Local area information - Marsa Alam

Marsa Alam …

Marsa Alam is just 270 km south of Hurghada on the Red Sea Riviera and has remained relatively unknown and unspoilt. The opening of the new airport a few years ago is about to change all that as visitors are waking up to this paradise region.

The Red Sea Riviera’s year round summer climate attracts tourists from around the world, all eager to experience Egypt’s delights and this is true for Marsa Alam as well as the other resorts like Hurghada and Sharm.

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Marsa Alam is an ideal spot for exploring some of Egypt's major tourist attractions.

You're within easy reach of Aswan, Luxor and the Nile (for some amazing sailing trips or a cruise). You can visit the emerald mines, the Temple of Seth I in Khanais, or the historical site of Myos Hormos.

Of course there are all the usual fun pastimes like taking a jeep safari across the desert to remote Bedouin villages; take a camel ride along the beach at sunset; play a few rounds of golf; dip your toes in the sea and try sailing, windsurfing, deep sea fishing...

Whilst Marsa Alam remains relatively undiscovered for now, a major boom in tourism is on its way. Couple this with the inflow of investment capital which is funding new hotel, leisure and entertainment developments, and the area is set to be transformed into a vibrant, world-renowned holiday destination.

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Red Sea Beach Resort - prices starting from £26,000

The Red Sea Beach Resort - suites, apartments and lodges

The Red Sea Riviera offers facilities and pastimes to suit every kind of visitor.

Fishing village becomes a tropical resort

Marsa Alam on the Red Sea Riviera is truly a tropical paradise. Only a few years ago, few people had heard of this small fishing village with its palm trees, mangroves and coral reefs but today it’s one of the fastest-growing holiday destinations on the Red Sea Riviera.

The opening of a new international airport in 2001 has seen Marsa Alam’s popularity soar, and it is set to rival the popular Red Sea resort Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh.

Marsa Alam’s rich blue coast is fringed with coral reefs and pristine beaches lined with elegant palm trees. It’s a favourite location with divers, eager to explore the resort’s many unspoilt diving sites offering some of the best diving in the world.

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Learn to dive... or simply enjoy snorkelling

Marsa Alam’s exclusive location, just a few hours away from the popular Hurghada resort, makes it the ideal destination for a peaceful, relaxing holiday.

What to see and do

Excursions from the Red Sea Beach Resort at Marsa Alam will include trips to the emerald mines, the Temple of Seth I in Khanais, the historic city of El Qusier within its Ottoman fort and many shops and bazaars, the historical site of Myos Hormos, as well as visits to Aswan, Luxor and sailing trips on a felucca down the River Nile...

If you want night life, why not take a ride out to Port Ghalib Marina, one of the Red Sea Riviera’s biggest marina developments. Try the many bistros, bars and restaurants but save your shopping for El Quseir – it’s much cheaper.

Dive into a magical world

Of course, one of the most popular pastimes along the Red Sea is scuba diving, attracting enthusiastic divers to its crystal clear waters and stunning coral reefs. If you’ve never dived before, we recommend you take the plunge (!) and learn here in what must be one of the most popular diving destinations in the world.

You’ll be amazed at the beautiful coral reefs, more than 1500 species of colourful tropical fish, turtles, dolphins, rays, etc.

And one of the biggest fish in the world – the almost cartoon-like Napoleon Wrasse – about the size of a Shetland pony and as gentle as a lamb.

And if at the end of a hard day’s relaxation, you need a little activity in the evening, there are wonderful bars, cafes and nightclubs to entertain you.

Sample the bars, cafes and nightclubs

Magical souks and bazaars

Don’t miss the bazaars and souks for a truly unique shopping experience. You’ll find a wide range of local goods and crafts like jewellery, carpets, shoes, clothes, silver ware, bedouin artifacts, leather goods, glass vases and perfume bottles, china and pottery, brass and copperware...

And make sure you visit the spice stalls in the souks – just follow your nose and you’ll find them. You’ll be amazed at the range of colourful spices and herbs you can buy.

Try the tea houses for a true taste of Egyptian afternoon tea. In fact you’ll probably be offered mint tea poured from ornate silver teapots and served in beautifully decorated glasses, wherever you stop to shop.