The incredible £233m highway that thunders through desert to major seaside city

Egypt’s capital, Cairo is known for its bustling city, vibrant culture and ancient history.

Alexandria was once seen as the most important city in the world due to its status in the academic world.

The latest discoveries in science, culture and politics were often found within the city.

An important £233 million highway, known as the Cairo to Alexandria desert road connects these two largest cities in Egypt.

The direct drive from Cairo to Alexandria is 142 miles and should take a total time of approximately two hours in normal traffic.

If you’re planning to travel on the road, there are many great places to stop along the way for some extra sightseeing. Stopping off at Giza is the choice of most drivers as from here there is a lot to see.

The city of Giza is found on the west bank of the Nile river, near Cairo. The area is home to several well known Egyptian sculptures such as three pyramids, including “The Great Pyramid” and “The Great Sphinx”.

The most visited places along the route are the Pyramid of Djoser, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali and the Pyramid of Saqqara Necropolis.

The road is 220km long and its development took many years. The Egyptian government continually update the road and new phases have been added over the years to extend and improve the highway. 

Along the route, travellers will feel the change from the ancient to the modern as desert landscapes change into city views. From ancient temples to skyscrapers, the route allows you to explore Egypt through the ages.

The best time to visit is from October to April when the weather is warm but mild as the summer months often bring intense heat to the country so it is best to avoid visiting in high season.

Although traffic can be chaotic, the journey is part of the fun with this ride.