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Damietta
ℹ️Practical info — Damietta
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The city is Egypt's undisputed furniture capital; don't be surprised by the sheer volume of sprawling showrooms.
- Use local microbuses or hop in a cheap taxi along the Nile River to navigate the linear layout of the city.
- The coastal weather can get extremely humid during summer; wearing loose, breathable cotton clothing is essential.
- Take a short trip just north to Ras El Bar to see the exact point where the Nile River meets the Mediterranean Sea.
🍽 Food
The city is famous across Egypt for Meshabbek (a crispy, syrupy lattice) and Basbousa. Find them at established local pastry shops.
A uniquely soft, salty white cheese aged in tin cans. Ask to taste it at local grocery markets.
Enjoy catch-of-the-day fish at the riverside restaurants situated along the Nile or nearby in Ras El Bar.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Even if you aren't buying, strolling through the massive furniture districts is a uniquely Damietta experience.
Buy boxed traditional oriental sweets; they make excellent and authentic edible souvenirs.
A beautiful, breezy stretch along the river, great for a relaxed evening stroll among the locals.
Stand at the very edge of the peninsula to quietly watch the distinct waters of the Nile flow into the sea.
Water temperature…
Damietta, situated at the mouth of the eastern branch of the Nile on the Mediterranean coast, is a historic port city that has played a pivotal role in Egyptian maritime history. During the Middle Ages, it was a focal point of the Crusades, notably the Fifth and Seventh Crusades, leading to several sieges and its eventual relocation slightly inland for better defense. In the modern era, Damietta has established itself as the furniture manufacturing capital of Egypt, with its skilled artisans producing high-quality woodwork that is exported globally. The modern Port of Damietta, opened in 1986, is one of the busiest and most technologically advanced ports in the Eastern Mediterranean, featuring significant container traffic and a large LNG plant. The city also hosts Egypt's largest fishing fleet, benefiting from its proximity to both the sea and Lake Manzala. Historical sites include the Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas, which is the second oldest mosque in Egypt, reflecting the city's long-standing Islamic heritage. Its unique geography, bordered by the Nile, the Mediterranean, and vast wetlands, shapes its humid climate and supports a rich variety of local flora and fauna.
- Location: Egypt
- Nearby: Matareya (32 km)
- Population: ~305.920 (2024)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, May, Nov.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 15 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 24 | 21 | 18 |
| Rain mm | 28 | 18 | 12 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 14 | 23 |
Geography
Facts
- Damietta was a key battlefield during the Crusades, captured by King Louis IX of France in 1249.
- The modern Damietta Port was inaugurated in 1986 and handles vast amounts of container traffic.
- The Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas dates back to 642 AD, making it the second oldest in the country.
- Damietta produces approximately 70% of all furniture manufactured in Egypt.
- The city is home to the largest fishing fleet in Egypt, operating in the Mediterranean Sea.
- Damietta is connected to the Mediterranean via a canal, ensuring constant access for large vessels.
Explore nearby
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Sights in the town Damietta (1)
Frequently asked questions
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