Golden sand, turquoise water and a constellation of resorts make the Red Sea Riviera one of Egypt’s premier beach destinations. Also known as the Sinai Peninsula, this sun-drenched region stretches along the east coast of mainland Egypt, as well as the western shores of the Gulf of Aqaba.
Bustling Sharm el-Sheikh is one of the most popular beach resorts on the Red Sea Riviera. Rainbow-coloured coral reefs and crystal-clear water make it a paradise for snorkellers and scuba divers. Thistlegorm, a 129 metre-long ship sunk off the coast of Sharm el-Sheikh in World War II is the holy grail for experienced divers.
Dahab has a more laid-back vibe, with great accommodation options for backpackers and budget travellers. Relax at low-key resorts and dine at restaurants decorated with twinkling fairy lights and colourful cushions. There are also world-class dive sites to explore off the coast of Dahab. Blue Hole, a natural aquarium carved into a reef, is one of the most famous.
Getting there
Red Sea Riviera is easy to access by long-distance buses from Cairo and public boats from Hurghada. Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is a 10-minute drive from the resort centre and one hour from Dahab. Cairo International Airport is a six-hour drive away.