Trading Port of the Pharaohs

Located between Hurghada and Marsa Alam, Al Quseir is one of the oldest settlements on the Red Sea. During the time of the pharaohs, Al Quseir was called Licos Limen (the white port), and during the Roman period, Portus Albus.

Queen Hatshepsut launched her expedition to the land of Punt from here – as depicted in the reliefs at the Deir el-Bahari Temple in Luxor. Legend has it that the expedition returned with two live panthers and 21 sacred trees.

In the 16th century, Sultan Selim's fortress was built in the city center, a testament to Al Quseir's strategic importance at the time. The name Al Quseir, which translates roughly as "small palace," only came into use during the Islamic period.

The port of Al Quseir was once one of the most important on the Red Sea. The pharaohs residing along the Nile traded through it with Arabia, East Africa, and Southwest Asia. From here, pilgrims from all over North Africa and the interior of the country crossed over to reach Mecca. After the opening of the Suez Canal, the port of Al Quseir declined in importance.

Today, Al Quseir is a pleasant place with many cafes along the waterfront, bazaars, and small, traditional, rustic restaurants known for their delicious fish dishes. A weekly market takes place every Friday.

Also worth seeing are the old Ottoman fortress, which is now used as a local history museum, and the over 100-year-old drinking water reservoir. Besides fishing and tourism, the town's economy is based on phosphate mining.