Egypt Holidays

Egypt's got the lot - ancient pyramids, swish beaches, top diving spots and scorchin' sunshine all year round.

Holidays to Egypt 2026 Highlights

• Full of ancient wonders - from pyramids to pharaohs

• Set right along the Red Sea with all its colourful marine life

• Year-round toastiness that rarely dips below 20°C - perfect for last-minute holidays!

• Hotels for every mood - from romantic retreats to fam-friendly havens

Egypt fun facts

• 🤩 Fun fact: cat-lovers will fit right in here, because the Ancient Egyptians were crazy about them - as in, they used to worship their own cat goddess.

• 🏝️ Best beach: you can't get much better than Naama Bay in Sharm El-Sheikh, decked out with crystal waters for snorkelling, beach sports for a bit of healthy competition, and loads of space for chilling.

• 🍺 Price of a pint: bargain booze is on the cards (and no, we don't mean the local off license) - a typical pint here ranges from 40 to 60 Egyptian Pounds (that's roughly between £1 - £1.50!)

Local Lingo – Talk Like an Egyptian

In Egypt, people speak Arabic (Masri dialect), and while many in tourist spots know English, a few local phrases go a long way.

• “Salaam” (sa-lam) – hello. Simple, friendly, and it works pretty much anywhere.

• “Shukran” (shoo-kran) – thank you! You’ll use this a lot; Egyptians are big on manners.

• “Afwan” (af-wan) – you’re welcome. Also used to mean “no problem”.

• “Min fadlak / fadlik” (min fad-lak / fad-lik) – please (to a man / woman). Polite and always appreciated.

• “Kam da?” (kam da) – how much is this? Essential for markets and souvenir shopping.

• “Yalla!” (yal-la) – let’s go! You’ll hear this everywhere, from taxi drivers to tour guides.

🏨 Where is the best area to stay on your holidays to Egypt?

Egypt’s got the lot – ancient wonders, beachy escapes and buzzing cities. Deciding where to touch down can be a bit of a tricky one, but we’ve got the gossip below on the best spots to plant your parasol - from mega all-inclusives to boho hideaways perfect for last-minute holidays to Egypt.

• Family holidays – for top-tier, kiddo-approved action, it’s gotta be Hurghada. You'll have more waterslides, themed buffets, and glass-bottom boat trips than you’ll know what to do with. It’s a top-notch all-rounder with shallow, family-friendly beaches and reefs that are easy for the little ones to snorkel.

• Couples – Sharm El Sheikh is the perfect spot for you and boo. Think world-class diving at Ras Mohammed for the adventurous, vibrant nightlife at Naama Bay for the party-lovers, and loads of swanky restaurants where you can wine and dine yourselves stupid at sunset.

• Off the beaten track – if you’re looking for "barefoot beauty," Dahab is where it’s at. It’s a boho paradise that’s fab for divers, backpackers, and anyone after a relaxed, chilled-out vibe. Perfect for a squad trip or a solo escape where the only thing on the menu is sunshine and "me time."

• History buffs – while the Red Sea is for relaxing, a stay (or a day trip) to Cairo or Luxor is essential if you want to tick the Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings off your bucket list. It's the ultimate "history-packed adventure" to balance out your beach time.

All Inclusive Holidays in Egypt

Egypt is one of the destinations where all-inclusive makes the most sense. The resorts here are built for it, not bolted on as an afterthought, and the packages are genuinely generous (try saying that after a few free cocktails): we're talking multiple a la carte restaurants, pool bars that stay open all day, waterparks, private beaches, entertainment programmes, the lot. Because eating and drinking outside the resort is already cheap, an all-inclusive in Egypt is not about saving money on meals (though it does that too), it is about never having to think about logistics. Everything from the poolside cocktails to the midnight snack run is covered, and most resorts throw in activities, kids' clubs and spa access on top.

The biggest clusters of all-inclusive hotels sit in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, with Hurghada leaning slightly more family and Sharm slightly more couples, though both have plenty of crossover. The standard of all-inclusive here rivals anywhere in the Med, at a fraction of the price, and with Red Sea snorkelling on the doorstep as a free bonus that the Med cannot match. Whether you want an ultra all-inclusive with nine restaurants and a horse ranch, or a straightforward package with a pool bar and a buffet, Egypt delivers.

What are the best all-inclusive hotels in Egypt for families?

• Rixos Premium Magawish near Hurghada runs an ultra all-inclusive package with nine a la carte restaurants, the Rixy Kids Club for ages 1 to 12, and private cabanas on the beach. The all-inclusive here covers everything, no wristband tiers, no premium surcharges, just all of it included.

• Desert Rose Resort in Hurghada is a five-star family all-inclusive with five restaurants, 11 bars, three pools, a free waterpark and a private beach. The kind of resort where you check in on day one and genuinely do not need to leave until the airport transfer arrives.

What are the best all-inclusive hotels in Egypt for couples?

• Rixos Sharm El Sheikh in Nabq Bay runs an ultra all-inclusive that covers 10 restaurants, swim-up bars, a nightclub and a spa. The all-inclusive package means a date night at the Italian does not cost extra, and the late-night drinks are already in the price.

• Caves Beach Resort near Hurghada is an adults-only (16+) all-inclusive with a cave-themed design, a private beach and the Lava Disco. The all-inclusive package keeps it simple, all food, all drinks, all entertainment, nothing to sign for.

🏨 Top hotels for your Egypt Holiday 2026

Egypt's Red Sea coast is stacked with cracking hotels – from splashy family resorts with waterslides galore to boujee adults-only retreats where the only thing you'll lift is a cocktail. See our picks below or browse all our Egypt hotels to find your perfect match.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• Parrotel Lagoon Resort – a whopping 31 waterslides, Smurfs Kids' Club and themed family rooms in Sharm El Sheikh. Shuttle bus to the beach means no stress getting sand between your toes.

• Pickalbatros Aqua Park Sharm – 22 pools and endless waterslides for kids and big kids alike. Free shuttle to sister hotel's private beach keeps everyone happy.

• Sea Beach Aqua Park Resort – Egypt's longest jetty (1km!), lazy river, waterpark, ice cream station and mini disco. Basically a kids' paradise with swim-up rooms for the grown-ups.

• Regency Plaza Aqua Resort and Spa – six lagoon-style pools, 11-slide waterpark, private beach and a mini club to keep the little uns' busy while you hit the spa.

• Gravity Hotel Sahl Hasheesh – five-star gem on Hurghada's gorgeous Sahl Hasheesh bay with sparkling pools, kids' club and Italian, Oriental, Mexican and Asian restaurants.

💑 Couples & Adults-Only

• Rixos Sharm El Sheikh - Adults Only (18+) – mega 695-room resort with 11 pools, 10 restaurants, swim-up bars and a nightclub. Pure grown-up indulgence in Nabq Bay.

• Cleopatra Luxury Resort Sharm - Adult Only (16+) – stylish adults-only spot near Nabq Bay with pool complex, fitness centre and access to the Cleopatra private beach. No Sharm done indeed.

• Casa Cook El Gouna - Adults Only – ultimate five-star hideaway in El Gouna, surrounded by desert and lagoons with a massive private beach and ultra-chic rooms.

• Meraki Resort - Adults Only – boho vibes on Hurghada's Red Sea Riviera with a private sandy beach, cracking clubbing scene, and yoga-to-DJing classes between cocktails.

• Caves Beach Resort - Adults Only (16+) – live out your Flintstones fantasy with cave-themed rooms, animal-print decor and a Lava Disco you enter through a fossilised dinosaur. Bonkers and brilliant.

⭐ Luxury

• Hotel Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh – world-class five-star right on the beach with spa, four pools and top-tier dining. The gold standard for Sharm El Sheikh luxury.

• Steigenberger Golf Resort El Gouna – elegant five-star resort by El Gouna's 18-hole golf course with private lagoon beach, live cooking stations and a spa with a cold plunge pool.

💰 Great Value

• V Hotel Sharm – 10 minutes from Sharm airport, loads of hotel for your money with buffet dining, a la carte options, spa and even bunk bed rooms for big groups.

• Hilton Hurghada Plaza – big-brand quality without the big-brand price tag in Hurghada. Two pools (one adults only), Turkish bath spa and bars running 'til the early hours right by the marina.

🏖️ What are the best beaches to visit in Egypt?

This is what beach holiday dreams are made of...

• Naama Bay, Sharm El Sheikh - the main beach in the resort, known for diving, chilling out and mega beach sports. Bring a snorkel.

• Mahmya Island, Hurghada - you can catch a boat from Hurghada to this exotic island escape, offering the best swimming and snorkelling opportunities, as well as gorg sunset views and delish food at the main restaurant, ‘Mahmya’. 

• Al Nayzak, Marsa Alam - said to be created from a meteorite, this rocky pool is just a short trip away from Marsa Alam, and is considered one of the best beaches in the whole of Egypt!

Pssst! Lots of hotels in Egypt offer their own private beaches too, decked out with sun loungers, watersports and even seafront bars.

Looking for a big, beachy break with everything included? Check out our all-inclusive holiday deals to Egypt.

Cheap holidays in Egypt

Egypt is one of the best-value beach destinations you can fly to from the UK & Ireland. A sit-down meal for a fiver, beers that barely register on the budget, and all-inclusive resorts where everything from the poolside cocktails to the late-night snack run is baked into the price. The Red Sea coast delivers proper holiday weather year-round, world-class snorkelling, and hotels that punch well above what you would pay for the same quality in the Med. About six hours from home and you are poolside in 35°C sunshine, which is not a bad return on a cheap flights search.

How to find the best cheap holidays to Egypt

• Go All-In to Win - in Egypt, All-Inclusive is king. Because the resorts are so well-equipped, booking a package that covers your food and (most importantly) your drinks usually works out much cheaper than trying to find local spots every night. It’s the ultimate "wallet-free" way to holiday.

• The Marsa Alam Pivot - while everyone is looking at the big names, check out Marsa Alam. It’s often a bit cheaper than Sharm, but the reefs are just as spectacular (and usually less crowded). It’s the "insider’s choice" for a bargain.

• Dine on the Street - for a few Egyptian Pounds, you can grab a Koshari (the national dish - a carb-heavy mix of rice, pasta, and lentils) or a fresh Ta’ameya (Egyptian falafel) from a local vendor. It’s delicious, filling, and costs about the same as a bag of crisps back home.

• Haggle like a Pro - if you’re heading to the Khan el-Khalili or a local souk, never pay the first price. Bartering is a local sport here! Keep it friendly, keep it cheeky, and you’ll likely walk away with a hand-woven rug or a bottle of perfume for half the starting price.

The best-value hotels tend to cluster around Hurghada and the quieter end of Sharm El Sheikh. Whether you want a family setup with waterslides and kids' clubs or a low-key couples' retreat with a beach and a pool bar, the cheap end of Egypt's hotel line delivers without cutting corners. You can search for Egypt holidays at the top, then filter by price, or browse some of our favourite great value picks below....

What are the best cheap family hotels in Egypt?

• Eagles Paradise Abu Soma is a four-star all-inclusive in Safaga near Hurghada, with a waterpark, multiple pools and a private beach. The all-inclusive package covers everything from breakfast buffets to poolside snacks, and the Red Sea snorkelling on the doorstep is free entertainment that never gets old.

• Falcon Naama Star is a three-star all-inclusive in Naama Bay, Sharm El Sheikh, in one of the liveliest spots on the coast. Close to the beach, restaurants and the Naama Bay promenade, so evenings out do not need a taxi. Good for families who want the buzz of a resort town without a big hotel bill.

What are the best cheap hotels in Egypt for couples?

• Old Vic Sharm Resort & Spa is a three-star in Om El Sid, Sharm El Sheikh, with a pool, spa and restaurant at prices that leave plenty of budget for diving trips and desert excursions. Quiet, well-kept and close enough to the action without being in the middle of it.

• Dahab Lagoon is a four-star in Dahab with a pool, restaurant and the boho charm that Dahab does so well. Right on the waterfront with easy access to the Blue Hole for diving, the windsurfing lagoon and the quirky cafes along the promenade. The kind of place where a week costs less than a long weekend in Santorini.

Egypt holidays 2026 travel guide

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What are the best things to do on an Egypt family holiday?

• Pick a splash-tastic hotel - Egypt is famous for hotels that cater specifically to families, some with enough waterslides to make a theme park jealous. Resorts in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh come with kids' clubs, lazy rivers, waterparks and swim-up rooms. The hotel is half the holiday here.

• The Grand Egyptian Museum - The brand-new GEM near Giza is the world's largest museum dedicated to one civilisation, with a dedicated Children's Museum and the full King Tutankhamun collection. Making history fun without the kids even realising they are learning.

• Desert adventures - Camel treks, jeep safaris through the dunes, tea with Bedouins under the stars. Most resorts in Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh offer family-friendly excursions that get you out of the resort for a day without anyone melting.

• Nile River cruises - See the sights of Luxor or Aswan by boat instead of bus. The breeze keeps everyone cool and the kids entertained, and it beats the midday heat by a country mile.

• Street food tour - Koshari (rice, pasta, lentils, all in one bowl) and tamiya (Egyptian falafel) are cheap as chips, genuinely delicious and a proper introduction to what Egyptians actually eat. Most kids love it.

💑 What are the best things to do for couples on an Egypt holiday?

• Red Sea sunset strolls - The beachfront promenades and private jetties along the coast catch the light perfectly in the late afternoon. Red Sea sunsets are stupidly pretty, and a walk along the water at golden hour is the kind of free activity that costs nothing and delivers everything.

• Private snorkelling at Ras Mohammed - Rent a private boat from Sharm El Sheikh and head to the reefs at Ras Mohammed. Much more romantic than a crowded group tour, and the marine life is extraordinary.

• The Pyramids at sunset - Wander the Giza Plateau, watch the sunset over the Sphinx, and have a proper wow-factor day. Do it on a day trip from Cairo or as an excursion from the coast.

• Turkish hammam spa - Most of the bigger resorts have a hammam on site, and a proper steam and scrub on your first afternoon is the quickest way to shake off the flight and switch from office brain to beach brain.

• Felucca ride on the Nile - Hire a felucca (traditional Egyptian sailboat) in Aswan or Luxor for sunset. Peaceful, slightly chaotic if you do not know what you are doing, and weirdly addictive.

🎉 What are the top things to do for groups on an Egypt holiday?

• Diving at the Blue Hole - Dahab's Blue Hole is one of the most famous dive sites in the world, and group diving trips are easy to organise from most Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab hotels. Even beginners can do an intro dive with an instructor.

• Quad biking in the desert - Most Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh resorts offer quad biking excursions into the surrounding desert. Loud, dusty, brilliant fun, and the kind of activity that a group enjoys far more than a couple ever would.

• Naama Bay nightlife - Naama Bay in Sharm El Sheikh has the Ice Bar (walls, seats, glasses, all made of ice), Space for dance music, and Bus Stop Club, which has been a premium clubbing spot since 2001. A group night out here is reliably chaotic in all the right ways.

• Haggle your way through Khan el-Khalili - Cairo's famous bazaar is better with mates, because haggling is a team sport and you need someone to tell you that yes, you do need another hand-woven rug.

• Glass-bottom boat trip - Group bookings on a glass-bottom boat from Hurghada are cheap per head and give everyone the reef experience without getting wet. Pair it with a snorkelling stop and a barbecue lunch on the boat for a proper day out.

✈️ Top tips for last minute holidays to Egypt

• The "Instant Chill" Hamam - don't wait until day four to relax. Book a traditional Egyptian massage or steam session for your first afternoon. It’s the quickest way to shake off the flight and transition from "office brain" to "beach brain."

• Visa on the Fly - don't panic about paperwork. If you're heading to Sharm El Sheikh for less than 15 days and staying within the resort area, you get a free entry stamp at the airport. It’s the ultimate "last-minute win" for the forgetful packer!

• Pack Light, Dress Right - Egypt is hot (shocker, we know), but the evenings can get breezy by the sea. Throw a light linen shirt or a pashmina in your bag at the last second - it’s perfect for covering up when visiting temples and keeps the "scorchio" sun off your shoulders during the day.

• Follow the "Busy Table" Rule - since you didn't have months to research every restaurant, use the local litmus test: if a seafood shack in Hurghada Marina is packed with locals at 8 PM, that’s where you’re eating. No TripAdvisor needed; just follow the smell of grilled garlic prawns.

• Say "Yalla!" to Everything - a last-minute holiday is about the "why not?" moments. Say yes to the sunrise camel trek, yes to the spontaneous scuba intro, and yes to that extra plate of baklava. You’re only there for a bit - make it legendary.

Other Places To Visit in Egypt

If Egypt’s got you dreaming of more sunshine and culture, check these lush spots out:

• Hurghada - the ultimate all-rounder for families, boasting world-class waterparks and some of the best all-inclusive resorts on the Red Sea.

• Sharm El Sheikh - a diver's paradise with a side of glitz, perfect for couples who want vibrant nightlife and crystal-clear waters.

• Cairo - the heart of the action, where you’ll find the legendary Pyramids of Giza and markets that’ll make your head spin (in a good way).

• Luxor - basically an open-air museum; head here to walk through the Valley of the Kings and see history come to life.

• Aswan - for a slower pace of life, enjoy a felucca ride down the Nile in this stunning, sun-drenched southern gem.

• Marsa Alam - Egypt’s "hidden gem" where the reefs are pristine, the crowds are thinner, and the turtles are waiting to say hello.