Egypt’s Dahab has ranked first among outdoor dining destinations in the Middle East in the 2026 IQOS Outdoor Dining Index, with five Egyptian destinations appearing among the region’s top 10.
The index, launched by IQOS, a tobacco heating system from Philip Morris International (PMI), assesses destinations across the region based on a range of factors related to outdoor dining, including climate, the availability of restaurants with outdoor seating, and the number of residents per restaurant.
Dahab, located on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, secured the top position, supported by its moderate climate, high concentration of restaurants relative to its population, and extensive outdoor dining options.
Hurghada ranked second, further strengthening the presence of Egypt’s Red Sea destinations at the top of the index. According to the findings, 37% of restaurants in Hurghada offer outdoor seating.
The city recorded an average annual temperature of 26°C and approximately 992 people per restaurant. By comparison, Dahab recorded around 474 people per restaurant, helping the South Sinai destination secure first place.
Luxor, Aswan and Sharm El-Sheikh also featured among the index’s leading destinations, meaning five Egyptian cities were included in the Middle East’s top 10.
The results highlighted the strong performance of Egypt’s Red Sea destinations, which benefited from relatively moderate year-round temperatures and the widespread availability of outdoor seating. Other destinations from across the Middle East also featured in the top 10.
Jonathan Kwak, Smoke-Free Products Director for Egypt and Levant at Philip Morris International, said Egypt’s range of destinations, climates and experiences has made outdoor dining an important part of the country’s leisure and tourism offering.
“Egypt’s unique mix of destinations, climates and experiences makes outdoor dining an integral part of the country’s leisure and tourism culture,” Kwak said.
He added that Dahab’s first-place ranking and the inclusion of five Egyptian destinations in the top 10 reflected the diversity and appeal of the country’s tourism destinations.
IQOS said the index forms part of its efforts to highlight outdoor experiences and destinations for its community of more than 35 million adult users globally.
The 2026 ranking comes as Egypt continues to promote the diversity of its tourism offering, with Red Sea resorts, cultural destinations in Upper Egypt and South Sinai attracting visitors seeking year-round leisure and outdoor experiences.
