A Mediterranean port city at the Suez Canal entrance, with cotton mills, naval bases, and active shipping docks. Egypt's second-largest industrial harbor since 1859.
Port Said sits at the northern entrance of the Suez Canal, where you can watch massive container ships pass through the waterway from the city's 8-kilometer corniche. Walk past the 56-meter concrete lighthouse from 1869, explore the streets lined with 19th-century colonial buildings, or catch an Arabic music performance at the opera house. At the National Museum, you'll find ancient Egyptian artifacts, including statues from the Pharaonic period and Islamic manuscripts.
Getting to Port Said
You can reach Port Said by plane through El Gamil Airport, located 6 kilometers from the city center. Regular trains run from Cairo's Ramses Station, with the journey taking approximately 3 hours. The city connects to other Egyptian destinations via three main highways: the International Coastal Road, Desert Road, and the coastal route to Damietta.
Exploring the Suez Canal
The Suez Canal runs through Port Said, with large ships entering and exiting throughout the day. Walk along the 8-kilometer corniche to watch container ships and oil tankers navigate the waterway. At the canal's entrance stands the 1869 lighthouse, the world's first reinforced concrete structure. While closed to visitors, you can photograph its exterior and distinctive architecture.
Museums and Cultural Sites
The Port Said National Museum spans three floors, with exhibits ranging from prehistoric tools to modern-day artifacts. Inside the Military Museum, established in 1964, you'll find tanks, artillery pieces, and photographs documenting the 1956 Suez Crisis. El Nasr Museum of Modern Art displays paintings and sculptures by Egyptian artists created since 1995.
Architecture from the Canal Era
The Suez Canal Authority Building from 1895 stands out with its three green domes and white arcades in Moorish revival style. The Simon Arzt Building, built in the 1920s as Port Said's first department store, reflects the city's commercial past with its art deco elements. At the El-Abbasy Mosque from 1904, you'll see intricate geometric patterns and a tall minaret rising above the surrounding buildings.
Port Fouad Day Trip
Cross the Suez Canal to Port Fouad on the free ferry, moving between Africa and Asia in minutes. The white-domed Al Salam Mosque marks the entrance to Port Fouad, and you can spend time at the Mediterranean beaches during summer months.
Parks and Recreation
Walk through any of the city's 23 public parks, including the palm-lined paths of Ferial Park and the waterfront Farma Park. In summer, cool off at the public and private beaches along the Mediterranean coast. The Port Said Opera House schedules weekly performances, ranging from classical concerts to Arabic music shows.
