Marsa Matrouh is a Mediterranean seaport and the capital of the Matrouh Governorate, It is 240 km (150 mi) west of Alexandria, and 222 km from Sallum, on the main highway from the Nile Delta to the Libyan borders. Another highway leads south from the town, toward the Western Desert and the Oasis of Siwa & Bahariya.
During Ancient Egyptian times and during the reign of Alexander the Great, the city was known as Amunia.
Mersa Matruh is a major Egyptian tourist resort and serves as a getaway resort for Europeans as well as Cairenes eager to flee the capital in the sweltering summer months. It is served by Marsa Matrouh Airport. The city is known for its white soft sands and calm transparent waters; the bay is protected from the high seas by a series of rocks forming a natural breakwater, with a small opening to allow access for light vessels.
Climate:
Mersa Matruh has a hot desert climate (BWh) according to Köppen climate classification, but blowing winds from the Mediterranean Sea greatly moderates the temperatures, typical to the Egypt’s north coast, making its summers moderately hot and humid while its winters mild and moderately wet when sleet and hail are also common. Summers are sunny and dry, while in the colder months, mainly in winters, they are a little rainy and cloudy.
Sightseeing in Matruh and Around it:
Many tourists who visit Alexandria today prefer to take a two or three days trip to Matruh to enjoy the sea and sun of Matruh that cannot be found anywhere else. The only touristic attraction in Marsa Matruh other than the sea is the Romel cave that was transformed into a small interesting museum. There is the military museum in Alamein, The British war cemetery, the Italian war Cemetery, and the German war Cemetery on the North Coast on the way to Matruh. One day trips to the Siwa oasis can be organized from Marsa Matruh to explore this oasis with its natural pools and astonishing antiquities.
The western view of guide books of Marsa Matruh that says that it is a crowded and littered city has changed over the years. Marsa Matruh right now is ready to host tourists from all over the world. There are a number of fine hotels that was recently opened in Marsa Matruh and other hotels who improved their rooms and services in order to get as much tourists in the summer as possible. Marsa Matruh will always be a charming place to spend three to four days in the summer in Egypt.
Monuments and Tourist Sites:
• Ruins of the Temple of the King, Pharaoh Rameses II (1200 B.C)
• Drowned city of Caesar.
• Drowned Palace of Cleopatra.
• Egyptian Fleet Anchorage which was built by the Ptolemies. The remains of the naval installations still stand west of the port.
• Coptic Chapel: built in the early Coptic age, and contains several caves bearing inscriptions.
• Rommel’s Hideout: A cave, hewn in the rock, where Rommel drew up plans of his military operations. It has now been turned into a military museum.
• The British Cemetery: Thousands upon thousands of rock-hewn tombstones stand in straight rows amidst a fenced garden.
• The German Cemetery: It is a fortress like memorial that was built on a height overlooking the sea.
• The Italian Cemetery: It is a high tower fort standing on a high hill. The walls of the building are covered with marble.
Main Beaches:
• Ageebah Beach: About 28 km. west of Mersa Matruh downtown, it is distinguished by its numerous natural caves and enchanting scenery.
• Al-Obayed Beach: About 20 km. west of Mersa Matruh downtown, beauty surpasses that of Mersa Matruh beach.
• Romel Bay.
All these beaches have a common feature which is the clear water and the warm soft sand. On the other hand each of these beaches has a special element that makes it unique. This is why we are going to explore the beaches of Matruh separately in another story.
All kinds of beach activities can be done in Marsa Matruh like swimming in the charming sea water. You can also lay around in the sun as its rays are marvelous in the summer. The kids can go and swim securely, play around the beach, and build sand castles as much as they want. You can also rent a motor boat, Jet Ski, rowing boat, and peddling boats. You can also go surfing as some of the beaches in Marsa Matruh have the waves needed for wonderful surfing.
