Resorts in Egypt

This article has been translated from Russian language using an artificial intelligence-based translation algorithm. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the quality of the translation. You can read the original of this article in Russian here, and ask questions on the topic of our travel forum in English here.

Map of resorts in Egypt

Egypt does not have bad seasons or uninteresting holidays - there are only incorrectly selected resorts. The variety of Egyptian resorts is such that a tourist with any complaints will be satisfied, the main thing is to choose the right place and time for his vacation. Below we give a brief description of the main resorts in Egypt, so that you do not make a mistake with your choice, and get the full pleasure of your vacation. And on map you can see the geographical location of the resorts.

Sharm El-Sheikh

Sharm el-Sheikh (Sharm el-Sheikh or Sharm ash Shaykh)

Sharm el-Sheikh, also known as Sharm, is the oldest (began to develop for tourism in 1967), the most developed, most beautiful and most popular resort in Egypt, located on the coast of the Sinai Peninsula. The name of the resort translates as "Tsar's Bay". It's just a concentration of entertainment, attractions and ways to have a pleasant and interesting time. You can find something to do here at any time of the year and at any time of the day: it's never boring here. This place is good both for a simple beach holiday and for active entertainment, including diving. Sharm el-Sheikh is generally considered one of the best places in the world for diving. It is the underwater beauty, first of all, that attracts countless hordes of tourists from all over the world every year. It is also important that you can get to Sharm el-Sheikh without a visa using the so-called The Sinai stamp.

The season in Charm lasts all year round: in winter, the daytime temperature here does not drop below 23 degrees, and the water temperature is below 20 degrees. In general, Naam Bay near Charm is considered the warmest place in Egypt in winter. There are a little fewer tourists from Europe here in the summer months, when the heat here becomes unbearable, but during these months a huge number of tourists arrive from other countries of the African continent, where it is even hotter at this time.

From here it is convenient to go on an excursion to Cairo or Israel. But to get overland from Charm to Luxor, you will have to make a considerable detour around the Gulf of Suez.

Unfortunately, there are also minor inconveniences when relaxing in Charm – most of the beaches are dotted with coral reefs, and entering the water there is difficult. Usually the entrance to the water is carried out from special pontoons. But very close is the bay of Naam (Na'ama Bay) with clean sandy beaches.

Of course, you have to pay for pleasure, and therefore prices here are about 15% higher than, for example, in Hurghada, located on the opposite shore of the Red Sea.

Hurghada

Hurghada is located on the shores of the Red Sea on the mainland of the African continent. Hurghada is the second most popular holiday destination in Egypt after Sharm el-Sheikh. The resort's infrastructure is constantly evolving, offering new hotels and a lot of active entertainment, including excellent diving, surfing and many other water activities, desert safaris, excursions to Cairo, Luxor and the Nile Valley. The nightlife of the resort is not far behind the active entertainment.

The tourist season lasts in Hurghada all year round. In winter, at night, the temperature can drop to 10 degrees, but during the day it does not drop below 22 degrees. In the summer, especially hot months, the flow of tourists from Europe weakens a little, but in general, even in these months, the heat is transferred here quite easily due to the dry climate of Egypt and the constant light breeze from the sea. Rain in Hurghada is a rarity, and it happens once every two or three years!

A nice addition to your holiday in Hurghada is that the prices for hotels here are lower than at a competing resort – Sharm el-Sheikh.

Makadi Bay

Makadi Bay is located a little to the south Hurghada, about 30 kilometers away, in a picturesque, secluded bay of the Red Sea.

This relatively new resort began to develop in the mid-90s in the form of separately built hotels on the empty coast. Hotels here are mostly of high class, and the prices are appropriate. The nearest settlements are far from them, and therefore, going outside the hotel, you will not see anything but the desert and mountains. All the entertainment – shops, restaurants, beaches, discos – are located on the territory of the hotels, and therefore rest here can be recommended for families with children and those who want to quietly engage in water sports.

The climate here is practically the same as Hurghada, but the mountains approaching the sea provide additional protection from the winds.

Soma Bay

This resort is practically no different from its neighbor, Makadi Bay, except for the location and composition of hotels. Just like in Makadi, mostly high-class hotels (4 and 5-star) are located in a picturesque bay, and there are no settlements nearby. It is located a few kilometers south of Makadi Bay.

Marsa Alam

One of the newest resorts in Egypt, actively developing and being built up by hotels. The southernmost resort of the country is located on the coast of the Red Sea (270 kilometers from Hurghada).

An international airport has been built near the resort, ready to receive tourists from all over the world.

The main attraction of Marsa Alam is the growing popularity of the diving center, which is the largest and most equipped in the region. In addition to its size and equipment, it is attractive to scuba divers for its still untouched and little-explored coral reefs, rich underwater wildlife.

El Gouna

The town and resort of El Gouna is located thirty kilometers north of Hurghada, on the coast of the Red Sea. This place is called the Egyptian Venice or Venice in the Sands.

The resort consists of small hotels, villas, cozy houses located on islets separated by numerous canals. The islets are interconnected by bridges, and boats transport tourists through the canals.

In El Gouna you can find modern shopping malls and clean secluded beaches, an interesting underwater world and a lot of entertainment for young people. The special pride of El Gouna is the fashionable golf club, considered one of the best in the Middle East. The town has the title of "The most environmentally friendly resort in Egypt."

El Gunna is also a very popular destination for artists and photographers from all over the world. A special complex has even been built for them, which has become their home and workplace.

Rest here can not be called cheap, most likely it corresponds to European prices, so most of the tourists are rich Europeans and Egyptians.

The climate and seasons here are similar to Hurghada.

Safaga

60 km south of Hurghada is Safaga – a quiet resort town and a large port.

There is no stormy nightlife in Safaga, you can enjoy peace and quiet with your family and children. At the same time, the constantly blowing light breeze has made Safaga very popular among fans of kitesurfing and windsurfing. In 1993, the Windsurfing World Championship was held here. This place is also known for its healing properties. As medical studies have shown, the natural conditions of Safaga, healing sand and salty sea water contribute to the treatment of diseases such as arthritis, psoriasis.

The climate in Safaga in winter compares favorably with other resorts in Egypt. Here, even in the cold winter months, the temperature stays above 30 degrees.