Egypt Discovery
ExcursionMarsa Alam

El Quseir Old Town Tour from Marsa Alam

6 hours, shared group, guide, fort entry and transfers included. Request only.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A 6-hour shared request-only trip from Marsa Alam to El Quseir: the old port quarter, the Ottoman fort and visitor centre, and the local market with a guide.
  • New
  • Small group

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Marsa Alam · El Quseir · Ottoman Fort
Includes
Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Marsa Alam, Port Ghalib and the hotels between them (ask us about El Quseir) · Air-conditioned transport, shared with other guests · An English-speaking guide · Entry to the fort · Water to drink, in bottles
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

Winter and spring are pleasant for strolling. In summer, go in the morning and keep to the shade.

  • ETAA Licence 718, operating since 1988
  • One of our six Egyptian offices

02Overview

A first look

This is a six-hour shared trip to El Quseir, a small port on the Red Sea about an hour and a half north of Marsa Alam town. In the past, pilgrims and traders came through here. With a guide you walk through the old port quarter, visit the Ottoman fort and its visitor centre, and spend time in the local market. Lunch is at a local restaurant and is paid for by you. This trip is by request only, so our team confirms the details before it is booked.

Background

The facts

El Quseir is a small Red Sea port about an hour and a half north of Marsa Alam. It has an Ottoman fort, an old harbour quarter and a local market.

Named in this entry

Red Sea coast·market

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Travellers who like history and local life and want a break from the beach.

Maybe not, if

  • Not suited to anyone who finds long walks on uneven ground difficult.

What lingers

  • 01The old port quarter of El Quseir, once a busy trading and pilgrim harbour
  • 02The Ottoman fort and visitor centre, with the story of the town
  • 03The local market, with free time to browse
  • 04A meal in a local restaurant
  • 05A guide who speaks English
  • 06A request-only trip that our team confirms with you

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • A quiet, local side of the Red Sea coast
  • An Ottoman fort and an old port in one trip
  • A guide to explain the history

Things to Consider

  • Lunch and drinks are not included
  • Request only, so it needs confirming

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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  6. 6

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Marsa Alam, Port Ghalib and the hotels between them (ask us about El Quseir)
  • Air-conditioned transport, shared with other guests
  • An English-speaking guide
  • Entry to the fort
  • Water to drink, in bottles

Not included

  • A tip for your guide
  • Food and drinks
  • Money for your own purchases

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Take small notes for the market, as change can be short

  2. 02

    Wear a hat, because the old streets have little shade

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

The El Quseir tour is free for under-2s, half fare for ages 2 to 11 and full fare from age 12. The El Quseir tour lasts 6 hours, so think about what your children enjoy and can manage.

These fares are a guide, as prices and departure move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How is the price for the El Quseir tour worked out?
    The figure for the El Quseir tour is per person, and it pays for each item in the list of what is included. Our team confirms the figure for the El Quseir tour after you send a request, and until then it is provisional. We operate the El Quseir tour under ETAA Licence 718 (Category A) and our IATA accreditation, though international flights are not something we sell.
  2. 02What time is hotel collection?
    For the El Quseir tour, collection is at about 08:30. For the El Quseir tour we cover Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts in between, and we can collect from El Quseir if you ask. Your exact time for the El Quseir tour is confirmed when we accept your request, and the driver cannot wait long.
  3. 03Can children join the El Quseir tour, and what do they pay?
    Yes. On the El Quseir tour, children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult fare, and ages 12 and over pay the full adult fare. Children on the El Quseir tour should be happy around water or in the heat, depending on the trip.
  4. 04Why is this trip request only?
    The tour depends on a guide and on enough guests to run the vehicle, so our team confirms it before you book. Send your request with your dates and hotel, and we will reply with the details.
  5. 05Can I cancel or change my booking for the El Quseir tour?
    A full refund applies if you cancel the El Quseir tour at least three days before. Cancel the El Quseir tour later than that but more than a day out, and we return half. Within 24 hours of the El Quseir tour, or if you miss the pick-up, nothing can be returned.
  6. 06Is El Quseir worth visiting?
    It is a quiet old port with an Ottoman fort, a harbour and a market, so it gives a different picture of the coast from the resorts and reefs. It is not a big tourist site, and that is part of the charm.

If plans change

Plans change? We make it easy.

  • More than 72 hours before your tour: keep the full amount as credit towards a future holiday with us, or take a refund.
  • Between 72 and 24 hours beforehand: hold on to the whole amount as credit, or have part of it refunded.
  • Within 24 hours of the tour, or if you don't turn up, we're unable to offer a refund or credit.
  • Should we ever have to cancel, because of the weather or anything else beyond our control, you won't lose a penny.

Credit stays valid for 12 months from your original travel date and can go towards any tour, cruise or stay with us.See the complete terms for cancelling and refunds

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-MRS-693039

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