Port Ghalib is the marina town of Marsa Alam: a waterfront promenade with shops, a bazaar, cafés, restaurants and bars, only a few minutes from Marsa Alam Airport. If your hotel is somewhere else on the coast, it is the easiest place for an evening of shopping, dinner and a walk by the yachts.
This guide explains what to expect from Port Ghalib shopping, where to eat and go out, and how to get there from your hotel – including fixed prices for a private return trip to Port Ghalib.
Where is Port Ghalib?
Port Ghalib lies on the Red Sea coast in the north of the Marsa Alam region, about 3–4 km from Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF) and roughly 65 km north of Marsa Alam town. It was built around one of the largest marinas in the region, designed for up to around 1,000 yachts, with hotels, apartments and a pedestrian marina village.
When people search for "Port Ghalib Marsa Alam", they usually mean this marina village: the place where hotel guests from Coraya Bay, Abu Dabbab or El Quseir come in the evening.
Port Ghalib shopping: what you can buy
Shopping in Port Ghalib is concentrated along the marina promenade (Corniche), about 1 km of waterfront with shops on the ground floor, and in the small souk (bazaar) behind it. Typical things to buy:
- souvenirs, papyrus, alabaster and handicrafts,
- spices, tea, oils and perfume essences,
- clothing, scarves and beachwear,
- jewellery and watches,
- diving and snorkelling equipment,
- everyday items from the small supermarket in the harbour area.
Shopping tips:
- Not every shop is open all year. Outside the high season, some units are closed, especially in the afternoon.
- The best time is the early evening: it is cooler, the promenade fills up and most shops are open.
- Prices in bazaar shops are usually negotiable. Ask for the price first and agree on the total before you pay.
- Bring some cash in Egyptian pounds or euros; small shops do not always accept cards.
Restaurants, cafés and nightlife
The promenade and the central square around the marina are lined with cafés, restaurants and bars, and there is often live music in the evening. Local guides list venues such as Hakuna Matata, Divino, Soho Bar, Al Sultan and Roka Asian, as well as Red Club for a later night out.
Restaurants and bars change from season to season, so check current opening times locally or with your hotel. A good plan is shopping before sunset, then dinner with a view of the yachts.
More things to do in Port Ghalib
- Walk the marina and look at the yachts and liveaboard diving boats.
- Diving and snorkelling: several dive centres and liveaboard boats leave from Port Ghalib.
- Semi-submarine trips for non-divers, depending on the season.
- Water sports such as windsurfing, parasailing and jet skiing at the nearby beaches.
Port Ghalib also has medical facilities close by, which is useful to know if you are staying in the northern Marsa Alam area.
How to get to Port Ghalib from your hotel
Most hotels in the Marsa Alam region are spread along a long coastline, so you need transport to reach Port Ghalib. You have two options:
| Option | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi | Arranged at the hotel; price agreed with the driver | Short trips from hotels very close to Port Ghalib |
| Private return trip | Pickup at your hotel, ride to Port Ghalib and return at the time you choose | Families, couples and anyone who wants a fixed price and a guaranteed ride back |
With a taxi, the main question is the ride back: late in the evening it is not always easy to find a car for the return to a hotel 30 or 60 km away. A pre-booked private trip includes both directions – you agree your return time in advance and the driver brings you back to your hotel.
Prices for a private return trip to Port Ghalib
Starting prices for a private car, return trip, per vehicle (not per person):
| Your hotel area | Private car from |
|---|---|
| Coraya Bay / Port Ghalib | €25 |
| Utopia / Akassia | €57 |
| Abu Dabbab | €53 |
| Marsa Alam | €57 |
| El Quseir | €65 |
| South Marsa Alam | €74 |
| Wadi Lahmy & Hamata | €98–111 |
Larger groups can choose an SUV or a minibus. The exact price for your hotel is shown on the Port Ghalib trip page.
Tips for your evening in Port Ghalib
- Plan 3–4 hours for shopping, dinner and a walk along the marina.
- Arrive before sunset to see the marina in daylight and the promenade at night.
- Take a light jacket in winter – evenings by the water can be cool.
- Agree your return time with the driver and keep his WhatsApp number.