Marsa Alam Holidays

You can’t come on holidays to Marsa Alam without visiting Elphinstone and the Dolphin House, the great reefs nearby that afford visitors the chance for aquatic exploration among giant turtles, spinner dolphins and multicoloured shoals of fish, or even just a spot of snorkelling.

The more culturally inclined can visit the Romans’ gemstone mines at Geli, and the accompanying ruins of Roman towns along the coastline. The Wadi El Gemal National Park, in the region’s 'Camel Valley' is worth a day trip in itself, either on the back of one of it’s humped namesakes, or on foot.

Marsa Alam gained it’s primary historical reputation as a trade route and centre for emerald excavation in the time of the Ptolomies, Egypt’s last true pharaonic dynasty. The Romans continued the operations of the mines following Augustus’ conquering of Egypt, as the cluster of Roman ruins around the coast testify.

The area lost this literally glittering reputation in the medieval Islamic period, with locals living instead off the not-inconsiderable fruits of the Red Sea. That status quo was forever banished when Marsa Alam Airport opened in 2001, catalysing the region’s transformation from obscure fishing village to burgeoning tourist resort.

Marsa Alam’s Old Town consists of a main street with some great souvenir shops selling local baubles from jewels to jugs, or you can always catch a taste of local life by the harbour with it’s fishermen hoisting out their nets under the sun - Marsa Alam’s perfect coastal location means that seafood is the order of the day here.

If you come on holidays to Mara Alam in summer, make sure your trip to Luxor coincides with the Summer Shopping Festival, one of Egypt’s largest; or for a quieter cultural pursuit, be sure to go on a cruise down the Nile - it’s well worth a couple of hour’s travel.

If all those watersports and desert safaris have worn you out, relax - there’s plenty of bars and restaurants in the hotels here, with the usual trappings of Arabian nights - belly-dancing and music into the wee hours. Even budget Marsa Alam hotels are above par for the level of service. Aside from the hotels, a day trip round Luxor is worth a visit for some pottering around the Valley of the Kings and nights promenading around the cocktail bars and English pubs.

There is no denying it; Marsa Alam holidays treat you to one of Egypt’s most wondrous seafronts made all the more beautiful due to it’s quiescent tranquillity, as yet unspoilt by the manic tourism of Egypt’s inland cities. There are endless miles of palm-strewn, mangrove-dotted beaches here abutting the crystal waters of the Red Sea, with the hub of fishing life still to be found in the old stone quay and village that is the town centre.

The Red Sea mountains are excellent for climbing, especially in the afternoon, if only to take in the dichotomous clash between their tawny rocks and the sapphire blue of the sky above. If you do decide to make the journey you'll be richly rewarded as they afford gorgeous sunset panoramas of the coastline too.

Marsa Alam is fast becoming one of the Red Sea’s most popular resorts thanks to it’s superb diving sites, superlative seaside beauty and impenetrable calm - so click your way to a holiday, hop on a plane, and walk like an Egyptian to the beach of your dreams! Don’t delay- there are amazing deals available on Marsa Alam holidays right now!