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Leisure in Egypt

Leisure in Egypt
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Updated byAnne-Lise Mtyon 02 June 2016

Wondering what you can do during your leisure time in Egypt? Movies, football, diving, culture and history... Feel free to choose from these and much more.

Adapting to a foreign country often involves leisure. Indeed, you are likely to enjoy your leisure time to discover Egypt and learn more about its historical and cultural background, and discover its other riches. There is so much to do in the country, regardless of the place where you have settled. You will be delighted by the numerous places of interest and activities awaiting you.

Water sports

Located close to the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, Egypt hosts beautiful beaches where you can not only have a sunbath but also swim, dive and even go fishing. Indeed, Egyptian coasts are famous for the pleasant temperature and their great biodiversity. By diving or snorkeling there, you will discover the area's aquamarine wealth. The most popular diving spots are found in Hurghada, Charm-el-Cheik, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba and Port-Safaga.

Fishing, for its part, is more common along the Nile, the Nasser Lake and the Red Sea. Moreover, the International Fishing Contest is held every year in Hurghada.

Hammam

Hammam and spa are almost an inseparable part of the local culture. It is an ideal way to help you purify your body from all impurities brought along by pollution, public transport and other factors.

The hammam is a traditional place for men, women and children of all ages. Spas are also becoming more and more popular in the country over the years. You can therefore enjoy modern spas at affordable rates, but varying from one place to another.

Sport

Football is the favorite sport of Egyptians. Even if they don't play football, they never miss an opportunity to watch it live or on TV and to comment on matches. On the other hand, young boys and girls practice tennis and squash.

Most Egyptian cities such as Hurghadan Louxor, Sharm el-Sheikh, Alexandria and Cairo, have their own golf courses. If you want to keep fit, and why not try body building, you will find gyms in most major cities.

If you wish to explore the country in a more exotic way, you should try a pickup, quad, or even camel riding. Many expats in Egypt also like to do the safari, especially with their children for memorable moments to be cherished.

Lawn bowling and croquet, which are typical British sports, are still popular with Egyptians, especially in some regions. If you wish to discover these, feel free to request the locals to train you.

History and culture

If you wish to learn more about the ancient Egyptian culture and history, you should not miss its famous historical sites such as the Karnak Temple, the Kings Valley, the Abu Simbel Temple, the Ras Mohammed National Park, as well as local souks and popular neighborhoods.

Games and media

Note that Egyptian casinos are open to expatriates only as gambling it prohibited to Egyptians according to their religious beliefs. Coffee shops, for their part, are usually spacious and noisy. Egyptians like to get together in the afternoon, after work, to have a chat, a coffee or tea, play domino or chess and smoke hookah.

Finally, you will find cinema halls almost everywhere in the country. Feel free to choose between regional and international movies.

Useful links:

Egypt Travel ' Egypt Official Tourism Website en.egypt.travel
Egypt Travel ' Fun and Leisure en.egypt.travel/product

We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.

About

Anne-Lise studied Psychology for 4 years in the UK before finding her way back to Mauritius and being a journalist for 3 years and heading Expat.com's editorial department for 5. She loves politics, books, tea, running, swimming, hiking...

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