Facing the shores of the Mediterranean Sea is the beautiful city of Port Said. As well as being a must-see stop for virtually all cruisers and travellers who want to explore Egypt in depth, Port Said is a real gem for those who want to take a trip back in time to the colonial past. You’re probably wondering what to see in Port Said, but the truth is that Port Said is a city of wonders with far less tourist saturation than other Egyptian cities.
Port Said has always had a unique historical significance, being located on the Suez Canal, and it is also a very beautiful city for tourists! It also exports a lot of Egyptian products such as cotton and rice, so you can buy them at a very good price. Read this post carefully to discover everything that awaits you there. If you follow all our advice, the only thing you’ll have to worry about is sun cream and comfortable clothes when you visit Port Said.
What are the best places to see in Port Said?
1. The old Port Said lighthouse
The lighthouse is one of the must-see sights of Port Said. It was built during the viceroyalty of Ismail Pasha around 1869, so why is it so important? The truth is that since this is an area with so much trade, this lighthouse was used to regulate the movement of all types of ships between Port Said and the Suez Canal itself. Originally this lighthouse had a giant device on top to mark the hours and minutes for passing ships, but nowadays only the lighthouse itself remains, and that alone is enough to impress tourists.
2. The Al-Abbasy Mosque
The Al-Abbasy Mosque is the most important religious temple you will see in Port Said. It was built in 1904 by Khedive Abbas Halmi II, and despite being relatively recent, it is by no means inconspicuous. Its beautiful white façade with greenish accents shimmers against the surrounding waters, and it’s a marvel to behold, so take the best ones at sunrise!
3. The headquarters of the Suez Canal Authority
Besides having an eye-catching façade, the Suez Canal Authority headquarters is also a politically important building to see in Port Said. This is where absolutely all vessels crossing the Mediterranean Canal are supervised and directed. In addition, this place is also particularly historically significant for the role it played in the First World War. Its impressive architectural style with striking sky-blue domes will also be worth admiring when you visit Port Said. Don’t miss it!
4. The Church of Santa Teresa
The Church of St. Theresa is one of those monuments that will not go unnoticed when you visit Port Said. This church was built in the 20th century and you’ll notice that it is by no means an ordinary religious building. Its imposing curved concrete structure embellishes everything around it both inside and outside the building. In fact, the interior is notable for its huge murals, the central façade and the spacious windows.
5. The National Museum of Port Said
The National Museum is the ideal stop for travellers with a passion for the enigmas of mysterious Egypt. This museum has valuable artefacts dating from the ancient Egyptian kings to the present day, including the Islamic and Christian imprint that has permeated the country at various times. Without a doubt, at the National Museum you will be able to discover the secrets of Egyptian history without leaving Port Said.
The National Museum is open from Saturday to Thursday, from 9am to 4pm. Admission costs 30 EGP for foreigners, and foreign students can also enjoy a discount where they pay just 10 EGP. You have to visit!
6. The Port Said Military Museum
If you are passionate about history and the important events that took place in the Suez Canal, the Military Museum is definitely one of the must-see places. Here you will find all kinds of antiquities and weapons from the period of intense fighting between the international invaders for a monopoly of the region from the 1950s to the 1970s.
When you go to see Port Said you should note that this museum is open from 09:00 to 15:00 and in the evening from 18:00 to 21:00. The entrance fee is approximately 50 EGP, and it’s well worth it.
7. The El Nasr Museum of Modern Art
The original El Nasr Museum of Modern Art is located in the heart of Shohada Square, and is one of the must-visit places in Port Said. This museum exhibits works and collections of universal interest, as well as creations by the city’s own local artists. In this way, it gives visibility to the real artists who work there. In addition, this space is a zone of special events, workshops and courses related to the traditional culture of the area. For this reason, we recommend that you take the opportunity to see what activities are on offer on the days you plan to spend in Port Said.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to visit around Port Said City?
1. Suez Canal
After touring the beautiful city of Port Said, this walk is always bound to end at the entrance to the Suez Canal. It’s a place where you’ll get goosebumps just thinking about the complex events that took place for control of it. For its historical importance alone, it’s worth a visit.
Also, once there you can visit the famous Lesseps wharf. This narrow strip of land was built in a pivotal year, 1899.
What to see in Port Said in a day?
If your cruise or your trip is only for one day, the activities you can’t miss are:
- A walk to the Suez Canal.
- To gaze upon the Al-Abbasy Mosque.
- Enjoy history at the Port Said Military Museum.
- Meet local artists at the El Nasr Museum of Modern Art.
Where and what to eat in Port Said?
During your trip to Port Said you will also be able to enjoy a gastronomic experience. As Egypt’s most important commercial port, it has a wide range of traditional food and delicious produce. You must try the mezzes, the hummus, or the dolmas, all of which are incredible! Also, when you go to see Port Said, you’ll realise that there are plenty of seafood restaurants in the area.
- Central Perk: Here you can sample Mediterranean and Egyptian dishes, but they also have food from all over the world (especially good), such as their much-loved cheesecake. It’s an ideal place for the whole family because of the variety on the menu, and they also have vegetarian options! Price range: 1 to 5 euros.
- Abdou Kofta: In addition to excellent service and a super nice place, at Abdou Kofta you must try the incredible variety of dishes not only from Egypt, but also from all over the Middle East. If you’re in the mood for traditional food, customers rave about how good the grilled kofta is. Price range: 20 euros.
- El Borg Restaurants For Sea Food: You’ll love the food here, especially the delicious seafood, the tasty fish and the star dish, the prawn soup. The waiters are also very friendly and will be happy to give you tips on the menu. Price range: 20 euros.
Where to sleep in Port Said?
- Marom Port Said Resort: This beautiful beachfront hotel has all the amenities: an outdoor swimming pool, garden, shared lounge, terrace and bar-restaurant. And if you go with your family, it even has a children’s playground. In addition, the Marom Port Said Resort offers à la carte, continental or halal breakfast, they adapt to your preferences in everything! Average price: 90 euros for a double room.
- Helnan Hotel – Port Fouad: Not only does this five-star hotel stand out for its good location and friendly staff, it also has a fitness centre, a beautiful garden, a terrace and a restaurant. The Helnan Hotel – Port Fouad will give you the rest you need after touring and seeing the beautiful city of Port Said. Average price: 90 euros for a double room.
- Grand Hotel Port Said: This four-star hotel is decorated in the purest style of the Arab world, you will love its elegance! The Grand Hotel Port Said offers room service, 24-hour reception, free private parking… And most importantly, a delicious restaurant that also serves American cuisine, pizza and seafood. They also offer dairy-free, gluten-free and halal options. Average price: 90 euros for a double room.
Tips for your trip to Port Said
- The official currency of Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP).
- We recommend that you exchange your money before you leave for Port Said, as it will be cheaper than at the airport.
- The best months to see Port Said are March to May and September to November.
- The tourist sites and hotels are quite safe because the government spends a lot of money on protecting tourists, although it was previously a very dangerous country.
- If you’re travelling on your own, it’s best to follow the traditional road routes that the agencies and the government have set up. This way you’ll have a lot more peace of mind.
- To enter Egypt you will need a passport valid for at least 6 months and a visa.
- Always drink bottled water.
- Take sunscreen and mosquito repellent with you.
- Get yourself an eSIM card.
How to prepare what to see on your trip to Port Said?
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
- Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
- Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information about the trip.
- Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
- Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
- Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app so that you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
- Make any modifications you need and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your own travel tips for Port Said.
- Enjoy your trip to Port Said!
If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Port Said
Port Said is a city where most cruise ships stop, but you can also reach it by flying to Cairo, as it is only two hours away. From Cairo to Port Said you can get there by public bus or taxi, although we recommend the first option as it is cheaper.
When you go to Port Said you should try the mezzes, hummus, and especially the seafood. The restaurants we recommend are Central Perk, Abdou Kofta, and El Borg.
Marom Port Said Resort, Helnan Hotel – Port Fouad, or Grand Hotel Port Said are wonderful hotels with all kinds of amenities. They are also excellent value for money.
It is best to travel to Port Said from March to May and from September to November to avoid the hottest and coldest months.
The climate in Port Said is hot and dry, with summer temperatures in Egypt reaching over 40 degrees Celsius.
No Comments