Yes, but only in specific places. Egypt is a majority-Muslim country, and drinking alcohol anywhere other than licensed restaurants, bars, private homes, or certain tourist resorts is illegal and can lead to arrest, according to UK government travel advice. In practice, this covers most places a tourist would want a drink — hotel bars, resort restaurants, and licensed venues — but it does mean no drinking in public, on the street, or somewhere unlicensed.
Key takeaways
- Alcohol is legal in licensed restaurants, bars, private homes, and certain tourist resorts.
- Drinking in public or at an unlicensed venue is illegal and can lead to arrest.
- Red Sea resort areas (Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh) generally have more licensed venues than smaller inland towns.
- During Ramadan, standards around public consumption are noticed more, even in licensed settings.
Where it's straightforward
| Setting | Alcohol available |
|---|---|
| International hotel bars and restaurants | Yes, licensed |
| Red Sea resort areas | Widely available at licensed venues |
| Nile cruise ships | Most serve alcohol on board |
| Street vendors, unlicensed local restaurants | Not legally — don't assume it's available or drink your own there |
What actually catches people out
The risk isn't drinking itself in a hotel or resort — it's carrying alcohol into a public space, or drinking somewhere that isn't licensed, assuming "tourist area" automatically means it's fine everywhere in it. When in doubt, keep it to the bar, restaurant, or cruise ship where you bought it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy alcohol to bring back to my hotel room?
Some licensed hotel shops and duty-free at the airport sell alcohol for this purpose. Buying from an unlicensed shop or street vendor is a different matter and best avoided.
Does this apply during Ramadan too?
The legal rule doesn't change, but public sensitivity does — see traveling in Egypt during Ramadan for what shifts that month.
Reviewed September 2026.