Az Zeitun

Siwa Oasis


Roughly 30km east of Siwa Town, this abandoned mud-brick village, beaten by the sand and wind, sits alone on the sandy plain. Hundreds of Roman-era tombs have been discovered about 2km beyond Az Zeitun and are currently under excavation, although little of interest has been found yet.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Siwa Oasis attractions

1. Abu Shuruf

1.81 MILES

Abu Shuruf, a clean spring said by locals to have healing properties, is 27km east of Siwa Town and 7km east of Ain Qurayshat spring in the next palm…

2. Ain Qurayshat

3.12 MILES

Ain Qurayshat, about 20km east from Siwa Town, has the largest free-flowing spring in the oasis. The best way to reach the spring is via the causeway…

3. Cleopatra’s Spring

13.92 MILES

Following the track that leads to the Temple of the Oracle and continuing past the Temple of Umm Ubayd will lead you to Siwa’s most famous spring. The…

4. Temple of Umm Ubayd

14.27 MILES

This almost totally ruined temple was dedicated to Amun. It was originally connected to the Temple of the Oracle by a causeway and was used during oracle…

5. Temple of the Oracle

14.4 MILES

The 26th-dynasty Temple of the Oracle sits in the northwest corner of the ruins of Aghurmi village. Built in the 6th century BC, probably on top of an…

6. Tomb of Si Amun

15.51 MILES

The best of Gebel Al Mawta's paintings are in this tomb, where beautifully coloured reliefs portray the dead man – thought to be a wealthy Greek landowner…

7. Tomb of Mesu-Isis

15.52 MILES

The unfinished Tomb of Mesu-Isis in Gebel Al Mawta is interesting for its beautiful depiction of cobras in red and blue above the entrance. The tomb was…

8. Tomb of the Crocodile

15.52 MILES

This tomb's name comes from its wall painting of a yellow crocodile representing the god Sobek. Many of the paintings inside are badly deteriorating.