Port Safaga, also known as Safaga ( Safāja, ), is a town in Egypt, on the coast of the Red Sea, located 53 km south of Hurghada. This small port is also a tourist area that consists of several bungalows and rest houses. Having numerous phosphate mines, it is regarded as the phosphates export center. A paved road of 164 km connects Safaga to Qena of Upper Egypt.

History

The town was founded between 282 BC and 268 BC, by Satyrus. It was called Philotera in honor of the deceased sister of the Pharaoh Ptolemy II Philadelphus. Stephanus of Byzantium write that it was also called Philoterida. Safaga City is considered one of the most important therapeutic tourist centres, as special medical researches have proved the potential of attracting international tourism to Safaga. Safaga was a merchant port for many years. The town has a small tourism industry, specialising in scuba diving. It was the host of the 1993 Red Sea World Windsurfing Championships.

Climate

Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies its climate as hot desert (BWh), as the rest of Egypt. The highest record temperature was 46 C on July 30, 2002, while the lowest record temperature was 0 C on February 2, 1993.

Port

Safaga port is also a gateway for Duba port to some hajj pilgrims or travelers to Mecca, by ferries.