Great Bitter Lake, Salt water lake in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt.
The Great Bitter Lake stretches 24 kilometers in length and 13 kilometers in width, forming an integral part of the Suez Canal system. Its salty waters connect the Red Sea with the Mediterranean, creating a wide expanse of water amid the surrounding desert landscape.
Before the Suez Canal opened in 1869, this area existed as a dry salt valley until water from both seas filled it. The opening of the waterway transformed this depression into a permanently navigable part of the most important maritime route between Europe and Asia.
The city of Fayid on the western shore attracts many visitors from Cairo who participate in water activities during summer months. Local fishermen use the calmer sections for their daily work, while other parts of the shore serve for relaxation and swimming.
Ships passing through the Suez Canal use this lake as a stopping point to change positions before continuing their journey. The area around Fayid offers access to shore zones where you can observe the water and passing vessels.
During the Six-Day War, fifteen stranded vessels formed the Great Bitter Lake Association and organized their own Olympic Games. The crews spent eight years on the water and developed a close community with regular sporting competitions and cultural events.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
