Jaz Oriental Resort

More on Marsa Matruh, Egypt - Mediterranean Coast

Set on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, Marsa Matruh is one of the up-and-coming stars of the country’s holiday scene. The beachside town has been a favourite with the Egyptians for years, with families heading up there every summer to escape the hot desert temperatures. And, slowly, the rest of the world is beginning to follow suit. Fancy hotels and international restaurants have sprung up over the last few years, but for the most part the town looks the same as it did a decade ago. So what you get is a taste of traditional Egypt. Carpet shops and clothes stores spill out onto the main street, jam-packed markets sell everything from fruit to spices, and mosque prayer bells ring out around the town. As far as beaches go, one of the most popular strips is Cleopatra’s Beach, on the outskirts of the town. Said to be where the Egyptian queen herself used to come to bathe, the bright turquoise bay is backed by craggy rocks and rolling sand dunes. You can also check out the remains of one of her palaces, which is now a favourite grazing place with local sheep. The beach tends to get pretty busy during the summer, so if you want escape the crowds it’s best to head out of the city. Just a half-hour drive away, Almaza Bay offers up clear waters, ivory sands and plenty of secluded spots. The whole place is fairly quiet, with just a few hotels lining its shores, so it’s a great relaxation spot. That said, there are big plans to develop the area over the next few years – a shopping centre, a waterpark and even a golf course are all in the pipeline.