Holidays in Egypt with children

Egypt has fascinated travellers of all ages since the dawn of time. While its heritage and thousand-year-old civilisation obviously attract history buffs, its seaside resorts are particularly appealing to families looking for a peaceful seaside holiday, punctuated by cultural activities in places steeped in myth and legend. Here’s our guide to an enchanting family trip to Egypt in the land of the Pharaohs, enriched by the opinions of our Travel Designers. Our experts share their recommendations for the best hotels with a free kids’ club and babysitting service, for a dream stay in Egypt.

 

When should you travel to Egypt with children?

Although Egypt enjoys a warm, sunny climate all year round, autumn and winter are undoubtedly the best seasons for enjoying the country’s many and varied landscapes, away from the crowds and heat of summer. In November, for example, the sun shines inland and along the coast, with temperatures ranging from 22° to 30°. The water temperature hovers around 25°C. Get in the water!

 

Is it safe to travel to Egypt with children?

Holidays in Egypt with children offer a memorable experience combining fun and discovery, but safety remains a primary concern for parents. The country has introduced enhanced security measures to ensure peace of mind for its visitors. Resorts located in tourist hotspots such as Hurghada and El Gouna, as well as fascinating historical sites such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Valley of the Kings, are generally well guarded, so families can enjoy their trip to Egypt in complete peace of mind.

 

Must-see activities and sites to discover with children

Visit the pyramids of gizeh in the form of a treasure hunt

Your tour of Egypt begins with a visit to the pyramids of Giza (Khéops, Khéphren and Mykérinos) and their gigantic guardian, the Sphinx, which your children will no doubt recognise if they have seen the adventures of Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra. In the form of a treasure hunt, follow the narrow galleries of the largest pyramid, Cheops (the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still visible) and reach the pharaoh’s tomb in the middle. A private guided tour of the site will spark your children’s imaginations tenfold.

 

Cruise on the nile aboard a felucca

Experience the mysterious atmosphere of Egypt on the waters of its legendary river, the Nile. For an intimate and authentic experience, our experts recommend that you board a felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailing boat with a small capacity (maximum 10 people). Let yourself be carried away by the magic of the Nile and take advantage of this long-distance trip to safely observe the crocodiles basking in the sun on its banks…

 

Swimming, snorkelling and diving in the red sea from hurghada

Families in search of seaside tranquillity head for the Red Sea, and more specifically for the seaside resort of Hurghada. Known for its colourful seabed and varied marine fauna (bottlenose dolphins, turtles, manatees, etc.), Hurghada offers everyone the chance to indulge in the pleasures of water activities and water sports: swimming close to the shore for the little ones, jet skiing, snorkelling in the bays, deep-sea diving for the more adventurous, dolphin-watching cruises, jet boating, parasailing in the marina, etc. If you prefer to discover Hurghada’s heavenly beaches from land, our Travel Designers recommend watching the sun set over the translucent waters of the Red Sea on a horseback ride across the wet sand. Children always have a great time with these animals, and the view is exceptional to say the least!

 

Excursion by quad or camel into the desert from el gouna

To the north of Hurghada, the pretty town of El Gouna is a great way to reach the Egyptian desert, without having to mingle with the large groups of tourists. A high point of Egyptian spirituality and a majestic playground for young and old explorers alike, the desert promises your family pure moments of escape. If you’re travelling with teenagers, our Travel Designers recommend exploring the region’s desert landscapes on a quad bike or camel ride. In the evening, don’t hesitate to visit a Bedouin village. These nomadic people will give you a warm welcome in one of their traditional tents to share a cup of tea.

 

 

The valley of the kings by bike or in a hot-air balloon

Hire a bike and explore the Valley of the Kings in a different way! This mysterious valley, home to the tombs of numerous pharaohs (as well as those of their wives and children), lends itself perfectly to a family bike ride. You’ll pedal from tomb to tomb, carried away by the spirit of omnipotence of the great royal figures of ancient Egypt who are represented here, such as Pharaoh Sethi I and Queen Nefertari. And why not take to the skies to make this cultural visit an incredible adventure? A hot-air balloon ride is perhaps the most original way to discover this historic site.

 

Water parks in Hurgada

There are many water parks in the country.  One of our little guests’ favourites is Sindbad Aquatic Park, a tropical paradise perfect for a day of relaxation and family fun in Hurghada. Experienced swimmers will love the fast-paced slides and buoys, while the little ones will enjoy the play area with its mazes, slides and swings, as well as the large shallow paddling pool (70 cm) where they can splash around all day under the watchful eyes of their parents. The wave pool is a favourite meeting place for teenagers.

 

Where to stay? The best 5-star hotel for families: The Oberoi Beach Resort, Sahl Hasheesh

A luxury hotel by the sea with a free kids’ club and babysitting service

The Oberoi Beach Resort, Sahl Hasheesh is the best hotel for holidays with children in Egypt. Ideally located in Hurghada’s Sahl Hasheesh Bay, the resort is renowned for its impeccable service, suites with private pools and exceptional children’s facilities, including a free kids club (up to 12 years) and babysitting service (up to 10 years).

 

 

Suites with private pools for families

Parents who stay at The Oberoi Beach Resort, Sahl Hasheesh love the attention to detail and the security of the resort. They love the large outdoor pool overlooking the bay, the intimacy of the suites with private pools, the cuisine of the Indian restaurant Zaafran, and the wide range of family, recreational and cultural activities: yoga, cookery classes, diving, spa, quad biking, camel trekking, wine tasting, and more. There’s never a dull moment at the Oberoi Beach Resort, Sahl Hasheesh!

 

Egyptian gastronomy

An overview of local cuisine

Egyptian cuisine is full of sweet and savoury delights that parents and children alike will love. As a Mediterranean country, Egypt offers a wide variety of healthy and tasty dishes that will delight the palates of gourmets young and old.

For a typically Egyptian breakfast, our experts recommend trying foul medames. This dish made from slow-cooked broad beans is served with fresh pita bread, fromage blanc and crunchy vegetables. Parents and children alike will love it! For lunch, the famous falafels or grilled kebabs will have everyone in agreement. They’re usually accompanied by an assortment of fresh, colourful salads and a creamy yoghurt sauce. For dinner, introduce your children to koshari, a traditional dish of rice mixed with short pasta, lentils and a lightly spiced tomato sauce. And for dessert, of course, try the sweet baklava with walnuts or pistachios, or the filled konafa!

 

 

Some restaurant ideas

For a kid-friendly dinner in a modern and elegant setting, head to the El Gouna marina, where our Travel Designers recommend reserving a table at The Smokery El Gouna Yacht Club restaurant. Here you can enjoy simple, refined and tasty Mediterranean cuisine overlooking the Red Sea and moored yachts.

Still in El Gouna, the restaurant-bar Bongoyo will delight lovers of African cuisine. Its grilled meats and seafood dishes are to die for. Special mention must go to the decor! You’d think you were in a beach bar on Zanzibar…

Did you know that pigeon is one of the most popular local specialities? You can enjoy it grilled at Nubian, an Egyptian bar and restaurant located in the new Hurghada marina complex, facing the sea. Its menu also includes tajines and other original dishes such as camel steak. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

What should you pack for a trip to Egypt with your children? Advice from Remedios, Travel Designer and mum!

« For a trip to Egypt with children, whatever the season when you leave, make sure you pack light clothes, hats and high SPF sun protection. You should also be aware that drinking water can be hard to come by in Egypt. So pack reusable water bottles to keep you and your children constantly hydrated. In the evening, remember to spray your exposed skin with mosquito repellent. If you’re organising an excursion into the desert until the evening, take a jumper with you, as the cold sets in as soon as the sun goes down ». – Remedios, mum of Helena (6) and Julia (2).