Discovery Tours Egypt
Day TourMarsa Alam

El Quseir Old Town Tour from Marsa Alam – Ottoman Fort, Old Port & Market

6 hours, shared group of up to 16, guide and fort entrance included, pick-up at 08:30.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A 6-hour shared guided tour from Marsa Alam to El Quseir: about 1.5 hours by road each way, the old port quarter, the Ottoman fort, lunch and the local market. Runs on request.
  • New
  • Small group

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Marsa Alam · El Quseir · Ottoman Fort
Includes
Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib or the resorts between your hotel and El Quseir · Shared air-conditioned vehicle · English-speaking guide · Entrance to the fort · Bottled water
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

October to April is cooler for walking. In summer the morning start helps.

  • Organized by our Marsa Alam office, one of six for an Egyptian operator that has run tours since 1988
  • Licence number 718 from the ETAA, Category A, with IATA accreditation

02Overview

A first look

El Quseir is a small port on the Red Sea that has served pilgrims, traders and travelers for centuries. This six-hour trip takes you there from Marsa Alam, about an hour and a half by road. A shared vehicle picks you up at 08:30. In town your guide leads a walk through the old port quarter, then the Ottoman fort and its small visitor center, which explains the town's history. You can have lunch at a local restaurant and spend time in the market. The vehicle brings you back to your hotel at about 15:30. It runs on request, and our team confirms it with you.

Background

The facts

El Quseir is an old Red Sea port town about an hour and a half north of Marsa Alam town. Its old quarter, Ottoman fort and market are small and easy to see on foot.

Named in this entry

El Quseir·Ottoman fort·Old port·Red Sea·Marsa Alam·Local market

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Travelers who want a quiet, cultural half-day with some local history.

Maybe not, if

  • Not for guests who want big monuments or a beach day.

What lingers

  • 01A walk through the old port quarter of El Quseir
  • 02The Ottoman fort and its small visitor center
  • 03Lunch at a local restaurant, paid separately, and time in the local market
  • 04A guide who speaks English throughout
  • 05Fort entrance and bottled water included

Honest assessment

Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.

Highlights

  • A quiet small town with real local character
  • Fort entrance and guide included
  • Short half-day format

Things to Consider

  • Lunch is not included
  • Runs only when requested

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib or the resorts between your hotel and El Quseir
  • Shared air-conditioned vehicle
  • English-speaking guide
  • Entrance to the fort
  • Bottled water

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • Lunch and drinks
  • Personal expenses

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Ask the guide about the town's old role as a pilgrim port

  2. 02

    Carry small notes for market purchases

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half and guests of 12 and above pay the full fare on this shared tour. There is no minimum age. School-age children usually enjoy the fort and market, while toddlers may tire during the walk and the drive.

Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How does the price work for the El Quseir tour?
    The fare is per person on a shared vehicle with up to 16 guests. It covers the transfers, the guide, the fort entrance and bottled water. Children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half and guests of 12 and over pay the adult fare. Lunch is not included, and our team confirms the final amount.
  2. 02Why do I need to request this trip?
    El Quseir is a small town and the trip runs only when enough guests ask for it. Send a request with your dates and hotel, and our team replies to confirm the day and pick-up time. This also lets us book the guide in advance.
  3. 03What is there to see in El Quseir?
    You see the old port quarter, an Ottoman fort with a visitor center and the local market. The town is small and quiet, and the visit is about its history rather than big monuments. The sea is a short walk from the center.
  4. 04What should I wear and bring?
    Wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven streets, light clothes that cover shoulders and knees and a hat. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and cash for lunch and the market. Respect the local custom of modest dress in the old town.
  5. 05What if I have to cancel?
    Cancel three days or more ahead and the whole fare comes back. Cancel in the following window, down to 24 hours, and half comes back. Closer than that, or if the vehicle leaves without you, no refund is given. Please write to us as soon as plans shift.
  6. 06Do I share the tour with other guests?
    Yes. Up to 16 guests share the vehicle and walk with one guide. Guests may come from different hotels along the coast. If you want a private tour for your party, ask us and we can price it.

If plans change

Plans change? We make it easy.

  • More than 72 hours before your tour: keep the full amount as credit toward future travel with us, or take a refund.
  • Between 72 and 24 hours: keep the full amount as credit, or take a partial refund.
  • Within 24 hours of the tour, or if you don't show up, we're unable to offer a refund or credit.
  • If we ever have to cancel, for weather or anything beyond our control, you lose nothing.

Credit is valid for 12 months from your original travel date and can be used on any tour, cruise or stay with us.Read our full cancellation and refund policy

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-MRS-693039

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