Honeymoon Destinations in Egypt: Where to Go and When

After months of preparation, crowds and social duty, the honeymoon is the first stretch of time that belongs to just the two of you. It does not have to involve a visa and a long flight. Egypt has two seas, a desert, the Nile and its temples, and each makes for a completely different trip. The question is not "where is most beautiful?" but "what do we want from this trip, and when are we going?"

Three questions before choosing

1. Rest or adventure? Most couples are worn out after the wedding. If that is you, a quiet resort by the sea suits better than a packed sightseeing programme. If sitting still bores you, pick somewhere with things to do.
2. Which month? A destination that is perfect in January can be punishing in August, and the reverse.
3. What budget, and how many days? Five comfortable nights beat ten squeezed ones. Count everything: transport, accommodation, meals and excursions.

The Red Sea: sun all year

Sharm El Sheikh

A wide range of resorts at different levels, most of them all-inclusive, which makes it an easy choice for couples who do not want to think about anything. Diving and snorkelling around Ras Mohammed and Tiran Island are among the finest in the country, and the town has markets, restaurants and nightlife for those who want them.

Hurghada, El Gouna and Sahl Hasheesh

Hurghada is fairly easy to reach from Cairo by road or air, has options for every budget, and offers boat trips to nearby islands. El Gouna is calmer and more polished, with its lagoons and restaurants. Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi and Soma Bay suit couples looking for a quiet resort away from the bustle.

Dahab and Nuweiba

For lovers of simplicity: cushions right at the water's edge, diving and snorkelling at the Blue Hole and other reef sites, mountain safaris and an informal mood. Accommodation runs from basic camps to small boutique hotels.

Marsa Alam

Farther and quieter, with some of the best-preserved coral reefs. An excellent choice for seclusion and nature, with a chance of seeing dolphins and sea turtles at certain sites.

When? Autumn and spring are best. Winter days are warm, with an occasional cold wind. Summer is hot, though the sea and the air conditioning make it bearable.

The North Coast and Alexandria: for summer weddings

The North Coast, El Alamein and Marsa Matrouh

Turquoise water, white sand and a kind breeze while Cairo bakes. The coast is a summer destination above all. Its season is short and crowded and its peak prices are among the highest in Egypt, so early planning is essential. Marsa Matrouh, with beaches such as Agiba and El Obayed, is a quieter and simpler alternative.

Alexandria

Two or three days on the corniche, with seafood, old cafés, a walk through Raml Station, the library and the citadel. Pleasant in autumn and spring, and with a particular charm in winter for those who love rain and a rough sea.

When? The coast and Matrouh from June to September. Out of season, many places close.

Luxor and Aswan: warm winters and history

If your wedding falls between October and April, this is a trip you will not forget.

• Luxor: Karnak, Luxor Temple by night, the West Bank and the Valley of the Kings, and a hot-air balloon ride at sunrise for those who like heights.
• Aswan: the calmest of Egypt's cities. The Nile winding between granite islands, Philae Temple, the colourful Nubian villages, and a day trip to Abu Simbel.
• A Nile cruise: three or four nights on a cruise boat or a traditional dahabiya between Luxor and Aswan, combining accommodation, travel and sightseeing. It is among the most romantic options there is.

When? October to April. Summer heat is extreme and best avoided.

Oases and desert: for something different

Siwa

A remote oasis in the Western Desert: natural springs, salt lakes, sunset from Dakrour Mountain and the Shali fortress, and safaris into the Great Sand Sea. You stay in eco-lodges, some of them deliberately without electricity and lit by candles. The road is long, which is part of the experience, so be sure you both enjoy that kind of travel.

Fayoum

Close to Cairo and well suited to a two-night break: Tunis village with its pottery and small lodges, Lake Qarun, Wadi El Rayan and Wadi El Hitan (the Valley of the Whales). A good fit for a short holiday or a limited budget.

When? October to April.

Close to Cairo: Ain Sokhna and Ras Sudr

For couples with only a few days, or who prefer to postpone the big trip: Ain Sokhna is about two hours from Cairo, with seaside resorts and mountains behind them. Ras Sudr, across the Gulf of Suez, is quieter and simpler and is known for wind sports.

Which destination in which season?

• Summer: the North Coast, Matrouh and Alexandria, then the Red Sea for those who can take the heat.
• Autumn: almost anywhere in Egypt. The best travel season.
• Winter: Luxor and Aswan, Siwa, Fayoum and the southern Red Sea.
• Spring: the Red Sea, Sinai and Alexandria, keeping an eye out for khamsin days.

Planning tips

• Do not travel the morning after the wedding. Spend a restful night in a nearby hotel, then leave calmly in the afternoon or the following day.
• Reserve early in peak periods: the Eids, the mid-year school break, and summer on the coast.
• Ask about honeymoon offers. Many hotels offer newlyweds small touches such as room decoration, or an upgrade when available. Mention that it is your honeymoon when you make the reservation, and ask what proof they need.
• Understand the board basis: bed and breakfast, half board or all-inclusive? And what does "all-inclusive" leave out?
• Compare arranging it yourselves with using a travel agency. An agency bundles flights or coach, accommodation and excursions, may secure better rates, and takes on the coordination.
• Read recent reviews of the hotel, not ones from three years ago.
• Leave one day unplanned. The best day of a honeymoon may well be the one with nothing in it.

Accommodation and transport prices swing sharply between high and low season and from year to year, so do not rely on an old figure. Ask for current offers and compare.

Common mistakes

• A packed sightseeing schedule after an exhausting wedding.
• The right place in the wrong season, such as Luxor in July or the North Coast in January.
• Leaving reservations until after the wedding in peak season.
• Leaving transport and excursions out of the budget.
• Choosing a place from old or edited photographs.

How Gawazy helps

On Gawazy you can browse travel agencies, hotels and resorts with offers for newlyweds, compare what they provide, then contact them directly to ask about packages and dates. Reservations and payment are between you and the provider.

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