How Coastal Investment Is Reshaping Egypt's Tourism Map

SouthMED and Marassi Red Sea: The Headline Projects

Large-scale development continues on both coasts. SouthMED was announced with projected investment of USD 21 billion across 23 million square metres. Marassi Red Sea was later launched near Soma Bay with projected investment of EGP 900 billion across 2,426 feddans, including plans for 12 luxury hotels with around 4,000 rooms and serviced apartments.

2BR Chalet Prices in Egypt's Coastal Projects (2026)

For buyers, the more useful comparison is the current asking price of a two-bedroom chalet. A September 2026 sample of active developer and resale listings produced the following indicative ranges. Prices are calculated against internal built-up area, not gardens, roofs, terraces, or shared land.

How to read the comparison. These are advertised asking-price snapshots, not registered closing prices or formal valuations. The wide ranges reflect developer sales versus resale, delivery timing, finishing, phase, floor, view, and payment plan. Marassi Red Sea figures are taken from current marketplace listings because Emaar's public project disclosure does not provide a unit price list.

Built on Established Red Sea and North Coast Destinations

The investment pipeline builds on operating destinations and established resort brands. On the Red Sea, these include El Gouna, Makadi Heights, and Somabay. On the Mediterranean, the map includes Mountain View Ras El Hekma, the new Modon Ras El Hekma, Marassi, SouthMED, and New Alamein. Together, these projects expand hotel capacity, marinas, restaurants, retail, golf, entertainment, and year-round services, making real estate investment part of the tourism infrastructure rather than a separate story. The mix of UAE and Qatari sovereign-backed capital, Saudi partnerships, international developers, and major Egyptian developers demonstrates interest from both international and local investors.

Qatari Diar's Next Red Sea Project Between Makadi and Soma Bay

A further Red Sea project may expand this map. A September 2026 About Misr report states that Qatari Diar has taken delivery of approximately 29 million square metres between Makadi Bay and Abu Soma Bay, with around six kilometres of Red Sea frontage, under an allocation dating to 2006. This equals approximately 6,905 feddans and is about 2.85 times the 2,426-feddan Marassi Red Sea site. Qatari Diar's official Egypt page independently confirms that its Egyptian portfolio exceeds 40 million square metres, that it has invested approximately USD 3.1 billion in Egyptian real estate since 2006, and that further exclusive Red Sea projects will be announced. However, the official site has not yet published the new city's name, master plan, launch date, or total investment value, so the project is best described as reported and forthcoming rather than formally launched.

Talk to VBS

Considering a chalet on the Red Sea or the North Coast? Contact VBS for current prices and available units.

Sources

• Reuters - Talaat Moustafa Group to invest USD 21 billion in SouthMED, 2 July 2024

• Emaar Misr disclosure to Dubai Financial Market - Marassi Red Sea launch and project scope, 8 September 2025

• Nawy - Current two-bedroom chalet listings across Ras El Hekma projects, accessed September 2026

• Property Finder Egypt - Current chalet listings in Makadi Heights, accessed September 2026

• Property Finder Egypt - Current two-bedroom listings in Somabay and Marassi Red Sea, accessed September 2026

• About Misr - Qatari Diar prepares a 29 million sqm tourism city between Makadi and Soma, 21 September 2026

• Qatari Diar - Official Egypt portfolio and forthcoming Red Sea projects