Good Sahel vs. Evil Sahel: Where to Go?

Every year with the start of the summer season an inevitable argument breaks out when people start looking at masyaf (literally place where you spend the summer) prices. The argument always starts when talking about one of Egypt’s most popular summer destinations, the North Coast or Sahel and then devolves into an argument about Good vs. Evil Sahel. 

For a few years now as summer approaches a lot of discussions erupt on social media on the prices of Sahel rentals then devolves into arguing about the nature and customs of those who frequent Good Sahel vs. Evil Sahel. 

Several tourism companies even started using these expressions when promoting their packages/trips or rental units. Let’s find out more about the issue. 

Another summer time argument is swimsuits and their prices. Check out article on Hadia Ghaleb’s 2022 Swimsuit line. 

Good Sahel vs. Evil Sahel

Good Sahel:

This is the coastal area starting before Marina. It begins at Sidi Krir through Marbella, El Mohandessine (engineers) resort, Al Rawda, Nesma, Al Lotus, Deplo, Teachers’ compound, and Applicators’ compound. 

People who go to Good Sahel are usually middle class who want to have fun and spend quality time with their family without breaking the bank. They are dubbed by social media influencers as “Ghalabet el Sahel” or the poor of Sahel. 

Good Sahel was nicknamed as such because of its relatively low rental prices compared to Evil Sahel. Families go there to have a good time at an affordable price. 

Find out the ticket prices to access Alex beaches here. 

Evil Sahel:

Starts from Marina 7, Hacienda (white, bay, red, green, and blue), Marassi, Amwaj, Seashell, and other resorts, specifically from kilo 110 in Marsa Matrouh’s direction. 

People joke on social media that those who frequent Evil Sahel go there starting mid June and stay till mid September (the joke being they are so rich they don’t need to go to work in between and just stay in masyaf). 

Evil Sahel boasts expensive but unique outings and concerts. Famous singers such as Amr Diab have annual concerts there at phenomenal prices and every summer the prices go up never down. 

To go to Evil Sahel your salary needs to be at least 15000 EGP per month (really it needs to be more than that). You need to know that if you spend a week there you’ll end up spending your entire salary -if it’s even enough- just for outings and miscellaneous things. Also note that rent there is pretty steep.

Where did the nickname come from?

Evil Sahel moniker comes from the crazy expensive prices of literally everything. Places like Hacienda, Marassi, and Amwaj are at the top of the expensive list. 

Mostly those who go to Evil Sahel are the younger generation who want to have fun with their friends. You will find the latest trends in fashion, food, décor, and concerts amongst others. 

The in-between:

Marina is -strictly speaking- neither part of Good Sahel or Evil Sahel. There you can find those on a budget as well as the uber rich.