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Province · Alexandria and the Mediterranean Coast
Beheira
Beheira, west of the Delta: Rosetta, where the Rosetta Stone was found, the Ottoman houses on the Nile shore and the monasteries of Wadi el-Natrun.
In the photo: The Abu Mandour Mosque, on the Nile shore in Rosetta.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The province
Get to know Beheira
Beheira occupies the western part of the Nile Delta, from the Rosetta branch to the desert, between Cairo and Alexandria. The capital is Damanhur, and most of the province is irrigated fields of cotton, rice and fruit, with Lake Idku near the sea.
Rosetta (Rashid), at the mouth of the Nile branch that bears its name, was an important port in Ottoman times. The red-and-black brick houses with carved wooden windows and the mosques of the historic center recall that period. It was near the town that, in 1799, the Rosetta Stone was found—the stone that made it possible to decipher the hieroglyphs; the original is in London, and Rosetta has a replica and a museum.
In the desert, beside the road between Cairo and Alexandria, lies Wadi el-Natrun, a valley of salt lakes where Christian monastic life organized in the 4th century. Four Coptic monasteries remain active: Deir Anba Bishoy, Deir al-Suryan, Deir al-Baramus and Deir Abu Maqar, with ancient churches and walls.
The natron salt, used in ancient Egypt for mummification, gave the valley its name. The monasteries receive visitors at scheduled times and require clothing that covers shoulders and legs.
When to go
From October to April the days are mild for Rosetta and for the desert monasteries. In summer, Wadi el-Natrun is very hot during the day. On Coptic religious holidays, the monasteries receive many faithful and may change visiting hours.
Getting there
Rosetta is about 65 km from Alexandria by car or minibus. Wadi el-Natrun lies on the desert road between Cairo and Alexandria, about 100 km from Cairo. Damanhur is on the Cairo–Alexandria rail line.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about Beheira
Where was the Rosetta Stone found?
Near Rosetta (Rashid), at the mouth of the western branch of the Nile, in Beheira province, in 1799. The original stone is in the British Museum in London; Rosetta has a replica.
What to see in Rosetta?
The Ottoman brick houses with carved wooden windows, the mosques of the historic center, Rosetta’s Qaitbay fortress and the Nile shore near the mouth. A day trip from Alexandria lets you see the essentials.
Do the monasteries of Wadi el-Natrun receive visitors?
Yes, at scheduled times that change during Coptic fasts and religious festivals: check before you go. Wear clothing that covers shoulders and legs.
How to get to Wadi el-Natrun?
By the desert road between Cairo and Alexandria, about 100 km from Cairo. The most practical way is by car with a driver, stopping en route to Alexandria.