Is it really worth traveling to Ain Sokhna? As always, the answer is subjective and depends on each case. What is certain is that as the years go by, Egypt’s tourism development remains unstoppable, adding new destinations to its catalog aimed at both foreign travelers and local tourists. In this landscape, Ain Sokhna is emerging as a new option for many people on the Red Sea. That is why we have written this post: to tell you the reasons that drive many people to come here, so you can form your own opinion and answer the question posed in this post.
Reason 1: Beaches near Cairo
Ain Sokhna is a sun and beach destination. Although recent research has shown that this area was used as a port during the Ancient Egyptian era, the truth is that no significant remains have survived to the present day. Therefore, its main appeal is its location on the coast of the northern sector of the Gulf of Suez, a branch of the Red Sea. Above all, it is relatively close to Cairo, the country’s most populous city, and the New Administrative Capital of Cairo, the official capital. In just an hour and a half by car, Cairenes can reach this spot, which has made it a very popular destination among the local population.
Reason 2: Winter swimming
International tourism is also turning its eyes here because its warm temperatures during the Northern Hemisphere winter make it an ideal solution for those wishing to take a dip from October to March. Large resorts and tourist apartment complexes have proliferated in recent years, spread across an extensive 50 km stretch of land from one end to the other.
Reason 3: Boat trips
One of the attractions of the Red Sea is its underwater fauna. Although this sector of the Gulf of Suez is perhaps not as rich as others on this coastline (Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, etc.), there are points further south where it is attractive enough to organize glass-bottom boat trips to observe the surrounding coral reefs. In some cases, trips on small private boats allow for fishing or even snorkeling in suitable spots.
Reason 4: Golf courses at the resorts
The presence of golf courses in a tourist destination is an unmistakable sign of its consolidation, or at least of a determined commitment by authorities and private investors to make it so. This is the case in Ain Sokhna, where it is possible to practice this sport on several courses managed by large resorts, with all the associated services: private pools, solariums, gyms, water parks, and other services demanded by premium tourists.
Reason 5: A cable car over the coast
Finally, another clear commitment to attracting tourism—in this case, families—is the Sokhna cable car. It connects one of the symbols of this destination, the Porto Hotel (a true skyscraper with undulating silhouettes), with the Galala Heights, where there is an emerging range of restaurants. Viewing the area from the sky is always attractive and also helps one understand the level of development the area is undergoing, with numerous real estate projects in progress.
Having noted all this, it is worth remembering that the range of services and attractions is still smaller than in other more established destinations—for example, regarding nightlife and water activities on the beach. Furthermore, it still lacks an airport in the immediate vicinity, with Cairo International Airport being the closest. This reinforces the link between both tourist destinations and the idea that Ain Sokhna can serve as a relaxing epilogue to disconnect after the bustle and intensive tourism of Cairo and Giza.
