At one time, Al-Alamein was typically only visited by people with a special interest in the events that took place there during World War II. Mostly, they were decedents, and sometimes survivors of those battles. But now, the north coast of Egypt is becoming more and more of a tourist destination, and the area of al-Alamein is becoming more popular, with several major resorts nearby. Al-Alamein takes its name from the twin peaked hill known as Tell al-Alamein, upon which it stands. Prior to the battles that took place there and near there during World War II, al-Alamein was simply a sleepy stop along the modern north coast railway. But it does actually have some ancient history associated with it. Al-Alamein is the site of the Gaucum of Ptolemy and the Leucasis, Leucaspis, or Locabsis of the Romans.

One of Egypt's most prestigious beach resorts, particularly for Egyptians themselves, is the Marina Tourist Village, which runs east-west for about two kilometers along he shore very near the modern village of al-Alamein. When the site was under construction, work crews unearthed a major Greek and Roman seaport. The site, located about six kilometers east of town, covers a three kilometer (1.8 mile) stretch of beach and contains a town with Roman villas, two churches and a large cemetery with with Hellenistic tombs and catacombs. Several archaeological missions have been working this site. A mummy portrait similar to those found in the Fayoum, but predating those, was found here, and one can visit a Hellenistic cemetery and a house with seven rooms.