Quick Answer
Best Resorts in Egypt are split across three world-class destinations: Hurghada — the most accessible choice for families and first-time visitors, with 500+ hotels along a 40 km coastline; Sharm El Sheikh — Egypt’s premium resort town on the Sinai Peninsula, best for luxury stays, honeymooners, and world-class diving; and Marsa Alam — a quieter, less-developed destination ideal for divers, eco-travellers, and anyone chasing untouched reefs. All three offer year-round sunshine, coral reefs, and all-inclusive options to suit different budgets.
The Red Sea coast of Egypt measures more than 1,200 km long and offers a variety of beach resorts which are among the most famous worldwide.
After fifteen years of being involved in organizing tours and leading travellers around every inch of this coast, I can state without hesitation that the secret behind choosing an appropriate resort has nothing to do with popularity but with your vacation type.
In this guide, you will find descriptions of all the best beach resorts available in Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, and Marsa Alam, based on their prices, suitability for different types of travellers, and features.
Which Egypt Red Sea Resort Is Right for You?
Before diving into individual resorts, the most important decision is choosing the right destination. Here is how the three cities compare across the criteria that matter most to international travellers from the UK and US:
| Category | Hurghada | Sharm El Sheikh | Marsa Alam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Families, first-timers, budget | Luxury, honeymoons, diving | Divers, eco-travellers, seclusion |
| Price range | $40–$350/night | $80–$600/night | $60–$280/night |
| Nightlife | Moderate – marina bars & clubs | Vibrant – Naama Bay scene | Very quiet |
| Diving quality | Good – Giftun Island reefs | World-class – Ras Mohammed | Exceptional – Elphinstone Reef |
| Beaches | Long, sandy, developed | Sandy coves, Naama Bay | Remote, pristine, uncrowded |
| Family facilities | Excellent – water parks, kids clubs | Very good – large resort pools | Limited – adult-oriented |
| Airport | Hurghada International (HRG) | Sharm El Sheikh Intl (SSH) | Marsa Alam Intl (RMF) |
| Flight from UK | ~5.5 hours direct | ~5 hours direct | ~5.5–6 hours (some direct) |
| Overall vibe | Lively, bustling, accessible | Polished, upmarket, social | Serene, wild, authentic |
Traveller-Type Verdict
- Family with kids: Hurghada wins hands down – most water parks, kids’ clubs, and lagoon beaches with shallow waters for children.
- Honeymoon couples: Sharm El Sheikh – great location for a luxury experience, Marsa Alam – romantic and private.
- Divers and snorkelers: Marsa Alam – for pristine reefs that remain unspoiled (dugongs, dolphins, Elphinstone), Sharm El Sheikh – famous reefs (Ras Mohammed, the Blue Hole, Dahab).
- Budget travelers: Hurghada has the greatest selection of all inclusive hotels, from cheap and quality 4-star hotels from $60 per night per person.
- First-time tourists to Egypt: Hurghada – easiest to get around, best developed, ideal beach and day trips to Cairo location.
Best Resorts in Hurghada
Hurghada is Egypt’s most popular Red Sea resort destination, offering over 500 hotels along a 40 km coastline and year-round international flights from the UK and Europe. Known for its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters, it caters to all budgets, from affordable all-inclusive resorts to luxury 5-star hotels.
Popular areas include Sahl Hasheesh, El Dahar, and the marina district, while the nearby Giftun Islands offer some of the best snorkeling in the region.Hurghada is also an excellent base for day trips to Luxor and Cairo, as well as Red Sea activities such as island cruises and desert safaris.
Best Luxury Resorts in Hurghada
Hurghada’s top end has matured considerably in recent years. These properties compete with anything you will find in the UAE or Mediterranean at a fraction of the price.
Steigenberger Aldau Beach Hotel
Private beach with thalassotherapy spa, seven restaurants, and coral reef access directly from the hotel’s private jetty — a rare convenience on this stretch of coast.
Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay
Adults-only peninsula resort with championship 18-hole golf course, world-class thalasso spa, and a private lagoon beach 45 km south of Hurghada. Quieter and more exclusive than central Hurghada.
Rixos Premium Magawish
Private island resort connected by boat transfer, with pristine reefs, wide sandy beach, and the ultra all-inclusive concept — water sports, kids clubs, and premium entertainment all included.
Best Mid-Range Resorts in Hurghada
Hurghada’s mid-range segment offers some of the best value in the Mediterranean and Red Sea region. These are the properties where most UK and US travellers stay — and where EgyVacations sends the majority of our independent guests.
SUNRISE Arabian Beach Resort – Grand Select
Private sandy beach with accessible house reef, all meals and local drinks included, full entertainment programme. Consistently one of TripAdvisor’s top-rated Egypt resorts.
Three Corners Rihana Resort – El Gouna
Located in El Gouna’s lagoon network, 25 km north of Hurghada. Intimate feel, marina restaurants, and a lively-but-relaxed atmosphere that suits couples and slow travellers.
Best Family-Friendly Resorts in Hurghada
Hurghada is the best city in Egypt for families, with the widest selection of water parks, shallow lagoon beaches, and purpose-built kids clubs.
Pickalbatros Jungle Aqua Park Neverland
Egypt’s most famous aqua park resort — 40+ slides, wave pool, dedicated children’s pools, and a calm gradual-entry beach. The all-inclusive covers everything. Families with younger children remember this resort for years.
Jaz Aquaviva
5-star quality with on-site aqua park and age-segmented kids clubs. Private long sandy beach and consistently high guest ratings. One of the safest premium family bookings in Egypt.
Top Holiday Residences for Couples and Newlyweds in Hurghada
Although Sharm El-Sheikh is Egypt’s preferred honeymooning spot, Hurghada does feature some fantastic resorts for couples, especially in El Gouna and Sahl Hasheesh, at cheaper rates than those of Sharm.
Sahl Hasheesh Boutique Hotels
Planned resort village 18 km south of Hurghada with a calmer, more exclusive atmosphere. Sheltered bay, broader beaches, quieter crowds. Includes properties such as Amwaj Blue Beach Resort and Royal Tulip.
📍 Quick Logistics
- Airport: Hurghada International Airport (HRG) — 10 minutes from central Hurghada, 25 minutes from Sahl Hasheesh, 45 minutes from Soma Bay
- Direct UK flights: Year-round from London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol with TUI, easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2
- Best months: October–April (mild 22–28°C). Peak: December–January and Easter. Budget months: June–August (hot, 35°C+, discounts of 30–50%)
- Day trips: Giftun Island snorkelling (1 hr boat), Luxor from Hurghada (1 hr flight), Cairo (1 hr flight or 6 hrs road)
Best Resorts in Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm El Sheikh is Egypt’s premier Red Sea resort, located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Gulf of Suez. Famous for its crystal-clear waters, colorful coral reefs, and abundant marine life, it is one of the world’s top destinations for diving and snorkeling.
The resort is centered around Naama Bay, with popular areas including Sharks Bay and Nabq Bay. Nearby, Ras Mohammed National Park offers some of the finest diving and snorkeling sites in the Red Sea.
Known for its luxury resorts, excellent service, and vibrant atmosphere, Sharm El Sheikh is ideal for both relaxation and adventure. At EgyVacations, we offer a wide range of tours from Sharm El Sheikh, including diving and snorkeling trips to Ras Mohammed, desert jeep safaris, sunrise hikes to Mount Sinai, and day trips to the famous Blue Hole.
Best Luxury & 5-Star Resorts in Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm El Sheikh’s luxury tier is genuinely world-class, with four and five-star properties that have been refined over decades of international tourism. These are our top picks for travellers with serious budgets.
Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh
Egypt’s finest resort hotel. Cliff-top setting with sea-view rooms, private beach access via elevator, 10 restaurants, world-class spa, and one of the healthiest accessible coral reefs on the Red Sea coast.
Rixos Premium Seagate
Premium ultra all-inclusive in Nabq Bay — premium spirits, unlimited water sports, seven restaurants, entertainment programme, and kids club all included. Calmer setting than Naama Bay.
Steigenberger Alcazar
Moorish-inspired architecture, stunning free-form pool complex, long private beach, and a dedicated dive centre. Consistently ranked among Egypt’s top resorts for quality and service standards.
Best Diving Resorts in Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm El Sheikh’s dive sites — Ras Mohammed, Tiran Island, Shark’s Bay, Gordon and Thomas Reefs — are among the most celebrated in the world. These resorts are specifically chosen for their diving programmes and proximity to the top sites.
Renaissance Golden View Beach Resort (Marriott)
Shore diving available 24 hours a day — walk directly off the beach into a living coral reef on Naama Bay. Professional dive centre serving all levels, from first Open Water courses to multi-tank days.
Mövenpick Resort Sharm El Sheikh
Prime Naama Bay location with excellent dive centre, strong safety record, and reliable 5-star food and comfort. Easy boat access to Ras Mohammed National Park and Tiran Island.
Best Family Resorts in Sharm El Sheikh
SUNRISE Remal Resort
Reliable all-inclusive family resort with large pool complex, kids club, sandy beach, and full daytime and evening entertainment. Consistently popular with UK and German families.
Best Adults-Only & Couples Resorts in Sharm El Sheikh
Baron Resort Sharm El Sheikh
Private bay, intimate scale, infinity pools overlooking the sea, and restaurant quality well above the all-inclusive norm. Adults-only throughout — designed entirely around atmosphere and personalised service.
📍 Quick Logistics
- Airport: Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) — 10 minutes from Naama Bay, 20 minutes from Nabq Bay
- Direct UK flights: Year-round from London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham with easyJet, TUI, Jet2
- Best months: October–May (22–30°C, calm seas). Summer (June–September) is very hot (38°C+) but significantly cheaper
- Dive seasons: Year-round visibility, but October–May sees the clearest water and most marine life. Hammerheads at Ras Mohammed: November–March
- Day trips: Ras Mohammed National Park (30 min), Blue Hole Dahab (1 hr), Mount Sinai (2 hrs), Saint Catherine’s (2 hrs)
Best Resorts in Marsa Alam
Marsa Alam is one of Egypt’s most unspoiled Red Sea destinations, located south of Hurghada and renowned for its pristine beaches, colorful coral reefs, and abundant marine life. Its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful bays make it a favorite destination for divers, snorkelers, and nature lovers.
The area is home to world-famous sites such as Elphinstone Reef, Abu Dabab Bay, and Wadi El Gemal National Park, where visitors can encounter dolphins, sea turtles, and even dugongs. We offer a variety of tours from Marsa Alam, including snorkeling trips, diving excursions, and nature adventures.
Best Diving & Snorkelling Resorts in Marsa Alam
This is Marsa Alam’s defining category. Every serious diving itinerary along the Red Sea should include at least three nights here.
Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort
The benchmark property for Marsa Alam. 24-hour house reef access with resident sea turtles, excellent dive centre, and managed excursions to Elphinstone Reef and Abu Dabab — both within 30 minutes by boat.
Shams Alam Beach Resort
A unique eco-friendly resort built with natural materials and partially powered by solar energy. Set on a beautiful private bay with direct access to one of Marsa Alam’s most biodiverse house reefs, it offers charming bungalow-style accommodation just steps from the beach and an excellent on-site dive centre.
Jaz Solaya Resort
Modern 5-star design on a private bay with stunning free-form pool and one of Marsa Alam’s best hotel restaurants. Fully equipped dive centre with guided trips to Elphinstone Reef and the Fury Shoals.
Best Eco & Boutique Resorts in Marsa Alam
Wadi Lahami Village
One of Egypt’s most remote resort experiences — no mobile signal, virtually no other tourists, and a pristine house reef protected from human pressure for decades. The Red Sea as it was before mass tourism arrived.
Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Marsa Alam
Pickalbatros Portofino Marsa Alam
Family-friendly aqua park combined with direct beach access and a dive centre, close to Abu Dabab Bay. The best option for families or groups who want all-inclusive convenience without sacrificing access to Marsa Alam’s extraordinary marine life.
📍 Quick Logistics
- Airport: Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF) — 30 minutes from central Marsa Alam, up to 2 hours for deep south properties
- Direct UK flights: Seasonal charter flights from UK airports (Birmingham, Manchester, Gatwick) primarily October–April. Summer often requires a connection via Cairo or Hurghada
- Best months: October–April (25–30°C, ideal visibility). Summer is very hot (38–42°C) and sees reduced dive activity
- Must-see dive & snorkel sites: Elphinstone Reef, Abu Dabab (dugongs & turtles), Fury Shoals, Wadi Ginal
- Wildlife highlights: Resident dugong population at Abu Dabab year-round; spinner dolphins most mornings; hawksbill turtles at most house reefs
Best Time to Visit Egypt’s Red Sea Resorts
All three destinations offer year-round sunshine and warm sea temperatures — a significant advantage over Mediterranean alternatives. That said, the season you visit materially affects price, crowds, and conditions:
| Period | Hurghada | Sharm El Sheikh | Marsa Alam | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October–November | ★★★★★ Ideal | ★★★★★ Ideal | ★★★★★ Ideal | Warm sea, mild air, low crowds. Best value window |
| December–January | ★★★★ Peak | ★★★★ Peak | ★★★★ Peak | Christmas & New Year. Book 6+ months ahead, higher prices |
| February–April | ★★★★★ Excellent | ★★★★★ Excellent | ★★★★★ Excellent | Spring — pleasant temperatures, good deals outside Easter |
| May–June | ★★★★ Good | ★★★★ Good | ★★★★ Good | Getting warm but manageable. Less busy, good prices |
| July–August | ★★★ Hot | ★★★ Hot | ★★ Very hot | 35–42°C. Significantly cheaper. Best for budget travellers |
| September | ★★★ Warm | ★★★ Warm | ★★★ Warm | Still very warm, transitional. Good value |
For UK and US travellers, the October–April window delivers the best combination of comfortable temperatures (22–30°C), excellent diving visibility, and reasonable value. The summer months are genuinely hot but can offer savings of 40–60% on accommodation — and the sea is perfectly swimmable year-round.
Tips for Booking Resorts in Egypt
The all-inclusive package system dominates and represents the cheapest system to go for when choosing Red Sea resorts. For Hurghada and Sharm resorts, the all-inclusive package usually covers all meals, beverages, and daytime and night-time entertainments. All-inclusive packages are not as common in Marsa Alam, where small eco-resorts run mostly on a half board/B&B system.
Egypt’s all-inclusive offers fantastic value-for-money deals, especially for visitors from the UK or USA, since the standards of food in Egypt’s all-inclusive hotels have improved considerably in recent years; plus the cost of top-notch food and drinks outside is very cheap such that à la carte dining is also possible even with a B&B.
When to Book
- December and January (Christmas/New Year): Book 6–9 months in advance. These dates sell out quickly at all quality properties.
- Easter and UK school half-terms: Book 4–6 months ahead for family resorts especially.
- October–November and February–March: Flexible booking is possible, but the best rooms at top properties still go fast.
- Summer (June–September): Last-minute deals are available. This is when budget travellers get the best value on 5-star properties.
Booking Direct vs OTA
Booking via EgyVacations or directly with the resort often unlocks extras — room upgrades, airport transfers, and early check-in — that are not available via third-party platforms. All-inclusive packages that include flights are often the best-value option for UK travellers and can be significantly cheaper than booking flights and hotels separately.
View our current Egypt vacation packages for 2026–2027, including Red Sea beach holidays with Nile cruise and Cairo add-ons.
Frequently Asked Questions – Best Resorts in Egypt
Which is the best resort in Egypt overall?
There is no single answer — it depends on what you are looking for. The Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh is the finest hotel in terms of pure luxury and service. SUNRISE Arabian Beach in Hurghada offers the best combination of value and quality for most travellers. The Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort is the best for divers and marine wildlife. Our recommendation: match the resort to your travel style rather than chasing a single ‘best’ list.
Is Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh better for families?
Hurghada, without question. It has a wider selection of family resorts, more water parks, shallower lagoon beaches suited to young children, and a greater range of price points. Sharm El Sheikh is excellent for families too, but the emphasis there is more on diving and upscale hospitality than family entertainment.
Which Red Sea resort is best for diving in Egypt?
Marsa Alam is the premier destination for serious divers — Elphinstone Reef and the Fury Shoals are world-class sites with outstanding biodiversity and little traffic. Sharm El Sheikh offers Ras Mohammed National Park and Tiran Island — arguably more famous sites, but with more dive boats. Hurghada’s Giftun Island is good for beginners and casual snorkellers. For advanced divers, Marsa Alam is the clear choice.
What is the best time of year to visit Egypt’s Red Sea resorts?
October through April offers the best combination of comfortable temperatures (22–30°C), excellent underwater visibility, and manageable crowds. December and January are peak season — book well ahead. May and September offer good conditions at lower prices. July and August are very hot (35–42°C) but come with significant discounts — up to 50% off — making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Are Red Sea resorts in Egypt all-inclusive?
The majority of resorts in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh operate on an all-inclusive basis, and this is almost always the best-value option. Marsa Alam’s boutique properties more often use half-board or B&B arrangements. All-inclusive quality in Egypt’s better resorts has improved substantially — expect multiple restaurants, international spirits, and a full entertainment programme.
How safe are Egypt’s Red Sea resorts for tourists?
Egypt’s Red Sea resort cities — Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, and Marsa Alam — are among the most well-established tourist destinations in Africa and the Middle East, visited by millions of European and American travellers annually. The resort areas are heavily oriented towards international visitors and have dedicated tourist police. The UK Foreign Office and US State Department currently advise normal travel precautions for Hurghada and Marsa Alam; Sharm El Sheikh has had additional advisories that have since been updated — always check the latest guidance before travel.
Can I combine a Red Sea resort with a Cairo or Nile Cruise holiday?
Yes — and this is our most popular itinerary type at EgyVacations. A typical combination is 3 nights in Cairo (Pyramids, Egyptian Museum), 4 nights on a Nile cruise (Luxor to Aswan), and 4–7 nights at a Red Sea resort. Domestic flights between Hurghada and Cairo/Luxor take under one hour and are inexpensive. We build these as private packages tailored to your schedule and budget.
What is the difference between Marsa Alam and Hurghada?
Hurghada is Egypt’s most developed Red Sea resort city — busy, accessible, family-friendly, with 500+ hotels and direct year-round flights from the UK and Europe. Marsa Alam is 220 km further south, much quieter, with fewer and smaller resorts, pristine reefs, and resident marine wildlife (dugongs, dolphins, turtles) that Hurghada cannot match. Choose Hurghada for convenience and variety; choose Marsa Alam for unspoilt nature and world-class diving.
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
UK and US passport holders require a visa to enter Egypt. The easiest option is the Egypt e-Visa, available online at visa2egypt.gov.eg before departure. The single-entry e-Visa costs $25 USD and is typically processed within a few days. Visas on arrival are also available at major Egyptian airports for most nationalities. Your EgyVacations booking team can advise on the current visa requirements for your nationality.
