The Egyptian Red Sea in 4 days
Egypt's Red Sea coast runs south from Hurghada towards Sudan, with the Sinai across the water, reefs that start a few metres from the shore and sea temperatures around 22°C even in January. It is above all a diving and snorkelling destination, with sites such as the Thistlegorm wreck and Ras Mohammed.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- All day
Ras Mohammed National Parka full daySinai's southern tip, protected since 1983 and largely marine, where the walls of Shark and Yolanda Reefs draw jacks, barracuda and Napoleon wrasse.
Day 2
- All day
SS Thistlegorm wrecka full dayA British cargo ship sunk by German bombers in October 1941, upright at 30 metres, its holds full of BSA motorbikes, Bedford lorries and rifles.
Day 3
- All day
El Gounafree · a full dayA resort town built from 1990 around artificial lagoons north of Hurghada, with marinas, a golf course, an October film festival and a kitesurfing beach.
Day 4
- All day
Giftun Islanda full dayTwo protected desert islands off Hurghada, the most common boat trip from the hotels, with shallow coral gardens to snorkel and a beach at Mahmya.
Further afield (over 130 km from the base hotel), best as a separate stop: St Catherine's Monastery and Mount Sinai, Dahab Blue Hole, Abu Dabbab Bay, Elphinstone Reef.
Where to sleep in the Egyptian Red Sea
- Ali Baba Palace · €45 a night
- Seven Heaven Hotel · €25 a night
- Penguin Village · €30 a night
- Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort · €110 a night
- Sheraton Soma Bay Resort · €130 a night
- Swiss Inn Resort Dahab · €80 a night
- Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh · €450 a night
- Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay · €200 a night
- The Oberoi, Sahl Hasheesh · €350 a night
Plan this trip
Hotel prices per room per night, checked when written. Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.