Cairo, Egypt, hardly needs any introduction. Located between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, Cairo has been an important hub of travel and trade for thousands of years. Many of the most well known sights in the Middle East are located in Cairo, particularly the famous Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, the only remaining of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. You can also visit the Egyptian Museum, the Coptic Museum, the Abdeen Palace and more. But often overlooked is the fact that Cairo is a day's drive away from both the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, giving the traveler of tourist access to a number of great beaches.

Red Sea Coast

To get to the Red Sea from Cairo, you will want to head out of the city and go to the southeast. If you head due east, you will hit the city of Suez, home of the Suez Canal. This is a tourist destination in itself, but not necessarily the best place for sunning yourself or hitting the waves. Keep south, however, and you will find great beaches like Ain El Sokhna, home of the Palmera Beach Resort. Located about 130 km from Cairo, Palmera offers jet skiing, fishing, beach volleyball and a number of other amenities on a beautiful white sandy beach. If you want to stay for more time than a day trip allows, the hotel at Palmera has 282 rooms and 18 suites with full amenities.

Mediterranean Coast

To the north of Cairo you will find the Mediterranean, one of the most sought after beach ecosystems in the world. With warm water and great weather, the Mediterranean is wonderful for all kinds of beach activities. Alexandria, a tourist destination in itself, has some beautiful beaches, including the Maa'moura Beach, Aida Beach and the Montazah Beach. If you want to avoid the heavy crowds and expensive prices of a major town like Alexandria, just stay east and you will find smaller, equally beautiful beaches like Abu Qir, an idyllic little fishing town that is a great place to enjoy some sunbathing. There is a major highway that runs right along the coast from Alexandria, east to Port Said, so if you have the time and like to explore you can easily find your own beaches to enjoy along the Mediterranean.