Plizio Visual Lab

Bahariya Oasis

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Landmark

Weather…

Adventurers head to the Bahariya Oasis to experience the striking contrast between life-giving natural springs and the surrounding unforgiving expanse of the Western Desert. The main town of Bawiti is surrounded by lush date palm groves and natural hot springs, which are incredibly relaxing after a long journey. Bahariya is historically significant as the site of the Valley of the Golden Mummies, an astonishing Greco-Roman necropolis discovered in the late 1990s. The oasis serves as the well-suited staging ground for off-road safaris into the nearby Black Desert and the famous White Desert. Locally grown dates, olives, and fresh fruits form the basis of the local diet, often accompanied by traditional Bedouin meals cooked slowly over an open fire under the starry night sky. Located about 370 kilometers southwest of Cairo, Bahariya is usually reached by bus or private 4x4 vehicles in about four to five hours. The convenient time to explore the oasis and its surrounding deserts is from October to April, avoiding the scorching heat of the Egyptian summer, which can make desert excursions dangerous and uncomfortable.

Location: Egypt
Nearby: Bawiti (27 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Oct, Nov.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	11	13	17	21	25	28	30	30	27	23	18	13
Rain mm	4	8	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	8	4

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

Bahariya Oasis is an open area accessible at any time. The hot springs are free to use, but desert tours require a guide.

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Typical hours

The hot springs are typically open during daytime with no fixed hours. Desert tours usually depart early morning.

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Photography

Photography is allowed in the oasis and at the springs. In the deserts, drones often require a permit.

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Time needed

Allow a full day for the oasis itself, plus at least another day for trips to the White and Black Deserts.

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Combine with

Combine your visit with the White Desert and Black Desert, both accessible from the oasis.

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Getting there

Daily buses run from Cairo to Bahariya (approx. 5-6 hours). Shared taxis are available for desert trips.

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Insider tip

Book an overnight stay in a Bedouin camp in the White Desert to experience the starry sky in complete darkness.

Geography

Coordinates

28.55000, 29.01667

Facts

Located in the Western Desert.
Famous for hot and cold springs.
Gateway to the White Desert.
Home to the Valley of the Golden Mummies.
Surrounded by black hills.
Rich in dates and olives.
Main town is Bawiti.
370 km from Cairo.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Bahariya Oasis25 km · SWExplore →

Bawiti27 km · SWExplore →

Gabal el-Fara40 km · SExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Bahariya Oasis: where is it located?

Bahariya Oasis is located in Egypt.

Bahariya Oasis: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Oct, Nov.

Bahariya Oasis: why is it worth visiting?

Adventurers head to the Bahariya Oasis to experience the striking contrast between life-giving natural springs and the surrounding unforgiving expanse of the Western Desert.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →