El Alamein War Cemetery and Museum

The basics

Located at the edge of the town of Alamein, the El Alamein Cemetery houses 7,432 graves of Commonwealth and Allied soldiers. While most belong to those who died in 1942’s battle, other graves belong to those killed during the wider campaign. Visitors can view the graves, scan the names of the missing at the cemetery’s Alamein Memorial, and explore artifacts and personal testimonies at the nearby museum. Visitors can enter and explore the cemetery independently, but many choose to visit during private tours from Cairo or Alexandria to avoid any transportation worries.

Things to know before you go

• The cemetery and museum are a short walk from each other. The cemetery offers free admission, while the museum has a small admission fee.
• The cemetery has wheelchair-accessible walkways.
• Bring water, a sunhat, and sunscreen: there’s no shade when viewing the gravestones.
• The museum has restrooms.

How to get there

The El Alamein War cemetery and museum are located just south of the coastal 40 highway between Alexandria and Marsa Mutrah. They’re most easily reached by cab, car, or tours that include round-trip transport from Alexandria or Cairo. Some public minibuses ply the Alexandria-Marsa highway, but you’ll need to ask the driver to stop at El Alamein.

When to get there

The cemetery is open daily from early morning until late afternoon. Plan to visit in the morning before the hottest sun and to see the visitor and register books—they’re removed in the afternoon. The museum is also open every day, although with slightly shorter opening hours.

The Story of the Battle of El Alamein

Fought between the Allies and German and Italian forces as part of the Western Desert campaign, 1942’s Battle of El Alamein was one of World War II’s most pivotal. After two years of surging back and forth across North Africa, the battle saw the Allies halt the German advance into Egypt, protecting the vital Suez Canal and shifting the momentum of the war in their favor.