Beaches in Egypt
Where to go on the Red Sea
After days spent exploring pyramids, temples and bustling cities, many travellers like to slow the pace and end their Egypt adventure by the sea. And Egypt’s Red Sea coast is ideal for just that. Think warm sunshine, clear turquoise water and some of the world’s best snorkelling and diving right on your doorstep.
The challenge? Much of Egypt’s coastline is dominated by large-scale, all-inclusive resorts, which aren’t really our style. At Rickshaw, we prefer smaller-scale places with character and a more relaxed atmosphere. That’s why we carefully choose where we send our travellers, focusing on places where you can still experience the Red Sea without feeling like you’ve arrived at a giant holiday complex.
Why visit the Red Sea?
The Red Sea is famous for its crystal-clear water, colourful coral reefs and marine life. Even if you’ve never snorkelled before, this is one of those places that might tempt you in. Beneath the surface, you’ll find vibrant coral gardens, tropical fish in every colour imaginable, and if you’re lucky, turtles or dolphins too.
But it’s not all about being active. The Red Sea is also the perfect place to simply pause for a few days. Read a book by the pool, enjoy long lazy lunches, watch the sunset with a drink in hand and let everything you’ve experienced sink in.
Safaga - our favourite beach stop
If you ask us where to end your Egypt trip, we’ll usually point you towards Safaga. A small, laid-back coastal town around an hour south of Hurghada, it feels calmer and less developed than some of Egypt’s busier beach resorts.
This is the Red Sea at a gentler pace. Expect a comfortable hotel by the beach, time to unwind and easy access to snorkelling and diving excursions. It’s not about flashy luxury or endless entertainment – it’s about switching off after an unforgettable journey through Egypt.
We especially like it because it still feels relatively low-key, making it a good fit for the kind of travel we believe in.
Hurghada: convenient and lively
Looking for something with more choice, a livelier atmosphere or a shorter transfer to the airport? Then Hurghada can work well.
While much of Hurghada is known for larger all-inclusive resorts, there are also some smaller and more comfortable hotels that can work nicely at the end of a trip. We don’t generally build holidays around staying here, but if it suits your plans, we can certainly recommend somewhere that fits your travel style.
Marsa Alam: for snorkellers and divers
Further south, Marsa Alam feels more remote and is particularly loved by snorkellers and divers. The reefs here are often spectacular, and the pace of life is slower.
If spending your days in and around the water sounds like your perfect ending to Egypt, we can arrange a hotel here too. Just bear in mind that transfers can be longer depending on the rest of your itinerary.
Why we don’t offer all-inclusive beach holidays in Egypt
You’ll find no shortage of huge all-inclusive resorts in Egypt – but they’re generally not what we do.
We prefer smaller-scale accommodation with local character, places where you can relax while still feeling connected to the destination around you. For us, Egypt is about experiences, local encounters and meaningful travel, not spending a week behind the gates of a giant resort.
That said, we understand many travellers want a few days to relax by the sea after exploring Egypt’s highlights. So we’ve handpicked a small number of beach stays that offer the best of both worlds: comfort, relaxation and access to the incredible Red Sea, without losing the spirit of the journey.