Off The Beaten Track: Egyptian Cities That Should Be On Your Next Road Trip 

With this Eid break being a long one, what better time than now to escape the capital and travel around different cities of Egypt? If you are looking for beautiful and exciting destinations to travel to we’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of cities we recommend you visit.

Port Said

Almost a three-hour ride from Cairo, the beautiful city of Port Said is located on the northern end of the Suez Canal. As you stroll down its corniche you may catch a view of the canal’s entry point. In that same area, you will also find small local shops selling everything from clothes to gadgets. Make sure to check out the cafes on the shoreline where you can enjoy the sea view and the fresh spring breeze.

The history of this city is often overlooked, so also be sure to take a trip to the past as you visit the remains of what used to be a 33-foot bronze statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps built-in 1899 or the oldest concrete lighthouse in the world, built-in 1860. You cannot miss the ferry ride or “Maadeya” between Port Said and Port Fouad, where seagulls can make your acquaintance, you may feed them some bread but beware they may bite! End your trip by indulging in seafood heaven at “Kasten” or visit the fish market if you prefer a hands-on experience where you get to pick out fresh sea food.

Damietta

Located on the eastern branch of the Nile which pours into the Mediterranean Sea, the governorate of Damietta gives you a chance to see the river joining in with the sea, it is a view not to miss. It’s also the location of one of Egypt’s oldest summer resorts, Ras El Bar. Enjoy the peace and quite as you take a stroll down the corniche, it is a lot less crowded than Cairo and Alexandria, perhaps you may even buy some Humos Sham from the street vendors. Appreciate the panoramic view of the city from the Seadoor restaurant’s top floor overlooking the whole city.

If you have some free time on your plate, feel free to take a trip around the whole governorate where you can observe the palm trees covering the coast from Eastern Ras El Bar to Western Gamasa. There you can walk up to the lighthouse where the river Nile meets the Mediterranean sea. Also, if you have a sweet tooth, you are literally in for a treat! You must try meshabek (deep fried rounded sweet), a Damietta delicacy as well as some feteer (flakey layered pastry). Damietta is the furniture capital of Egypt, so also be be sure to check out the wood workshops as it can be a great opportunity to mend any broken furniture you may have.

Al Minya

Located 246 km away from Cairo is one of the most important governorates of Upper Egypt due to its location. It is often forgotten that Al Minya is home to many of the country’s most important archaeological sites. While you are there, you can visit “Beni Hassan”, a small village in south of Al Minya, where you will encounter rock-cut tombs belonging to the 11th- and 12th-dynasty, carved into the cliffs on the east bank of the Nile.

If you are interested in experiencing a fairy tale of pharaonic times, do not miss visiting “Tal EL Amarna”, a place where Akhenaton and Nefertiti established their monotheistic Kingdoms. The city is also known for its religious affiliates. It holds “Dair al-Adhra”, a monastery where the holy family stayed in Egypt, as well as important ancient mosques including the Egyptian Mosque and Al Foley Mosque. If you have a sweet tooth, you can end your trip by trying molasses or “black honey” as the city is well known for it.

Mansoura

Named after the victory over France’s King Louis IX during the Seventh Crusade. To fully appreciate Mansoura, be sure to take a stroll by the water or hop on a boat trip as it is one of the greatest ways to see the city’s waterfront. Famous for its architectural style, those interested in architecture are sure to find this city interesting. You can visit El-Shenawy Palace, an Italian architectural masterpiece or marvel at the fascinating Islamic architecture found in Al-Nasr Mosque and Al Mwafi Mosque.

Bargain your way through “Al Khawaga Market” where you can find everything from clothes to homeware. If you are looking to buy some gold be sure to check out the gold shops in El-Sikka El-Gedida. To end your day with a delicious meal, be sure to hit up “El Baghl”, considered the locals favorite restaurant serving delicious foul and falafel.

Suez

Known as Egypt’s infamous port and a bustling bridge between the East and the West. Suez is a city that carries religious, commercial, industrial and touristic importance because of it’s strategic geographical location. Beyond that, it is a city that holds many treasures for all types of travelers. For the history buffs, there is the Muhammed Ali Palace, built back in 1812, directly overlooking the sea. This palace was once home to the Muhammed Ali Pasha family who were to supervise the establishment of the first naval arsenal in Egypt.

For the naval aficionados, the Suez canal itself is a must visit. This canal is extremely important economically contributing to the transportation and shipment of materials between Egypt and countries around the world. Finally, for the foodies, you have to try out any of their fish restaurants with shrimp making it to the top of your list.

Visiting these beautiful cities you’ll get to experience Egypt in all its glory, filling in the gaps of its history and economy. A bonus to visiting these cities is that they may not be as crowded as the more major and bustling cities of Egypt like Alexandria and Cairo.

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