Beaches, Alexandria

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Many of the beaches of Alexandria are private or attached to communities or hotels , but there are free beaches too. The first time I went we used a beach at Maamoura where native Egyptians go. .
The Montazah Palace has beaches , and there are cabins ,perched above or beside the beaches, owned by private individuals. These beaches are named Cleopatra, Ide [?] and Aida.
The beaches may be sandy, or coarse from broken shells.
With the renovation of the Corniche, many artificial bays are being constructed.

For westerners, it may be strange to see lines of deckchairs set out facing the sea, so that swimmers have to squeeze their way through and between them to actually reach the water. Once in the water it is like being a star turn to live audience!

In free beaches like at Maamoura a woman has to wear a jellabiya over a swimsuit or get hostile eyes staring at her.

Believe me, the food was not CRAP…as the photo suggests it may be.

When you sit down you are given a plate of hot bread with a number of dips to try. We then ordered some cold beer for Danny and I and a glass of wine for the ladies.

There is a large area where all of the seafood is fresh and laying on a bed of ice for you to choose. Anne and I chose a fish, (You have to have the whole thing,) and we asked for some calamari and crab.

After the items are weighed you pay for the meal and the chef asks you how you would like the food cooked. I asked for “Traditionally, however Egyptians would eat it.” The food came out bar-b-qued with sauces and spices…and it was magnificent!

Sue and Danny joined Anne and I for a relaxing seafood lunch and a few beers.

We headed to the Cornice and went upstairs to where a group of seafood restaurants were competing for business. We decided to sit at a table beside an open window that had a beautiful breeze cooling us as we ate and drank.

The view of the beaches was stunning, made all the better for the excellent view of the Qaitbey Fort that is located on the Island opposite.

We stayed near the Sidi Gabr area, so went out to walk on the beaches there.
First, it can still be cold in March and it was! Windy, cold, bring a jacket, even a coat.
Too cold to swim even for me and quite a lot of surf.

In this area, you can walk down to the beach highway, bravely cross -- lots of traffic, or go to an underground crossing, and you can walk and walk on the beach, or just along the corniche which is not as atmospheric given the cars racing by.

And, even later in the season, when it is hot, do not plan a trip to the beach for sunning in a bikini. Forget it. Those days are gone, my friend. Every woman is covered now. If you aren't, you'll be the only one.

Do think about going to the beach at night. Up further north, it can be extremely crowded. But fun and a break from the heat.
You pay a little to sit on a chair, or you can splash around (in your clothes, don't remove anythning) with the kids.

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The beaches I am going to present to you is near the Montazah Palace. The area has several natural bays and five of Alexandria's popular beaches; Aida, Cleopatra, Semiramis, Vernisia and Palestine Hotel private beach.

Some photos I posted here are at the Palestinian hotel and some are close to Montazah Palace.

Make sure you take some time to go and enjoy the sea, its beautiful. I was at October Beach a secure area within Alex, the beach itself is quite dirty, garbage everywhere. I couldnt suntan showing any skin so that was a bummer. Locals will come by and harrass you as well. But still worth going out there to enjoy the water.

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Montazah Beach. What can I say? I loved it here. The views, the relaxed atmosphere, the warmth of the sun, the lukewarm water and my bestest male friend in the whole wide world made this my best day in paradise. I had gone to another beach, Maamoura, which was nice but I was uncomfortable as they have designated areas for those women who wear bathing suits, and those women that wear the jihab and galabaya. Even though I was at my designated beach, I was reluctant to enter into the water with out shorts on. Montazah beach has women wearing bikini's. Exposing parts of the breasts, albeit covered with a bathing suit top, brings no stares nor uncomfortable feeling.

The Northen coast is one of the best places to swim in Alexandria specially Marina.
its not crowded at all and the sea is very clean,just it may has high waves at sometimes but I always enjoy going there to swim with my friends.
its better to swim there because you can wear your Bikini "for women" with no hassels from others because those areas are for people who wears Bikini,but if you did this at the seas in the downtown I am not sure what will happen to you.!!
but millions of eyes will looks to your body,so northen coast is your way for a safe and relaxing swim,
there are many touristic villages there,hundreds over the coast but I like Marina and some others,if you are comming I can handle a pass for you so you can join because its for members only,but its easy for us :)