Most often, a trip to Egypt becomes the first foreign journey for Ukrainian tourists. In this country, you can sunbathe all year round and swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea, admiring coral reefs and colorful tropical fish.
Egypt (Arab Republic of Egypt)
Tours to Egypt (Arabic: مصر, Miṣr) are a foolproof vacation option for any taste and budget. Sun, sea, fascinating excursions, and lively discos attract millions of tourists from around the world each year.
Best Resorts in Egypt
Hurghada
An excellent resort for family vacations in Egypt. The most interesting historical excursions, such as visits to Cairo, Luxor, and Karnak, are easiest to undertake from Hurghada. Most beaches here are sandy, with long shallow areas near the shore, making it very convenient for vacationing with small children.
Sahl Hasheesh
A new resort complex where only 14% of the area is allocated to hotels; the rest consists of promenades, fountains, exotic gardens, parks, golf courses, artificial canals, and lagoons.
Makadi Bay
One of Egypt’s most upscale resorts, located between Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. Its distinctive feature is luxurious hotels spread across vast territories. Some resemble small cities. Sometimes several hotels form a conglomerate where you can shop, dine in restaurants, visit hookah lounges, beauty salons, and more.
Soma Bay
A new resort 47 km from Hurghada. Hotels are mainly 4-5 star category, distinguished by their modernity and belong to the world’s best hotel chains. Tours here are ideal for those seeking peace and tranquility while enjoying the beauty of the Red Sea.
Safaga
A small port town where cruise ships dock. In recent years, a hotel district has grown on this coastline, which is particularly popular among diving and snorkeling enthusiasts – the reason being that Safaga has preserved beautiful coral reefs with an extraordinarily rich underwater world.
El Gouna
This town is often called the Egyptian Venice because artificial canals run throughout its territory. The development project was designed by several architects, making every detail in El Gouna well-thought-out. It will appeal to those who love beauty and comfort.
Marsa Alam
A relatively young resort, located quite far from Hurghada, 275 km away, but it has its own international airport. Marsa Alam attracts primarily lovers of high-end service and unforgettable diving experiences.
Sharm el-Sheikh
Here you’ll find the most beautiful and diverse coral reefs, forming genuine underwater gardens. You can observe this magical world through a simple swimming mask. But you can also learn deep-water diving.
Taba
A small resort town located on the border of Egypt and Israel. Its location allows easy access to attractions such as Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, and even the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.
Nuweiba
The development vector of this resort was originally set by divers. It has everything for a peaceful and secluded vacation on the coast.
Dahab
The resort grew from a Bedouin village and is famous for its windsurfing opportunities and fish restaurants with reasonable prices.
Climate and Seasonality
Unlike Tunisia, full-fledged beach holidays in Egypt are popular in any season. The weather is ideal for vacationing even with small children, the sea is simply wonderful, and the air temperature is very comfortable. However, the most favorable months are considered to be May – early June, and the second half of September and October. Mid-summer can be very hot. Winter brings the windy season, so it’s advisable to choose hotels protected from the wind.
Time Difference
Egyptian time is 1 hour behind Kyiv time in summer, and matches in winter.
Currency
The local currency is the Egyptian pound, with piastres as subsidiary coins. It’s best to bring dollars or euros for your vacation. Banks and exchange offices are everywhere: in hotels and on the streets of resort towns. While vacationing in Egypt, make it a habit to keep money and valuables in a safe.
Current exchange rate: 1 EGP = 1.55 UAH (1 USD = 17.79 EGP, 1 EUR = 20.30 EGP).
Visa Information
To obtain an Egyptian visa valid for up to 30 days, you only need to land in Egypt. The visa fee is $25. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the end of your tour. If you arrive in Sharm el-Sheikh and don’t plan to leave the Sinai Peninsula, you can avoid paying the visa fee. These visa conditions mean you can catch last-minute deals to Egypt. However, if you plan to travel actively around the country, you may need permission to stay in border areas with Libya, Sudan, along the demarcation line with Israel, and in the southern part of the Red Sea.
Geographical Overview
Egypt shares borders with Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, and Israel and Palestine to the east, plus maritime borders with Saudi Arabia and Jordan. It’s washed by the Mediterranean Sea in the north and the Red Sea in the east. Egypt owns the world’s largest artificial canal – the Suez Canal, connecting both seas and providing a short route from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. The Nile, one of the world’s two longest rivers, flows through Egypt from south to north. Over 90% of the territory consists of desert lands, including the Libyan and Arabian deserts, and part of the Sahara.
History and Interesting Facts
Egypt is a land of mysticism and ancient history, cradle of the pharaohs’ civilization that left countless mysteries to posterity. Its historical past attracts not only archaeologists worldwide but also vast numbers of travelers. Modern Egypt, with its capital Cairo (Africa’s largest city), amazes visitors with the pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinos, the Great Sphinx on the Giza plateau, the majestic temples of Luxor and Karnak, the Valley of the Kings in Thebes, and Alexandria’s architectural masterpieces from the Hellenic period.
Language and Religion
The spoken language in Egypt is an Arabic dialect, while the official language is “high” Arabic. Hotel staff speak English, and many are familiar with Russian or even Ukrainian.
Modern Egypt remains a country where religion plays a vital role. Islam is the official state religion, with 90% of the population being Muslim. The country primarily has followers of two main Islamic branches – Sunnis (majority) and Shiites. Egypt adopted its main religion long ago, and it’s deeply rooted in modern Egyptians’ way of life.
Egyptian Cuisine
Nearly all Egyptian hotels offer Egyptian cuisine. Its ingredients are simple and familiar: rice, beans, poultry, lamb, goat meat, cheese, eggs, and fermented dairy products. Coastal regions excel in fish preparation. Here are the main dishes that every tourist in Egypt will enjoy:
- “Rozetta” (rice dish)
- “Ful medames” (stewed beans with lemon, vegetable oil, and barley)
- “El molokhia” (soup with rice, green vegetables, garlic, coriander, and pepper)
- “Kofta” (minced meat)
- “Mahbous” (lamb roast with rice)
- “Biryani” (rice with large pieces of fish or meat)
- “Haris” (lamb boiled in water with grain)
Transportation
Minibuses run along the coast at resorts. There are no special stops, so you need to “wave down” directly on the road. The fare is supposedly fixed (2-3 pounds) but may vary, so discuss the cost with the driver before boarding. Similarly, discuss the route in advance.
It’s best to order taxis through your hotel, agreeing on the price beforehand. It can vary from 10 to 30 LE depending on distance.
Egyptian Holidays
- June 3-5 — Abu el-Haggag. Birthday of a revered Muslim saint, widely celebrated in Luxor
- August 15-30 — Nile flooding celebration
- December 31 — New Year, widely celebrated in hotels
- Ramadan – the month of fasting
- Eid al-Adha – corresponds to Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca
Emergency Contacts
- Tourist Police: +(202) 253154-4; +(202)25329812
- Police Department: 122
- Ambulance: 123
Useful Tips
- Foreign women may wear short sleeves but not bare shoulders. Décolletage and short skirts are not recommended
- Alcohol consumption isn’t forbidden, but public intoxication can lead to arrest
- It’s strictly forbidden to photograph military objects, collect “souvenir” fragments of historical monuments, climb pyramids, sunbathe topless, cut or damage corals
- Don’t swim in the Nile or walk barefoot/lie on its banks without a mat
- If you decide to ride a camel, note that mounting is free (they’ll insistently invite you), but you’ll have to pay to dismount
- We recommend making arrangements through a guide
