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Travelling to Egypt: Going Without Vaccinations, Food, Water, and Health Safety

Written by Egypt Tourist in Advice and Tips

Healthy in Egypt

If you are a frequent traveler you would most probably know what I am talking about. Many travelers ignore the vaccination part of the trip. I think this comes from anxiety, bad publicity surrounding vaccinations, ignorance, or just being lazy. When travelling to Egypt or going Without Vaccinations and Health safety precautions can be risky.

My biggest advice here is: do not skip vaccinations whether you are going to Egypt or any other country if a vaccination advisory is in place. Always check with your doctor, but don’t just skip vaccinations.

The least you should take are the highly recommended ones by the health authority in your country. My advice comes from personal experience.

Vaccinations before going to Egypt

So.. What are the shots necessary for egypt?

I am not a doctor, so any advice I am presenting here is from my personal experience as a frequent traveler and from advice I learned from authoritative sources in this regard. I have also contacted some friends who are doctors to make sure my recommendations are sound and safe.

In all cases, the medical condition, age, and current health status varies from one person to another. This is why it is a good idea to consult your doctor before taking any type of medication.

Ok, Let’s talk some shots for travel:

Vaccination Recommendation:
High, Medium, Low		 Conditions/ precautions/ side effects Notes
Yellow Fever (not a risk in Egypt but required for travelers to Egypt from certain countries) High but not for everyone. Not for people allergic to eggs, chicken, or gelatin or children under 8 months or pregnant women. May cause aches, swelling , fever, soreness, or redness. Lifelong protection Yellow Fever is not a risk in Egypt, but only required for people coming to Egypt from certain countries. Check *1 below for a list. You should take it in designated centers only and you will receive a certificate to present at airports to avoid quarantine
Polio (not a risk in Egypt but required for travelers to Egypt from certain countries) High, not for everyone Sore spot or shoulder. Usually protects for lifetime Refer to *2 below for list countries that Egypt require vaccination certificate from. 
Rabies Low. Unless contact with animals is expected May cause redness, swelling, soreness, itching, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle aches, dizziness. Protects between 6 months and 2 years Stay away from animals in Egypt especially street animals.
Measles and Rubella (German Measles) Low very safe and effective. Usually two doses are required for lifetime If you never had it then take it. It is not very common in Egypt, but take no risks
Influenza High Effective anywhere in the world Try to take it whenever possible
Hepatitis B  Medium Soreness where the shot is given or fever can happen. Lasts 30 years You can skip it if you are confident to  come in contact with blood or other bodily fluids of others.
Hepatitis A High Soreness at the injection site. Requires 2 shots. Lasts 25 years You should take this one
Typhoid Fever Medium Mild symptoms like: stomach pain, diarrhea, low fever, nausea, or headache. -You may not neededd, but is is good preparation if You are going around and maybe trying some risky food.

*1: Egypt requires people coming from the following countries to have a certificate for Yellow Fever vaccination certificate: AFRICA( Angola, Uganda, Togo, Sudan, South Sudan, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Niger, Mauritania, Mali, Liberia, Kenya, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Ghana, Gambia, Gabon, Faso, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic, Côte d’Ivoire, Chad, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Benin. South America( Argentina, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Ecuador, Suriname, Peru, Paraguay, Panama, Guyana, French Guiana, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina). Vaccination for Yellow Fever is given only at certified centers and a certificate is issued to be used at airports to avoid quarantine in case you are coming from one of the above countries. Always check the updated list of countries (some links provided below).

*2: Egypt requires people coming from the following countries to have a certificate for Polio certificate: Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Syria. Otherwise, vaccination will be given at the airport before allowing entry to the country.

The above table gives a good idea about important vaccinations, but I personally refer to any of the following formal sites to make sure my information is up to date before traveling. It is always a good idea to be prepared and to take into consideration that some vaccinations take some time to become active:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Government of Canada

UK Travel Health Pro

International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT)

World Health Organization (WHO)

Try to give yourself and your travel companions around 8 weeks ahead of travel date to properly plan for any potential vaccinations.

Drinking water in Egypt

Tap water in Egypt: Can you drink it? Boil it?

In short: Do not drink tap water if you don’t have to. Water is properly treated in Egypt at water treatment facilities. The problem starts when the water leaves these facilities until it arrives at the tap you will be using. Some pipes ar too old and some water tanks in buildings are not properly maintained. It is difficult to tell unless you know the building you are in very well.

In addition to that, the water treatment facilities pump up the chlorine percentage injected into the water to make sure it will be usable as drinking water given the circumstances. Many people in Egypt now rely on bottled water for drinking while people in low income neighborhoods still drink it anyway. The chlorine is another layer of risk. If you don’t have another option, it will not kill you, but it is not recommended.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t brush your teeth, shower, or use tap water on your body in general. It is safe for these types of uses. If you are cooking or making tea or herbs and will be boiling the water, it is perfectly fine. I use tap water to wash fruits or vegetables and never had a problem. I usually add a small spoon of baking soda with that. I had a friend who used to boil water and drink it because he did not want to use water bottles that are made out of plastic to avoid adding to the global pollution problem. I did not go that far.

Are swimming pools, lakes, and the Nile river safe for swimming?

In short: Do not take a swim in lakes, ponds, or the Nile river. This will put you in risks of contacting schistosomiasis. It is a well known issue in Egypt and can be contracted by swimming or wading into lakes, ponds, or river. This problem is a fresh water only problem, sea water is not an issue.

Swimming pools

Swimming pools in reputable hotels, clubs,and aqua parks are usually well maintained and cleaned. Practice common sense and ask about the facility and have a look when planning to go for a splash. Swimming pools are generally safe to use in Egypt. Having said that, I would recommend not sipping or swallowing water from pools whether in Egypt or anywhere else.

Ice from tap water

Ice is served with many drinks or juices in restaurants or cafes in Egypt. It is usually made from tap water, which makes it unsafe. Do not consume ice and ask for your drink to be served without ice if you are not sure of the source of ice or to stay on the safe side. If ice machines in a hotel or a restaurant is well maintained and equipped with proper filters and purification devices, then it should be safe.

Bottled water in Egypt

Bottled water is sold under many brands in Egypt. Nestle is the biggest producer with Nestle water and Baraka water but these are my least favorites. I don’t like the taste for some reason. Flo is another brand usually produced with higher quality and comes at higher price. I do like Aquafina and Dasani brands. Bottled water is sometimes sold as ‘mineral’ water, but in most cases it is just normal water that has been properly purified. I buy my bottled water from large supermarket and I buy as much quantity as I can unless I am on the move to save some cost. Water sold in hotels, coffee shops, or airports is usually at exaggerated price. Here is a list of the most famous licensed brands:

Food Safety in Egypt

Avoiding food poisoning: What not to eat in Egypt

Heated and cooked food is your best friend. Avoid anything raw or any food that is served fresh such as salads and fruits. If you can’t give up your greens and fruits, wash it yourself. This is what I usually do. I take my vegetables and fruits in a plate from the buffet in the hotel I am staying in to my room and wash it myself (with tap water). In some cases, I take my chances in restaurants that I have tried several times and relatively trust the kitchen to serve well prepared and washed vegetables and fruits and I can enjoy a good fresh plate. We get a lot of food recalls and restaurant incidents in my home country too. It maybe a little bit riskier in Egypt, but I practice these same guidelines everywhere. Common sense is also needed or otherwise, I may not eat out at all.

Raw meat, Fish, and shellfish

On the other hand, stay away from raw meat, fish, or any type of raw seafood such as shellfish while in Egypt. I actually don’t eat this type of food anywhere, not just in Egypt. It has been causing a lot of health issues around the world.

Hotel and restaurant open buffets

This is usually one of my best experiences: trying food from different cuisines types that is available in open buffets in the hotels I stay in, or going to open buffets at different restaurants. I just try to be selective and avoid foods that look old or not kept hot properly.

Dry foods like breads, chips, chocolates, and similar foods are relatively safe. Canned food such as tuna or packaged food like biscuits and similar products are abundant everywhere in Egypt and relatively safe. If you feel something is not right or you see flies roaming around freely, bring this up to the management. In a reputable place or a an expensive hotel this should not be common or acceptable.

It is a subjective judgement in some cases: Egyptian style food in some famous restaurants

In some restaurants, Egyptian traditional food is served, and it comes with different plates of condiments, appetizers, and salads. With well known dishes such as tahini, baba ganoush, egyptian salad and dips, falafel, and fava beans. In my case, I like this type of food, and I go for it and I never had an issue. I just stick to good well known restaurants and I take advice from my Egyptian friends who know more about when it is relatively safe to go for this type of food and where.

Milk and dairy products

Most milk products that are sold in grocery stores or served in restaurants are coming from licensed milk packaging factories and are safe for us. In some rural areas or farms, farmers get milk directly from cows. If you come across unpasteurized milk, do not consume it. It must be boiled first. Egypt is famous for some types of dairy products such as egyptian white cheese which is close to feta cheese but creamy and rumi cheese which is like aged cheddar cheese. These products are sold in grocery stores and are usually very safe to eat.

Alcohol

Alcohol based drinks are not common merchandise for the public in Egypt due to religious reasons, but are available. Most bottled products are safe, but make sure it is from a reputable source and do not consume any alcohol based product with unknown source as it could be toxic.

Travellers’ diarrhea, Egyptian Tummy Bug, and possible cures:

There is a good possibility an infection will happen, but you can always reduce the odds by following safe food and drinking water guidelines and thoroughly washing your hands before touching food. Keep proper medication handy and rehydration solution to be prepared.

I don’t know if I should call Egyptian tummy bug, but many visitors to Egypt catch stomach upsetting diseases that range from chlorine side effects to more serious poisoning such as parasites, Typhoid or similar diseases. First time visitors are more susceptible to these infections. Frequent travellers and locals develop some level of immunity.

This above statement is not supported by any evidence that I am aware of, nor it is true for all types of infections because it is certainly not. My personal observations is that people who travel more build more resistance to these types of infections. I stay alert and follow all the above guidelines anyway.

Consult your doctor for recommended medicines you can take with you before travelling for these potential infections, because it is very likely to happen. If you need to consult someone in Egypt start with pharmacies. Pharmacists can be of great help and most of them can speak English. Pharmacists can prescribe medications in Egypt including Antibiotics. It is better to go to a doctor but you can get initial fast help in a pharmacy. I personally always keep a medication sold locally called ‘Antinal‘ as it worked wonders for me, but this is just me. You can ask a pharmacist about it in local pharmacies or for something similar.

Hygiene and personal care in Egypt

Wash your hands thoroughly and make sure you eat or drink from properly washed plates and utensils or use disposable ware. Big cities especially Cairo are dusty and humid and more frequent bathing and hand washing is a good idea. keep wet tissues with you and use it to clean your hands anywhere as needed. Public washrooms (if available) are not really recommended, but you can use the ones in restaurants if you have to.

Mosquitos and insects in Egypt

Like almost anywhere else in the world, mosquitoes are both annoying and a source of infection risk. Take mosquito repellent with you or buy it local. Always use repellents especially in outdoor areas. Not all areas have high mosquito density, but it is a good idea to have the repellent handy. Accuweather provides a mosquito measure for areas like Cairo.

I you are going to camp you can wear face net in high areas with mosquito activity and in general the more you cover your body by clothes, the better you will be protected from insect bites.

Flies are abundant almost everywhere in Egypt. Most hotels and resorts have a daily or weekly program to reduce insect like flies and mosquitos, but in all cases always cover any food you have and do not eat food that have been left exposed for a long period.

After the bite

It is a good idea to keep bite treatment cream or lotion. You can also have an ant-allergic that you are used to hand just in case. If you have a history of extreme allergic reaction, make sure you have epinephrine auto-injector or something similar and to have someone around you who can help you with the injection in case you needed help.

In Conclusion, Eat cooked food, drink bottled water, stay away from street food, do not swim in river Nile or freshwater lakes, eat only in reputable restaurants, and get proper vaccinations before you go to Egypt. Check general safety guidelines here. Also be alert to the dusty environment in some areas in Egypt that requires thorough hand washing. Travelling to Egypt or going Without Vaccinations and Health safety can be risky.

Street Food in Egypt
Street food in Egypt: Feeling adventurous? It may be a health risk to eat street food in Egypt. Use you rational judgement before you try it

Top 12 Safety Tips to Know When Traveling to Egypt

Written by Egypt Tourist in Advice and Tips

Egyptian Police at Giza Pyramids

Is Safe to Travel to Egypt?

One of many things to know when travelling to Egypt: Is it safe? This question came to me before my last visit, and when I look it up online I was overwhelmed by the amount of security and safety travel advisories that I could find online. Is it safe for Americans and British? Other Westerners?

Information available online from different sources range from official governmental authoritative sites to someone expressing an opinion because they had a negative personal experiences when they went there. I did really want to go, so I spent some time researching this subject.

Top 12 Safety Tips When Traveling to Egypt:

  1. Check online authoritative (government) travel advisories about Egypt before traveling. Do not pay too much attention to untrusted media sources.
  2. Avoid areas in Egypt with know ongoing conflicts. Keep reading to know more about these areas
  3. Enjoy your trip and don’t be too concerned. Just do your due diligence before traveling. Egypt is generally a safe and welcoming country.
  4. Be prepared with proper anti-theft bags, properly concealed wallets, etc. I provide some advice here on how to do that.
  5. Respect local culture and do not disrespect religious values in Egypt
  6. Ask for help when needed. Egyptian are know to be helpful and friendly in general
  7. Plan your itinerary and know what attractions and places you are interested in. Egypt has many places with interesting touristic attractions, but tourist are not expected to show up in some areas.
  8. When walking in crowded areas always pay attention to your surroundings.
  9. If you have children traveling with you, never leave them unattended
  10. Egypt is a conservative country in general. Pay attention to what you wear and where to wear it. What can be acceptable in touristic areas, may draw too much attention in other areas.
  11. Internet and cell phone service may not be perfect in some areas. Always keep a list of important addresses and a map handy. You never know if you will need this information. Old school piece of paper with addresses and important information can be useful in some cases.
  12. Never bath in the Nile River. It is not safe.

Egypt Vacation Safety

One of the most important things to know when travelling to Egypt: Is it safe? In a nutshell the answer is ‘Yes’, but do not take this blindly. There are some facts and guidelines that you should know and check before you travel and to also be aware that safety is very much relevant to where you are planning to go in Egypt and when.

It is a never ending question. If you look at the media without carefully reading and understanding the situation and context, you will most probably keep Egypt off your bucket list and you would be missing a lot.

Egypt as a destination is with no doubt one of the most popular destinations in the world. In recent years and especially after the political instability and the revolution that took place in Egypt back in 2011, there has been a struggle between Egyptian authorities and some insurgent groups in certain areas of Egypt.

Police Check points are common across Egypt. Tourism and tourist protection is top priority for the Egyptian Government.
Police Check points are common across Egypt. Tourism and tourist protection is top priority for the Egyptian Government.

It is very rare for regular day to day life in main Egyptian cities to be interrupted by this struggle or for terrorism actions to actually impact regular daily life of Egyptians or visitors to Egypt.

Egypt is a large country around 1+ million square kilometers and with over 100 million population. Most of it’s population is distributed around the Nile river delta and across the river line that extends from south to north across Egypt.

Some areas are known for potential terrorist activities and ongoing struggle between insurgents, smugglers, criminals and authorities. Some other areas are not really areas where tourists are expected to visit although these areas are perfectly safe. I indicate below these areas with low popularity for tourists and with not much interesting attractions or things to do.

High Risk Areas

The high risk areas are the ones that are impacted every few years with a terrorism incident. The media will not usually focus on the specific area, but will report ‘A terrorism incident in Egypt’ as Egypt is a familiar name for everyone across the world , while a name like ‘ Sheikh Zuweid ‘ a city in north Sinai that witnessed some of the struggle over the years may not be familiar to everyone.

This casts a shadow of fear and concern over all of Egypt every time it happens. This is exactly what the extremist groups are after in their struggle with the government: to negatively impact tourism industry.

Egypt is generally a safe and tourist welcoming country. You only need to do your due diligence and follow common sense safety guidelines
Egypt is generally a safe and tourist welcoming country. You only need to do your due diligence and follow common sense safety guidelines

They have been relatively successful so far. It is a situation where the tourism industry in Egypt have been bleeding billions of dollars for many years and millions of tourists have been denied the opportunity to visit this magnificent land of civilization due to fear and safety concerns.

The areas where most of insurgencies are expected to happen or may have increased military presence are:

North Sinai: areas around Arish city, Sheikh Zuweid, Bir El Abd, El Hassana, Nakhl, Rafah,  and the north part of Sinai in general. This extends to the border area with Israel and Palestinian Gaza. The population of this area is around half million mainly Bedouin tribes.

Western Desert: The vast area of Sahara desert to the west bordering Libya. The population is relatively low as most of the area is Sahara desert except for some inhabited areas in the north coast and at Siwa Oasis in the desert.

These two areas are usually relatively safe and are ranked among the best areas to visit except for the last few years due to instability across the Libyan border. The higher risk comes in venturing into the desert itself or getting too close to Libyan border as instability in Libya spills over into this area and the military is trying to control this border.

Border areas: Border areas with Libya and Sudan are usually not recommended for tourists due to heavy military presence trying to track down smugglers, illegal immigrants, and terrorists.

Egypt Map with terrorist unsafe areas. Things to know when travelling to Egypt: Safety
Egypt map showing potentially unsafe areas for tourists. Courtesy of (With amendment): NordNordWest [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]

Safe areas: Other than the areas mentioned above, the rest of Egypt is relatively safe. You can expect normal criminal activities that are usually lower than other countries including western countries. Some areas are not expected to have tourists so expect to get some curious looks if you go there. You can find most popular areas for tourist in this article.

Is it more dangerous for some Nationalities than Others? Is it safe for Americans, British, and other Westerners?

Tourists are Welcomed in Egypt regardless of where they come from
Tourists are Welcomed in Egypt regardless of where they come from

Is it safe traveling to egypt as an American? As British? Or German? Does it make a difference where you come from? The answer is maybe! The ongoing political conflicts in middle east does impact who extremist or terrorist may try to target. But is stops at that: Extremists or terrorists.

The rest of Egyptian people (which is almost everyone as extremists or terrorists are a very small fraction down to thousands out of 100 million people) are actually very much welcoming to Westerners whether they are coming from The United States, Canada, UK, or anywhere else in Europe. Egyptians are actually big fans of American culture, technology, and they are very familiar with Hollywood productions. So, if you are American, Canadian, or European, expect to be welcomed almost all Egyptians.

But, what about Israelis? Egyptians and people across other Arab Countries have a long history of war and hostile relation with Israel. Does that make Egypt unsafe for Israelis? My answer would be No! However, most Israelis like going to Sinai and they are welcomed their as tourists, but don’t expect all Egyptians to be very much welcoming in other areas as the history of Arab Israeli struggle is still casting its shadows on most people. Don’t expect people to be disrespectful though, but I would recommend limiting movement to touristic areas.

Millions of Tourists from around the world visit Egypt every year. Bad incidents happen but not common
Millions of Tourists from around the world visit Egypt every year. Bad incidents happen but not common

People from other parts of the world do not need to worry even about the small groups of extremists who may pose some risk from time to time. Tourists coming from Asia, South America, or other middle Eastern countries are not usually targeted by extremists. That said, I strongly recommend referring to government advisories before traveling to make sure the overall situation is clear and safe for your target travel dates. Do not rely on mainstream media as isolated events or relatively small incidents are usually exaggerated.

In conclusion for this section, millions of people go in and out of Egypt every year. There was some interruption back in 2011 due to Egyptian revolution, and for some time after that due to the struggle between Egyptian security forces and some insurgent groups, but things are back to normal. Terrorist threats are expected in Egypt from time to time, but this is the case in many other countries including UK,France, and many other European countries. The risk in my opinion is at the same level of risk of falling victim to crime in any other country. It is actually less dangerous in my opinion for many Americans to visit Egypt than visiting many cities or neighborhoods in America. The same is true for many other countries.

Other Crimes in Egypt

Like any other country, crime happens. My best advise to you is be aware of your surroundings (whether in Egypt or not!). Bag snatching, carjacking, and pick-pocketing can happen in crowded places especially in Cairo and crowded markets or ‘Souks’. It is not that common, but it happens especially if you look like you are absent minded.

Sexual harassment can happen especially verbally, and although this type of crime has increased in recent years, it is not that common and if you are a woman, you can better be in a group when going to dense or crowded areas. If you are alone do not venture into areas you know nothing about. The average Egyptian person will not stand by if a crime is happening and Egyptians will usually step in to help any one in need.

Just be alert and ignore any verbal harassment or gestures and keep going. If you go outside touristic places such as hotels, resorts, ancient Egypt sites, try to be modest with your clothing especially for women to avoid attracting too many looks. Always show confidence and seek help if you feel threatened. People will step in and help or go to nearest policeman in the area and they are present in tourist popular areas.

My advice: Be alert and aware of your surroundings (isn’t this the advice anywhere?) but do not be too concerned or afraid, the overwhelming majority of locals are friendly, kind, and welcoming. Like any other country, the education level and cultural background of individuals impact how people interact with tourists, but most Egyptians see tourist as welcome guests to their country who can help revive the economy.

So.. What’s next? Just pack and go?

Not yet!

Always check the news and formal advisory sites. Try to get a feeling of the current status. Ask residents of Egypt if you know any. Most of the time the media will be panicking because of one incident that usually happens in the unsafe areas I mentioned above, but the whole country is usually put under warning.

You need to do your due diligence and make your decision based on what is best for you. This is true for any travel plan regardless of destination. Here is a list of advisory site that you can check when planning to travel to Egypt:

USA Egypt Advisory

Canada Egypt Advisory

UK Egypt Advisory

Australia Egypt Advisory

Ireland Egypt Advisory

New Zealand Egypt Advisory

Hong Kong Egypt Advisory

I do look at these advisories every time I plan to go to Egypt, but I found out over time that if I take these warnings literally, I will never go to Egypt.

I eventually decided to make sure I put these advisories in proper perspective and context and from my personal experience as long as I avoid times of big incidents and the areas I marked above, Egypt is actually more safe than my home country most of the time (I come from Canada.. a relatively safe country to live in).

Attacks of Terrorism in Egypt compared to mass shootings in the US

I was curious about this and I wanted to lookup this information to see how big is this terrorism fear in Egypt? Here is what I found:

Mass shootings in USA. Things to know when travelling to Egypt: Safety.
Graph showing mass shootings in US. Courtesy of: TimSauder [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

I noticed that the terrorism problem in Egypt is comparable to the mass shootings problem in the US (actually it looks to be trending down in Egypt while trending up in the US) and yet around 78 million visitors entered the US in 2018 with no ‘mass shooting advisory’ or media warning international visitors not to go to the US.

This is in comparison to around 8 millions who visited Egypt in the same year. The numbers are not to be compared only from tourism point of view here and I know that. I expect more people to visit the US for many reasons, but I would also expect a country like Egypt to receive more visitors if it was not for the exaggeration of the terrorism problem by the media and some international governments in my personal opinion.

This does not result in only keeping many people away from visiting Egypt who would have done that otherwise, it also limits the country’s capacity to grow and improve the tourism sector to provide better and higher quality services to visitors. What government or investor would pour investment in a business that is so fragile? Both Egypt and visitors from around the world are losing this war to terrorists in my opinion.

The resolution in my opinion should can come from the big media and international governments: stop exaggerating the problem and put it into proper context like similar problems in other countries such as mass shooting problem in the US or growing crime problems in some south American countries for example.

Most of those attacks in Egypt are actually targeting military, police and other officials or locals, while tourists are only a small part of these attacks. I do not see it as mainly targeting tourists except in very few incidents. Well, this is only my personal opinion based on my personal travel experience anyway.

Where to go in Egypt: Best and safest destinations for tourists and visitors

Egypt has around 27 governorates. I say ‘around’ because this number was subject to change over the years. The government reviews the distribution of governorates from time to time to come up with better local government structure for Egypt that can better serve economic growth plans. Here is the current list of governorates and their popularity as destinations for tourists based on my personal experience:

Egypt Governorates. Things to know when travelling to Egypt: Safety
Egyptian Governorates map. Courtesy of: إيهاب-عبيد [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]
IDName Safe?Popularity for touristsFamous for..
1MatruhNo. Except the city of MatrouhHigh-North Coast resorts in the summer especially in city of Matrouh.
-Siwa Oasis: Famous for desert and Bedouin type of life
2AlexandriaYesHigh-Second largest city in Egypt.
-Historical attractions
-Beaches
-City attractions and shopping
3BeheiraYesLow-Ancient Monasteries
4Kafr El SheikhYesLow-Lake Borolos 
5DakahliaYesLow-Baltim beaches 
6DamiettaYesLow-Ras El-Bar beaches
7Port SaidYesLowSuez Canal
8North SinaiNoMadiumArish, Rafh, Bardawil Lake
9GharbiaYesLow -Ancient Mosques
10MonufiaYesLow 
11QalyubiaYesLow 
12SharqiaYesLow 
13IsmailiaYesMedium-Suez Canal
14GizaYesHigh-Pyramids, Sphinx, and other Ancient Egypt attractions
15FaiyumYesMedium-Historical attractions
16CairoYesHigh-Historical attraction
-Shopping
-Nile River attractions
-City attraction
-Resorts, galleries, art, cultural centers
17SuezYesMedium-Suez Canal
-Ain Sokhna city and resorts
18South SinaiYes. Excpt north partsHigh–Sharm El sheikh, Dahab, Nuweibaa , Taba, other coastal resorts
-Desert Excursions
-St. Catherine, Mt. Sinai, and other historical attractions
19Beni SuefYesMedium-Ancient Egypt attractions
-Ancient historical Sites
20MinyaYesMedium-Ancient Egypt Attractions and sites
21New ValleyNoLow-Farafra, Dakhla and Kharga Oases
-Ancient Egypt Attractions
– The Black Desert
-The White Desert
22AsyutYesMedium-The Holy Virgin Mary Monastery
-Meir Monumental Tombs
-Ancient Sites
23Red SeaYesHigh–Hurghada, Safaga, Marsa Alam and other resorts in coastal areas
-St. Anthony’s Monastery (Oldest Monastery in the world)
-Ancient sites attractions
24SohagYesMedium-Ancient Monasteries
-Ancient Egypt Attractions
25QenaYesMedium-Dendara and other Ancient Egypt attractions
26LuxorYesHigh-This  city is a open museum of Ancient Egypt
27AswanYesHigh-Ancient Egypt attractions: like an extension to Luxor

Which is more safe: traveling to Egypt solo or with a tour group?

I would say it depends. Reputable tour groups that are not too cheap will guarantee a good level of guidance, protection, and good communications with the government, hotels, and other destination managers.

Cheap tours with lousy arrangement and planning will save you some money in the beginning but may put you in a risk to be targeted by terrorism if they venture into places or routes without proper arrangements or abandon you when you need them. Remember that terrorists usually target larger groups to get better publicity.

Things to know when travelling to Egypt: Safety. A man walking solo in Egyptian desert
Solo Traveling?

Traveling with reputable tour provider can give you good protection, less headache in dealing with different authorities or service providers here and there and you also get experienced guides taking you places and destinations you may not know how to go to on your own.

On the other hand traveling solo, as a family, or in a small group can give you more flexibility and freedom in planning and movement. You only need to take the guidelines in this article and other tips and advises from our site here into consideration.

Conclusion

If you like traveling, you can’t skip Egypt! It is a must for you. If you panic too much from bad news in the media, or from the possibility of running into any kind of risk, safety, or health issues,then maybe traveling is not for you to begin with.

Whether it is Egypt or any other country, there will always be some level of risk expected and in the case of traveling to Egypt the risk is relatively low except in certain areas and in certain times as indicated in this article. Also check my safety guidelines for health risks here.

Do not let your life go by without taking a chance to visit the place where civilization began and where you can find some of the best relaxing, enjoyable, and chilling places in the world!

Statue of Ramses II at sunset. Luxor Temple, Egypt
Statue of Ramesses II at sunset. Luxor Temple, Egypt

Best Places in Egypt for Families: Sharm El Sheikh

Written by Egypt Guru in Traveling To Egypt

Shar El Sheikh

Traveling to Sharm El Sheikh with family: Is it worth it?

When I looked up Sharm El Sheikh on Google, I always came across all these gorgeous stunning photos and videos about underwater marine life, desert excursions, and beautiful beaches and resorts. I was not sure if traveling to Sharm El Sheikh with my kids would be a good idea though. Is it a mainly a destination for adults only and would be boring for kids? The last thing I wanted to see is the “You brought us here” look on my kids’ bored faces. I also wanted to make sure it was safe to go there.

So before my first visit to Sharm El Sheikh, I contacted friends who went there and some of my Egyptian friends who live there or go on frequent basis and they all promised that my kids will enjoy the experience and that as long as I stick to few safety guidelines.

It is perfectly safe for families and kids to go to Egypt in general and to Sharm El Sheikh in particular. Accidents are realistically possible, but how is this different from anywhere else in today’s world? So we decided to pack and go for this adventure. We went several times since then and we plan to go again in future.

Here is a list of major attractions and things to do in Sharm El Sheikh:

  • SOHO Square – Shopping and walking
  • Bowling at Soho Square
  • Naama Bay: Shopping, Walking, and Entertainment
  • Ghibli Raceway: Go Carts
  • Cleo Aqua Park
  • Hollywood Sharm El Sheikh: Shopping, eating, entertainment
  • Diving: Some of the best diving spots in the world are in Sharm
  • Sea Scope Semi Submarine: Watch marine live through glass on this boat
  • Sharm El Sheikh Safari: Go for desert excursions and camping
  • Sea Boating and Fishing
  • Kite Surfing
  • Take a trip to Mount. Sinai  or St. Catherine monastery .

What is Sharm El Sheikh?

Sharm El Sheikh City in Sinai of Egypt

Sharm El Sheikh has marine life and Red Sea coral reef sites making it a diver’s haven. This city is a major tourist attraction in Egypt and one of the most famous tourist destinations worldwide. It is abundant with resorts and hotels and its economy is based on tourism. In the past it used to be a small fishing village. Today it has some of the most luxurious hotels in the world.

The waters of Ras Mohamed National Park is a must visit location for anyone looking for a great underwater experience. The combinations of mountains, desert, and sea create a unique environment that gives you a unique vacation experience. Sharm El Sheikh is one of the most famous destinations for diving in the world.

Sharm El Sheikh or Sharm for short is located between the desert of the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea. It’s known for the sandy beaches, clear waters and coral reefs. Naama Bay is famous for palm tree line on the sea with large selection restaurants, bars, and cafes. Sharm Elsheikh has an international airport with some direct flights from Europe and other areas of the world.

Weather and when is it best to go to Sharm

It can get hot in the summer and moderately warm to mildly cold in winter. Summer is still a high season as many people are on vacation and it is okay if you like soaking in the sun, but you will need to bring tons of sunscreen with you. I personally prefer end of summer time, beginning of fall or winter time when it is still warm with some chilly weather now and then. Some hotels have warmed pools and you can still dress properly for diving or water sports like kite surfing or boating regardless of the season.

Attractions and activities:

SOHO Square

This is a place where the family can enjoy weekly performances, musical fountains, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, bowling, and various shops in a safe environment. The place comes to life at evening. During the day only few restaurants and shops are open. It is generally quit and not many annoying sellers are present.

Bowling at Soho Square

It has six lanes. IT is equipped with ramps and bumpers. For some extra fun with the kids.

Naama Bay

Considered the downtown or city center. All the noise and hustle and bustle are here. If you are looking for a noisy night with many shops, restaurants, and excited shop keepers this can be a good experience. Otherwise you may find it too chaotic in comparison to SOHO Square.

Ghibli Raceway

Karting tracks where both kids and adults can enjoy some kart racing.

Cleo Aqua Park Sharm Elsheikh

Located at Naama bay, It designed with a pharaonic theme. Water temperature is adjusted to be warm all year round. There are some children pools for younger ones.

Hollywood Sharm El Sheikh

Hollywood in Sharm El Sheikh

located close to Naama Bay, This place is a nice attraction for all family members. A collection of 3D sculptures of dinosaurs, Pirates of the Caribbean characters, Terminator, Godzilla, Alien and other Disney and movie characters are spread across the place. You need to pay for an entry ticket with a free drink provided by one of the bars inside. You ca pick one of many restaurants to grab a bite and watch the fountain show with colors and lights on repeatedly shown. There are shows from Arabic belly dancers and by other cultural bands. A 7D movie theatre is also available. You can have a nice walk around for shopping, watching entertainment shows, playing games with kids, and snapping pictures or capturing some videos

Diving

Ras Mohamed National Park coral reefs and other Sharm El Sheikh diving spots make it a destination for those who are looking for diving adventures. Pyramids Diving Centers are famous for quality and safety and can be found across different hotels and resorts. You can select between snorkeling and scuba diving. You can also opt for diving classes or certification if you have the time. For scuba diving, you usually go safety sessions, equipment checks and medical checks before you  are allowed to dive.

Sea Scope Semi Submarine

This is a nice adventure with a boat equipped with underwater large windows where you can observe sea life and enjoy a sea ride at the same time. You can see colorful coral reefs and many fish species. Make sure you book ahead for availability and confirm if a hotel pickup is available.

Sharm El Sheikh Safari

Camels in Sharm El Sheikh Egypt

Several companies arrange for desert excursions that can include an overnight desert camping and visits to Sinai historical locations, eating in a tent, quad trips, and some time on the beach before dropping you off back to the hotel. You can plan a trip to hike to the top of Mount. Sinai (Moses) which is 7,497 feet (2,285 meters). You can also go for a 2.5 hours trip to St. Catherine monastery. These locations are full with religious history.

Best Hotels in Sharm El Sheikh:

Steigenberger Alcazar

A luxury hotel with many amenities and great food and cuisine options. In addition to 3 pools, a dedicated children pool and playground are available. A kids club is available where you can leave your kids in a safe place while watching them from your room through a camera. Animation team and the musical shows are also available. A gym, tennis courts, yoga and aerobics classes,  spa,  sauna and a library are all part of on location amenities. Cuisine types include Lebanese, Asian, Italian, grilled or seafood dishes. Look for an all-inclusive package. At night there are live entertainment programs and night clubs. If you are looking for a more luxurious stay, you can book a villa with a private pool.

Rixos Premium Seagate

 7 swimming pools including children pool and water slides. A main restaurant and 6 a la carte and 9 bars and Spa & Wellness facilities including a Ladies Only Spa. Live entertainment, The Rixy Club offers space and entertainment for children from 4 to 12 years. It can get noisy with music at evening, so you may need to ask for a relatively quiet room if you consider this an issue.

The Royal Savoy Sharm El Sheikh

This hotel has its own private lounge, terrace, pool, and beach area. All rooms have views over Tiran islands or the hotel’s landscaped gardens. You can book a room or a private luxury Suite with a private or semi-private pool. 

Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh

Collection of pools. Great restaurants and food. Upon check-in, children receive a comprehensive kids programme.

Charmillion Club Aqua Park

Family oriented hotel with nice pools and aqua park. Different restaurant types including Indian & Italian restaurants. Spa and GYM, tennis court, Amphitheater and kids club. Shuttle bus to the beach during the day every 1 hour.

Coral Sea Thomson Sensatori

 Close to the famous Ras Nosrani Bay with a stretch of sandy beaches. It is located close to the world-famous Ras Mohammed National Park which is considered to be one of the best diving places in the world. Good variety of cuisines and nice activities and programs at night. Scuba diving is available and other water sports are also available or can be arranged by the hotel.

General tips about Sharm El Sheikh:

Market in Sharm El-Sheikh

Take necessary medications and emergency medications and first aid kits with you. Pharmacies are available, but you may need something with you ready to use when you need it. First aid kit and some basic food poisoning or anti- stomach infection medications. Some tourists can get easily infected by water or food in environments they are visiting for the first time when locals or others do not get infected. Some cold and sinus infection medications and pain killers can also be useful. I recommend this for any travel destination not Sharm El Sheikh in particular.

Be prepared to pay tips. A small tip can usually earn you better service. Workers rely on tips as part of their relatively low income. If you do not like tipping, you can ignore those looks or smiles waiting for tips and decline politely. I consider tipping as part of my budget, and it does not cost me that much anyway as I pay it in local currency.

Try to pay in local currency as much as you can unless you are willing to go into negotiations around exchange rates where you will most probably end up losing some money and it is illegal anyway.

Be more conservative with dressing outside resorts and hotels. Locals are familiar with tourists and are generally adapted to different cultures, but expect some staring and maybe some stalking if your clothes are too revealing but not the creepy or dangerous type of stalking. If you hire a taxi, make sure you agree on fare before stepping into the car. I do not recommend local microbuses for families. It is still safe and reliable, but you may need to switch several ones to reach your destination and maybe set in a hot crowded vehicle for a while. Hotel arranged transportation or taxis are better choices for families especially with children. Finally, check these safety tips about Egypt before you go.

Best Places in Egypt for Families: Hurghada, El Gouna, and Safaga

Written by Egypt Tourist in Traveling To Egypt

Red Sea Hurghada Egypt

Top fun things to do for families visiting Egypt

Egypt is famous for its numerous historical places and monuments that attract tourists from all over the world, but is it fun and safe for families, especially families with younger children? What are the best places in Egypt for Families on The Red Sea Coast?

To find the best place in Egypt for families in the Red Sea area, we looked into some of the attractions and activities that can be appealing for parents but also for the young ones. You can find some of the best choices in this series of articles.

https://youtu.be/ezaJQLvZa58
Red Sea Coral Reefs

In a nutshell, there are many attractions in Egypt that can be really fun besides the historical places. You only need to know how and when to enjoy these attractions. Some of the best place in Egypt for families in my experience is: Hurghada, El Gouna, and Safaga. Let’s dive deeper into this.

Traveling with family and children

Backpacking is definitely a different experience from a trip with family and children. You need to expect to have additional costs to have a proper hotel or residence that is suitable for kids. You need to consider relatively safer transportation options.

The overall adventure tastes different from the one you can have when backpacking or traveling solo. The type of places and attractions that can be considered when you have your kids with you especially the younger ones need to be carefully considered. Let’s explore some the possible options.

The most obvious ones: Historical attractions

Egypt is full of countless historical places and attractions. It is a country with some the world’s oldest heritage locations. The mos famous is the Giza Pyramids near Cairo and the Sphinx. Other historical sites and attractions include:

Abu Simbel Temple, Luxor’s Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings  , St. Catherine’s Monastery  , Abydos Temple  , Saqqara  , Philae Temple in Aswan  , Temple of Hatshepsut in Luxor  , Habu Temple in Luxor  , Egyptian Museum  I will not focus on these attractions in this article, but I will make more detailed articles on how and when to visit and enjoy these historical locations.

Red Sea coastal resorts:

The red sea coast in Egypt extends to around 1,500 km on the east side of Egypt. Along this coast some cities and resorts are famous for sunny golden beaches. Hotels and resorts in these cities attract thousands of tourists every year. The most famous are Hurghada, Elgouna, and Safaga.

Hurghada

Hurghada
Harbor of Hurghada in Egypt

The largest of the Red Sea coastal cities. It has some of the best hotels and a sizable number of foreign residents, especially Russians with some of them staying there on permanent basis or for long periods of time. It is famous for its beaches, recreational activities offered by hotels and resorts, and water sports. 

Attractions, Hotels, and Things to do:Many resorts and attractions are available year round. The summer is mostly hot reaching forties (Celsius) and the winter is mostly warm with some cold now and then. I would prefer going in the winter or by end of fall but you can goo almost anytime in the year. It is difficult to list all available attractions and hotels, but I will list the ones I recommend

Hurghada Attractions

Makadi Water World:

Makadi Water World Hurghada

This is one of Egypt’s biggest water parks. It has 50 slides and chutes of all kinds. Lunch is included. Young Children have their own pirate ship with slides and water fountains. Many hotels across Hurghada have pickup/ drop off spots to go to Makadi Water World.

Submarine tours:

Submarine tours in Hurghada

Several options are available including: Paradise Class Semi Submarine, Sinbad Submarine Under The Red Sea. Boat trips, snorkeling, or scuba diving trips are also available.

Mini Egypt Park:

Mini Egypt Park Hurghada

Theme park with 55 Egyptian landmarks in one place. A private guide explains the stories behind each of the creations, from the Pyramids to the High Dam. Your tour includes door-to-door shared minibus transfers. Pickup and drop off available from Hurghada hotels.

Hurghada Grand Aquarium:

Hurghada Grand Aquarium

Aquarium’s with 1,200 species in 24 galleries that show Red Sea ecosystems. You can walk underwater tunnels and see stingrays, sharks, turtles, and other fish species. Feeding show schedules and touch tanks. There is a mini-zoo where you can see a collection of snakes, birds, monkeys, and other animals. A cafe is also available at the location.

Sand City Hurghada: 

Sand City Hurghada

An open air Museum Mythological Art and Wonderland Art both with 3D art figures and sculptures. There are workshop for children of all ages where they can learn how to make sand sculptures.

Serenity Fun City:

Serenity Fun City Hurghada

A great amusement park including Aqua Park with a variety of water slides and pools for all age ranges, Luna park with various games and amusement park, kids club, children’s playgrounds, video games room and 6D cinema..

This Resort offers a main buffet restaurant and 5 a la carte restaurants – Italian, Asian, Oriental, Sea food menu, food court and 4 large bars either in the lobby or at the swimming pools with an aqua park view.

Trips to Luxor:

Trips to Luxor from Hurghada

You can book a trip to Luxor while staying in Hurghada. The trip is about 3 to 4 hours one way. I recommend going with a tour guide or a driver. You can visit the historical sites in Luxor and go back by end of day or stay in a hotel for one night in Luxor.

Hurghada Markets: 

AlDahar:

El Dahar Hurghada

If you want to have a taste of how locals shop, bargain, and live this is a good place to be.

Senzo Mall:

Senzo Mall Hurghada

One of the largest malls on Red Sea. Good variety of retail outlets, food and groceries, and restaurants.

Carrefour Market:

Good place for groceries and everyday items shopping. It is located in new commercial street First Avenue. You can find here relatively better deals for groceries.

Cleopatra Center and Sheraton Road:

Cleopatra Center and Sheraton Road Hurghada

In these places you can shop for gifts and souvenirs, retail shops, and spend some time at cafes or restaurants. It is usually busy, but you can get a taste of local life and you can enjoy a large mix of retail shops.

El-Mamsha and Esplanade Mall:

El-Mamsha and Esplanade Mall Hurghada

For a nice shopping experience and walk try this place.Other shopping areas worth mentioning: Hurghada City-Centre Shopping Mall and Sherry street.

Best Hotels in Hurghada for families:

The type of hotel you can pick depends largely on your budget. However if you are going on a long distance trip to Egypt, I wouldn’t recommend going cheap. After all if you are not planning to go every year to Egypt, you may want to ensure you and your family can enjoy a memorable vacation.

This does not mean selecting expensive hotels as many options are available where you can find a good balance between cost and good service. My biggest tip: Always go for an ‘All-Inclusive’ package. Here are some hotels that I recommend for families:

Hilton Hurghada Resort:

Hilton Hurghada Resort

Onsite dive center, private beach and water sports center. It has 3 pools and two are heated in winter with water slides and tubes. There are also tennis and squash courts.

Games for kids in 2 playgrounds and kids disco in the evening. There are 11 restaurants and bars to enjoy especially if you book the all-inclusive packages (I recommend all-inclusive as it is not easy good food options outside hotels).There are daily entertainment programs at night.

Baron Palace Sahl Hasheesh:

Baron Palace Sahl Hasheesh Hurghada

Although a great hotel with lot of amenities, it is more oriented to adults with designated areas for adults only. It is more on the higher luxurious side so expect it to be more expensive. Some kids activities include kids playground, children pool, and babysitting service.

Jungle Aqua Park:

Jungle Aqua Park Hurghada

It has the largest water theme park in Hurghada. It has multiple swimming pools. For all-inclusive package I was happy to try all the restaurants all day. I used to have an appetizer in one restaurant and a main course at another one. The food was amazing. It has miniature golf, children’s pool, kids club, and playground.

The only drawback is that pools close by 5.00 pm in the summer when the sun is just starting to cool down. It can be too hot during the day in summer time. I wish they can extend pool time beyond 5.00pm in the summer.

Premier Le Reve Hotel & Spa: 

Premier Le Reve Hotel & Spa Hurghada

This is a luxury hotel with excellent amenities from pool to beach to sea or spa. With all-Inclusive package you can dine in one of seven different restaurants, and enjoy a drink in numerous bars. Each evening entertainment is offered.

Other amenities include: Private cabins on the beach, One Main heated swimming pool during winter, One salt water swimming pool, Two small pools, Sky pool, Sauna, Jacuzzi (extra charge), Snorkeling, Diving, and Parasailing. Sunbeds on the beach are great, but you need to reserve it early in the day.

These are just some reviews from the hotels I experienced. Many others are available in Hurghada: Steigenberger Aldau Beach Hotel, Jaz Makadi Saraya Resort, Sunrise Grand Select Crystal Bay Resort, The Oberoi Beach Resort Sahl Hasheesh, and many others.

El Gouna

El Gouna
El Gouna Yacht Marina

Located about 25 km north of Hurghada, Elgouna is a resort developed by ORASCOM development group and has some of the best hotels on the Red Sea side, restaurants, golf course, and other activities and attractions. It is like a small city north of Hurghada city.

Attractions and activities in Elgouna

Golf El Gouna

Elgouna has 18 holes golf course, kite surfing, snorkeling, sliders cable park, diving, fishing, glass bottom boat, water-ski, and windsurfing. Some land sports include: horse back riding, Go-Karts, Tennis, squash, Biking, and beach volleyball.

Excursions:

Excursions El Gouna

If you’re feeling adventurous you can book boat trips in the Red Sea with diving or snorkeling options. You can also book a desert safari with quad trips with daytime or sunset options.

Downtown Bazaar:

Downtown Bazaar El Gouna

Souvenir shops, food, restaurants, and some retail outlets.Here is a list of the best hotels I recommend in Elgouna:

Best Hotels in Elgouna for families

La Maison Bleue El Gouna: This is a perfect destination hotel for adults only if you can book a suite of the few available. Not a destination for families with kids though.

Three Corners Rihana Resort:

Three Corners Rihana Resort El Gouna

all-inclusive hotel. This is a family holiday resort that is located a short walk away from the Downtown area with restaurants, bars, service providers, supermarkets, shopping arcades, and outdoor evening entertainment. It has a sandy lagoon beach on site.

It is a family-friendly resort with connecting rooms for larger families. It has a children’s pool heated in the winter. There are dedicated junior slides, a kids club for children aged (4 to 12 years old), kids playrooms, Aqua Splash and daytime entertainment and evening shows. It can get noisy sometimes, but you can ask to be relocated to a quieter residence area.

Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna:

Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna

This hotel has luxurious amenities and children’s outdoor playground, a kids club, a special kids menu, and a great variety of beach sports options, It is also close to Abu Tig Marina if you are planning for going out on a sea trip.  

Movenpick Resort & Spa El Gouna:

Movenpick Resort & Spa El Gouna

This hotel has its own exclusive beachfront. It has three children swimming pools.The duplex rooms are perfect for a family setup with the master bedroom on the ground floor and the children’s bedroom on the top floor.

It has an outdoor children playground, and a baby sitting service.Other hotels in Elgouna include: Casa Cook El Gouna, Ancient Sands Golf Resort, Steigenberger Golf Resort El Gouna, Labranda Club Paradisio El Gouna, and many more.

Safaga

Safaga Kitesurfing

This small port on the Red Sea is located 53 km south of Hurghada. Some of it’s resorts are considered hidden gems on the Red Sea. Take into consideration that it will take longer to get to SAFAGA from Hurghada airport, but it maybe worth it. Some hotels offer sand burial treatments.

Best Hotels in Safaga

TUI MAGIC LIFE Kalawy:

Coral Garden Resort and Dive Centre

Beautiful beach and multiple pools. Water sports, snorkeling, and paddling are available at no extra cost. Food is great and comes with wide variety. The hotel organizes daily entertainment programs especially in high seasons.

The rooms and hotel is overall clean and comfortable, but it is on the upper side when it comes to pricing. The daily rate is relatively high with good deals popping up from time to time.

Menaville Resort:

Menaville Resort

Great hotel with rooms and bungalows with sea view but you have to ask for it. Sandy beach (but come areas are stony so bring protective shoes). Dive center, kite surfing, and water sports are available. 

Make sure drinking water bottles are included in your all-inclusive package as it can be expensive to buy water bottles. There are animation programs for children. 

It is known for arthritis and Psoriasis treatment by sand burial on daily sessions. Arabian seating area under the stars at night. Food is good but not the best in town.

Coral Garden Resort and Dive Centre:

Coral Garden Resort and Dive Centre

A hotel with bungalow style rooms and one of the n=best diving centers in the area. The diving locations are relatively close by.

If you are looking for a great diving experience with reef areas this is the place to be. Food is good but not the best in Hurghada and Safaga. This is a getaway place and it is not close to shopping centers or water parks.

General tips for going to Hurghada and Elgouna:

When to go?

Summertime can be hot with temperatures topping 45C in some days. Take enough sunscreen and avoid direct sun exposure for a long time. Some afternoons or nights can get chilly or windy. You may need to have a light jacket or a wind breaker with you.

Medications and first aid

Bring your medications, and emergency medications such as diarrhea, first aid, and sea sickness tablets. Although many hotels have these items and pharmacies are available in the city, sometimes you may not find the item you need on time or pharmacies may have irregular working hours especially in low seasons.

You may need to go to downtown to find larger pharmacies. The medications you are used to, may be sold under different brands and may not always be available.

Be ready anytime for some stomach infections not because the food is usually bad, but your body may not be used to some of the microbes in a new environment. Be ready with local medication such as the local medicine ‘Antinal’ or a similar remedy.

It is better to consult your doctor though before traveling to Egypt or any other areas that are new to you and to your stomach.

Negotiate, Negotiate..

If you use a taxi service, ensure you agree on fare in advance to avoid end of trip hassles and arguments. When shopping, make sure you always negotiate prices and do not pay before comparing prices in multiple places or at least pay what seems to be reasonable. You also need to be patient with sales people and shop owners.

Although they know English and usually some more languages, you may need to confirm what they are talking about in some cases. You need to be patient with ‘persistent’ sellers, and if they become too annoying you can always politely decline saying ‘La, Shokran’ meaning ‘No, Thanks’.

Always remember that many of these people are on poverty line and tourism industry have been down for several years. They are just trying to make a living.

Tipping:

You are expected to tip everywhere you go. Some workers depend on tips as their main income! You can decline or ignore tipping politely, but expect to get better service if you tip. I personally tend to consider tipping as part of the package when visiting Egypt.

It is more or less like added fees or tax that everyone is expecting and it is part of the local culture. It does add few more Dollars to my budget, but I get a better service and attention from those whom I rely on to provide a service. You know when someone is expecting a tip from you, so it is a good idea to keep some change handy all the time.

Currency: Should you use local or your currency?

It is a good idea to keep cash as many shops will not accept credit cards when shopping around. You can exchange at the bank and it is a better idea to use Egyptian pounds when buying in the market unless you want to negotiate exchange rates with shops which I would not recommend.

Another option is to use your debit card at any of the available ATM machines around the city. I usually check formal exchange rates from the Egyptian National Bank here.

Conclusion

This is a place that need to be on your family’s bucket list. Is it one of the Best places for families in Egypt: Definitely YES. You can find a lot of attractions, activities, and getaways at reasonable costs in a relatively safe and enjoyable environment. Start by finding the hotel with the right balance between cost and quality and go for a memorable trip with your family. Check safety advice before you go.