What to take to Egypt from food and snacks: 10 best tips in 2026

What food to take with you on holiday to Hurghada in 2026

Although the hotels of Hurghada are famous for their all-inclusive system, choosing the right snacks and basic supplies can make your holiday far more comfortable, especially with children or on long excursions to Cairo and Luxor.

10 recommendations on food and snacks

• Baby food: Bring the familiar formula, jars of puree and cereals with you, in a quantity sufficient for the whole stay.
• Snacks for excursions: Nuts, dried fruit and cereal bars are indispensable on early departures to the pyramids or on a day trip to Luxor.
• Tea and coffee: If you appreciate good bean coffee or leaf tea, take a small pack with you for your room.
• Drink bottled water only: Never drink tap water in Egypt, and use bottled water even for brushing your teeth.
• Local fruit: Do try ripe mango, strawberries, dates and guava, bought at the local market at very good prices.
• A packed lunch from the hotel: Order a lunch box at reception the evening before an early excursion — useful on the Cairo trip with the new museum.
• Sweets and chocolate: Chocolate melts quickly in a hot climate, so choose biscuits, crackers or wafers.
• Customs rules: Perishable food may not be brought in without factory-sealed packaging.
• A digestive first-aid kit: Always carry basic sorbents and probiotics to help you adjust to the local cuisine.
• Try the local food: Traditional falafel (taamiya), koshari and fresh seafood will give you unforgettable gastronomic memories — and remember to check how money works in Egypt before you order.