For a long time, Egypt has been one of the most popular holiday destinations among Russians. Is it safe to travel to this country today? What are the pros and cons of traveling in summer and winter? We will tell you how tourists say about their holidays in Egypt and give prices in 2021.
Egypt weather reviews
The country has a subtropical climate, so there is no winter in our understanding. According to tourists, rest in Egypt is good at any time of the year. The exception is the summer months, when the resorts are unbearably hot. IN june, july and august hot khamsin is blowing from the continent, and the thermometer in the shade rises to +40 ... + 50 ° С.
According to reviews, the coldest thing in Egypt is january and february... During the day, the air temperature reaches +20 ... + 25 ° С, and at night it drops to + 14 ° С. The water in the Mediterranean Sea is warmed up to + 18 ° С, and in the Red Sea - up to + 25 ° С. Winter trips are not very suitable for beach activities, but are good for sightseeing tours of historical sights, for visiting the pyramids, ancient temples and museums.
The quietest place in winter is Naama Bay. The air temperature during the day here is +21 ... + 23 ° С, and at night +16 ... 18 ° С. Sea water is warmed up to +23 ... + 24 ° С.
According to reviews for 2019-2020, many tourists come to rest in Egypt in march, april, october and November... At the end of autumn, when it is already cold in Russia, the bright sun shines here, the warm sea splashes and there is no rain.
Tourists assess the holidays in Egypt in May and September ambiguously. In late spring and early autumn, the daytime temperature reaches + 35 ... + 40 ° С. This weather is poorly tolerated by the elderly and those who suffer from cardiovascular ailments.
Many people, especially parents with children, like the warmth of May and the well-warmed sea. In late spring, during the daytime, there is no stifling heat, and at night there are no longer cold winds from the desert.
Map of the resorts of Egypt in Russian
Reviews of a beach holiday in Egypt
The holiday season on the Red Sea lasts all year round, and on the Mediterranean coast begins in May. The southern part of the Sinai Peninsula attracts tourists with excellent beaches, water sports and the beauty of underwater flora and fauna.
Many vacationers come to Sharm El Sheikh — the youngest and most European of all the resorts in the country. The coastal strip along it is divided by bays that frame coral reefs. In most places you need to swim in beach shoes and go into the water on pontoons. There are sandy slopes on the coast of Naama Bay and in Sharm El Maya.
Russians like Hurghada. There are affordable prices, excellent sandy beaches, modern infrastructure. People come to Hurghada to sunbathe and swim in the sea, do water sports, visit excursions and attractions.
At 60 km from Hurghada there is a mecca of windsurfers and kitesurfers - Safaga, and 25 km - a place for connoisseurs of outdoor activities El Gouna.
According to tourists' reviews for 2019-2020, it is also perfect for a vacation in Egypt. Dahab... A fast-growing resort of choice for divers and fans of water sports. There are both luxury hotels and budget campsites here.
There is a resort town near the Israeli border Taba... It consists entirely of hotels and is popular with fans of excursions to the biblical sights of Jordan and Jerusalem. In the warm season, for the sake of a beach holiday, they go to Alexandria.
For a secluded seaside vacation, check out the tranquil beaches of Makadi Bay and the resort village of Marsa Alam.
Reviews about prices for holidays in Egypt
For an independent trip to Egyptian resorts, it is important to take into account all the costs. A roundtrip air ticket from Moscow to Cairo costs from 17,000 rubles. Visa at the airport - $ 25.
According to tourist reviews for 2019-2020, the cheapest vacation in Egypt is in Hurghada. In 2021, a double room in a guest house is rented out for $ 17. Accommodation in a 3 * hotel - $ 20-25, in a 4 * hotel - $ 35-45, and in a 5 * hotel - from $ 60. Lunch for two in a cafe - $ 10, and dinner in a restaurant - from $ 20.
To save money, many rent apartments and cook on their own. Among the Egyptians, as elsewhere in the East, it is customary to bargain. If you buy products on the market, with skillful bargaining, it is easy to reduce prices by 1.5-2.5 times. Vegetables and fruits are cheaper to get from local supermarkets.
Advice... They feed inexpensively in small family restaurants, where locals usually eat.
Reviews about tours to Egypt
Last Minute Tours search on the services Level.Travel and Travelata - they will find the best deals among different tour operators. Want to save money? Check out our 7 rules for buying tours online.
Tours... According to the reviews of tourists, now tours to Egypt are on sale, but the rest is expensive. The highest prices are for Christmas, New Year and May holidays. If a trip for two for 7 days at the end of November 2021 costs from 75 thousand rubles, then the prices for the same duration of rest in early January start from 87 thousand rubles.
Which resorts fly... Today, there are only direct regular flights from Russia to Cairo, there are no direct flights to the Red Sea resorts yet. They fly to Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh with a transfer in Cairo or European cities. In this case, the minimum flight time from Moscow is 7 hours, and from St. Petersburg - 10 hours.
Safety... Egypt is one of the most tourist-tolerant Arab countries. Nevertheless, after the sad events of 2015, Rosturizm recommends that Russians not leave the resort areas on their own. The safest places to visit are Hurghada, Dahab, Marsa al-Alam and Sharm el-Sheikh.
Hotel reviews
Look for hotels with discounts at Skyscanner Hotels. Here are the main rules for finding hotels.
Resort towns are built along the coastline and many hotels are on the first line. They have their own equipped beaches, which guests can use free of charge. Usually on the hotel territory there are one or two high-rise buildings and several bungalows, there are swimming pools and a small park.
According to tourists, while on holiday in Egypt in 2021, you can safely count on good service. The hotel staff is helpful, polite and willingly responds to guests' requests. Some of the staff speak Russian.
In Egyptian hotels, it is comfortable to relax with children: there are shallow-water pools, a special menu, playgrounds, animators and nannies. Paid services - saunas and baths, massage, bike rental, surfboards, snorkeling and diving equipment.
Advice... Some hotels are far from the city's infrastructure and there are no cafes or restaurants nearby. In this case, it is more profitable to choose an "all inclusive" meal.
Food Reviews
The restaurants of the hotels offer tourists dishes of European and Arabic cuisine. Locals love to cook with legumes, rarely use meat, and never eat pork. Fish and seafood are popular in Egyptian cooking. Any meal cannot be imagined without tahini sauce, which is made from olive oil, nuts, sesame seeds and lemon juice.
Vacation in an Arab country is popular with those with a sweet tooth. Egyptians know how to make excellent pastries, pancakes with different fillings, cakes and sweets made from nuts, dried fruits and honey. Traditional drinks are hibiscus, thick black coffee, black and herbal teas. They perfectly tone up and quench thirst in any heat.
Prices for some meals, drinks and food:
- shrimp on a wire rack - $ 3
- stewed vegetables - $ 1
- mango, pomegranate, strawberry, 1 kg - $ 1-2
- mullet fish, 1 kg - $ 2.5
- squid, 1 kg - $ 6.5
- a cup of cappuccino - $ 1.7
- water, 1 l - $ 0.5.
Advice... Taste legumes on your Egypt holiday kushari and ful, a delicious sesame leaf dish with meat mulukiyu and sweet noodle dessert knafe.
Reviews about excursions and entertainment
Tours are popular with vacationers:
- pyramids - $ 40
- Luxor - $ 40
- St. Catherine's monastery - $ 45
- one day tour to Jerusalem - 135 $
- ferry ride to Petra - 310 $
- dolphinarium - 35 $
- crocodile show - $ 40.
Outdoor enthusiasts like:
- trip on ATVs, buggies and camels in the desert - $ 50-70
- diving from a boat - $ 45
- snorkeling - 35 $
- parasailing - $ 25
- sea trip on a sailing yacht - $ 70-90.
While on holiday in Egypt, many travel to Cairo. According to tourists, an excursion to the ancient city allows you to see high pyramids, mummies of pharaohs, revered mosques and colorful bazaars.
Advice... The most expensive excursions are always with the tour operator. If you don't want to overpay, buy excursions on the Tripster website or in the city, not in hotels.
Pros and Cons of Rest in Egypt - 2021
Almost all tourists celebrate pros Egyptian resorts:
- Holidays in Egypt are almost universal: both beach lovers and lovers of antiquities and those who prefer active holidays like it here.
- All inclusive tours are always on sale.
- Good service.
- For vacations up to 30 days, you do not need to obtain a visa in advance.
According to reviews, cons there were few holidays in Egypt in 2019-2020:
- Tours to this country are now expensive.
- The tourist infrastructure is limited to the territory of the hotels.
- There is a small selection of fruits in the hotel restaurant menus.
- Imported alcohol is expensive.
