⛱️ Egypt without the Red sea: five resorts on the Mediterranean coast

Egypt is associated with the Red Sea for most tourists. But the country has a second coastline, the Mediterranean one, and the climate there is noticeably milder. A strip of resorts stretches along the entire northern shore, from the Suez Canal to the Libyan border.

There is no exhausting heat of Sharm El Sheikh here, and the swimming season lasts from late spring to early October. We have gathered five destinations with different characters: a big city, a quiet eco-resort, a family bay, a port city, and a fishing mouth of the Nile.

Below you will find distances, the swimming season, and the honest catches of each place.

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What to know about Egypt's Mediterranean coast

💡 In short:

Alexandria combines beaches with ancient monuments.
El Alamein attracts with quiet and fine sand.
Mersa Matruh suits families with children and lovers of calm seas.
Port Said stands at the entrance to the Suez Canal, with few beaches here.
Ras El Bar is located at the mouth of the Nile, with views of the sea and the river.
Swimming season and beach infrastructure: 09/2026, as of Experience Egypt

Locals call this coast the "White Sea." It differs from the Red Sea in its mild climate and fewer tourists. On the other hand, there is more greenery here, and the water near the shore is calm, which is convenient for families with children.

Swimming is comfortable from late spring to early October, and Egypt's official tourism portal promotes this coast as a summer destination (as of 09/2026, Experience Egypt). Outside the season, some resorts empty out, and this is worth considering when planning. Below, compare the five destinations by the character of the vacation.

Resort	Feature	Sea and beaches	Who it's for
Alexandria	the country's second city	urban sandy beaches	city lovers
El Alamein	ecologically clean region	fine sand, clean water	those seeking quiet
Mersa Matruh	a favorite of Cairo residents	bays and grottoes	families with children
Port Said	the gateway to the Suez Canal	few beaches	those who want the city and the canal
Ras El Bar	the mouth of a Nile branch	well-maintained sandy beaches	nature lovers

1. Alexandria

Alexandria Corniche and fishermen on the breakwaters

Alexandria combines a beach vacation with sightseeing. It is Egypt's second-largest city, and here sandy beaches sit next to ancient monuments. From the city, it is easy to reach the pyramids and Cairo, so between swims you will have time to see the country.

Swimming is possible from late spring to the first days of October. The city beaches in the center belong to the administration but are open to everyone. Umbrellas, loungers, toilets, and snack kiosks can be found on almost every beach.

The main city attraction is the Bibliotheca Alexandrina with a park and fountains, a modern replacement for the ancient library. Nearby, traces of the Pharos lighthouse, one of the wonders of the ancient world, have survived.

The cuisine in hotels is varied: hot spices are rare here, and seafood delicacies are well prepared. The staff is well trained, but there is almost no animation, so you fill the evenings yourself.

Who it's for: those who want to combine the beach with sightseeing.
Not for: those who expect packed animation and a pure resort vacation.
The catch: there is almost no animation.
Location: the country's second-largest city, the center of the region.
Where to stay: Hotels in Alexandria on Trip.com

2. El Alamein

Porto Marina with yachts and flags in El Alamein

El Alamein lies about 150 km from Alexandria (on the map). This stretch of coast is promoted as an ecologically clean region. The beaches are covered with fine sand, and the climate is mild, without sharp swings.

Hotels are built on the Turkish and Greek model: the same pools, green courtyards, and proximity to the water. The large Porto Marina complex operates here, and the level of service is higher than that of its neighbors along the coast. At the same time, there are fewer people, so the vacation is calm.

Among the accommodation options, the five-star Tolip North Coast Hotel, Rixos Alamein, and the Porto Marina Apartments aparthotel stand out. Meal plans vary from breakfast to full board.

The destination is still little promoted, so quiet and seclusion are guaranteed. Outside the season, life on the promenade quiets down, and you will hardly meet any tourists.

Who it's for: those seeking quiet and clean beaches.
Not for: those who need bars, clubs, and city bustle.
The catch: there is little entertainment, and almost nothing to do in the evening.
How to get there: about 150 km from Alexandria (on the map).
Where to stay: See El Alamein hotels on Trip.com

3. Mersa Matruh

Mersa Matruh beach and corniche with minarets

Mersa Matruh attracts with wide sandy beaches, secluded bays, and grottoes. The water near the shore is clear, and the entry into the sea is gentle, so families with children willingly come here. It is a favorite vacation spot for Cairo residents.

The distance from Alexandria is about 290 km (on the map), and the beach strip here is one of the longest on the entire coast. In season, life is bustling: promenades, water activities, music on the waterfront.

The infrastructure is developed: shops, restaurants, souvenir stalls, markets, and fast-food kiosks. In the off-season, the area is empty, and swimming is comfortable from late spring to early October.

Among the natural attractions, Cleopatra's Baths, 7 km from the resort (on the map), and the "Arab Miracle" beach with mysterious grottoes are popular. The bay is hidden behind rocks, and it is most convenient to get there by taxi.

Who it's for: families with children and those who love a calm sea.
Not for: sightseeing lovers: monuments will have to be sought in Cairo and Alexandria.
The catch: outside the season, the resort empties out.
How to get there: about 290 km from Alexandria, 7 km to Cleopatra's Baths (on the map).
Where to stay: Mersa Matruh hotels on Trip.com

4. Port Said

Port Said, view from the water of the waterfront and buildings

Port Said stands at the northern entrance to the Suez Canal. The city was founded in the 19th century, and it became a resort only recently. It is separated from Cairo by about 200 km (on the map).

Outwardly, it is an unusual city for Egypt: wooden houses with carved balconies and narrow streets. From here you can take a trip to the pyramids in Giza and Saqqara or to Alexandria.

There are few beaches in Port Said, but there are plenty of attractions. The Suez Canal waterfront, the National Museum with its collection of antiquities, and the old churches of the Franciscan and Coptic communities are worth attention. Nearby, a narrow sandy spit separates the Mediterranean Sea from Lake Manzala.

The infrastructure is rich: there are many restaurants, shops, markets, and stalls here, and you will find souvenirs for every taste. Hotels have been growing rapidly in recent years, so book in advance.

Who it's for: those who want the city and the canal, and leave the beach in second place.
Not for: those who come only for the sea and sand.
The catch: there are few beach areas.
How to get there: about 200 km from Cairo, at the entrance to the Suez Canal.
Where to stay: Hotels in Port Said on Trip.com

5. Ras El Bar

Ras El Bar is located at the mouth of the Damietta branch of the Nile. Hotels offer views of both the sea and the river, and this is the main reason to come here. The beaches are sandy and well-maintained: umbrellas, loungers, toilets, and drink kiosks are on site.

Local hoteliers are still mastering the "all-inclusive" system; the BB format, meaning breakfast only, is more common. The infrastructure is average, but you will not go hungry.

There are very few five-star hotels here; mostly three-star complexes. Almost everywhere there are pools with a comfort zone, and the rooms are spacious and well equipped. Locals also offer renting a whole house for the entire vacation, but it is expensive.

The climate allows swimming from mid-spring to early October, and the water near the shore remains calm. The special charm of the place is the nature at the meeting point of river and sea: sandbars and rare birds that you will not see at other resorts on the coast.

Who it's for: those who value views and quiet.
Not for: those who need five-star service with "all-inclusive."
The catch: there are almost no five-star hotels.
How to get there: at the mouth of the Damietta branch of the Nile, farthest from airports.
Where to stay: Ras El Bar hotels on Trip.com

Egypt's Mediterranean resorts on the map

All five resorts are marked on the map below. The resorts are spread along the coast for about 500 km, and the map shows where the route runs.

Egypt's Mediterranean resorts

Places on the map

1Alexandria Second-largest city in the country, beaches near ancient monuments
2El Alamein About 150 km from Alexandria, fine sand, eco-friendly area
3Marsa Matruh Wide beaches, bays and grottoes, favorite getaway for Cairo residents
4Port Said At the entrance to the Suez Canal, few beaches, but museums and canal promenade
5Ras El Bar Mouth of the Nile's Damietta branch, sea and river views, sandy shoals

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Where to go on the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt for the first time?

For a first time, Alexandria is convenient: beaches sit next to monuments there, and it is the easiest to reach. If you want quiet without the city, choose El Alamein. Both resorts suit a calm vacation and lie in the same direction from the airport.

Which resort to choose for a family with children?

Take Mersa Matruh. The entry into the sea is gentle, the water is clear, and the beaches are wide and sandy. Egyptians themselves love the resort, so the infrastructure is developed. Ras El Bar is also calm, but there are almost no five-star hotels.

When does the swimming season start on the Mediterranean coast?

Swimming is comfortable from late spring to early October, and in Ras El Bar the season lasts from mid-spring. In summer the water is warmest, and in May and October it is brisk. In winter, some resorts empty out.

Where to stay in El Alamein?

Look at the five-star Tolip North Coast Hotel and Rixos Alamein, as well as the Porto Marina Apartments aparthotel. There are fewer people than at neighboring resorts, so it is quiet here.

Are there beaches in Port Said?

There are few beach areas in the city, but there are plenty of other things to do. The Suez Canal waterfront, the National Museum, and the old churches are worth attention. From here you can take a trip to the pyramids and to Alexandria, and leave the sea for another resort.

In short: what to book

If you need a city with sightseeing, take Alexandria. If quiet and a clean beach matter, look at El Alamein. For a family with children, Mersa Matruh is convenient; for the canal and museums, Port Said works; and for views of the Nile, people go to Ras El Bar.

Book your hotel in advance: in May and June, Mediterranean resorts fill up with Egyptians themselves. You can compare options across all five destinations on Trip.com.

Egypt resorts on the Mediterranean sea: five destinations and swimming season