Sidi Kreir: Coast and the House of Hassan Fathy

Sidi Kreir combines the Mediterranean coast with a distinctive architectural connection: the House of Hassan Fathy. The area can therefore be considered through two different themes—the coastal landscape and the design of a particular house. If you are planning a stay, these features of the area can serve as a starting point when choosing your destination.

Coast and Landscape in Sidi Kreir

Sidi Kreir Beach is 34 km from Alexandria. The Mediterranean coast lies at the site of the House of Hassan Fathy; the landscape there consists of sand and soft rock. The beach and the house thus offer different perspectives on Sidi Kreir: the coast as a named destination on the one hand, and the coastal setting of an architectural site on the other. This provides a distinctive focus for choosing a destination with an interest in landscape and architectural history.

The House of Hassan Fathy

The House of Hassan Fathy is considered a small palazzino set among low dunes. The complex includes a front courtyard, a foyer, a living room and iwans. Iwans are recessed alcoves separated by curtains; during the day they served as sitting areas and at night as sleeping areas. This explanation makes the architectural term tangible: location, curtains and changing uses are all part of the description, along with the courtyard, foyer and living room. The shift between daytime and nighttime functions shows how the alcoves were integrated into the use of the house.

The construction is also an important aspect: the house rests entirely on load-bearing stone walls. Thus, both the layout of the rooms and the structural principle are central to the description. In addition to its specific room layout, the house was conceived as a prototype for low-cost buildings and as a model for tourist accommodation. The design concept adds another focus to the construction details.

Other Regional Connections

A branch of the Abu Seifin convent is located in the Sidi Kreir area west of Alexandria, approximately at kilometre 36. The name adds a connection to a religious institution to the coastal landscape and the House of Hassan Fathy. Al-Agami and Hanoville also lie west of Sidi Kreir. In the wider area west of Sidi Kreir, both are known for their beaches and tourist and leisure offerings.

Alexandria as a Destination in Its Own Right

Alexandria itself is a coastal city and port on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. The Royal Jewelry Museum displays items from the Egyptian royal family’s collection; its palace combines European and Islamic architectural styles. The Citadel of Qaitbay stands on the site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria. At Kom al-Dikka, the complex includes a remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheatre; the theatre includes public baths, lecture halls and a villa decorated with mosaics.

These examples place the emphasis differently from Sidi Kreir’s coastal landscape and the House of Hassan Fathy: in Alexandria, museum collections and ancient buildings take centre stage. If you are choosing a hotel destination, it is helpful to bear this difference in focus in mind.

Discover more destinations: Al Wādī, ADH Dheraa Al Bahri, ‘Izbat Al ‘Ulā, Alexandria

Return to the main travel overview: Alexandria.