Port Said was founded by Said Pasha in 1859 as a camp for laborers. After the Suez Canal was built, Port Said became an important docking yard for trading vessels. The city stands on the banks of the Lake Manzala.
The city has seen much destruction that resulted from war, and subsequent reconstruction, but has always managed to find its feet again. This city became the winter destination for well heeled Europeans in the 19th century, and you can see many colonial style bungalows still standing in the quiet, shady streets of Port Said.
The Suez Canal offers a picturesque backdrop to the city. Tourists can often be spotted taking pictures of the trading vessels or luxury liners docking into the port. The Sharia Palestine Street is lined with banks and other commercial establishments. The Military Museum also stands on the Sharia Street. It houses weapons from ancient Egyptian eras.
The National Museum is a repository for old Egyptian coins, textiles, parchment rolls and garments. The museum pieces belong to the Pharaonic, Coptic and Islamic periods of Egyptian history. A little known fact about the city is that the Statue of Liberty, now gracing the New York harbor, was originally housed at Port Said.
Shopping at Port Said is tax free, so you can go ahead and shop till you drop!
