Consider a vacation in Egypt at two beach resorts - Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, where it is most profitable to go to the sea with children, and what weather conditions await you especially in December and January. Let's compare prices for tours, we will find the best offers from major tour operators. As for the all-inclusive hotels on the seashore, we have already selected the best of them, you will find links to the ratings of accommodation in the text in the desired direction.
Egypt is one of the most popular beach tourism destinations. A trip to an exotic country is an opportunity to swim at any time of the year, as well as to see the Red Sea with corals and diverse fauna. When planning a trip for the first time, many ask the question: "Where is the best place to go to Egypt?"
An important point! When booking a voucher, there is an opportunity to save a little with the help of discounts. The option will be most acceptable, especially for the regions, in the material on how to buy a ticket cheaper you will find several promo codesthat will help you save on travel planning online.
Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada - where is the best place to relax?
What to choose from beach resorts in order to avoid wasting your nerves, stay in good conditions, and not overpay for a trip? When choosing a direction, we recommend taking into account three important points:
- Time travel.
Both resorts are suitable for holidays during spring and summer. From November to March, it is not recommended to stay in Hurghada: due to increased winds and cold nights, rest becomes uncomfortable. Also, the areas of Sharm el-Sheikh - Nabq and Ras Nasrani, which occupy an open flat area and are prone to frequent winds, are not suitable for swimming in winter.
If visiting the sea is not an important part of the tour, then when choosing a place where it is better to relax in Egypt in winter, you can stay at any resort. During the colder months, the pools are heated and the winds inside the complexes are not felt as much as near the sea.
- Feature of the coastal strip.
Sharm El Sheikh is world famous for its coral reefs. It is here that you can see the most beautiful thickets, protected by the state with an abundance of marine life; and also visit the Ras Mohamed nature reserve.
Swimming, as a rule, is carried out from a pontoon and is suitable for those who feel confident at sea. It should be borne in mind that it is impossible to enter the water with corals without special shoes due to the risk of injury.
Small children will find it difficult to swim without a gentle slope. When deciding where to go to Egypt with a child, parents often choose Hurghada because of the sandy coast and smooth passage to the water.
It should be noted that, despite the predominantly coral beaches of Sharm el-Sheikh, convenient sandy approaches can be found in its vicinity; and in Hurghada, where sandy bottom prevails, there are areas with corals.
- Excursion routes and entertainment
If you plan to visit excursions, it is better to decide in advance on their choice. One of the most popular trips to Israel will be difficult for vacationers in Hurghada. It is carried out by ferry (to Sharm) and then by bus. Because travel with a transfer is tiresome, the guides suggest getting to Israel by plane, which significantly increases the cost of the transfer. Resting in Sharm el-Sheikh, the journey to Jerusalem by bus will take 7 hours.
In turn, it is more convenient to visit the ancient city of Luxor from Hurghada. Traveling by bus is much cheaper than flying from Sharm.
Thus, when deciding where it is better to relax in Egypt: in Hurghada or in Sharm el-Sheikh, you should initially take into account the season and excursion plans, and secondly, preferences regarding the beaches.
- As for diving, then Charm definitely wins! For entertainment, the Naama Bay area is ideal, there is everything from shopping to gyms, discos and bowling are also presented in a wide plan. On the sea you will find absolutely all kinds of entertainment services. There are several water parks for children and adults.
- rest in Hurghada with a child will be the most optimal, the resort is calm, famous for its sandy coastline and gentle entrance to the sea near most hotel complexes.
- When is the best time to go?
When analyzing the average annual air and water temperatures, Sharm wins towards a hot beach resort. According to the reviews of tourists in Hurghada, the ideal period will be April June. Sharm is perfect all calendar winterexcept for February, the weather begins to deteriorate.
Hotels in Sharm El Sheikh
Prices for holidays in Sharm el-Sheikh are on average in the range of 700-900 USD for two in winter, 900-1100 - in summer (7 days, all inclusive).
Most of the modern hotel complexes are built in the Nabq bay. The cost of living here is cheaper than in other regions, but service, food and hotel infrastructure are higher in level. In the summer, 90% of sales come from Nabq. In winter, the surroundings of the bay are blown by strong winds and are uncomfortable for spending time on the beach. If you plan to spend time in a hotel and swim only in heated pools, you can choose Nabq, but there are other options.
Among the best five star hotels on the coast, we definitely recommend:
- Barcelo tiran: the rooms offer a picturesque view of the Gulf of Aqaba and Tiran Island; there is a sandy gentle descent into the water and a rocky beach with corals;
- Cleopatra Luxury Resort: entry into the water is accessible both from a special device and from the coastal strip. A lot of entertainment is organized;
- Rixos Sharm Sheikh: the complexes of the Rixos chain are known for the high quality of the services provided, but the cost of living in them is higher. Vacationers have access to three water slides. The coastal strip is fine sand, swimming - only from the pier. Tourists celebrate the variety of entertainment.
- Steigenberger alcazar has one pool. The shore is sandy; swimming - only from the pontoon. There is a small reef.
* All hotels have all-inclusive meals; the distance from the airport is 7-12 km, which is very convenient after a flight with tired children and large luggage.
Planning to relax in the bay NABK with children, we recommend paying attention to the five-star complexes with water parks:
- Coral Sea Holiday & Aqua Park located on the shore. Across the street from the main building there is a free water park for guests. Swimming is possible only from the pontoon (does not reach the reef);
- Sea waterworld located on the coast; there is a water park. The sea is shallow (ideal for children). There are corals;
- Rixos Premium Seagate opened in 2016 (first line). There is a huge water park and attractions on the territory; the extended animation program works. There is a sandy beach and corals. The entrance to the water is carried out from an 850-meter pontoon. Accommodation is above average.
For summer holidays in Sharm El Sheikh it is also suitable RAS NASSANI (windy in winter months). Among the worthy hotel complexes in this area are:
- Baron Resort located on the coast. The entrance to the sea is possible both from the shore (sandy, convenient for kids), and from a special structure (there is a beautiful reef);
- Coral Sea Imperial Sensatori located on the shore. Water attractions are available on the vast green area. The coastal strip is sand, there is a reef (swimming - from a pontoon).
Both five-star hotels are located 4 km away. from the airport.
A good place for winter and summer holidays, both for young people and for married couples with children, can be NAAMA BAY: the first will like the proximity to entertainment, the second - a good entry into the water.
According to the reviews of tourists, the leading positions among the inexpensive hotels in Naamah are occupied by:
- Movenpick Res. Sharm Sheikh Naama Bay 5 *: located on the shore. All rooms overlook the coast; has its own stable, horse riding is taught;
- Novotel Sharm Sheikh (Palm) 5 *: 2 line, 800 m. From the central street Naama Bay. There are water slides in the large green area. There is a promenade road to Naama;
- Stella Di Mare Beach Hotel & Spa: first line and its own beach.
All hotels are located at a distance of 9-12 km from the airport; have sandy beaches with gentle slopes and coral thickets.
In addition to Naama, there are other places where you can relax (no matter what time of the year) inexpensively, but at the same time getting the necessary level of service.
Where is the best place to go to Egypt for snorkeling? In the bay SHARKS five-star hotels with beautiful reefs are open for vacationers:
- Savoy Sharm -1 line;
- Sierra sharm - 2nd line;
- Concorde Salam (Front Area) -1 line.
In the old part of the city, a good option for accommodation is Iberotel Palace 5 *, where it will be comfortable for both young children (there is a gradual entry into the water) and adults (a special boat takes them to the neighboring island with coral thickets).
Fans of attractions can stay at Albatros Aqua Blu 4 * (Ras Um el Sid, line 3). The infrastructure includes a water park with 62 slides.
Hurghada hotels
When deciding where to relax in Egypt with a child, we recommend staying in Hurghada: it is here that the coastal strip has a convenient smooth descent into the water. However, swimming will be comfortable only in summer.
Prices for holidays in Hurghada depend on the hotel, but on average they will be slightly lower than in Sharm. A seven-day tour for two will cost $ 800-900. It should be noted that entry into Hurghada requires a mandatory purchase of a visa ($ 25). In Sharm, a visa is issued if you plan to leave the Sinai Peninsula, for example, for an excursion to the pyramids.
Among the five-star complexes by the sea with an optimal ratio of price and quality, we advise you to book first of all:
- SUNRISE Holidays Res;
- SUNRISE Royal Makadi Aqua (Select): 18 water slides work for guests;
- Jaz Makadina: infrastructure includes a water park with 50 slides;
- Albatros Citadel Res - Sahl Hasheesh: an architectural ensemble carved from coral stones;
- Iberotel Makadi Beach;
- SUNRISE Garden Beach Res. Select: there are 12 slides and a mini water park. There is an “adults only” zone by the sea;
- SUNRISE Crystal Bay (Grand Select).
* The listed hotels are ideal for families with small children. sandy beaches have a smooth entry into the sea; there are reefs nearby.
If coral is optional, consider Desert Rose Resort 5 *, which has a large green area with date groves and a 1400-meter long sandy beach.
From 4-star hotels with a decent level of service and food, we recommend considering Mercure Hurghada and Sunny Days El Palacio & SPA... Both are built on the shore and have reefs. The latter has a water park.
If distance from the sea is not of paramount importance, you can stay at Albatros Aqua Park 4 * - a hotel on the 2nd line with a modern water park and a vast territory.
Both in Sharm el-Sheikh and in Hurghada, you can find hotels that can satisfy completely different requirements for a vacation: calm or full of entertainment, on the coast or of a hotel type. Only the travel period (November-March) can exclude a number of locations from the extensive list of possible destinations.
