This Damietta travel guide covers the best things to do in Damietta: Ras El Bar beach and lighthouse, furniture workshops and Damietta sweets. Below you will also find the best time to visit Damietta, how to get there and around, and where to stay.
Ras El Bar
Ras El-Bar, where the Nile meets the Mediterranean, is a town within Damietta, the coastal border city on the eastern branch of the Nile.
Damietta has a long history, and today it is an important centre of Egypt’s furniture industry.
Ras El Bar Lighthouse
Historical background
The lighthouse was built in 1938, a century after the city was renovated as an important trading centre and border city. The site chosen was at Ras El-Bar, in a strategic spot known as the Tongue of the Nile, where the Nile meets the Mediterranean Sea.
Structure of the lighthouse
The Ports and Lighthouses Authority built the lighthouse. It is a 14m stone tower and a local landmark, with a reinforced concrete platform that protects the coast from erosion. On top is a lantern with a gallery, painted green, to guide ships.
Historical background
Tell El-Bershaya
Its history probably began earlier, during the Ptolemaic Period as stone human-shaped uninscribed coffins were discovered during excavations, and several were transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum.
At Tell El-Bershaya, it’s a unique feature in eastern Delta, to find ruins of a Roman Bath, with its sewage system beneath, adjacent to the Roman city.
Church of St. Mary Gerges
Damietta is also rich in Coptic history, The Church of St. Mary Gerges, that enshrines the relics of the ninth century Mary Gerges.
The Mosque of El-Fath
The second mosque built by Amr Ibn El-Aas was at Damietta, The Mosque of El Fath, built in the seventh century AD, upon the Arab arrival to Egypt. It was built in a similar style as the first mosque at Cairo but has been renovated later by the Fatimids and restored in modern days.
The Fort of Oraby
It was originally built by the French expedition (1799-1801) to defend the country against sea attacks, and later it was used by Egyptian patriots during the Oraby revolution (1879-1882) and thus named after him.
Lighthouse
In 1938, the Ports and Lighthouses Authority constructed the famous Lighthouse, rising 250 m high, to guide the ships.
Tourist ideas
Complete guide to Damietta
About the city, its weather, the best time to visit and how to get there.
About Damietta
- Governorate
- Damietta (دمياط)
- Region
- Delta
- Top landmark
- Ras El Bar beach
- Destination type
- Inland
- Travel region
- The Nile Delta and Suez Canal
What is the weather like in Damietta?
- Jan
- Apr
- Jul
- Oct
Average daytime highs, °C. Reference: Alexandria and the Mediterranean coast.
When is the best time to visit Damietta?
- Best season
- May to October for the beach; spring and autumn for sightseeing
Summer is beach season and the coast is busy; winter brings rain and rough seas.
How do I get to Damietta?
- Nearest airport
- Cairo (CAI), about 200 km
Frequent trains from Cairo’s Ramses Station and intercity buses and minibuses link the city with Cairo and Alexandria.
What to see in Damietta
- Ras El Bar beach
- Furniture markets
Things to do from Damietta
Day trips with hotel pickup, run by a local operator. Book directly with them.
Where to eat in Damietta
Bab El Hara باب الحارة
Top-rated Syrian restaurant for shawarma, grills and mezze.
Abu Salah Restaurant مطعم أبو صالح
Well-reviewed local restaurant serving traditional Egyptian dishes.
Al Kelany Restaurant مطعم الكيلاني
Popular grill house serving kofta, kebab and grilled chicken.
Sea Door سي دور
Restaurant with seafood, Egyptian grills and an international menu.
Daadour دعدور
Long-established name in Damietta, famous for feteer and local savoury and sweet pastries.
El Badry Sweets حلواني البدري
Sweet shop known for meshabek, the crunchy syrup-soaked pastry Damietta is famous for.
Last checked October 2026. Opening hours and menus change; check with the venue before you go.
Shopping in Damietta
Damietta Furniture Market سوق الأثاث بدمياط
Egypt's furniture-making capital, with streets of showrooms and workshops selling handmade furniture.
Last checked October 2026. Opening hours and menus change; check with the venue before you go.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Damietta?
Frequent trains from Cairo’s Ramses Station and intercity buses and minibuses link the city with Cairo and Alexandria.
What is the nearest airport to Damietta?
The nearest airport to Damietta is Cairo International Airport (CAI), about 200 km away.
Where can I eat in Damietta?
Popular choices include Bab El Hara, Abu Salah Restaurant, Al Kelany Restaurant, Sea Door. See the dining section above for more.
Where can I go shopping in Damietta?
Try Damietta Furniture Market. See the shopping section above.
