El-Alamein: History and memorial sites

El-Alamein is a place where history becomes tangible at specific memorial sites and through unusual architecture. Two decisive battles against the Axis powers led by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel took place here in 1942. A trip can therefore focus either on commemorating the fallen or on the military museum. When choosing a destination, it is worth distinguishing El-Alamein’s history from the coastal and cultural themes of the broader destination of Matruh.

Memorial sites and the battles of 1942

The German Military Cemetery in El Alamein is octagonal in shape and resembles a castle, the so-called Totenburg. Its exterior diameter, including the towers, is 42 metres, and its total height is 12 metres. The castle-like shape gives the cemetery a striking architectural character. As a result, alongside remembrance, the structure itself stands out as a distinctive aspect of the site.

A total of 4,313 people are buried at the cemetery: 4,283 German casualties of the Second World War and 30 casualties of the First World War. These figures show that the burial site includes people from two periods of war, with those who died in the Second World War making up by far the larger share.

Visitors can also commemorate the fallen soldiers at the Italian War Memorial and the German War Memorial. Together with the military cemetery, these sites highlight different forms of remembrance: the burial site and the two war memorials. If you are interested in the history of the place, you can consider these perspectives separately when planning your visit, rather than treating them as a single monument.

The Al-Alamein Military Museum

The Al-Alamein Military Museum is located at kilometre marker 105 on the road from Alexandria to Matruh, south of the coastal road. The kilometre marker and the location south of the coastal road provide specific reference points for planning your trip.

The museum was established on 16 December 1965. Its purpose is to honour Egypt’s decisive role in the Battle of Al-Alamein, one of the most important battles of the Second World War. The museum therefore provides a distinct historical perspective alongside the memorial sites: its focus is Egypt’s role in the battle. When planning your visit, you can decide whether you would prefer to visit a memorial site or focus on the institutional commemoration of the battle.

Matruh: Coastal landscapes and other cultural themes

In the broader destination of Matruh, landscapes and the coast are also defining themes. The sandy coastline of Matruh Governorate stretches for around 450 kilometres and is dotted with bays. Agiba Beach is a bay between two white cliffs, with crystal-clear Mediterranean waters and caves. At Al-Gharam Beach, visitors can enjoy walks at sunset. These examples showcase different coastal features: a bay framed by cliffs and a beach suited to an evening stroll.

Other beach destinations in Matruh offer different attractions. At Rommel Beach, you can explore the coast by pedal boat. At Cleopatra’s Beach, a glass walkway leads across the rocky coast to a natural saltwater pool. In Marsa Matrouh, jet skiing, sailing, parasailing, kitesurfing and banana boat rides are available. The options range from a pedal-boat ride and a walkway to the saltwater pool to a variety of water sports.

Matruh’s cultural offerings also differ considerably from El-Alamein’s focus on the history of the battles. The exhibitions at the Marsa Matrouh Museum cover fishing, trade, astronomy, science and philosophy. The Bedouin Heritage Museum in the Marsa Matrouh Library presents traditional Bedouin and Siwan culture. In Siwa, the village of Shali tells the story of a distinctive building method using salt-saturated mud; it dates from the sixth century of the Hijra, or the twelfth century AD. Its restoration is complete, making the ruins suitable for a visit.

Choose your holiday rental based on your travel interests

Your preferred focus is a helpful starting point when searching for a holiday rental. If the battles of 1942, the military cemetery and the war memorials are the reason for your trip, focus your search on El-Alamein. If you are more interested in coastal landscapes, water sports or Matruh’s cultural themes, base your search on this broader destination. This way, you can choose where to stay according to the experiences you want to be at the heart of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Zawyet El-Auwwama, Al Qasabah ash Sharqiyah, Marsa Matrouh, Fuka, Zawyet Eilet Nuh, Sidi Abd El-Rahman, Siwa Oasis, Zawyet Sidi Musa

View the overview of the broader destination: Matruh.