Hurghada holidays

Why visit Hurghada

The Red Sea is the reason to come. Reefs begin close to shore, and day boats run out to the Giftun Islands and their pale sandbars, so snorkellers and divers get easy access to clear, warm, fish-filled water. The same coast is known for its wind, drawing kitesurfers and windsurfers to spots such as those around El Gouna and Soma Bay. Ashore, the eastern desert opens up for jeep and quad safaris and Bedouin evenings under the stars, while the temples of Luxor lie within reach as a long day trip. The old town keeps a working Egyptian bazaar.

What Hurghada feels like

Hurghada is spread out and bright rather than compact. The original quarter of El Dahar has the souk, the mosque and everyday city life; Sekalla, the newer centre, holds the marina, the restaurants and the nightlife; and beyond them the coast unrolls into self-contained resort bays. It is warm and bright for most of the year, with a near-constant breeze that cools the heat and stirs the sea. Days revolve around the water and the desert, evenings around the marina promenade. Purpose-built El Gouna to the north keeps a calmer, low-rise character around its lagoons.

Reefs, desert and landmarks

• Hurghada Marina: A waterfront of restaurants and moorings by the El Mina mosque, the focus of the town's evenings and the departure point for many boats.
• The Giftun Islands: Protected desert islands offshore, ringed by reefs and pale sandbars such as Orange Bay, reached by day boat from the marina.
• The house reefs and dive sites: Coral gardens and drop-offs close to shore, with easy snorkelling and a spread of dive sites out along the coast.
• El Dahar and the old souk: The original quarter inland from the sea, with a traditional bazaar, coffee houses and the rhythm of an Egyptian town.
• Eastern Desert safaris: Jeep, quad and camel trips into the desert behind the coast, often ending with a Bedouin dinner and clear night skies.
• A day trip to Luxor: The temples and royal tombs of the Nile valley, reachable by road as a long single-day excursion inland.

Along the coast

• El Dahar: The old town, with the main souk, mosque and local life, set back from the newer beach strip.
• Sekalla: The modern centre around the marina, busy with hotels, restaurants and nightlife.
• El Gouna: A purpose-built resort town of lagoons and low-rise architecture to the north, known for kitesurfing and a calm feel.
• Sahl Hasheesh: A planned bay to the south with a long promenade and a landscaped seafront.
• Makadi Bay: A sandy resort bay further south, given over to large family hotels with their own house reefs.
• Soma Bay: A resort peninsula in the south known for its reefs, diving and kitesurfing conditions.

The Red Sea table

Hurghada sets Egyptian home cooking beside the day's catch from the Red Sea. Fish and prawns come grilled or baked as sayadeya, layered with spiced rice and caramelised onion. The everyday staples are here too: koshari, a bowl of rice, lentils, pasta and fried onion under a tangy tomato sauce; ful medames of slow-cooked fava beans; and taameya, the Egyptian falafel made from favas rather than chickpeas. Mezze of tahini and salads, flat baladi bread, and juices of mango and hibiscus round out the table.

• Sayadeya (spiced fish with rice)
• Grilled Red Sea seafood
• Koshari
• Taameya (fava-bean falafel)
• Ful medames

Getting along the coast

The resorts are strung along a single coastal road, so distances between the old town, the marina and the outlying bays are long. Local taxis and minibuses run the main road, and hotels lay on shuttles; agree a taxi fare before setting off, as meters are rare. Many resorts are self-contained, with excursions arranged by boat or in convoy into the desert. Reaching Luxor or Cairo means a long road transfer or a domestic flight. Hurghada International Airport sits close to the resort strip, a short transfer to the central hotels around Sekalla. El Gouna to the north and the southern bays of Makadi and Soma are longer drives along the coast road.

Practical pointers

• Away from the beach and resorts, dress modestly and cover shoulders and knees, especially in El Dahar and at mosques.
• Ask before photographing people, and expect to tip small amounts, known as baksheesh, for many everyday services.
• Haggling is part of the souk, so keep it good-natured and settle only when you are ready to buy.
• On the reefs, do not touch, stand on or take coral or shells, as the marine life is protected.
• Reefs lie close to shore, so many resorts offer good snorkelling straight from the beach.
• Day boats to the Giftun Islands and Orange Bay leave from the marina, and the islands charge a small conservation fee.
• The coast's steady wind suits kitesurfing and windsurfing, with well-known conditions around El Gouna and Soma Bay.
• Luxor is a long day by road, so expect a very early start if you make the trip.
• Summer is intensely hot, while spring and autumn are gentler for desert excursions and long days outdoors.
• Keep some small cash for tips, taxis and the souk, where card payment is uncommon.

Best for

• Beach time
• Unwinding

Key facts

Hurghada essentials

Climate & seasons

Hurghada is one of Nuvoha's winter-sun picks.

Typical stay

• Weekend-friendly
• Short break (2–5 days)

Hurghada works as a weekend break just as well as a longer stay.

Getting there

Hurghada is served via HRG.

• HRG

Is it your kind of trip?

Pairs well with

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Travel style

• Winter sun
• Short-trip friendly
• Beach

Frequently asked questions