El Quseir & Safagaالقصير وسفاجا

El Quseir is one of the oldest ports on the Red Sea, with a history stretching back thousands of years as a gateway for trade and, for centuries, a departure point for pilgrims sailing to Mecca. Its charming old town still has an Ottoman-era fortress, historic buildings, and a sleepy, authentic atmosphere rarely found on the resort coast. Today El Quseir is a quiet, characterful base with a handful of low-key eco-resorts, excellent house reefs, and a real sense of place and history.

A little north, the port town of Safaga is famous for two things. First, its therapeutic black sands and climate, long reputed to help conditions such as psoriasis and rheumatism, drawing visitors for natural sand-and-sun treatments. Second, its steady, reliable winds, which have made it a respected windsurfing destination that has hosted international competitions. Safaga also serves as a working port and a jumping-off point for fine offshore reefs like Panorama and Tobia, all in calm, sheltered water.

El Quseir and Safaga appeal to travellers who want the Red Sea's gorgeous water without the crowds and bustle of the big resorts. The diving and snorkelling are excellent and uncrowded, the pace is gentle, and the towns retain an everyday Egyptian character. They make a peaceful alternative to Hurghada or a relaxed stop on the way south toward Marsa Alam, rewarding those who value calm, authenticity, and beautiful, clear Red Sea water.

Both towns lie on the Red Sea coast south of Hurghada, easily reached by road from its international airport, with Safaga to the north and El Quseir further south. They suit a quiet beach-and-diving holiday, a wellness break on Safaga's famous sands, or a relaxed waypoint on a longer Red Sea road trip. As ever, sun protection and respect for the reefs help keep both you and this lovely, unspoiled coast in good health.

• What they are: two laid-back, historic Red Sea coastal towns.
• Arabic name: القصير وسفاجا (El Quseir & Safaga).
• El Quseir: one of the oldest Red Sea ports, with an Ottoman fortress and old town.
• Safaga: famed for therapeutic healing sands and excellent windsurfing.
• Where: on the Red Sea coast south of Hurghada.
• Best for: calm water, quiet diving, wellness, and authentic atmosphere.

Sources include Egyptian Red Sea travel guides. Wellness claims reflect long-standing local reputation, not medical advice.