Adrère Amellal

Top choice in Siwa Oasis


Backed by the dramatic White Mountain (called Adrère Amellal in Siwan language), this impeccable retreat lies in its own oasis, 13km from Siwa Town, with stunning views over Birket Siwa salt lake and the Great Sand Sea's dunes. It offers the ultimate in spartan-chic. Elegantly simple suites showcase traditional architecture techniques using kershef.

There is no electricity; the rooms are lit by candles and the garden by hurricane lamps and the moon and the stars. When sandy adventures are done for the day, guests loll by the natural-spring swimming pool until it's time for a gourmet dinner, mostly from their own oasis's garden, eaten under the stars. This truly magnificent – and highly romantic – hideaway is one of Egypt's most special and innovative places to stay.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Siwa Oasis attractions

1. Fatnas Spring

2.71 MILES

This fairly secluded pool is on a small island in the salty Birket Siwa, accessible across a narrow causeway. Nicknamed ‘Fantasy Island’ for its idyllic…

2. House of Siwa Museum

5 MILES

This small museum contains an interesting display of traditional clothing, jewellery and crafts typical of the oasis. It’s worth the entry fee just to…

3. Fortress of Shali

5 MILES

Central Siwa is dominated by the spectacular organic shapes of the remains of this 13th-century mud-brick fortress. Built from kershef (chunks of salt…

4. Old Mosque

5.06 MILES

Just above the entrance to the Fortress of Shali is the old mosque with its distinctive chimney-shaped minaret. The mosque was recently restored and a…

5. Ain Al Arais

5.34 MILES

The closest spring to central Siwa is Ain Al Arais, a cool, inviting waterhole with a grotto-like bottom, just five minutes’ walk from the main market…

6. Gebel Al Mawta

5.41 MILES

This small hill, at the northern end of Siwa Town, is honeycombed with rock tombs peppered with wall paintings. Its name, Gebel Al Mawta, means 'Mountain…

7. Tomb of Niperpathot

5.43 MILES

In the Tomb of Niperpathot, one of the oldest in the oasis, the inscriptions and crude drawings are made in the same reddish ink you can see on modern…

8. Tomb of the Crocodile

5.44 MILES

This tomb's name comes from its wall painting of a yellow crocodile representing the god Sobek. Many of the paintings inside are badly deteriorating.