A guide to El Quseir's historic sites

The oldest port on the Red Sea, El Quseir has a rich history dating back to Pharaonic times. Explore the ancient town first, then take excursions to even more Egyptian attractions waiting just a few hours away.

El Quseir, known as the 'White Harbor' during Ptolemaic times, was once a strategically important Red Sea port. In the 15th century BCE, Queen Hatshepsut commanded that an expedition set forth from this city in search of the African land of Punt. The successful mission famously brought living trees, spices and exotic wild animals back to Egypt.

Under Roman rule, it became known as Myos Hormos, a launching point for ships that ventured as far afield as India and West Africa. The port was later occupied by the Ottoman Empire, Napoleon and the British Empire before ultimately losing its status with the opening of the Suez Canal. The Radisson Blu Resort, El Quseir is just three kilometers from the old town, so you can wander down as soon as you arrive to begin unearthing its past.

In what is now the town center stands a fort built in 1517 by Sultan Selim as a military post to protect the port, primarily from Portuguese traders forcing entry into the India and China trade routes. It also served as a place for Hajj pilgrims to rest and leave their camels and horses, before boarding a ship to Mecca. Over the centuries, the fort was seized by one nation's military after another, including Napoleon and his forces in the late 18th century. Napoleon made additions to the fort that were heavily damaged during military assaults, but have recently been rebuilt. Today, the fort is home to El Quseir's visitor center and enjoys a considerably more peaceful existence.

The remains of Myos Hormos stand about eight kilometers north of the current city center. Frequently described by ancient historians, its exact location remained a mystery until the late 20th century. The ruins are open to visitors, and contain many important artifacts from the trade ships that once frequented the ports.

During their occupation of El Quseir, the Romans built watchtowers along the Wadi Hammamat, then a crucial part of the trade route between Thebes and the Red Sea. You can see hieroglyphic graffiti dating back to 4000 BCE inscribed on its stone walls.

The coastal area surrounding Marsa Alam, the larger geographic area to which El Quseir belongs, was economically important in ancient Egypt not only because of the port, but also because of its rich mineral deposits. Boasting copper, lead, semi-precious stones, gold and emeralds, the mines are thought to have been operated by Cleopatra herself. Be sure to visit Wadi El-Gamal National Park, where you'll find old villages and the remains of Cleopatra's mine shafts. The park is also a protected area, providing safe surroundings for rare birds and the endangered green sea turtle.

El Quseir has a number of tour groups that offer day-long excursions to major Egyptian sights. Excursions to Luxor, famed as 'the world's largest open-air museum,' give you the chance to take guided tours of the KarnakTemple, Queen Hatshesut's mortuary temple, and the Collossi of Memnon, or sit in on papyrus and alabaster workshops.