Making the most of Port Said
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
As you approach Port Said, you have a chance to witness one of the world's most spectacular scenes: the queue of ships waiting to enter the Suez Canal.
The harbour stands at the northern entrance to the Suez Canal.
Port Said's new cruise terminal has well-furnished and equipped reception halls, a tourist-information counter and an oriental bazaar.
The town centre is walkable. Taxis and horse-drawn carriages are generally waiting beyond the harbour gate; agree a price before leaving the port area. The tourist desk can advise on fares.
Keep a printable map with you.
The city suffered damage in the Suez Crisis and again during the wars of 1967 and 1973. It has since been largely rebuilt into a pleasant city of 400,000 residents. Egyptians also regard it as a summer resort, and holiday bungalows line the beach. Sharia Palestine is the principal commercial street, where enormous vessels wait to enter the Suez Canal and can create a remarkable sight. Often overlooked but also interesting is the town centre's 19th-century colonial architecture.
Several original streets retain buildings in an early 20th-century style, complete with wooden balconies. Egyptians travel from elsewhere in the country to use Port Said's resort amenities. Although the beaches are only mediocre, they provide a pleasant escape from Cairo's oppressive summer heat.
The National Museum on Juillet Street is a taxi ride away.
Getting around
Important: many businesses offer Cairo excursions and are generally dependable. However, your ship will wait for late passengers only when they booked its excursions. Carry a mobile phone and the ship's telephone number, just in case!
Every tour bus will have armed security aboard, and police escorts are often close to the bus convoy.
Nearby places
Excursions lead to the Pyramids and Cairo.
Food and shopping
As a free port, Port Said offers some of Egypt's best shopping.
Street sellers display goods near the harbour. The main retail area follows Gomhoria Street, a short walk from the pier, while further shops occupy Noras Beach Shopping Arcade one mile away. Look for gold and silver jewellery, cotton goods, carpets, and copper and brassware. The cartouche is among the most popular souvenirs; made from gold, it can be inscribed with your name in hieroglyphs.
Egyptian food combines many of the finest Middle Eastern cooking traditions. Specialities include foul, or bean dishes, roast pigeon, kebabs and humus made from chickpeas. Although Egypt is Muslim, alcohol is served in café-style bars and good restaurants.
Restaurants line the main streets outside the port towards the beach.
Money
US dollars and the Euro are happily accepted in every souvenir shop.
Staying connected
The language is Arabic.
Internet facilities are certainly available… but the keyboards are Arabic!
Sahara means desert in Arabic, so do not say the Sahara desert!
Opening Hours and
Egypt's National Holidays.