After a long drive through the barren landscape of the western desert, you will not believe your eyes when you first reach Siwa. You will see an island full of mineral springs, salt lakes and endless olive and palm groves. Siwa-Oasis
In Shali, the main town of the oasis, you can visit the strange ruins of the fortress of Shali that dominate the town center and walk on sandy paths to the Temple of the Oracle, once visited by Alexander the Great himself to consult the Oracle of Siwa. End the day with a dip in Cleopatra’s pool, where the legendary queen herself is said to have once swam. Do not forget to buy some Siwan crafts along the way, and take an hour or two to visit the charming Siwa House Museum.
Adventurous travelers will also get their money’s worth by going on a safari in the Great Sand Sea or trying quad biking in Egypt’s western desert.
It is advisable to visit Siwa and any other destination in the Western Desert during the cooler months of the year, which is from October to April. Summer temperatures can reach up to 35-45 °C.