El Alamein sits on the Mediterranean coast of Matrouh Governorate, Egypt, roughly 105 km west of Alexandria, reached by private car, taxi, or an organized day tour in about 1.5-2 hours each way; there is no entrance fee for the Commonwealth War Cemetery, though the on-site War Museum charges a separate ticket. Walking routes through the cemetery grounds and the nearby battlefield memorial sites cover 2-4 km on flat coastal desert terrain with no elevation change. Underfoot is a mix of manicured lawn paths within the cemetery and packed sand and gravel around the outlying battlefield memorials, with essentially no shade beyond a scattering of trees planted among the graves. Key landmarks include the rows of Commonwealth war graves from the 1942 Second Battle of El Alamein, the Cross of Sacrifice memorial, the nearby Italian and German war memorials a short drive further along the coast, and the El Alamein War Museum with its collection of wartime vehicles and artefacts; the cemetery itself makes a natural, self-contained turn-around point for a shorter visit of about 1 hour. There are no refuge huts or water sources within the cemetery grounds, so visitors typically carry their own water; the War Museum and nearby town of El Alamein have cafes and shops for supplies. Respectful, modest attire is expected given the site's function as a war memorial.
| Distance | Walking routes through the cemetery grounds and nearby battlefield sites cover 2-4 km |
|---|---|
| Duration | Half-day trip from Alexandria; on-site walking around 1.5-2 hours |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Trailhead | Reached by private car, taxi, or organized day tour from Alexandria (about 1.5-2 hours each way) |
| Best season | October to April |
| Address | El Alamein, Matrouh Governorate, Egypt |
Trail facts
- Trail area
- El Alamein, Mediterranean coast, roughly 105 km west of Alexandria
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun protection
- Water
- Respectful, modest attire for the war cemetery
Location
El Alamein, Matrouh Governorate, Egypt
30.8267, 28.9530 View on map
Highlights
- Commonwealth War Cemetery rows of World War II graves
- Cross of Sacrifice central memorial
- El Alamein War Museum wartime vehicles and artefacts
- Nearby Italian and German war memorials along the coast
- Site of the 1942 Second Battle of El Alamein
Tips for visiting
- Dress respectfully and modestly, as the site is an active war memorial and cemetery
- Carry water, since there are no vendors within the cemetery grounds itself
- Combine the visit with the El Alamein War Museum, a short walk or drive from the cemetery
- Visit October to April to avoid the strongest summer desert heat on the exposed coastal terrain
- Allow extra time to visit the nearby Italian and German memorials if travelling by private car
When to visit
Best visited October to April when coastal desert temperatures are milder; mornings avoid the strongest midday sun on the largely shadeless grounds.
Accessibility
The main cemetery paths are flat, paved or firm lawn and generally wheelchair-accessible; the outlying battlefield memorial areas have unpaved sand and gravel surfaces that are harder to navigate.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entrance fee for the Commonwealth War Cemetery?
No, entry to the Commonwealth War Cemetery itself is free; the separate El Alamein War Museum nearby charges its own admission fee.
How long does a visit to El Alamein take?
A half-day trip from Alexandria is typical, with on-site walking around 1.5-2 hours covering the cemetery and nearby memorial sites.
Is there shade at the cemetery?
Shade is limited to a scattering of trees among the graves; the surrounding coastal desert terrain is largely exposed.
How far is El Alamein from Alexandria?
El Alamein is about 105 km west of Alexandria, reached by private car, taxi, or organized day tour in roughly 1.5-2 hours each way.