Egypt's North Shore: Where the Locals Vay-Cay

Let the religious trekkers visit the Red Sea. The real vacationers want the blue seas of Egypt's northern coast.

Next summer, Thomson will open another major resort in Marsa Matruh, a beautiful Egyptian city about 150 miles west of Alexandria, to go with their five-star Jaz Almaza and Jaz Oriental hotels. This seaside town has been a national favorite for decades with families making the trip to escape the cruel, bitter heat of summer. With new developments like these, Marsa Matruh is now attracting visitors from well outside its borders.

You know who else liked the beaches here? Cleopatra. I believe you've heard of her? That's right, Marsa Matruh's waters are said to have been a favorite of the Egyptian queen herself. Naturally, her favorite spot has been named Cleopatra's Beach, and it's one of the most popular strips in the area. Egypt's Mediterranean coast has increasingly become a beachfront tourist zone for people wanting an experience beyond the European options. In addition to boasting the country's best beaches, Marsa Matruh has many shops and open-air markets, while musicians fill up the night sky as you enjoy the local cuisine. Still a budding international tourist spot, Marsa Matruh is a mash-up of culture dating back millennia merged with modern waterfront vacationing. Apparently there's even a water park and golf course in the pipeline.

Are there going to be spas with overpriced massages on every street corner? Nope. Is there a sunken U-boat off the shore that you can explore with scuba gear? Yep. Marsa Matruh is for people who think the second option is much, much cooler than the first.

Cairo should be your first stop for all things religious, touristy and historical, but if you want to come to the same beaches that Cairo locals visit on vacation, head west to Marsa Matruh.

Photos courtesy of Melissaofthesea and Dany et Maryse via Flickr.