Egypt or Turkey – which is better?

For many years, resorts in Turkey and Egypt have been the most popular among Russian tourists. These two destinations are famous for their moderate hotel prices, wonderful beaches, entertainment and excursion programs. What do they have in common and what are the differences and which resort to choose for a unique holiday?

Territory

Turkey is considered a European state, although most of the territory belongs to East Asia. Its territory is mainly located on the Anatolian Peninsula and partly on the Balkan Peninsula. Despite the fact that this is an Islamic state, in large cities and resorts the population is Europeanized.

Egypt is called the country of two continents. Geographically, it is located in the northern part of Africa and on the Sinai Peninsula. This is an Arab-Asian state with its own special culture and traditions. Even in big cities they are very strong.

Resorts

In Turkey, the main resorts are located in the southwestern part of the country, washed by two seas: the Mediterranean and the Aegean. There are about 40 resort areas here. In the top five: Kemer, Alanya, Side, Belek, Antalya.

In Egypt, the main resorts for visitors are located on the shores of the Red Sea. Mediterranean resorts are considered the privilege of local wealthy people. There are even resorts on the banks of the Nile, but they are not very popular. In total, there are about 20 most visited resorts in the country. In the top five: Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, Makadi, Marsa Alam.

Climate

The resort areas of Turkey have a Mediterranean type of climate. It is characterized by hot summers and moderate mild winters. The holiday season starts in May and ends in October. The average air temperature from May to September is 29°С, water – 25°С. In May and October, the air temperature is about 25°С, water – 21°С. But in winter it is not higher than 15 ° C and it rains.

In Egypt, unlike Turkey, the holiday season is much longer. The climate on the shores of the seas is Mediterranean and subtropical. The main season is from March to November. In July-August, the air warms up to 36-38°С. The best months for a comfortable stay are from March to May and from mid-September to November. During this period, the average air temperature is about 27°C, water – 24°C. All winter the temperature in the resort areas, with the exception of Cairo and Alexandria, does not fall below 20°C. Many tourists celebrate the New Year in the resorts of Egypt.

Nature

On the coast of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, depending on the areas, the terrain changes its appearance. For example, in Kemer, mountains of stunning beauty, a lot of greenery, beautiful pine trees grow, flowers are fragrant. The beaches in the Kemer area are pebbly. Antalya has a very beautiful hilly area, overgrown with greenery. The beaches are covered with fine-grained sand. Manavgat has a mountainous area, with magnificent lakes and a waterfall. The beaches here are both pebbly and sandy. Each resort area of ​​Turkey is unique.

The nature of Egyptian resorts is not very diverse. All the beauty in the form of palm trees, flowers and exotic plants is concentrated in the hotel areas. Outside their gates, as a rule, sand, heaps of garbage, very little greenery. The most beautiful green oasis in Egypt is the Nile Valley. Fields and plantations stretch for kilometers along its banks.

Sea

The Mediterranean Sea is the largest among the seas. By the way, the Aegean Sea is distinguished as its integral part. Its water is very salty. In comparison with the Red Sea, it, of course, loses in the diversity of the underwater world.

The Red Sea of ​​Egypt is special. It does not receive water from the land, so it is the cleanest. The Red Sea is the most salty in the world after the Dead. It has the richest marine flora and fauna thanks to numerous coral reefs. Here is the best diving in the Northern Hemisphere.

Beaches

The beaches of the Turkish coast of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas can be sandy, pebbly, or mixed.

The beaches of the Red Sea coast can be sandy, coral, or pontoon. Sharm El Sheikh has a lot of coral beaches. It is simply impossible to enter the water without special shoes. In Hurghada, most of the beaches are sandy, although coral ones also come across. Pontoons are available at all resorts. But in the north of Egypt, off the Mediterranean coast, there are sandy beaches with white sand.

Sports, SPA, active entertainment

Sports in the resorts of both countries are represented approximately the same. On the territory of almost all hotels there are gyms with exercise equipment, tennis courts, volleyball courts, swimming pools. In the mornings, exercises are carried out, closer to dinner, water aerobics classes. And be sure to all resorts offer massage.

Of course, Turkey is famous for its Hammam. The Turkish bath is a whole art. In Egypt, there is something similar, but still not the same. In Turkish resorts, as well as in Egyptian, there are many similar active entertainments: a water park, ATV rides, horseback riding, windsurfing, parasailing, boat trips on yachts, fishing and much more. Diving in the Red Sea is excellent. Turkey has great rafting. Turkey also offers an excellent holiday for lovers of active winter entertainment. Read a detailed review in the article Ski resorts in Turkey.

Club entertainment, restaurants

In all major resorts in Egypt there are many clubs and restaurants. Clubs can be located both on the territory of hotels and in the resort towns themselves. Incendiary music, cheerful DJs will not let anyone get bored. Restaurants specialize in certain types of cuisine: Arabic, European and even Russian.

Turkish resorts in this are not much different from Egyptian ones. A variety of nightclubs, all kinds of cafes and restaurants will help make your evening unforgettable.

shopping

Turkey is famous for its shopping. Here you can buy things of excellent quality. It can be textiles, leather and fur. Turkey is famous for the production of clothing and accessories. You can also buy quality jewelry here. A wide variety of souvenirs will not leave anyone indifferent. Particular attention should be paid to oriental sweets.

Egyptian shopping is significantly inferior to Turkish. Locally produced goods of very poor quality. This applies to clothing, souvenirs and products. Each item must be carefully checked for defects. Jewelry is very cheap, but you can run into a fake. Things of good quality are mostly imported and cost the same as in Russia. Oriental sweets may be expired.

sights

There are many interesting places in Turkey that deserve attention: the Great Roman Bridge in Adana, the Museum of Anatolian Civilization in Ankara, the Church of St. Sophia in Istanbul, the sarcophagus of Nicholas the Wonderworker in Demre, etc.

Egypt is famous for the heritage of the pharaohs: the Cairo Museum, the Pyramids of Giza, Luxor, Mount Moses and many other monuments worth visiting. I recommend reading an article about one unique attraction – Abu Simbel Temple – an unofficial Wonder of the World.

Vacation with children

The resorts of Turkey and Egypt offer a variety of entertainment for children. The hotels also have children's animation. If parents need to leave, it is possible to leave the child in a small kindergarten, where they will be looked after. Every hotel restaurant has a children's menu. Many hotels, in addition to the main pool, also have a children's pool. The depth in it is small and the water is perfectly heated. I recommend paying attention to the Julian Club Hotel 4 in Marmaris.

Depending on the season, preferences in recreation and entertainment, you can choose any of these countries and have a wonderful vacation.