Why Visit Hurghada?
Hurghada reigns as Egypt's Red Sea resort powerhouse where European sun-seekers (especially from Germany, Czech Republic, and Poland) flock for winter warmth, world-class diving, and budget-friendly all-inclusive packages barely imaginable in Mediterranean rivals. This purpose-built resort city (pop. ~210,000) stretches 40km along turquoise Red Sea coast—once a sleepy fishing village, now packed with hotels from budget to luxury, beach clubs, dive centers, and nightlife catering to package tourists seeking sun, sea, and value.
The Red Sea delivers spectacularly: crystal-clear waters (visibility 20-40 meters), vibrant coral reefs mere meters from shore, technicolor fish (parrotfish, angelfish, lionfish), and iconic wrecks like the SS Thistlegorm (WW2 cargo ship, one of world's best wreck dives). Hurghada's diving reputation rivals global hotspots—PADI Open Water courses cost $270–$346 (compared to $432+ in Caribbean), and experienced divers explore sites like Giftun Island's reefs, Dolphin House where spinner dolphins play, and Elphinstone Reef's sharks. Even non-divers snorkel directly from beaches or take boat trips to protected islands ($27–$43).
Yet Hurghada splits into distinct zones: Dahar (El Dahar) preserves the old town with fish market, mosques, and local Egyptian life; Sekalla forms the downtown-ish center with marina, shops, and restaurants; while the Hotel Zone sprawls endlessly south along Hurghada Bay and Sahl Hasheesh with mega-resorts, empty streets, and self-contained properties. Most tourists never venture beyond their all-inclusive resort except for organized excursions. Day trips unlock Egypt's ancient wonders: Luxor (4 hours, $43–$76 tours) visits Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Hatshepsut Temple—whirlwind archaeology crash course departing 4am returning 8pm.
Desert safaris ($32–$49) offer quad biking, Bedouin village visits, stargazing, and camel rides over sand dunes. The city itself has limited attractions—marina promenade, Grand Aquarium ($27), water parks—but the Red Sea and value proposition drive appeal. Food ranges from resort buffets to local Egyptian cuisine at downtown spots (koshari, grilled fish, mezze, $3–$8 meals).
Nightlife centers on resort entertainment and marina clubs playing house music. Russians, Germans, and Czechs dominate tourist demographics, with charter flights connecting directly from Central and Eastern European cities year-round. Weather delivers near-guaranteed sunshine—winters (October-April) offer perfect 22-28°C beach conditions, while summers (May-September) bake at 35-45°C but sea stays refreshing and prices plummet.
With visa-on-arrival ($$25 for most nationalities), English spoken in tourist areas, and all-inclusive weeks starting from $486 in low season ($756–$1,080 peak winter), Hurghada perfects the budget beach-diving formula—affordable Red Sea access minus Egypt's chaos and dust, where the hardest decision is beach or boat dive.
What to Do
Diving & Snorkeling
PADI Diving Courses
Hurghada is one of the world's best-value destinations for learning to dive. PADI Open Water certification costs from ~$302–$410 (3-4 days, includes equipment, instruction, boat dives) depending on center quality and materials. Warm water (22-28°C), incredible visibility (20-40m), calm conditions, and abundant marine life make it ideal for beginners. Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster courses also excellent value. Many Europeans get certified here specifically for cost savings. Reputable centers: Emperor Divers, Diving World, Red Sea Explorers. Equipment quality varies—check reviews. Theory can be done online before arrival to save time. Certification recognized worldwide.
Giftun Island Marine Park
Protected island 45 min by boat with pristine reefs and white-sand beaches. Day trip boat tours ($27–$43) include 2 snorkel stops, lunch, and beach time. Mahmya Beach on Giftun is postcard-perfect—turquoise lagoon, white sand, sunbeds, and bar (entry sometimes extra $5–$11). Reefs teem with colorful corals and tropical fish easily visible from surface. Some tours visit Orange Bay (another stunning beach spot). Full day 9am-4pm. Can get crowded with hundreds of tourists from multiple boats. Bring reef-safe sunscreen (protect corals), underwater camera, seasickness tablets if prone. Best snorkeling near Hurghada accessible by boat.
Wreck & Reef Diving
Advanced divers explore legendary sites: SS Thistlegorm (WW2 British cargo ship, 30m depth, trucks and motorcycles still visible—one of world's best wrecks), Elphinstone Reef (hammerhead sharks, oceanic whitetips, strong currents—advanced only), Abu Nuhas (wreck graveyard with 4-5 ships), Dolphin House (spinner dolphins, snorkeling/diving site). Day trips to Thistlegorm ($86–$130 long boat ride, 2-3 dives). Local reef dives ($43–$65 for 2-tank day). Live-aboard boats for serious divers visit best sites over 3-7 days ($540–$972 all-inclusive). October-May best conditions. Expect stunning underwater visibility, warm water, and world-class marine biodiversity.
Excursions & Activities
Luxor Day Trip (Valley of the Kings)
Egypt's ancient capital—4 hours by bus through desert. Full-day tours ($43–$76 4am-8pm) visit Valley of the Kings (pharaoh tombs including Tutankhamun), Karnak Temple (massive columns), Hatshepsut Temple (dramatic cliffside), Colossi of Memnon statues, and optional Luxor Temple. Includes guide, transport, lunch. Exhausting but incredible—5,000 years of history concentrated. Valley of the Kings allows 3 tomb entries (Tutankhamun extra fee). Lunch often mediocre tourist buffet. Extremely hot in summer (bring hat, water, sunscreen). Winter (October-March) more comfortable. Some tours offer overnight Luxor stays. Alternative: Nile cruise from Luxor. Photography prohibited in most tombs. World-class archaeology—must-do for history lovers despite long day.
Desert Safari & Bedouin Village
Escape resort for authentic desert experience—half-day tours ($32–$49 3-5 hours) include quad biking or buggy ride over sand dunes, camel ride, visit to Bedouin village with tea and bread-baking demonstration, sunset, and stargazing. Some add traditional dinner with grilled meats and dancing. Usually departures 2-3pm. Quad biking ranges from tame to wild depending on operator—specify preference. Bring scarf/bandana for sand and dust. Can get touristy (multiple groups) but genuine desert landscape. Alternative: morning desert sunrise safaris. Good family activity. Sunset timing perfect for photos. Stars spectacular far from city lights—Milky Way visible.
Grand Aquarium & Marina
Egypt's largest aquarium ($27 entry, 2-3 hours) showcases Red Sea marine life—sharks, rays, tropical fish—plus rainforest section. Good for non-divers/snorkelers or families with kids. Mini-zoo attached with small animals. Not world-class but decent rainy-day option (though rain rare). Marina Hurghada area has waterfront restaurants, cafés, shops, and boat docks—pleasant evening stroll (free). Water parks: Jungle Aqua Park ($32–$43 largest), Makadi Water World ($38–$49). Grand Aquarium located near Sheraton Road area.
Beach & Resort Life
All-Inclusive Resorts
Hurghada perfected ultra-budget all-inclusive—many resorts offer unlimited food (buffets + à la carte), drinks, pools, beach access, animation teams, and entertainment for $38–$81 per person per night (winter peak $86–$130). Quality varies enormously: read recent reviews carefully. Best areas: Sahl Hasheesh (luxury end, beautiful beaches), Makadi Bay (secluded, family resorts), Hurghada Bay (mid-range). Budget resorts can disappoint (mediocre food, worn facilities). Tipping improves service—$1 per drink, $3–$5 per day housekeeping. Most resorts have house reefs for snorkeling directly from beach. Alcohol quality varies (local brands vs. imports). Private beaches maintained daily. Animation teams run beach games, aerobics, evening shows. Kids' clubs standard. Russians and Germans dominate guest mix.
Beach & Snorkeling
Many resorts have house reefs—you can snorkel directly from shore to see colorful coral gardens and fish. Entry via jetties (coral sharp—wear water shoes). Best house reefs at hotels in southern areas (Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay). Public beaches rare—most coastline privatized by resorts. Marina beaches more developed but less impressive reefs. Water temperature 22°C winter, 28-30°C summer (always swimmable). Calm, clear, salty Red Sea water. Bring reef-safe sunscreen (coral protection). Snorkel gear often provided free at resorts or rent locally ($3–$5). Fish feeding sometimes offered (controversial for reef health). Watch for boats and currents. Some beaches have sea urchins and stonefish—stay in designated areas.
Gallery
Travel Information
Getting There
- Airports: HRG
Best Time to Visit
October, November, December, January, February, March, April
Climate: Warm
Budget
Excludes flights
Visa Requirements
Visa required
💡 🌍 Traveler Tip (November 2025): November 2025 is perfect for visiting Hurghada!
Practical Information
Getting There
Hurghada International Airport (HRG) has charter and scheduled flights from Europe (4-5 hours), Middle East, and Egypt domestic. Massive charter traffic from Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, UK, Russia. Resort transfers usually included in packages ($10–$$20 if not). Taxis to hotel zone cost $15–$$30 depending on distance (negotiate before). Many visitors book all-inclusive packages with flights from Europe starting $486–$756/week.
Getting Around
Resort-based tourism—most never leave property except organized tours. Taxis everywhere but no meters—haggle hard (offer 50% of first quote). Uber/Careem operate sporadically. Minibuses run between resort areas ($1–$1) but confusing for tourists. Rental cars available ($25–$40/day) but chaotic driving, poor signage, and resort convenience make them unnecessary. Excursion operators include hotel pickup. Walking outside resorts impractical—distances vast, no sidewalks, intense sun. Resort hop via taxi if exploring.
Money & Payments
Egyptian Pound (EGP, LE or E£) but US Dollar and Euro accepted widely at resorts and tourist areas. Exchange rate fluctuates significantly—check XE.com (roughly LE 48-51 per USD, LE 50-54 per EUR as of late 2024/2025). ATMs at resorts dispense pounds. Credit cards accepted at resorts, less so locally. Bring cash for tips and local purchases. Tipping culture strong: $1–$2 per drink, $3–$5 per day housekeeping, $5–$10 for dive guides. Small bills essential—change scarce.
Language
Arabic is official but English widely spoken in tourist areas—resort staff, dive instructors, tour operators mostly fluent. German and Russian also common in tourist zones. Haggling expected at markets and with taxis. Communication easy in resorts, challenging in local areas. Basic Arabic appreciated: shukran (thank you), min fadlak (please), aiwa (yes), la (no).
Cultural Tips
Muslim-majority country—respect local customs: dress modestly outside resorts (shoulders and knees covered for women, no shirtless for men in town), no public displays of affection, no alcohol outside licensed venues. Ramadan (dates vary, Islamic calendar): restaurants may be closed during day, respect fasting locals. Friday is holy day—some businesses close. Tipping essential for service workers (low wages supplemented by tips). Haggling expected in shops and taxis (start at 50% asking price). Coral protection: don't touch or stand on coral, reef-safe sunscreen only, no feeding fish. Photography: don't photograph locals (especially women) without permission, military installations prohibited. Resort vs. reality: venture to old town Dahar for authentic Egypt beyond tourist bubble. All-inclusive tipping: small bills for bartenders, housekeeping, waiters ensure better service. Scams: ignore papyrus/perfume shop tours (high-pressure sales), confirm prices before taxi rides, book reputable dive operators only.
Perfect 5-Day Hurghada Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Beach
Day 2: Giftun Island Snorkeling
Day 3: Desert Safari
Day 4: Luxor Day Trip
Day 5: Diving or Beach Day
Where to Stay in Hurghada
Sahl Hasheesh
Best for: Luxury resorts, beautiful beaches, secluded, high-end, best house reefs, 20km south
Makadi Bay
Best for: Family resorts, water parks, isolated, sandy beaches, mid-range, 30km south
Hurghada Bay (Hotel Zone)
Best for: Main resort strip, mid-range hotels, closest to airport, convenient
Sekalla & Marina
Best for: Downtown area, marina, restaurants, nightlife, shops, tour operators
Dahar (El Dahar)
Best for: Old town, authentic Egyptian life, fish market, local restaurants, less touristy
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