Wellness and medical tourism

Egypt has used its sun, sand and mineral waters for healing since ancient times. Today, wellness travel here ranges from simple dips in desert springs to full resort spas. The country also receives visitors who come for medical treatment. This page is general information. Egypt Info does not arrange treatment, so always speak to your own doctor before you travel.

Natural treatments

• Safaga (Red Sea): the black sand around Safaga contains naturally radioactive minerals, and the area combines strong sunshine, low humidity and a high-salinity sea. Some local hotels and centres offer programmes for skin conditions such as psoriasis and for rheumatic complaints. Evidence for these treatments is limited, so discuss them with your doctor.
• Siwa Oasis: the oasis has hundreds of springs, including the stone-lined Cleopatra’s Spring and the hot spring at Bir Wahed on the edge of the dunes. Siwa is also known for hot sand baths on Gebel Dakrour. Visitors are buried up to the neck in hot sand for a short time, traditionally to ease joint pain, and these are mainly offered in summer under supervision. The heat is intense, so this is not suitable for people with heart conditions, high blood pressure or pregnancy.
• Hot springs in the oases: El Bahariya, El Dakhla and El Kharga have warm sulphur and iron springs. Some are inside small hotels and some are simple roadside pools.
• Thermal springs near Cairo and on the Gulf of Suez: Helwan, south of Cairo, was a famous spa town in the 19th and early 20th centuries for its sulphur springs, though the historic facilities are now limited. In Sinai, Hammam Faraun (Pharaoh’s Bath) has very hot springs running out of the cliffs and into the sea south of Ras Sudr, and the springs of Uyun Musa (Moses’ Springs) lie near the Suez side. Ain Sokhna, whose name means “hot spring”, is today mainly a beach resort area with hotel spas.

Spas and thalassotherapy

Most large resorts in Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, El Gouna, Marsa Alam and Ain Sokhna have spas offering massage, hammam, sea-water and mud treatments, and fitness programmes. Several also offer dedicated thalassotherapy centres. You do not need to come for wellness reasons to use them. Book treatments through your hotel and ask about prices directly.

Medical travel to Egypt

Private hospitals and clinics in Cairo, Alexandria and some resort cities treat international patients, mainly from Arab, African and European countries. The treatments people travel for most often are:

• dental work (implants, crowns, veneers)
• eye surgery (LASIK and cataract)
• cosmetic and plastic surgery, and hair transplants
• fertility treatment (IVF)
• cardiac care and orthopaedic surgery

Standards vary widely. A small number of hospitals hold international accreditation. For example, Dar Al Fouad Hospital was the first in Egypt to be accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI). Accreditation lapses and changes, so check any hospital’s current status in the JCI accredited organisations directory.

Before you book treatment

• Check the doctor, not just the hospital. Ask for qualifications, registration with the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, and how often they perform your procedure.
• Get a written treatment plan and quote that covers fees, medication, follow-up visits and what happens if something goes wrong.
• Insurance: standard travel insurance usually does not cover planned treatment abroad or its complications. Check this with your insurer, and consider specialist cover.
• Aftercare: allow enough recovery time in Egypt before flying. Plan follow-up with your doctor at home and take all medical records with you. Avoid sun, sea swimming and long flights straight after surgery, as your surgeon advises.
• Combining with a holiday: do sightseeing and diving before treatment, not after.

For general advice on treatment abroad, see the NHS guidance on going abroad for medical treatment.

Last checked October 2026. Sources: jointcommissioninternational.org, en.wikipedia.org, nhs.uk, gov.uk.