Marsa Alam was until a few years ago a small fishing village located on the west coast of Red Sea (Egypt) 270 kilometers south of Hurghada and 132 kilometers from Quseir. In recent years, following the opening of the international airport, it has rapidly grown into a popular tourist destination.
Inhabited until recently by no more than six thousand people who engaged in fishing and sheep farming, but above all they were mostly miners who worked in the ancient marble and phosphate mines found in the interior of the desert.
The local population of Marsa Alam originates from two different Bedouin tribes who have suffered Arab influence over time, but today's Marsa Alam has lost all its old connotations and today is a succession of hotels that are slowly invading the whole it costs.
The best times to visit Marsa Alam are from June ad August, the perfect climate for those who want to enjoy the beaches, but be careful not to overdo it and not to expose yourself to the sun from 12.00 to 16.00.
If you prefer a milder climate, without sacrificing good weather, it is advisable to leave in spring (between March and May) or in autumn (from September to November).
Da December a February temperatures drop, but the sun remains. So you can safely sunbathe on the beach and enjoy the splendid sea even in the winter months.
There are many things that you can see during a holiday in Marsa Alam, apart from the underwater wonders, you can make many excursions to the ancient mines. Two settlements that I recommend are the Wadi Miya, a camp where the miners lived and where is the Wadi Zubara where are the ruins of a Ptolemaic settlement. Then there are the classics desert safari e if you want to leave at dawn and return in the evening, Luxor worth a visit
In Marsa Alam there are no restaurants outside the villages and resorts, where the cuisine is international, sometimes even Italian. The best will also offer you typical dishes from the Red Sea. If you get the chance, enjoy one of the typical Egyptian delicacies such as fuul e ta'amiyya (fried bean puree meatballs), typically served in one shammy (bread similar to pita), a dish commonly known in Italy with the name of felafel. Or it is still worth tasting shwarma, a version of the famous Turkish doner kebap.
Nightlife outside the village in Marsa Alam is practically non-existent. However, don't worry because every evening, the hotel or resort will organize traditional parties, dance evenings, entertainment. In short, they will do everything to not make you bored.
Useful advice: when you decide to go shopping, be careful to always remember to to bargain to arrive at a fair price. You should offer half of what they ask you to reach a fair price for both you and the seller. Avoiding the classic tourist evil is that of do not drink tap water unless it has been boiled, filtered or sterilized.
