Discover Egypt Beyond the Pyramids: Marsa Alam

Marsa Alam Holidays was originally a little fishing village, but it is now a rising star ready to challenge some well-known Egyptian holiday spots, including Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada. Surrounded by palm trees, mangroves, unspoiled coral reefs and blue water, this distant and peaceful location reminds me of a tropical paradise. It has some of the most isolated beaches and uncrowded coves. Seafood is the speciality of the little harbour in the town, which has stores, pubs and few restaurants. From this resort, you can go on desert safaris in the Wadi El Gemal National Park by jeep, quad bike, or camel. Inland highlights include the Emerald Mines, a significant historical value in the desert between Marsa Alam and the Nile Valley. Comprising part of a wildlife reserve, the resort also provides boat excursions and shore-diving to locations including Sha'ab Samadi, sometimes known as Dolphin House. Although learning to dive in Marsa Alam is feasible, the more experienced diver would be better suited for the other sheltered bays. For the certified, this is a top-class diving region with exquisite, immaculate reefs supporting amazing aquatic life, including dolphins, guitar sharks and turtles. Capital: Cairo International Airport: Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF) Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP) Time Zone: Eastern European Time (EET) UTC+2 Driving Side: Right-hand side Main Electricity: 220V, 50Hz Official Language: Arabic Religion: Predominantly Islam, with some Christianity

For those wishing to enjoy Egypt’s beauty free from the tourists, Marsa Alam is a fantastic place. Marsa Alam holidays is still somewhat unexplored, unlike other well-known tourist spots in Egypt. This allows you to appreciate the town’s natural beauty without having to deal with the commotion of large numbers of people. Besides its natural beauty, Marsa Alam presents a variety of activities suitable for visitors. To see the vibrant coral reefs, try snorkelling or diving, ride a camel to tour the desert, or just lounge on the beach and soak up the sun.