Guide to Egypt Red Sea

Beaches

The Red Sea has some of the finest diving and snorkelling in the world. The warm, tranquil waters and coral reefs shimmer with marine life and colourful plants, creating a magical underwater Eden. The most popular dive sites, with wrecks and sheer drops, are Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam. But more experienced divers might prefer the comparatively unexplored waters of Taba or Makadi Bay. In these quieter areas you might even be able to spot turtles or reef sharks. Back on dry land, white sands stretch as far as the eye can see. Dotted with sunbeds, parasols and palm trees you'll always be able to find a shady spot away from the sun. On the edge of the beaches, cosy beach cafes mingle with hotel restaurants, so whether you want a leisurely lunch or a quick snack, you'll find something to whet your appetite.

Eating out

In the smaller resorts eating out tends to be mainly hotel based - not that this limits your choices in any way. With a string of upmarket hotels dotted along the coastline, there are plenty of opportunities to indulge in some traditional Egyptian cuisine, as well as international fodder. For a wider selection, Marsa Alam's got plenty of eateries to choose from. Sample specialities such as kashari, pasta, rice and chickpeas in a chunky tomato stew. Or in the restaurants of Hurghada feast on dishes of figs and oranges, heavily influenced by Turkish cuisine. But the feather in the culinary cap has to be Sharm El Sheikh. In the quarter of Sharm-el-Maya coffee bars and small restaurants pepper the streets with enticing aromas. Plates of plump seafood will set your taste buds alight and Egyptian dishes of aubergine and lamb with spiced couscous will make your mouth water. Naama Bay also has a good choice of bars and restaurants serving food from around the globe.

Nightlife

In most of the Red Sea resorts nightlife has stayed firmly in the slow lane. Hotel focused and laid-back though it is, there is still something for everyone. Theme nights showcase local folk music and dancing. Watch the whirling dervishes perform their intoxicating twirls. Dating from the 13th-century, the spinning dancers represent the planets circling the sun and believe they stand between the material and cosmic worlds. As always, it is the bigger resorts of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh that offer a world beyond your luxurious beach hotel. Many of the bustling bars and restaurants serving international cuisine overlook the star-lit seas, where you'll stumble upon a fine choice of menus to start your night in style. Sharm El Sheikh has a vibrant bar scene and even has a Hard Rock Cafe. Surprisingly though it is Hurghada, not Sharm, that is known as the party town, particularly among Europeans, and in addition to bars and restaurants, you'll find vibrant nightclubs where you can boogie until the wee small hours.

Shopping

At some point during your holiday your thoughts are bound to turn to shopping. And whether you want small souvenirs to take home or to fill your wardrobe with Egyptian-style boho chic, you can shop to your heart's content on the Red Sea Riviera. In Taba, Marsa Alam and Makadi Bay, shopping tends to be limited to hotel boutiques and the odd mini-market or beachside stall. If this doesn't push the right shopping buttons for you, you'll need to head for the more established resorts. Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada are a shopper's dream-come-true. Bustling bazaars will test your haggling skills – great if you are bargain hunting. But, for a real treat, the western style malls are a labyrinth of sleek boutiques and glossy department stores.