Bir Al Mattar

Bahariya Oasis


At Bir Al Mattar, 7km northeast of Bawiti, cold springs pour into a viaduct and then down into a concrete pool, which you can splash in during the hot summer months. As with all Bawiti's springs, the mineral content is high, and the water can stain clothing.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Bahariya Oasis attractions

1. Gebel Al Ingleez

1.18 MILES

Clearly visible from the road to Cairo, flat-topped Gebel Al Ingleez, also known as Black Mountain, takes its name from a WWI lookout post. From here…

2. Oasis Heritage Museum

1.19 MILES

The giant sandcastle-looking-thing, 3km east of town on the road to Cairo, is Mahmoud Eed’s Oasis Heritage Museum. Inspired by Badr’s Museum in Farafra,…

3. Tomb of Zed Amun Ef Ankh

1.35 MILES

The rock-cut Tomb of Zed Amun Ef Ankh is a fascinating glimpse of Bahariya in its heyday. It appears that Zed Amun Ef Ankh was not a government official…

4. Tomb of Bannentiu

1.35 MILES

Consisting of a four-columned burial chamber with an inner sanctuary, this tomb is covered in fine reliefs depicting Bannentiu in various positions with…

5. Qarat Qasr Salim

1.35 MILES

This small mound amid the houses of Bawiti is likely built upon centuries of debris. There are two well-preserved 26th-dynasty tombs here, which were…

6. Bir Al Ramla

1.35 MILES

The sulphurous spring of Bir Al Ramla, 3km north of town, is very hot (45°C) and suitable for a soak, though you may feel a bit exposed to the donkey…

7. Golden Mummies Museum

1.5 MILES

Only 10 of Bahariya's richly decorated cache of 10,000 mummies are exhibited here. While the motifs are formulaic and the work is second-rate, the painted…

8. Temple of Ain Al Muftella

2.46 MILES

Four 26th-dynasty chapels, approximately 2km northwest of Bawiti, together form the Temple of Ain Al Muftella. The bulk of the building was ordered by…