Summer isn’t over yet and the 6 October long weekend lands right on time for one last sun soaked escape before cooler weather creeps in. Whether you’re after a quick dip in the Red Sea or a cultural adventure closer to Cairo, here are four getaways worth your long weekend.
AIN EL SOKHNA
Barely 90 minutes from Cairo, Sokhna is the city girl’s beach escape. Roll in for a dip, bronze under the sun, and order your seafood platter with the waves as your backdrop. No weekend booking? No problem, a day use pass gets you in and out with zero fuss.
SOMA BAY
If you’re chasing the Red Sea at its bluest, Soma Bay is your hush-hush address. No crowds, just glassy water, kitesurf sails on the horizon, and dive spots that feel untouched. The drive’s longer than Sokhna, but the payoff? Spa-caliber calm, endless horizons, and nights lit only by a sky full of stars.
EL GOUNA
An hour up from Soma Bay, Gouna is where the Red Sea trades serenity for a little sparkle. Days are for paddleboards, lagoon cruises, and lazy beach hours; nights flip the switch with rooftop bars, marina dinners, and a scene that refuses to call it early. If you want calm with a side of buzz, this is it.
FAYOUM
Who needs the sea when you’ve got desert magic? Fayoum trades waves for waterfalls at Wadi El Rayan, sunset glimmer at Magic Lake, and clay-stained hands in Tunis Village’s pottery workshops. Just a quick drive from Cairo, yet it feels like you’ve crossed into another world—a cultural reset, minus the jet lag.
