Lake MarioutAbout Lake Mariout
Lake Mariout is a coastal lake immediately southwest of Alexandria in Egypt’s Alexandria Governorate, historically known as Mareotis. The lake has long been associated with Alexandria and has been exploited for fishing and salt extraction.
Much of the lake shore has been affected by reclamation, canals and land-use change in and around Alexandria; parts of the basin are shallow and brackish. The lake supports local fishing and small-scale industry.
In antiquity the lake and its waters were integrated into the economy and infrastructure of Alexandria and surrounding settlements. Over the 20th century the lake area has seen changing water management and shoreline modification.
Lake Mariout lies just inland from the Mediterranean coast adjacent to the western suburbs of Alexandria, within the low-lying coastal plain of the Nile Delta region.
- History: Historically known as Mareotis in antiquity and closely associated with the city of Alexandria since Hellenistic and Roman times.
Nearby Attractions to Lake Mariout
Best Time to Visit Lake Mariout
Visit in cooler months for better visibility and bird migration; avoid hottest months for comfort.
Weather & Climate near Lake Mariout
Lake Mariout's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 9°C to 30°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 9° - 18° | 14° | 46 mm | partly cloudy | 68% | 3.4 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.2h |
| February | Very Good | 10° - 19° | 14° | 22 mm | partly cloudy | 66% | 3.7 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.9h |
| March | Excellent | 11° - 20° | 16° | 12 mm | some cloud | 63% | 4.5 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.9h |
| April | Ideal | 14° - 24° | 19° | 3 mm | mostly sunny | 60% | 4.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.8h |
| May | Ideal | 17° - 26° | 21° | 1 mm | mostly sunny | 58% | 3.9 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.6h |
| June | Ideal | 20° - 28° | 24° | 0 mm | clear | 60% | 3.6 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.0h |
| July | Ideal | 23° - 30° | 26° | 0 mm | clear | 62% | 3.5 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.8h |
| August | Ideal | 23° - 30° | 27° | 0 mm | clear | 63% | 3.3 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 13.1h |
| September | Ideal | 22° - 29° | 26° | 1 mm | clear | 62% | 3.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 19° - 27° | 23° | 8 mm | mostly sunny | 64% | 3.3 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.3h |
| November | Ideal | 15° - 24° | 19° | 28 mm | some cloud | 65% | 3.0 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.4h |
| December | Very Good | 11° - 20° | 15° | 42 mm | partly cloudy | 68% | 3.1 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.0h |
How to Get to Lake Mariout
From central Alexandria, take the coastal road west toward Abu Qir and follow local signs for Lake Mariout/Maryut; local minibuses (microbuses) and taxis serve destinations along the lake’s edge.
Tips for Visiting Lake Mariout
- Combine a shoreline drive with a visit to Abu Qir and the site of ancient Canopus if exploring the broader Mariout region.
- Avoid polluted stretches near Alexandria's outflows; ask locals where water quality is best for photography.
- Bring binoculars for wading birds; marshy margins are bird-rich in migration seasons.