Marsa Matruh
Introduction
Marsa Matrouh is a port city and the capital of Matrouh Governorate in Egypt, positioned on the main highway that runs from the Nile Delta to the Libyan border. It sits roughly midway along that coastal route, west of Alexandria and east of Sallum. You can also reach the city from the south, via a highway that crosses the Western Desert toward Siwa Oasis and Bahariya Oasis.Before you go
Before you go, know that Marsa Matruh is a very conservative and traditional town, and it is considered extremely safe as long as you behave according to expected local norms. The most important of these is that you should not communicate with local women, as doing so is regarded as a rude and hostile act. Respecting this custom is essential to a trouble-free visit. The climate is another point to plan around: Marsa Matruh has the coolest summer day temperatures of any city or resort in Egypt, and it is known for its light-coloured sands and clear beach water.Getting there
< p>Marsa Matruh is served by Marsa Matruh International Airport (MUH). If you are coming from Cairo, the most convenient option is the 7:30AM West Delta Bus from Turgoman Bus Station, which should get you in with time to spare for the 1:30PM planes. From Alexandria, the fastest route is also a West Delta Bus.The West Delta Bus Station is the city's main transportation hub, located on the town's main square. Buses on the Marsa Matruh–Alexandria route leave three times daily, at 7AM, 5PM and 10PM, and booking ahead is well advised. Slow trains also run from Alexandria, arriving at Marsa Matruh railway station. There is no official shared taxi service in the city, but sheruts leave from in front of Abdu's Restaurant, across from the Yousef Hotel, in the early evening; confirming in advance is highly recommended.
Getting around
Marsa Matruh is compact and low-key, with no metro, tram or light rail network and no local rail service for getting around once you are there. The West Delta Bus Station on the main square is the transport hub, but it serves long-distance routes rather than a dense local bus network. Walking works well for the central area and the waterfront, where soft white sand beaches and calm, transparent water are sheltered by rocks forming a natural breakwater. For outlying beaches and sights, you will want a bicycle, a donkey cart or a taxi.
Bicycles are the best way to explore the town and its surroundings; Chinese gear-less models can be rented by the day or half day. Before accepting one, check that it is sturdy, that the brakes work well and that the handlebars are not cracked or bent, and be aware that cycling on sand-covered streets is a challenge if you are inexperienced. Donkey carts are a genuine local mode of transport, driven mostly by children who learned the trade young, with negotiable prices. There is no official shared taxi service, though informal sheruts leave from in front of Abdu's Restaurant, across from the Yousef Hotel, in the early evening; confirm in advance. If you arrive by air at Marsa Matruh International Airport, arrange a taxi or pre-booked transfer, as no airport shuttle is described.
Where to stay
Marsa Matruh itself has little in the way of accommodation, so most travellers base themselves outside the town. The main option is a five-star all-inclusive resort at Almaza Beach, roughly 35 km from Marsa Matruh. Staying here means you eat, drink and sleep on site, with the beach as the centre of the day.
Food & drink
For a taste of the region, seek out Siwa dates, which are considered the finest in Egypt. Beyond the plain fruit, you'll find them sold stuffed with almonds and chocolate, so look for shops that specialise in dates if you want to take some home. The beach is the other place to eat: stroll the sands and you'll come across a large variety of vendor offerings to choose from.What to see and do
For a sense of the area's wartime history, you can visit the Rommel cave museum, a minuscule museum set in a cave where Rommel is said to have stayed during the war. Inside you'll find war artifacts such as guns and battle maps, along with some of Rommel's personal belongings. Be aware that it is generally not considered worth the visit. Beyond that, the source lists nothing further to see or do in Marsa Matruh.When to go
Summer is the season to plan around in Marsa Matruh. Days here stay cooler than anywhere else in Egypt during the summer months, which makes the beach the obvious draw, and the sand is light-coloured with clear water for swimming.
- Summer: the coolest summer daytime temperatures of any Egyptian city or resort, ideal for time on the sand and in the water.
Three days in Marsa Matruh
Day one: Arrive in Marsa Matruh and settle into the rhythm of the coast. If you come by air, Marsa Matruh International Airport (MUH) is your gateway; by road, West Delta Bus services run from Cairo's Turgoman Bus Station and from Alexandria, with buses also connecting onward toward Sallum. Base yourself around Almaza Beach, where the white sand and clear water set the tone for the days ahead. In the evening, eat at Abdu Restaurant, where the day's catch and Egyptian staples are served simply. Yousef Hotel is one of the long-standing places to stay in town.
Day two: Give the sea your full attention. Almaza Beach rewards a slow start, and the shallow, calm water makes it easy to swim or simply float. Walking and bicycles are good ways to move along the shore; Chinese-made and donkey carts also share the roads, so keep an eye out. The climate here is mild in winter and warm to hot in summer, with the Mediterranean keeping the worst of the desert heat at bay. Respecting local customs means covering up away from the beach and dressing modestly in town.
Day three: Look beyond the shoreline. Marsa Matruh sits in Matrouh Governorate, on Egypt's northwestern coast, with a Libyan border to the west and the Western Desert at its back. From here you can push south toward Siwa Oasis, or east toward Bahariya Oasis, both long desert journeys that reward those with time. If your schedule is tighter, spend the morning along the coast before heading back to Alexandria or Cairo. The town itself is a relaxed base, and its position between the Nile Delta and the desert makes it a natural stop on a longer Egyptian journey.