Port-Said is an Egyptian governorate located at the north east of country, its represents a very important port and the entrance to the Suez Canal from the Mediterranean Sea. The city has a population of about 700,000 and has a cosmopolitan heritage that appears in its various architectural styles found on its buildings.
The city has a Mediterranean climate; the summers are warm and humid, while winters are moderate and mildly rainy. No matter the season is, the evening weather in the city is very pleasant.
Today’s Port Said is one of the main Egyptian economic and business centers, as it was declared as a duty-free port in 1976, which attracted people from all over Egypt.
History
The city of Port-said was founded in 1859, and since then Port-Said represented an important terminal for the Egyptian goods. In 1902, Egyptian cotton started to be exported through the city; after a couple of years in 1904 a railway opened to Cairo, both of these events resulted in large commercial attraction which raised the social status.
Since its establishment, the city played an important role in Egyptian history. In 1882, the British forces entered the country through port-said.
23rd of December 1956 was coincides with the withdrawal of the last soldier of foreign troops, which was through the Suez canal, and since that day, this date is celebrated annually as Port Said’s national day.
After the six-days war in 1967, the Suez Canal was closed by the Egyptian Authority until June 1975, and the residents of Port Said were evacuated by as a preparation for 1973 war. The city was re-inhabited after the war has ended and the reopening of the Suez Canal. In 1976, the city was declared as a duty-free port, which attracted people from all over the country.
Places to Visit
The number one option is the port, of which few ancient buildings and facilities still remains, for example: Lighthouse of Port Said, Building of the Suez Canal Authority headquarter which was built in 1895, and De Lesseps tourist jetty. Also the passing of the huge ships, supertankers and carriers through the canal is an impressive sight.
Some other options includes War memorial in 23rd of July Street, Tennis Island which is an ancient Islamic site. You can also check the Port Said National Museum, Museum of Modern Arts, and Port Said Military Museum.
Religious sites includes: El-Abbasy Mosque built in 1904 and the big and magnificent Latin Cathedral which was built in 1934.
For shopping, you can spend hours and maybe days just exploring the local shops and markets, and no matter what you look for, you will find your destination.
What to eat?
The coastal nature of the city made seafood the number one option for launch/ dinner; as it can’t get fresher than that. You can still try the traditional Egyptian food. For breakfast you can expect Fava beans served in a ton of ways, Falafel, Eggplant, French fries, baba-Ganush and more, all together in the famous balady bread with some home-made pickles.
After a long day in the city, you can settle for a fresh and cold fruit juice from a lot of fruit bars found in the streets, and to wrap it up, some Egyptian sweets such as basbosa and konafa will be more than enough.
Night Life
You can spend your time shopping for some souvenirs, or maybe a peaceful walk on the Suez Canal to be the perfect end for the day.