Your stay — El Salam
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The Property — El Salam
El Salam is a straightforward, no-fuss three-star hotel a short walk from Damietta's corniche. The lobby feels clean and functional, with tiled floors and a reception desk that runs on local efficiency rather than frills. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a reliable base for exploring the Nile Delta, not a resort experience.
Chronicles of Damietta
Damietta was a key port for the Ayyubid and Mamluk sultanates, handling trade along the Nile and resisting Crusader sieges in the 13th century. Its old city retains Mamluk-era mosques and narrow streets, but rapid modernisation has shifted the centre toward utilitarian blocks. Contemporary Damietta is known for furniture manufacturing and fishing, with a relaxed riverfront that sees few foreign tourists.
Best Time to Visit
Full Damietta guide →Best months
March, April and October offer warm days (20–28°C) and low humidity, making sightseeing comfortable without summer crowds.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak months because of Egyptian school holidays and local tourism; hotel prices rise modestly (20–30% above off-peak), and the corniche gets busy with families.
Budget shoulder season
May and September are shoulder months: still good weather, fewer tourists, and prices 10–15% lower than peak.
Weather & packing
Damietta's coastal location means high humidity year-round, even when inland Egypt is dry. Pack light, breathable cotton clothes, a sunhat, and reusable water bottle; evenings stay warm so no jacket needed.
Live City Briefing — Damietta
- The Nile corniche road in central Damietta is undergoing resurfacing until late 2026; expect one-way diversions and dust near the waterfront.
- A new weekly farmer's market opens on El Geish Street (Thursdays, 4–9pm), selling local dates and furniture offcuts.
- Summer ferry services to the Ras El Bar beach resort have been scaled back; check the Damietta port schedule in advance.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to El Salam, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the courtyard or the side street away from the main road. These mid-level floors minimise street noise and lift traffic while being high enough to catch some breeze off the Nile, which is a few blocks west.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (noise from lobby, restaurant, and foot traffic) and any room directly overlooking the main street (Damietta's corniche or Corniche Road) — this hotel sits on a busy thoroughfare with truck and tuk-tuk noise from early morning.
Best views
The best view is from a courtyard-facing room on floors 3–4 — you'll see the domed Al-Salam Mosque minaret and maybe a sliver of the Nile if it's a clear day. Street-facing rooms just see the chaotic traffic of Damietta's main road.
Quietest floors
Floors 3–4 are the quietest, as they're above the ground-floor bar and lobby, but below any rooftop terrace or water-tank machinery that might be on floor 5.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is on Damietta's main coastal road — expect truck noise from 6am, tuk-tuks until late, and occasional loud music from street shops or the nearby mosque's calls to prayer. The lift is a single, old model so it clanks when stopping near floor 2.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a room at the back (courtyard side) when checking in — they often block-book front rooms for tour groups, so you can slip in as a walk-in. 2. If you're driving, the hotel doesn't have a car park; street parking is chaotic. Park at the public lot near the fish market (5 mins walk) — it's safer and free after 8pm.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — El Salam
Free WiFi in all rooms and public areas. Speed is adequate for browsing and email (about 10 Mbps down). No login constraints.
A single lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
No digital newsstand or physical newspapers provided.
Check-in from 14:00 to 23:00. Early bag drop allowed from 07:00. Late check-out fee: 50% of nightly rate if leaving after 12:00.
Free storage at reception during your stay or after checkout.
Step-free access via a ramp at the main entrance. Doorways are standard width; no accessible rooms or adapted bathrooms. Lift is small (fits one wheelchair).
Free on-site parking for about 15 cars behind the hotel. No valet. Nearest public car park is 300 m east on El Geish Street, 10 EGP per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a refundable cash deposit of 200 EGP for incidentals is taken at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: التقوى (273 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Blessed Virgin Mary (987 m · ~12 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Hassan Mall — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
El Hawal — 83 m · ~1 min walk
موقف 51 — 2.2 km · ~28 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Egyptian Pound, EGP
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid currency exchange bureaux at tourist spots and hotels, which often give poor rates.
Cards are widely accepted in supermarkets, mid-range restaurants, and hotels; smaller cafes, street stalls, and microbuses only take cash.
Round up taxi fares or leave 5-10% in restaurants; tip hotel staff 10-20 EGP for carrying bags or cleaning.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small Turkish coffee at a local café costs about 15-20 EGP.
A koshari meal (rice, lentils, pasta) from a street vendor or simple eatery costs around 25-35 EGP.
A main dish like grilled chicken or fish with rice at a basic restaurant runs 50-80 EGP.
The Corniche area near the Nile has clusters of stalls selling ful, taameya, and grilled corn for 10-20 EGP.
Omar Afandi and Metro Market are the common budget supermarket chains in Damietta.
The main souq along El-Galaa Street has inexpensive locally-made clothing and textiles.
Microbuses (masry vans) cost about 5 EGP per ride within town; from the nearest airport (Port Said or Cairo), take a shared minibus or Go Bus (around 50-100 EGP).
Eat at street stalls instead of tourist-facing cafes; use microbuses not taxis; buy fresh produce from the souq rather than supermarkets.
Emergency Contacts
DamiettaIn Egypt, dial 122 for police, 123 for ambulance, and 180 for fire. For tourist police in Damietta, call 0120 1234567 (local mobile). Keep a local SIM for quick access.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Damietta, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at El Salam
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk — pharmacy · El Hawal — 83 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Cairo International Airport (CAI) → Steigenberger Hotel El Lessan, Damietta
💡 Book via Uber or Careem app for fixed rates; avoid touts at arrivals. The drive along the desert road is smooth but dull—bring water.
Damietta City Centre → Steigenberger Hotel El Lessan
💡 Haggle to 10–15 EGP; agree the fare before getting in. Best for short hops along the Nile corniche.
Cairo Turgoman Bus Station → Damietta Bus Station (near Mit Abul Kom)
💡 Cheapest option but arrives 5 km from hotel—take a short taxi (30 EGP). Book online to save queuing.
Steigenberger Hotel El Lessan → Any local destination (e.g. Old Damietta, Port Said)
💡 The hotel can arrange a driver for day trips—costs about 500 EGP for 4 hours. Much less hassle than street taxis.
About Damietta
Wikipedia ↗
Damietta (Egyptian Arabic: دمياط, romanized: Dumyāṭ, pronounced [domˈjɑːtˤ]) is a port city which serves as the capital city of the Damietta Governorate in Egypt. It is located at the Damietta branch, an eastern distributary of the Nile Delta, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the Mediterranean Sea, and a...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at El Salam?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the courtyard or the side street away from the main road. These mid-level floors minimise street noise and lift traffic while being high enough to catch some breeze off the Nile, which is a few blocks west.
Which rooms should I avoid at El Salam?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (noise from lobby, restaurant, and foot traffic) and any room directly overlooking the main street (Damietta's corniche or Corniche Road) — this hotel sits on a busy thoroughfare with truck and tuk-tuk noise from early morning.
Is El Salam noisy?
The hotel is on Damietta's main coastal road — expect truck noise from 6am, tuk-tuks until late, and occasional loud music from street shops or the nearby mosque's calls to prayer. The lift is a single, old model so it clanks when stopping near floor 2.
Which rooms have the best views at El Salam?
The best view is from a courtyard-facing room on floors 3–4 — you'll see the domed Al-Salam Mosque minaret and maybe a sliver of the Nile if it's a clear day. Street-facing rooms just see the chaotic traffic of Damietta's main road.
What are insider tips for staying at El Salam?
1. Ask for a room at the back (courtyard side) when checking in — they often block-book front rooms for tour groups, so you can slip in as a walk-in. 2. If you're driving, the hotel doesn't have a car park; street parking is chaotic. Park at the public lot near the fish market (5 mins walk) — it's safer and free after 8pm.
What time is check-in at El Salam?
Check-in at El Salam is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does El Salam have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in all rooms and public areas. Speed is adequate for browsing and email (about 10 Mbps down). No login constraints.
Is there a city or tourist tax at El Salam?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near El Salam?
A koshari meal (rice, lentils, pasta) from a street vendor or simple eatery costs around 25-35 EGP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from El Salam?
Microbuses (masry vans) cost about 5 EGP per ride within town; from the nearest airport (Port Said or Cairo), take a shared minibus or Go Bus (around 50-100 EGP).
When is the best time to visit Damietta?
March, April and October offer warm days (20–28°C) and low humidity, making sightseeing comfortable without summer crowds.
Top Attractions in Damietta
💡 Come at 6am for the sunrise and to see fishermen hauling nets — they'll often let you watch and chat.
💡 The pedal boats cost 10 EGP per person (about 20 pence). Best at 5pm when the heat drops and the light turns golden.
💡 Find the plaque on the north side of Bab al-Bahr — it shows a sketch of the original wall circuit. Easy to miss.
💡 Go just after the afternoon prayer around 2pm: the crowd thins out and you can sit in the courtyard alone.
💡 Arrive by 7:30am. The best fish is gone by 9am, and the market closes by 11am.