THE FAYOUMNational park
Magic Lake
29.1650, 30.4100
The Magic Lake lies in the protected wilderness of Wadi El-Rayan, a mineral-rich pool ringed by desert whose surface genuinely shifts colour through the day as the sun moves and the wind stirs its bed. Bedouin lore credits its waters with healing properties, and the mud along its shore draws visitors hoping for a spa soak with no walls and no roof.
The draw is the setting as much as the lake: soft dunes on one side, still water on the other, and a silence broken only by the breeze. It pairs naturally with Wadi El-Rayan's waterfalls nearby and is a favourite spot to stop for sunset, when the whole basin flushes pink and orange. Simple, elemental, and a world away from Cairo just two hours north.
Know before you go
There are no facilities at the lake, so carry your own water, snacks and anything you need, and bring a bag out for your rubbish.