Port Said

Port Said

Port Said was founded in 1859 when excavation work for the Suez Canal began. Upon completion of the canal in 1869, the city continued to develop until the bombing attacks in 1956 during the Suez crisis. The town suffered additional damage in 1967 and 1973 during the wars with Israel. Today most of the structures have been rebuilt. Several of the original city streets feature buildings constructed in early 20th-century architecture, complete with wooden balconies. The city's resident population of approximately 400,000 still owes its economic existence to the Suez Canal. Egyptians from other parts of the country travel to Port Said to make use of its resort facilities. Though the beaches are only mediocre, the area offers a pleasant alternative for Cairo residents to escape the oppressive heat of summer.

Activities

There is a National Museum in Port Said, which houses artifacts from most periods of Egypt's past, including pharaonic and prehistoric. Located on Sharia Palestine, the museum also houses Islamic and Coptic exhibits, including textiles, manuscripts and coins. There is a also a room devoted to artifacts of the Khedival family. There is also a Military Museum located on Sharia 23rd of July. Along with some small displays of pharaonic and Islamic wars are artifacts from the Suez Crises and the 1967 and 1973 wars. Cairo, capital of Egypt, this sprawling metropolis of millions is a blending of modern and ancient cultures where you can find all the modern amenities of big city side by side with the age-old traditions of this ancient culture. At the outer limits of greater Cairo, south of the Nile River, the wondrous tombs of the pharaohs reside. The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the largest, and is the oldest and only remaining of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Shopping

Street vendors display their wares near the port. The main shopping area is along Gomhoria Street, a short walk from the pier. Additional shops can be found in the Noras Beach Shopping Arcade, one mile from the pier. Look for gold and silver jewelry, cotton goods, carpets, copper and brass ware. Among the most popular souvenirs is the cartouche. Made of gold, you can have your own name inscribed in hieroglyphs.

Currency

The local currency is the Egyptian pound.

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