Exploring the region: things to see and do around

East of Alex…
Just 65 km from Alexandria you can follow in the footsteps of the explorer who uncovered a priceless stone key in the ancient city of Rosetta: after making his amazing discovery in 1799, French scholar Jean-François Champollion was able to decipher the mysteries of the hieroglyphs. Following the decline of Alexandria after the Ottoman invasion, Rosetta became the main port on Egypt’s northern coast
– the Ottoman architecture of the restored houses that characterise this part of the Nile delta is one of the area’s most charming features. You can also admire the magnificent palm grove that gives the port its nickname: city of a million palm-trees.
 West
Alexandria and itsglorious past Alexander the Great founded Alexandria in 331 BC. One of the last of the seven wonders of the Ancient world, the city’s famous lighthouse – the Pharos – was utterly destroyed by a violent earthquake in mediaeval times. Upon its foundations was built the elegant fort of Qait Bey, now
a regular attraction for sightseers as they pass the tiny island of Pharos. Visiting the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, opened in 2003, is almost the same as experiencing the mythical atmosphere of the earlier Alexandrine library, largest in Antiquity. The modern library houses millions of works in elegant surroundings that hark back to
the city’s glorious Graeco-Roman era. Museums, palaces and mosques A series of earthquakes and a corresponding rise in sea levels mean that very little of ancient Alexandria has survived. Visiting the Graeco- Roman Museum is the best way to imagine Graeco-Roman civilisation as it flourished in the city’s heyday. During the summer months, you may prefer to take in a concert or a play in the luxuriant gardens that surround ancient Montazah Palace. A perfect example of Arabic art, the tall minaret and four domes of the Abu el-Abbas mosque give the building a positively imperial air. 
West of Alex…
The ancient coastal village of El Alamein is now a fast-developing tourist resort. Site of a famous Allied victory during the Second World War, there are plenty of historical details to be uncovered in the local military museum. Marsa Matruh also has many attractions to offer, with its expansive beaches of fine white sand, dark-blue waters and unusual rock formations. The more adventurous can take a trip to Siwa Oasis in the extreme west of Egypt, where two fascinating earthen fortresses await the bold explorer.