DEHUROEN

Plizio Visual Lab

Galala Plateau

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
Mountain
—°
Galala Plateau (Egypt)

Weather…

The Galala Plateau, consisting of El Galala El Bahariya (north) and El Galala El Qibliya (south), is a massive limestone plateau in Egypt's Eastern Desert near the city of Suez. Rising up to 1,200 meters above sea level, it gives expansive views across the Gulf of Suez and the Red Sea. Historically a barren desert wilderness, the region has undergone massive development in recent years as part of the 'Galala City' project. This mega-project includes a brand-new urban center, a tourist resort, a university, and a cable car system linking the plateau to the coastline. The climate on the plateau is significantly cooler than in the Nile Valley, making it an attractive site for future habitation. Geologically, the plateau is famous for its marble quarries, which produce some of the highest quality marble in Egypt. The winding Galala Road, which cuts through the rugged mountain terrain, is considered a masterpiece of modern Egyptian engineering.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Oct, Nov.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C131517202427282927241915
Rain mm664400000698

📋 Practical info

🧭
Getting there
The plateau is largely accessible via the modern Galala Highway, which gives sweeping views as it climbs from the Red Sea coast. Some remote viewpoints and trails may still require a robust 4x4 vehicle to comfortably navigate rough dirt tracks.
📅
Best season
The most pleasant time to explore is from October to April when the weather is mild and clear, first-rate for sightseeing and hiking. Summer months are intensely hot and can make prolonged outdoor activities highly uncomfortable and risky.
⛰️
Terrain & paths
The landscape features impressive, sheer limestone cliffs, deep dry wadis, and expansive rocky highlands overlooking the sea. While the main areas are paved, exploring beyond the highway means dealing with loose gravel, sharp rocks, and steep drops.
🎒
What to bring
Comfortable walking shoes are sufficient for viewpoints, but sturdy hiking boots are necessary if venturing into the rocky wadis. Always carry ample water, sunblock, a hat, and a light jacket as winds on the plateau can be surprisingly cool.
🅿️
Parking
There are generally designated parking zones and pull-offs along the modern highway near major viewpoints and resorts. For off-road trails, park safely off the main tracks in flat areas, ensuring your vehicle doesn't block local traffic.
⚠️
Safety
Stay strictly clear of the edges of unbarricaded cliffs, as sudden gusts of wind can be dangerous and rocks may be unstable. Flash floods in the wadis below the plateau can occur during rare but heavy rain, so always check the weather forecast.
⏱️
Time needed
A scenic drive stopping at major viewpoints can easily take a half-day, providing fantastic photo opportunities of the Red Sea. Those planning to hike the wadis or explore deeper into the mountains should allocate a full day for the trip.

Geography

Coordinates
29.30000, 32.50000

Facts

  • The highest point of the plateau is approximately 1,223 meters
  • The Galala development covers an area of roughly 17,000 feddans
  • The cable car system spans a distance of about 4.5 kilometers
  • Galala marble is a major Egyptian export found worldwide
  • Temperatures on the plateau are often 10-12 degrees cooler than Cairo
  • Large-scale infrastructure development in the region began in 2015

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Ain Sokhna PortAin Sokhna Port36 km · SEExplore →
Ras SedrRas Sedr36 km · NEExplore →
Ezz Steel SuezEzz Steel Suez55 km · EExplore →
Suez Oil Processing CompanySuez Oil Processing Company62 km · EExplore →
Port of SuezPort of Suez63 km · EExplore →
Gulf of SuezGulf of Suez93 km · NWExplore →
Gabal el-Tih PlateauGabal el-Tih Plateau113 km · NExplore →
Suez Agricultural ZoneSuez Agricultural Zone115 km · EExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Galala Plateau located?
It is located in the northern part of the Arabian Desert, near the Red Sea near Ain Sokhna.
What is Galala City?
A newly built modern city on the plateau with a university, resorts, and a water park.
Is there a cable car there?
Yes, one of the longest cable cars in Egypt connects the plateau with the coast of Ain Sokhna.
How is the view from the plateau?
You have a spectacular panoramic view of the Gulf of Suez and the Red Sea.
Why is the plateau strategically important?
It serves as an important hub for new roads connecting Cairo with the coastal regions.
Galala Plateau: where is it located?
Galala Plateau is located in Egypt.
Galala Plateau: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Oct, Nov.
Galala Plateau: why is it worth visiting?
The Galala Plateau, consisting of El Galala El Bahariya (north) and El Galala El Qibliya (south), is a massive limestone plateau in Egypt's Eastern Desert near the city of Suez.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Africa
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Africa
More places in Egypt →

Nearby cities

Suez — Galala Plateau (Egypt)
Suez
An important port city on the Red Sea and the southern terminus of the Suez Canal.
Ras Sedr — Galala Plateau (Egypt)
Ras Sedr
A laid-back coastal town on the Gulf of Suez, famous as a kitesurfing hotspot.

More places

Ain Sokhna Port — Galala Plateau (Egypt)
Ain Sokhna Port
A modern deep-sea port near the Suez Canal.
Ezz Steel Suez — Galala Plateau (Egypt)
Ezz Steel Suez
A large steel plant of one of the leading steel producers in the region.
Suez Oil Processing Company — Galala Plateau (Egypt)
Suez Oil Processing Company
One of the oldest and largest oil processing companies in Egypt.
Port of Suez — Galala Plateau (Egypt)
Port of Suez
A major port at the southern entrance of the Suez Canal.
Gulf of Suez — Galala Plateau (Egypt)
Gulf of Suez
A northern arm of the Red Sea.
Suez Agricultural Zone — Galala Plateau (Egypt)
Suez Agricultural Zone
Farming areas near the canal.