A long weekend is upon us, and this time, it is the 46th memory of Egypt’s victory of the 6th of October War and the return of the Sinai Peninsula to the Arab Republic of Egypt.
It is a glorious day that all Egyptians, regardless of age, race, and religion, come together to celebrate. Thankfully, this year the day comes right after the weekend, giving some a chance to schedule a break from endless deadlines and loud clients.
I think it is only appropriate to enjoy the 6th of October extended weekend at Sinai, but since the weather is still not at its optimum, I added other options to places that must be on the bucket list of every Egyptian.
So here you go! Here is our list of the different destinations you could head to during the long weekend.
Taba
Overlooking the deep blue waters of the Red Sea and the high mountains of the Sinai
In recent years, the city has grown to become one of Sinai’s most traveled-to cities, well-known for its safety and beautiful sceneries.
Despite popular belief that the city is not well-equipped enough to accommodate travelers, the truth could not be any different. Taba has a number of facilities from hotels and hospitals to restaurants, pharmacies, and supermarkets.
Taba looks over breathtaking landscapes that are sure to instill wanderlust in the hearts of all of its spectators. It is the perfect getaway for those looking to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of Cairo and fully immerse in nature.
Fjord Bay
The Fjord Bay is considered to be one of Egypt’s most virgin beaches. This natural haven is one of the most picturesque location in all of Egypt.
Travelers can spend their day chilling on the gold sandy beach or go on a hike for a daring experience. Not only that, but it also has one of the most underrated diving spots in the MENA with different species of breathtaking corals.
The bay is said to be formed by a falling meteor millions of years ago, and from an eyewitness’ perspective, you have to see it in person to truly appreciate its beauty.
Some distance from the Fjord Bay, the historic Salah El Din Citadel is one of Sinai’s least-visited treasures. History buffs are sure to have the time of their life exploring the medieval castle and learning about its strategic importance in the time of the Crusades.
Dahab
For decades now, Dahab has been gaining popularity with both tourists and locals alike. It is one of the most-visited destinations in Egypt during the winter and spring seasons, and right now, it is perhaps the most popular getaway for Egyptian youth.
Dahab has some of the most beautiful and diverse wildlife in all of Egypt, especially in the Red Sea. The corals there are renowned for their diversity, and according to National Geographic, are considered to be among the “healthiest in the region”. The different species of reefs in Dahab are one of the most resilient to the adverse effects of climate change.
Along the coastline of Dahab, there lies the beautiful Ras Abu Galum Natural Protectorate, hosting 165 plant species, 44 of which are native to the site, in addition to a number of desert animals. It is also home to one of the best snorkeling spots in all of Egypt with a myriad of fish species of different shapes, sizes, and hues nestled between vividly-colored corals.
Nuweiba
On the road connecting Dahab to Taba, a forgotten magical city lies to the coast of the Red Sea. Nuweiba remains, as it had for centuries, an isolated haven to all those willing to escape to a calm, chill destination, with nothing to do but lay back and relax.
There are many things to do at Nuweiba from the different water activities to the hiking and adventurous exploration. Travelers can also visit Ras Shaitan, one of the best diving spots in all of Sinai.
Fayoum
Fayoum is the Arabized version of an ancient Egyptian word that means means sea or lake. The ancient city is located 90 kilometers west of Cairo and is home to a number of breathtaking attractions such as Tunis Village, the most prominent pottery revival center in all of Egypt as well as Maidum Pyramid, one of ancient Egypt’s first attempts at building a pyramid.
There are also many beautiful camping sites, including Gabal El Medawara and Magic Lake. In addition to Wadi El Rayan, a protected area comprising a natural depression 42 kilometers below sea level with two man-made lakes joint together by a network of waterfalls.
In my opinion, one of Fayoum’s most important landmarks is the Wadi Al-Hitan Protected Area. In 2005, Wadi Al-Hitan
Millions of years ago, the area that now comprises Wadi Al-Hitan Nature Protectorate used to be a prehistoric sea with a myriad of marine life, all of which is extinct now. Today, Wadi Al-Hitan is renowned across the globe for the many unique whale fossils it possesses, offering key insights into the evolution of whales from land-dwelling mammals to marine-living animals.
Siwa
South of Marsa Matruh, between the Great Sand Sea and the Qattara Depression, lies one of the most beautiful of Egypt’s destinations, Siwa. It is indeed one of the most secluded places in the country, yet it is filled to the brim with the distinct Berber culture.
Siwa Oasis is well-known for its limestone cliffs and mud-built ruins of the castle that was once called Shali. A few miles from the ancient fort lies the remainings of the Temple of Ammon, where the oracle crowned Alexander as King of Egypt and Son of Ammun.
Shalateen
With a virgin coast extending along the Red Sea and breathtaking deserts, Shalateen is home to one of Egypt’s most isolated Bedouin cultures, making it more beautiful to experience.
The city is situated at the southeasternmost point of Egypt and is renowned for its exotic camel markets and heavenly coffee. It also has Egypt’s largest protected area in size.
Located to the east at the southernmost point of Egypt, Gabal Elba is Egypt’s largest national park, stretching over 50 square kilometers north of Shalateen. The natural scenery here is perhaps one of the most picturesque in all of Egypt, with a landscape laden with biodiversity, green plains, and blue waters.