Plan a CruiseAin Soukhna, located on the west shore of the Gulf of Suez along Egypt's Red Sea Coast, serves primarily as a gateway for cruise passengers embarking on organized tours to Cairo. While often referred to as a town, it is more accurately a stretch of resort complexes, independent restaurants, and tourist businesses along a 60-kilometer coastal road, popular with Egyptians for weekend getaways. Its name, "Ain Soukhna," means "hot spring," referring to nearby sulfur springs at Gebel Ataqa. The area is known for its beaches, coral reefs, opportunities for dolphin sightings, fishing, and water sports. This port is frequently visited by "Clipper" style cruise ships. A critical point for independent travelers is that the ship will only wait for passengers who have booked excursions directly through the cruise line if they are late returning to the port.
Getting Around from the Port
Ain Soukhna itself does not have a central town that is walkable from the port. The area consists of scattered resort complexes along the coast. The primary reason for most cruise calls here is to facilitate excursions to major sites.
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Cairo: The capital city is located 55 km from Ain Soukhna. Travel to Cairo is typically arranged via organized tours, either through the cruise line or independent operators. While many independent tour companies are reliable, it's crucial to understand that your ship will only wait for late returning passengers if they are on a ship-sponsored excursion. If you opt for an independent tour, ensure you carry a fully charged cell phone with the ship's telephone number.
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Monasteries: St. Anthony's Monastery, the world's oldest functioning monastery and significant for its role in monasticism, is located in the Eastern Desert. Much of it has recently been restored. The ancient Monastery of St. Paul is also nearby. These are typically visited as part of organized tours.
Attractions and Activities
With 8-10 hours in port, most passengers focus on day trips to major historical sites or enjoy the local coastal offerings.
- Cairo Day Trip: The most popular excursion is a trip to Cairo, located 55 km away. Here, you can immerse yourself in the chaos of the city and visit iconic attractions such as the ancient Pyramids of Giza and the treasures housed in the Cairo Museum. Some tours may also include a Nile cruise experience.
- St. Anthony's and St. Paul's Monasteries: Explore these ancient sites in the Eastern Desert. St. Anthony's is particularly noteworthy as the world's oldest functioning monastery, recently undergoing significant restoration. St. Paul's Monastery is also in the vicinity.
- Ain Soukhna Coastal Activities: For those preferring to stay closer to the port, the local area offers beaches, opportunities for viewing coral reefs, dolphin watching, fishing, and various water sports. These activities are scattered along the 60 km stretch of coast south of Suez.
Dining & Shopping
Dining options near the port are limited to the few independent restaurants scattered along the coastal road or those within the resort complexes. No specific local specialties are mentioned, and prices can vary.
For shopping, souvenir shops in the area happily accept both US Dollars and Euros for purchases. Specific details about shopping centers or markets are not provided.
Safety
Independent travelers should be aware of a critical safety warning: your cruise ship will only wait for late passengers if they have booked excursions directly through the ship. If you choose an independent tour, always carry a cell phone with the ship's contact number. While many independent tour companies in Egypt are generally reliable, this precaution is essential.
Currency and Language
The local currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP), though US Dollars and Euros are widely accepted in souvenir shops. Credit card acceptance and ATM availability are not specified, so carrying some USD or EUR cash is advisable for small purchases. The local language is Arabic. When referring to the desert, remember that "Sahara" already means "desert" in Arabic, so avoid saying "Sahara desert."