyptian city El Quseir was founded 5,000 years ago and was originally called "Leucus Limen." It boasts a truly rich history, which visitors can admire, for example, at remains of Sultan Selim's fortress from the 16th century, located in the city center, or the Pharaoh's Mosque from 1704.
When walking through the city, the streets are lined with British and French-style buildings, and in many places there are local bazaars. It is a quiet resort with not too many hotels, allowing visitors to soak up the typical Egyptian energy. Among other things, El Quseir is perfect for diving, as there are beautiful coral reefs close to the shore, under the crystal clear water.
Among the important Egyptian areas located near Marsa Alam that are definitely worth visiting are Aswan and Abu Simbel.
Aswan hides the excavations of the city of Abu, which existed from the 3rd millennium BC until the 14th century. Visitors can admire all the artifacts that have been preserved in Aswan Museum Other important sites include the remains of the temple of the god Khnum, Kitchener Island with a botanical garden or the Aswan Dam.
In contrast, Abu Simbel is a very impressive archaeological site, where you can see, for example, two ancient temples whose origins date back to the 13th century BC. They were carved into the local rock cliffs by the ruler Ramesses II. However, they have not always stood in their current location — as part of a UNESCO rescue operation, they were relocated here in 1979. Today, Abu Simbel is one of the most visited monuments in Egypt.
Marsa Alam has many beautiful beaches with crystal clear water, white sand, and, above all, rich marine life. Among the best are, for example Abu Dabab, Sharm El Luli or beach Marsa Mubarak where you can encounter turtles.
It is recommended to bring a swimsuit, snorkel mask, and underwater camera to capture unforgettable views beneath the sea.
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