Orientation and Practical Information

Siwa Oasis is enfolded into a desert depression about 300km southwest of Marsa Matrouh, which is in turn 290km west of Alexandria. Siwa’s western edge comes within 50km of the closed Libyan border. The depression stretches for 82km west to east, and between three and 30km north to south, but most visitors concern themselves only with the town of Siwa and the nearby villages and ancient sites. You can see Siwa’s major “sights” in a day or two, but many tourists linger longer to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. ,

Five days to a week are needed to really get a feel for Siwa and the Siwans. Nine thousand people live in the town; 6000 more Siwans plus a few hundred Bedouin live in villages scattered elsewhere in the oasis. The paved road from Marsa Matrouh ends at the New Mosque. The main north-south road in town continues past the . mosque into the two squares of the town market. The ruined houses of ancient Siwa rise in eerie geometric form above the market on a rock acropolis, and the nar- row streets of Siwa town radiate from the market and the acropolis. The town is graced by a swath of palm trees on all but the southern side, which rolls gently into the desert.