El Alamein combines beautiful coastal scenery with a sobering military past. The town is set on the Mediterranean Sea and fringed by sugar-white sand and turquoise water. Beach clubs pepper the coast and make it easy to bask in the sunshine and sip cocktails. There’s also an excellent World War II museum and poignant memorials to visit just out of town.
Things to do in El Alamein
Learn about the town’s role in World War II at the El Alamein War Museum. The museum is dedicated to the Battles of El Alamein and features exhibits on the events leading up to the battles, as well as the aftermath. Life-size tanks, uniforms and weapons bring the museum to life.
After visiting the museum, stroll around the El Alamein War Cemetery surrounded by lush desert plants. The military cemetery is dotted with the tombstones of soldiers who lost their lives during the Western Desert campaigns. Just out of town, the sobering German War Memorial is built on a mass grave and honours the soldiers who lost their lives in World War II. You can also pay your respects at the Italian War Memorial.
Gleaming white sand and crystalline water make El Alamein one of the most beautiful stretches of Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. Top up your tan on the sand or rent a sunlounge and beach umbrella for the day. The most luxurious resorts treat you to oceanfront pools, palm-shaded gardens and private cabanas. Reserved exclusively for females, La Femme Beach is popular with local women.
Getting around El Alamein
El Alamein is compact and easy to get around on foot. Rental cars offer the freedom to visit surrounding war memorials at your own place, while taxis are a fast and affordable option. The town is a three-hour drive from Alexandria and Alexandria International Airport.