Port Said is the northern gateway of the Suez
Canal. It was built by KhediveSaid,
who gave the green light to the digging of the canal. Many of
its streets have beautiful wooden houses that date back to 19th
century.
Port Said suffered from war more than once, and it was bombarded
and even parts of it were devastated in subsequent Arab-Israeli
wars of 1956,
1967,
and again in 1973's
Yom Kippur War.
Few of the war vestiges remain because most of the city was
rebuilt.
Today the city is a commercial center and a vital duty-free
zone, so if you intend to visit it check with the customs office
to avoid paying much customs for your equipment as you leave
the city.
Port Said beaches are ordinary but less crowded than Egypt's
other resorts. The best attraction of the city, however, is
the lookout of ships while they enter the canal. You can do
that by standing on the ferry terminal or by getting on the
free-of-charge ferry itself few times.
The ferry carries passengers to Port Said's sister city Port
Fuad. Port Said's best landmark is the Suez Canal Authority
building. It's visible from the ferry terminal and its building
is awe-inspiring.
Port Fuad is very small and has also old and nice houses. It
offers nothing but a quiet ambient for those who are seeking
serenity.
Monuments
Military museum:
This has some interesting relics of Egyptian-Israeli wars including
tanks and unexploded bombs and also an illustration of Egyptian
Islamic and Pharaonic battles.
Generally the museum focus on the last war with Israel in 1973.
Port Said museum:
It has a fine collection exhibits Egypt's history, especially
those belonging to Pharaonic
and Islamic
eras. Most of the Coptic monuments were found at the ruins of
ancient city of Tanis in the Delta and were later brought to
the museum.
Farial gardens:
A good place to take a rest and enjoy the green.
