Mersa Matruh lies 290 km west of Alexandria, and 222 km from Sallum. The distance from Cairo to Matruh is 524 km. It lies on a bay on the Mediterranean and is distinguished by its 7km long beach - which according to visitors’ testaments - is one of the most beautiful in the world.

The beach is famous for its white soft sands and calm crystal waters; for the bay is protected from the high seas by a series of rocks forming a natural wave-breaker, with a small opening to allow light vessels in.

This beach dates back to the days of Alexander, the Macedonian, when it was known as "Paraetonium" and also as "Amunia". It was said that Alexander the Great stopped there during his historical expedition to pay tribute, and sacrifice to the god Amun at Siwa, so that he becomes Amun's son and his rule be a historical continuation of the pharaohs. There are ruins of a temple from the time of Ramsis II (1200 B.C.) in Matrouh.