Can you drink alcohol in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh? Yes. Many licensed Red Sea hotels, resorts, restaurants and bars serve alcoholic drinks to eligible adults, including Egyptian beer, house wine, spirits and cocktails. But not every hotel serves alcohol, not every all-inclusive package includes it, and drinking on public streets or ordinary public beaches is not generally permitted. Always verify the individual property’s policy before booking.

This distinction matters because Egypt’s most popular Red Sea holiday regions have very different types of accommodation. One traveler might book a large resort where selected local alcoholic drinks are included by the glass. Another might choose a smaller hotel offering a soft all-inclusive package with no alcohol. A third might stay in a resort where all alcoholic drinks are purchased separately. The words “Hurghada” or “Sharm El Sheikh” alone cannot tell you which arrangement you have.

This guide explains alcohol in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh for international visitors in 2026: hotel packages, what local and imported drinks mean, resort bars and nightlife, public beach rules, the drinking age, Ramadan, buying drinks, costs, excursions and how to choose a hotel without unpleasant surprises. If you need the underlying national rules and customs allowances rather than Red Sea-specific advice, start with our complete guide to drinking alcohol in Egypt.

Updated October 2026. Hospitality services can change by property, rate, season and travel date. This article is general travel information, not a live confirmation that a named hotel’s bar is operating or that any advertised drink remains included.

Alcohol in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh: quick answers

Traveler’s question	Practical answer
Is alcohol legal in Hurghada?	It is served in authorized hotels, bars and restaurants, subject to Egyptian rules.
Is alcohol legal in Sharm El Sheikh?	Yes, at authorized venues. Ordinary public drinking is a separate legal issue.
Does all-inclusive include beer?	Some packages include selected local beer; soft all-inclusive may not include alcohol at all.
Are imported drinks free at resorts?	Not necessarily. Imported or premium products may carry a surcharge.
Can you drink at the beach?	Follow licensed resort or private beach-bar arrangements; do not assume drinking is allowed on public beaches.
What is the drinking age?	Plan on 21, including at hotels and Red Sea resorts.
Are drinks available during Ramadan?	Services can vary or change. Ask the property about the exact dates.
Can you bring alcohol into a resort?	Check the hotel’s policy on outside bottles and guest-room consumption.
Can you drink before diving or driving a quad bike?	Do not combine alcohol with these safety-critical activities.

Is alcohol legal in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh?

Egypt regulates alcohol rather than banning it nationwide. In its official travel advice, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office states that drinking outside licensed restaurants, bars, private homes and certain tourist resorts is illegal and can lead to arrest. For Red Sea travelers, the important difference is between an authorized venue and an ordinary public place. The presence of tourists is not itself a license.

That means having a cocktail at a hotel bar that lawfully serves alcohol is different from opening a beer on a public promenade. A resort may operate authorized bars beside its pool or on a designated beach area. The same resort’s permission does not extend automatically to public streets, public beaches, a tour bus or an unrelated boat excursion. See the official UK Egypt travel advice for the legal warning.

Do not assume that a privately booked excursion, beachfront table or vehicle becomes a legally authorized drinking venue. If you want an evening drink away from your accommodation, confirm that the business serving it is properly authorized and that the drink will be consumed where it is permitted.

Is there a special alcohol exemption for foreign tourists?

No general exemption should be assumed. Visitors from the UK, EU, United States, Canada and Australia must follow the rules that apply in Egypt. Resort services are a feature of particular licensed hospitality establishments, not an alternative national legal system.

What is the legal drinking age in Hurghada and Sharm?

Plan on 21. The World Health Organization’s published Egypt alcohol-policy profile records 21 as the minimum age for on- and off-premise sales of beer, wine and spirits. There is no basis in that profile for assuming the threshold drops to 18 just because you are at an international resort. Carry appropriate ID when ordering or purchasing alcohol; see the WHO Egypt policy profile.

Staff may check age differently at different venues, but you should never treat an inconsistent check as permission for a younger guest to be served. Families traveling with teenagers should keep the drinking-age requirement separate from the hotel’s guest-age policy.

Is alcohol included in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh all-inclusive hotels?

Sometimes, but read the exact package description. There is no universal Egyptian meaning requiring every product sold as “all-inclusive” to contain the same alcohol service. Food, soft drinks, domestic beer, house wine and spirits may be packaged differently by a particular accommodation or booking channel.

A useful real-world illustration comes from published hotel information. In a guest-information document for 2025–26, Sea Gull Beach Resort in Hurghada describes selected local alcoholic drinks served by the glass as part of its all-inclusive service, while excluding imported alcohol and bottled beer from that entitlement. This shows how package details matter; it is not a promise about other hotels or future dates.

Similarly, in a published hotel representative’s answer, the Novotel Sharm El Sheikh team described both a soft-all-inclusive option without alcohol and an all-inclusive option with selected locally produced beverages. The response illustrates separate package types, but the specific hotel’s latest terms should be reconfirmed.

Soft all-inclusive: what does it mean?

Soft all-inclusive commonly describes meals and non-alcoholic beverages without alcohol. That can suit families or guests who prefer not to drink, but it can be a surprise to someone expecting cocktails beside the pool. Ask whether the property uses “soft” to indicate no beer, wine or spirits and whether drinks are charged separately.

Standard all-inclusive: which alcoholic drinks are included?

At some resorts, this can include Egyptian draft or bottled beer served by the glass, house red or white wine and locally produced spirits in named bars during specified hours. Even a package describing alcohol as included may apply only at particular outlets, not at every restaurant, minibar, room-service order or beach facility.

Ultra or premium all-inclusive: does it mean imported brands?

Not necessarily. “Ultra” is a commercial label, not a legally standardized drinks list. A premium package can include branded international spirits at one hotel and still exclude them at another. Ask for the brand list, service hours and whether premium cocktails, bottled wine, minibars and late-night orders carry extra costs.

Can all-inclusive guests order unlimited drinks all night?

The word “unlimited” must be checked against the actual package conditions. Service may stop at a defined hour, occur only at certain bars, be by the glass rather than by the bottle, or be subject to reasonable responsible-service rules. Do not assume a bar is open 24 hours because the hotel offers 24-hour reception or a late-night snack service.

Hurghada vs Sharm El Sheikh for alcohol and nightlife

Both destinations contain a wide range of resorts and some licensed bars and restaurants. The right destination depends more on your accommodation and preferred activities than on a claim that one city is legally “more relaxed.” The same national alcohol framework is relevant in both places, and individual businesses have different authorizations and policies.

Factor	Hurghada area	Sharm El Sheikh area
Tourist alcohol availability	Common at many licensed resort properties	Common at many licensed resort properties
All-inclusive policies	Vary by hotel and purchased rate	Vary by hotel and purchased rate
Outside-hotel nightlife	Some established licensed restaurant and bar options	Some established licensed restaurant and bar options
Imported brands	May cost extra, or be unavailable at a particular venue	May cost extra, or be unavailable at a particular venue
Public beaches and streets	Do not assume public alcohol consumption is allowed	Do not assume public alcohol consumption is allowed
Best way to confirm service	Request the specific resort’s current drinks policy	Request the specific resort’s current drinks policy

Think in terms of property and holiday style: quiet beachfront relaxation, an adults-oriented hotel, a family waterpark, a luxury restaurant or evenings at independent licensed venues. Those distinctions are more useful than broad stereotypes about either city.

Where can visitors find drinks in Hurghada?

Tourists encounter licensed alcohol service primarily through certain hotels, resorts, restaurants and bars. Hurghada’s wider holiday area includes central parts of the city and separate resort communities. A property might be described as being in Hurghada even when it is a substantial drive from the center.

Central Hurghada and hotel areas

In and around the city’s tourism-oriented districts, some established hotels, restaurants and lounges serve alcohol. That does not make a nearby street or unrelated café a licensed drinking location. A hotel with a bar can be the simplest choice for an evening beer or glass of wine after sightseeing or a boat excursion.

El Gouna

El Gouna is a planned resort destination north of central Hurghada with its own mix of accommodation, dining and leisure experiences. Some hospitality venues offer alcohol, but individual policies vary. An address in El Gouna should not be treated as a guarantee of imported spirits or an all-inclusive package; confirm the venue and exact service.

Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi Bay

These resort-oriented areas attract travelers looking for beach-focused stays. They have properties with different meal plans and levels of service. A self-contained resort can be convenient for guests who do not want to travel outside for dinner, but its drink entitlement still depends on the rate. If a property is described as luxury or five-star, that alone tells you nothing definitive about its wine list or minibar charges.

Marsa Alam and other Red Sea extensions

Marsa Alam is not the same city as Hurghada, and journeys between Red Sea resorts can be longer than a visitor expects. If you are booking a hotel away from the city, confirm its own bar and retail arrangements. Remote coastal accommodation may have fewer alternatives immediately outside the property, which makes accurate package information particularly valuable.

Where can visitors drink in Sharm El Sheikh?

As in Hurghada, the reliable options are authorized hotels, resorts, restaurant bars and lounges. Sharm El Sheikh has multiple resort areas, and the density or style of nightlife can differ between them. Do not confuse a neighborhood’s reputation for entertainment with permission to drink in public streets.

Naama Bay

Naama Bay is known as a visitor-oriented dining and entertainment district. Travelers looking for an evening out can research restaurants and bars there, but should verify the specific venue’s drinks menu and current opening hours. Walk between venues without an open alcoholic drink and arrange safe transport back to your hotel.

SOHO Square and resort entertainment areas

Sharm El Sheikh has entertainment venues built around dining, shopping and evening activity. A public-facing entertainment complex may contain individual licensed restaurants or bars; it does not mean alcohol is permitted in every shared space. Look for the exact establishment where drinks are lawfully served.

Sharks Bay, Nabq Bay, Hadaba and other hotel zones

Several Sharm resort districts contain properties with their own restaurants and bars. Service varies by hotel, and some are better suited to travelers who prefer to stay onsite in the evening. Confirm whether your meal plan includes alcohol, whether beach and pool bars are part of it, and what happens if your room is in a separate annex or a partner property.

What alcohol do Red Sea hotels usually offer?

For more detail on the locally produced brands that may appear on a resort bar menu, see our guide to Egyptian beer and wine, including Stella and Sakara.

You may encounter Egyptian beer, house wine, locally produced vodka, gin, rum or whisky-style spirits, and cocktails. Imported brands may be available at some hotels, particularly for an additional charge. None of these categories is guaranteed across every property.

Egyptian beer: Stella, Sakara and other options

Stella is a longstanding Egyptian beer brand, distinct from Stella Artois. Sakara is another established Egyptian beer brand with multiple variants and strengths. Al Ahram Beverages’ Stella information and its Sakara product information confirm the product names and show why reading the exact label matters.

A hotel bar might serve draft beer, a canned variety or a house pour. That is not enough to conclude which exact brand or strength you will receive. If you have a preference, ask at the bar and check whether it is included in your plan.

House wine

Some all-inclusive restaurants serve a local house red, white or rosé by the glass, sometimes only during lunch and dinner. A hotel restaurant’s house wine may not be offered at the pool bar, and a bottled option may cost extra. Review the actual beverage terms rather than inferring an unlimited wine list.

Local spirits versus international brands

Local spirits in a basic all-inclusive package can be different from the international brands a traveler recognizes from home. If a bar menu says “gin” or “vodka”, ask which product is included and whether a named imported spirit carries a supplement. Premium drinks policies may differ between restaurants and lounges within the same resort.

Cocktails and mocktails

A cocktail is not automatically included simply because beer is. Some hotels have a defined list of included mixed drinks and charge extra for premium recipes. Mocktails and other non-alcoholic options can be a useful choice when drinking is not part of your plan, although these can also be package-dependent.

Can you drink alcohol on the beach in Hurghada or Sharm?

Do not assume you can drink on an ordinary public beach. Where a licensed resort operates a designated beach bar, follow its staff instructions about the permitted service and consumption areas. The existence of a pool bar or beach lounge within a resort does not automatically authorize bringing bottles onto any stretch of shoreline.

Hotels may prohibit glass containers near swimming pools and water access, and may restrict drinks to plastic glasses or particular seating areas. These are property-specific safety and operating rules. Check signage and ask staff instead of treating all beaches as the same.

If you leave a private resort compound for a public beach, a marina excursion or an independent boat trip, the rules and services can change. A resort wristband is proof of your purchased hospitality package, not a legal permission slip to drink in unrelated public places.

How much do alcoholic drinks cost in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh?

For dated retail examples and a clearer comparison of shop prices versus hotel service, read our Egypt alcohol prices guide for 2026. Always use the selected resort’s current bar menu for a final budget.

There is no accurate fixed national price for a beer, glass of wine or cocktail at Red Sea hotels. Rates vary by resort category, bar, brand, serving size, taxes, service, currency and the specific package purchased. Retail-shop prices are not the same as bar prices.

For budgeting, compare the property’s exact room-and-meal package with its actual beverage menu. If you expect to drink occasionally, a soft-all-inclusive rate plus a few paid drinks might work differently from a more expensive alcohol-inclusive package. If imported brands matter to you, find out whether a higher tier truly includes your preferred products before paying for the upgrade.

Some hotels offer drinks served by the glass in the standard rate but charge for full bottles, minibar supplies, premium cocktails and fresh juice. The Sea Gull Beach Resort guest-information example explicitly distinguishes included local drinks from separately charged imported beverages and bottled products. Treat such documents as specific examples and recheck your own provider’s terms.

For price-shopping in the wider country, our Egypt alcohol guide explains the difference between retail examples and hospitality service. The important point here is not to assume your bar bill from one resort predicts another’s.

Can you buy beer or wine outside your Red Sea hotel?

Licensed specialist retailers exist in Egypt, but availability, delivery areas and opening times are not uniform across every coastal neighborhood. Do not assume that the ordinary supermarket or small beach shop nearest your resort sells alcoholic drinks. Look for an identifiable authorized seller and confirm its service before traveling across town.

Before ordering outside drinks, ask whether your hotel allows outside alcohol in guest rooms, minibars, terraces or shared areas. A hotel may have its own policy even when the product was purchased lawfully. Also distinguish a delivery to your private accommodation from an attempt to have beverages delivered to an unauthorized public beach or boat stop.

Can I bring drinks from duty-free?

Egyptian Customs publishes different conditions for the ordinary allowance on arrival and for specific duty-free purchases after arrival. Customs permission to bring alcohol into the country does not resolve where it can be consumed or whether your hotel permits outside bottles. Check official Egyptian Customs travel information, your airline’s baggage rules and your accommodation’s policy.

Is alcohol served in Hurghada and Sharm during Ramadan?

The seasonal question has a separate explanation in our guide to alcohol during Ramadan in Egypt, including changes that travelers should confirm with their hotel.

Alcohol service can change during Ramadan depending on the establishment and applicable local requirements. Some hospitality venues may have special arrangements for international guests, while others may adjust hours, service areas or availability. It is inaccurate to promise that every hotel bar remains open as usual—or to claim without specific evidence that every licensed resort stops all alcohol service.

The UK government’s travel advice encourages tourists to respect local fasting customs, avoid eating or drinking openly in public during daylight hours and check opening times. These are important points of cultural etiquette, not evidence that every hotel is subject to an identical Ramadan drinks policy.

If you are traveling in the month, ask your accommodation for confirmation specific to your dates and rate, preferably in writing. Don’t rely on a review from a different year. For the underlying Ramadan guidance, start with the FCDO Egypt advice.

Alcohol, swimming, snorkeling, diving and quad biking

Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh are strongly associated with the Red Sea and outdoor activities. Alcohol should not be mixed with diving, snorkeling in challenging conditions, swimming in open water, operating a quad bike or driving any vehicle. Arrange these activities sober and follow the provider’s safety instructions.

Even an ordinary resort afternoon can involve strong sun and dehydration. Drinking water, sun protection and rest are important. Do not use alcoholic beverages as a substitute for hydration, and be particularly careful if you are traveling with children or taking medication that interacts with alcohol.

What about a boat trip?

Check the operator’s policy before boarding. A boat excursion is not necessarily a licensed alcohol-serving operation simply because your hotel has a bar. Staff may have additional rules about bringing glass containers and drinking before water activities. Safety and local authorization are more important than a general assumption that holiday boats offer drinks.

Drink-driving rules

The FCDO warns that driving under the influence in Egypt can lead to fines or imprisonment. Arrange a sober licensed driver or reputable transport if you plan to drink. This applies to rented vehicles and resort-area mobility as well as longer journeys.

Unidentified bottles and drink safety

Choose established licensed venues, keep your drink within sight and avoid purchasing unidentified products from informal sellers. If you or a companion develops severe confusion, vision changes, breathing trouble or other concerning symptoms after drinking, seek urgent medical attention. Methanol poisoning and drink tampering are serious travel-safety concerns, not ordinary hangovers.

What to ask before booking a Red Sea all-inclusive resort

Does our exact booking include alcoholic drinks, or is it soft all-inclusive?
Which locally produced beer, wine and spirits are included?
Are any imported brands included, and which ones?
What are the serving hours at the lobby, pool and beach bars?
Is wine offered at every bar or only with lunch and dinner?
Are cocktails included, and is there a separate premium list?
Are drinks provided by the glass only or are bottled drinks included?
Are minibar, room-service and à la carte restaurant drinks extra?
Is the beach bar part of our meal plan?
Are alcohol policies or bar hours different during Ramadan or holidays?
Can guests keep lawful outside purchases in their rooms?
What proof of age is required for adult guests?
Are any onsite bars adults-only or subject to dress rules?
Does the package continue to cover drinks until our airport transfer time?
Can the hotel confirm these answers in writing for the actual booking?

A short message from the property often resolves more confusion than dozens of generic online comments. Travelers booking through a third-party agency should also compare the hotel’s own confirmation with the voucher wording.

Combining a Red Sea holiday with Cairo and the White Desert

Many international visitors prefer a mixed Egypt trip: a few nights by the Red Sea, Cairo’s historic attractions and a desert adventure. Those experiences have different hospitality arrangements. A licensed Red Sea hotel bar does not tell you whether beverages are supplied or permitted during a separate White Desert camp or in an oasis guesthouse.

If you are considering the pyramids and museum as part of a longer journey, explore Elzaghandi Travel’s Grand Egyptian Museum and Pyramids day tour. Travelers interested in a landscape-focused extension can read our White Desert camping guide or consider the two-day White Desert adventure.

We have not established a blanket ban on alcohol in the White Desert. If a traveler wants to bring or consume alcoholic drinks during an independent camping itinerary, the correct approach is to ask the operator about the specific location, arrangements and applicable rules—not to assume that the resort’s policy extends to the desert, and not to declare every desert campsite alcohol-free.

If you need help balancing a Red Sea stay with Cairo, Giza or a Western Desert tour, request a personalized itinerary. The goal is clear information and sensible travel planning, rather than promising a drinks service in a place where it has not been confirmed.

FAQs: drinking alcohol in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh

1. Can tourists drink alcohol in Hurghada?

Yes, at authorized hotels, bars and restaurants. Check the individual business and do not treat nearby streets or public beaches as automatically permitted drinking areas.

2. Can tourists drink alcohol in Sharm El Sheikh?

Yes, in authorized settings, with the same general Egyptian alcohol rules applicable to visitors. The services vary by hotel or venue.

3. Is alcohol free at Hurghada all-inclusive hotels?

Selected drinks may be included in certain packages, but not every all-inclusive rate includes alcohol. Soft all-inclusive often excludes it. Always read the specific package terms.

4. Does all-inclusive in Sharm include cocktails?

Some packages include selected cocktails, while others exclude them or charge extra for premium ingredients. Ask for the current menu and eligible outlets.

5. Are imported drinks included in Egypt resorts?

Not necessarily. Some hotels include local brands and charge extra for imported spirits or branded alcohol. Premium packages also differ by property.

6. Can you buy beer in Hurghada?

Authorized sellers and some licensed hospitality venues offer beer, but not every supermarket or local shop does. Verify a particular retailer before making a special journey.

7. Can you buy alcohol in Sharm El Sheikh?

Some authorized establishments sell or serve alcoholic beverages. Availability depends on the retailer or hospitality venue and should be checked directly.

8. Can you drink at a public beach?

Do not assume it is permitted. Follow the arrangements at an authorized hotel beach bar and do not extend those permissions to ordinary public shorelines.

9. Is the drinking age 18 or 21?

Plan on 21. The WHO’s published Egypt profile lists 21 for on- and off-premise beer, wine and spirit sales.

10. Do family-friendly resorts serve alcohol?

Some do and some do not. A family-oriented hotel can have a bar while also offering non-alcoholic options and children’s facilities. Check the property.

11. Can I bring duty-free alcohol to my hotel?

Only subject to customs and airline rules, and your accommodation may have its own policy on outside bottles. Entry permission is different from venue consumption rules.

12. Is alcohol served in Hurghada during Ramadan?

Service varies and can change. Confirm the actual hotel bar’s policy for your dates rather than assuming all resorts have the same schedule.

13. What about Sharm bars during Ramadan?

Ask the bar or hotel directly. Operating hours and service can change; public drinking remains a separate matter.

14. Are all bars in Naama Bay licensed?

Do not assume every business serves alcohol. Choose identifiable authorized venues and check their current offerings.

15. How much does a beer cost in Hurghada?

It depends on the venue, brand, size and whether the drink is included in your booking. Ask the hotel for its actual menu rather than relying on an old citywide price.

16. Is Stella Egyptian beer?

Yes. Stella is a longstanding Egyptian beer brand and is distinct from Stella Artois.

17. Is Sakara stronger than Stella?

It depends on the Sakara product. Sakara Gold and Sakara El-King have different strengths; consult the exact manufacturer label rather than assuming all Sakara beer is the same.

18. Can I take a beer on a snorkeling excursion?

Do not assume the excursion permits alcohol. Follow operator rules and avoid drinking before water activities, boat operations and other safety-critical tasks.

19. Can I drink in a hotel room?

Follow the property policy and local rules; some hotels permit certain private-room arrangements while restricting outside bottles or alcohol in shared areas.

20. Which resort is best for imported whisky or wine?

The useful answer depends on a current written drinks list. A luxury label or high star rating does not guarantee specific imported brands.

21. Can single women enjoy a hotel bar?

Adult guests can use authorized establishments subject to their policies. Choose reputable venues, keep drinks in sight and arrange reliable transport.

22. Is Hurghada more permissive than Sharm El Sheikh?

There is no basis for assuming different national alcohol laws apply. Hospitality options and local atmosphere vary more meaningfully by hotel and establishment.

Bottom line: choose the package, not the assumption

Alcohol is available to eligible adult visitors at many licensed Red Sea hospitality venues, but the details are individual. The most reliable way to plan is to confirm the exact resort, room rate, drinks list, included outlets, serving times and any special-date changes. Keep public drinking separate from authorized resort service, stay sober for driving and water activities, and respect local customs.

For more Egyptian holiday planning beyond the beaches, visit our Alcohol in Egypt travel guide, browse Egypt tours or ask Elzaghandi Travel about a customized journey.

Sources and fact-checking

UK FCDO, Egypt: alcohol laws, Ramadan, road and quad-bike safety.
World Health Organization, Egypt alcohol-policy profile; published historical policy data, not a real-time venue notice.
Hurghada Sea Gull Beach Resort, published 2025–26 guest-information document; specific package example, not a universal rule.
Novotel Sharm El Sheikh, hotel representative’s description of distinct package concepts; historical answer, reverify before booking.
Al Ahram Beverages, Stella product information.
Al Ahram Beverages, Sakara product variants.
Egyptian Customs Authority, traveler allowances.

Editorial standard: This article distinguishes official guidance, illustrative hotel terms and individual-property policies. Named hotel examples are not paid endorsements or guarantees of current availability. Last reviewed October 2026.

Alcohol in Hurghada & Sharm El Sheikh: All-Inclusive Drinks, Bars & Tourist Rules (2026)