El Alamein Military Museum

The El Alamein Military Museum commemorates the North African campaign of the Second World War and in particular the battles fought around El Alamein in 1942, which ended the Axis advance towards the Nile and the Suez Canal. It stands on the coast road west of Alexandria, near the war cemeteries of the armies that fought there.

History

The museum was established on the orders of President Gamal Abdel Nasser and opened in December 1956. It was extensively renovated and reopened in 1992 for the 50th anniversary of the battle, when Britain, Germany and Italy contributed information and objects. The museum is run by the Egyptian armed forces.

What to look for

• Halls dedicated to each of the four nations involved, Britain and the Commonwealth, Germany, Italy and Egypt, plus a joint hall telling the story of the campaign.
• Uniforms, weapons, medals, maps and models explaining the moves of the opposing armies under Rommel and Montgomery.
• Soldiers’ personal belongings and letters.
• In the gardens, German, Italian and British tanks, artillery and vehicles, many in good condition.
• Outside, the Memorial of Peace, dedicated to world peace and the victims of the war.

The museum is a good place to understand why this stretch of coast mattered. El Alamein lies where the Qattara Depression to the south narrows the open desert to a gap of around 60 km, so armies could not simply drive around each other’s flanks. The First Battle of El Alamein in July 1942 halted Rommel’s advance, and the Second Battle in October and November 1942 turned the campaign in the Allies’ favour.

Visiting tips

Allow an hour for the museum and more if you plan to visit the cemeteries. The Commonwealth War Cemetery is close to the museum, while the German and Italian memorials stand on high ground further west along the coast. There is very little shade at the outdoor displays, so bring water and a hat in summer. El Alamein is about two hours by road from Alexandria and easy to combine with a stay on the North Coast or in New Alamein City; El Alamein International Airport also serves the area. The battle anniversary in late October brings commemorative ceremonies.

Last checked October 2026. Sources: historyhit.com, ask-aladdin.com, tracesofwar.com, study-in-egypt.gov.eg.