Hurghada is a popular tourist destination on the Red Sea coast of Egypt. It offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages and interests.
Whether you are looking for a relaxing beach vacation, an adventurous diving trip, or a cultural exploration, Hurghada has something for you. Click here for the best hotels in Egypt and their prices.
How to Visit Hurghada
Hurghada is easy to reach and visit from many countries and cities around the world. You can fly directly to Hurghada International Airport, which is about 15 km from the city center.
And you can also fly to Cairo International Airport, which is about 500 km from Hurghada, and then take a bus, a train, or a domestic flight to Hurghada.
You can plan your trip to Hurghada by yourself or with the help of a professional travel and tourism company. If you prefer to do it by yourself, you can book your flights, hotels, tours, and activities online or through local agencies.
You can also use online platforms and apps, such as TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and Airbnb, to find the best deals and reviews. If you prefer to use a professional travel and tourism company, you can choose from many options and packages that suit your budget and preferences.
One of the best companies that you can trust is Afari Travels and Tours, which is a leading and reputable travel agency.
18 Things to do in Hurghada Egypt
Here are 13 of the best things to do in Hurghada when you visit Egypt.
1. Go diving
The reefs and wrecks in the Red Sea, home to many tropical fish and coral, are perfect Egypt dive locations. While Hurghada city is close to many spectacular sites, such as those found around the Giftun Islands just offshore, it can be busy with many independent tour guides operating from that point on the coast.
Start your trip closer to El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi Bay if you want a quieter experience with better visibility. If your hotel offers dive trips, consider this option as it saves time driving around nearby resorts picking up other divers.
2. Take a boat trip around the Giftun Islands
If you prefer to keep your head above water, you can also take a boat to either of the Giftun Islands (Big Giftun or Small Giftun), which are surrounded by a coral reef conservation area and perfect for snorkelling.
If you’re lucky, you can swim with pods of spinner and bottlenose dolphins that have set up camp at Dolphin House Island, a marine reserve about an hour’s boat trip away from Hurghada. And if you want to keep your feet on dry land, head to Orange Bay on the more sheltered west side of Big Giftun.
3. Cool off at a waterpark
The largest waterpark in Hurghada is Jungle Aqua Park, on the southern outskirts of the city, with dozens of slides, pools and restaurants on site, as well as sun loungers from which to watch it all from a distance.
Other options include Makadi Water World, in Makadi Bay; and Sinbad Aqua Park in the centre of Hurghada city, which is conveniently located and great for families.
4. Set off on a desert expedition
Hurghada has the sea on one side, and the desert on the other. To only keep your sights on the beach would mean you miss out on a major part of the Egyptian experience: a desert expedition.
Ride dune buggies, quad bikes or Jeeps, as well as trying the emblematic camel ride. Many of these activities tie in a visit to a traditional Bedouin village and finish with stargazing in the pristine night sky.
While Bedouin society maintains strict traditions, they are extremely welcoming and sociable, keen to share their culture. Expect the freshest flatbreads accompanying juicy grilled meats, lots of dates and lots of music.
5. Experience the thrill of a Hurghada safari
Hurghada is not only about the sea but also about the desert. You can enjoy a Hurghada safari that will take you to the vast and rugged landscape of the Eastern Desert. You can choose from different modes of transportation, such as:
- Quad bike: This is a four-wheeled motorbike that can go fast and furious on the sand dunes. You can drive it yourself or with a guide and have a lot of fun.
- Jeep: This is a four-wheel drive vehicle that can take you to remote and scenic places, such as Bedouin villages, oases, and mountains. You can learn about the culture and history of the desert people and see their way of life.
- Camel: This is the traditional and eco-friendly way of travelling in the desert. You can ride a camel and feel the rhythm of its steps. You can also admire the sunset and the stars from its back.
6. Learn about the ancient history at Hurghada museums
Hurghada is not only about the modern and the natural but also about the ancient and the cultural. You can learn about the rich and fascinating history of Egypt at Hurghada museums, such as:
- Hurghada Museum: This is a new and interactive museum that showcases the different aspects of Egyptian civilization, from the Pharaonic to the Islamic era. It has more than 1,500 artefacts, such as statues, mummies, jewellery, and coins. It also has a virtual reality zone, a cinema, and a cafe.
- Mini Egypt Park: This is a miniature park that displays the most famous landmarks and monuments of Egypt, such as the Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Temple of Karnak, and the Abu Simbel Temple. It is a fun and educational way to see the whole country in one place.
- Sand City: This is an open-air museum that features the largest collection of sand sculptures in the world. It has more than 40 sculptures, made by international artists, that depict the legends and myths of Egypt and other countries. It is a stunning and artistic sight to behold.
7. Have fun with the whole family at Hurghada aquariums and water parks
Hurghada is not only about the adults but also about the kids. You can have fun with the whole family at Hurghada aquariums and water parks, such as:
- Hurghada Grand Aquarium: This is a large and modern aquarium that houses more than 1,200 marine animals, such as sharks, rays, crocodiles, penguins, and sea lions. You can watch them in their habitats, feed them, or even swim with them. You can also visit the rainforest, the zoo, and the museum inside the aquarium.
- Makadi Water World: This is a huge and exciting water park that has more than 50 slides and attractions, such as the Kamikaze, the Twister, the Lazy River, and the Wave Pool. You can enjoy the adrenaline rush, the splash, and the laughter. You can also relax at the spa, the restaurant, or the lounge.
- Jungle Aqua Park: This is another amazing water park that has more than 35 slides and pools, such as the Boomerang, the Black Hole, the Rafting River, and the Family Pool. You can have a blast, a chill, and a thrill. You can also stay at the resort, the bungalow, or the tent.
8. See ancient Egypt
The big-ticket historical sites like the Valley of the Kings (Tutankhamun’s burial site), Valley of the Queens and Karnak Temple are found at Luxor, just a day-trip away (see below). While mummies and pyramids are synonymous with Egypt, it also has an overlooked, rich Coptic Christian, Jewish and Islamic history that you can get a taste of with over 2,000 artefacts at the Hurghada Museum.
9. Take a day trip to Luxor
Luxor is around four hours away by car. It’s cheapest to go by bus for around £10 but you could also get a private car for around £160 return. It’s likely your hotel will be able to arrange this for you.
A whistle-stop day tour can take you to the Valley of the Kings and the temples of Hatshepsut and Karnak. It’s worth getting a tour including an Egyptologist (from around £100pp) to guide you around the millennia-old monuments — but arrange it before you get there.
10. Make a flying visit to Cairo
If you’re game for an early start, Cairo is an hour away by plane (tickets can be less than £30 one way) and is home to two of the cornerstones of Egyptian tourism: the Pyramids and the Great Sphinx of Giza.
When you land, have breakfast on the terrace of Giza’s Marriott Mena House, which gives you the perfect view of the Great Pyramid. You don’t need to be a guest and the buffet costs about £30 — a short walk away are the gates of the Giza Pyramid complex.
Round off the day with an afternoon spent in the Egyptian Museum, home to the golden mask of Tutankhamun.
11. Enjoy Hurghada’s nightlife
Order dinner and drinks, then stay for dancing at the Buddha Bar’s famous Red Sea outpost, Little Buddha, near Hurghada city’s marina.
Or head to the south end of town for Elements Club and Lounge (open every night bar Wednesday and Friday) which plays a range of drum-and-bass, techno or house music.
Thursday night is ladies’ night, with free drinks on offer for women. Hurghada ticks the box for festival-goers too — Sandbox Festival, typically in May, has live music, yoga and watersports.
12. Try water sports at Soma Bay
If charging around on the surface is more your thing, Soma Bay, just down the coast from Hurghada, offers a combination of semi-constant wind and warm, shallow water for kitesurfing, windsurfing, parasailing, waterskiing and paddleboarding.
There are plenty of schools, such as the Tornado Surf Centre, which offer kitesurfing, wingfoiling and stand-up paddleboarding instruction to beginners in the lagoon, as well as an expansive freeride area for those with more experience.
Soma Bay is just under an hour from Hurghada city, so it’s close enough for a day trip. But there is a range of places to stay, including the five-star Mövenpick resort. Or water sports specialist the Breakers Diving & Surf Lodge.
13. Explore the El Dahar bazaar
Hurghada may be unrecognisable from its fishing village past, but its old town is still home to a thriving market selling fruit, vegetables and even livestock.
Souvenir shopping aside, you can also try the produce from the fertile Nile basin that has been the mainstay of the Egyptian economy for thousands of years.
Don’t leave without a mango: they are sweeter than anything on UK supermarket shelves.
14. Play golf
There are plenty of short courses attached to hotels, as well as a couple of championship courses for the more discerning golfer, found at El Gouna Golf Club in the Steinberger resort and at Somabay Golf.
If your commitment doesn’t stretch as far as 18 holes, but a good whack-about sounds fun, the Steigenberger Al Dau resort has a driving range as well as a putting green and a nine-hole course.
15. Indulge in the nightlife and shopping at Hurghada Marina and downtown
Hurghada is not only about the day but also about the night. You can indulge in the nightlife and shopping at Hurghada marina and downtown, such as:
- Hurghada Marina: This is a stylish and lively marina that has a lot of restaurants, bars, cafes, and clubs. You can enjoy the international cuisine, the live music, the cocktails, and the dance. You can also watch the yachts, the fireworks, and the stars.
- Hurghada Downtown: This is a bustling and colourful downtown that has a lot of shops, markets, mosques, and churches. You can buy local products, such as spices, perfumes, carpets, and souvenirs. You can also see the architecture, the culture, and the people.
16. Visit the nearby islands and towns from Hurghada
Hurghada is not only about itself but also about its surroundings. You can visit the nearby islands and towns from Hurghada, such as:
- Sharm El Naga: This is a small and peaceful town that is about 40 km south of Hurghada. It has a beautiful beach, a coral reef, and a lagoon. It is ideal for snorkelling, diving, and camping.
- El Gouna: This is a luxurious and elegant town that is about 25 km north of Hurghada. It has a network of canals, lagoons, islands, and bridges. It is perfect for golfing, kitesurfing, and sailing.
- Giftun Island: This is a large and stunning island that is about 45 minutes by boat from Hurghada. It has a national park, a sandy beach, and a coral reef. It is wonderful for hiking, picnicking, and swimming.
17. Go on a cruise to the Nile from Hurghada
Hurghada is not only about the land but also about the water. You can go on a cruise to the Nile from Hurghada, which is about 5 hours by road or 1.5 hours by flight.
The Nile is the longest and most famous river in the world, with many historical and natural sights along its banks. You can visit some of the most splendid ones, such as:
- The Temple of Edfu: This is a temple that was dedicated to the god Horus, who was the son of Isis and Osiris. You can see the magnificent facade, the huge pylon, and the sacred boat. You can also read the inscriptions, the myths, and the rituals that are carved on the walls.
- The Temple of Kom Ombo: This is a temple that was dedicated to two gods, Sobek and Haroeris, who were the crocodile and the falcon. You can see the symmetrical design, the double sanctuaries, and the mummified crocodiles. You can also learn about astronomy, medicine, and the calendar that is depicted on the ceiling and columns.
- The Temple of Philae: This is a temple that was dedicated to the goddess Isis, who was the wife of Osiris and the mother of Horus. You can see the beautiful location, the graceful architecture, and the romantic atmosphere. You can also watch the sound and light show that tells the story and the magic of the temple.
18. Experience the local culture and cuisine at Hurghada
Hurghada is not only about the foreign and the exotic but also about the local and the authentic. You can experience the local culture and cuisine at Hurghada, such as:
- The Bedouin Dinner: This is a traditional and romantic dinner that you can have in the desert, under the stars. You can taste the delicious and spicy dishes, such as lamb, rice, bread, and salad. You can also drink the aromatic and sweet tea, smoke the shisha, and watch the folkloric show.
- The Egyptian Night: This is a cultural and entertaining night that you can have in a hotel, a restaurant, or a club. You can enjoy the various and lively performances, such as belly dancing, tanoura dancing, fire show, and comedy show. You can also join the fun and dance with the music.
Conclusion
Hurghada is a wonderful and diverse destination that has something for everyone. You can enjoy the beauty and the fun of the Red Sea, the desert, and the Nile. You can also learn about the ancient and modern history and culture of Egypt.
Have a lot of fun and excitement with the various sports and activities that Hurghada offers. And also relax and rejuvenate with the spas and wellness centres that Hurghada has. You can also celebrate the festivals and events that Hurghada hosts.
Hurghada is a place that you will never forget and always want to come back to. It is a place that will make you fall in love with Egypt and you should visit at least once in your life.
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