Siwa Oasis & the Siwa Salt Lakes: A Travel Guide for Women

Why Every Girl Should Travel to the Siwa Salt Lakes

When people think of Egypt, the pyramids and tombs come to mind. But Egypt’s most enchanting hidden gem is actually tucked between endless sand dunes and palm groves: Siwa Oasis and its salt lakes. This place captured my heart due to the lakes’ turquoise coloured waters surrounded by gleaming white salt. It’s remote, mystical, and truthfully, deeply healing.

I genuinely think it’s the perfect destination for women who want adventure and serenity in one place.

History, Culture & the Call of the Siwa Salt Lakes

Siwa has been home to Berber communities for thousands of years. It has its own unique language, traditions, and architecture that gives the oasis a world of its own.

Siwans are known for their hospitality, gentleness, and pride in their heritage. During my whole stay, I saw Siwa as a safe, peaceful, and genuinely welcoming destination.

The Siwa Salt Lakes: Nature’s Desert Infinity Pools

But without question, the crown jewel of the region is the Siwa salt lakes. These mineral-rich pools are so bright and surreal that most people often think the photos must be edited until they see them in person. I know I was genuinely lost for words when I first saw the pools.

The vibrant blue colour of the Siwa salt lakes comes from etremely high mineral purity, deep sinking basins, white salt crystal banks that reflect sunlight, and the desert light intensifying the blue tones.

Some pools look pale green; others glow with neon turquoise. Each lake has its own character.

Floating Without Effort

Thanks to the salt concentration (even higher than the Dead Sea), you float instantly. No effort. No technique. Just pure relaxation in the warmth of the desert sun. It’s literally impossible for you to drown here.

Locals believe the Siwa salt lakes promote skin healing, improved circulation, deep relaxation, and relief from joint pain. Think epsom salt in your nighttime bath only organic and authentic. The real deal.

Whether you go for wellness or Instagram photos, the experience is unforgettable. In my case, my back pain went and my Insta now looks perfection. Win-win!

Visiting the Siwa Salt Lakes Confidently & Safely

Siwa is widely considered one of the safest places in Egypt for women. The culture is conservative but respectful, and locals take pride in protecting visitors.

Dress Code Tips

At the Siwa salt lakes, I suggest wearing one-piece swimsuits, swim leggings, rash guards, and loose cover-ups for walking between lakes. In town, modest attire (shoulders and knees covered) is recommended.

Safety

Siwa is calm and crime-resistant. However, I still recommend avoiding isolated areas at night, bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. I also suggest visiting the salt lakes with a guide for the easiest navigation. I did my trip through Egypath who were professional, reliable, and very familiar with the area, which made the experience smooth and stress-free.

Top Things to Do in Siwa (Besides the Siwa Salt Lakes)

Shali Fortress

This ancient mud-brick citadel sits at the heart of old Siwa and is a must-see. I climbed to the top for wide views over the oasis, with palm trees below, and the Siwa salt lakes visible in the distance. It really gives you a sense of how vast and peaceful the area is.

Temple of the Oracle/Amon Temple

This is where Alexander the Great supposedly came for guidance, and wandering around the old stone ruins really made me really feel the history first-hand. It’s quiet, atmospheric, and the kind of place where you just want to stop and take it all in.

Cleopatra’s Spring

This spring in Siwa is abeautiful circular stone pool filled with natural mineral water perfect for a refreshing dip after a day of exploring. It’s super relaxing, and there’s something kind of magical about cooling off in a spot that’s been enjoyed for centuries.

Siwa Sahara Desert

The Siwa Sahara Desert is pure magic, with endless dunes, wide-open landscapes, and complete silence. Fun fact: this used to be a sea, so you’ll often spot fossilised seashells, starfish, and even coral scattered across the sand. You can try 4×4 rides, go sandboarding, or just pause and soak in the views. It’s the kind of place where the vastness and stillness of the desert really hit you. I stayed a while and watched the sunset. Honestly, life-changing.

Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting the Siwa Salt Lakes

How to Get There

The Siwa salt lakes lie mostly along the road leading to the salt factories. You can reach them via:

• Tuk-tuk
• Hotel shuttle
• Local guide

Best Time to Visit

Morning to early afternoon is best, sunlight makes the Siwa salt lakes sparkle brightest.

Water Temperature

They stay cool year-round. Bring a towel and warm cover-up.

Important Tips

• Don’t shave beforehand as the salt will burn. Trust me, it burns. And if you get a cut from the sharp salt formations, it will also burn.
• Protect your gadgets, saltwater can destroy devices instantly.
• Hydrate constantly. Desert sun + salt exposure = fast dehydration.

Where to Stay Near the Siwa Salt Lakes

Siwa offers eco-lodges, boutique guesthouses, and desert camps. Some with private salt pools fed by the same mineral-rich waters as the Siwa salt lakes.

Popular choices include:

• Salt-brick eco-lodges
• Palm-grove guesthouses
• Desert camps under starlit skies

I stayed in a traditional kershef house built from salt, mud, and clay. It’s designed to stay cool in the desert heat. It was my first time staying in an eco-lodge situated in a camp-like area. There was even a natural hot spring where I stayed, dipping in for hours under the stars. Magical.

How to Get to Siwa Oasis

From Cairo:

• Bus: 10 hours
• Private car: 7–9 hours
• Organised group tour: Convenient for first-timers. I recommend booking with Egypath.

Siwa is remote but that’s what preserves its magic.

Food & Culture: A Taste of Siwan Life

Food in Siwa was simple but so satisfying. During my trip, I ate a lot of grilled chicken in pomegranate sauce, aeish shamsi (Egyptian bread) dipped in tahini, roasted aubergines, and plenty of fuul medames. There was also no shortage of taameya (Egyptian falafel), which is a personal favourite of mine, alongside locally produced olives, rich olive oil, and sweet Siwan dates. Everything felt fresh, unfussy, and deeply tied to the rhythm of daily life in the oasis.

Why the Siwa Salt Lakes Feel Healing for Women

There is something profoundly restorative about floating in the Siwa salt lakes, surrounded by infinite silence, warm sun, and the smell of the desert.

Whilst there, I felt like I got a sense of emotional clarity and some form of inner peace. It was one thing to reconnect with unbothered nature, but another thing to just get that rare freedom from the noise and stress back home and even from mainland Egypt.

The Siwa salt lakes are more than a destination, it feels like a reset button. Siwa Oasis should definitely belong at the top of your travel list.

Rachel

Rachel is an intrepid world traveller, lifestyle connoisseuse, and the resident beauty advisor at Girls Who Travel. A true ocean lover with a soft spot for flowers, films, and storytelling, she also has a growing collection of medium-sized tattoos. When she’s not immersed in her next adventure, Rachel shares stories from her travels along with practical tips and insights to help other women make the most of their journeys.