Travel guide · Egypt
Hurghada travel guide
Red Sea reefs, island boat trips and resort bays on Egypt's mainland coast
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Michael Botros, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Hurghada stretches for some 40 km along the Red Sea coast of mainland Egypt, from the lagoon town of El Gouna in the north through the old district of El Dahar and the marina at Sekalla to the resort bays of Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi and Soma Bay in the south. Most visitors come for winter sun, all-inclusive resorts and the reefs: boats from the marina reach the Giftun Islands national park in about 45 minutes, and the dive sites offshore are some of Egypt's most visited. Luxor's temples are about four hours away by road, making Hurghada a common base for combining beach time with ancient Egypt. Plan 7 days for a first visit; the best months are March–May and October–November.
Key facts
- Country
- Egypt
- Best time to visit
- March–May and October–November
- Ideal stay
- 7 days
- Main airports
- HRG
- Mid-range daily budget
- $90–$180 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Red Sea diving, Giftun Islands, All-inclusive resorts and Kitesurfing
Why visit Hurghada
- Boat trips from Hurghada Marina reach the white beaches and reefs of the Giftun Islands, a protected area, in about 45 minutes.
- Winter days usually reach the low 20s °C with near-constant sunshine, and the sea stays above about 21°C all year.
- Steady winds make El Gouna, Soma Bay and Makadi popular for learning windsurfing and kitesurfing.
- Luxor's Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings are reachable on a long day trip by road.
- Resort bays from Sahl Hasheesh to Soma Bay offer a wide range of all-inclusive options, many with house reefs.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 12 things to do.
Island · Sekalla and Hurghada Marina
Giftun Islands
Two desert islands off Hurghada, Giftun Kebir and Giftun Saghir, form the heart of a national park of reefs and white-sand beaches.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
- Photo spot
Nature · El Gouna
Dolphin House reef
Shaab El Erg, a horseshoe-shaped reef north of Hurghada, is a resting area for wild spinner dolphins, and boat trips here often see pods swimming near the surface.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
Waterfront · Sekalla and Hurghada Marina
Hurghada Marina
The marina's pedestrian boardwalk curves around moored yachts and dive boats, lined with restaurants, cafés, bars and ice-cream shops.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Food
- Couples
Religious site · Sekalla and Hurghada Marina
El Mina Mosque
Hurghada's grandest mosque stands on the waterfront near the port, with two tall minarets and Ottoman-style domes.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- After dark
Market · El Dahar
El Dahar souq
The old market streets of El Dahar sell spices, perfume oils, shisha pipes, galabiyas and souvenirs alongside everyday fruit, vegetable and household stalls.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- Food
- After dark
Museum · Central Hurghada
Hurghada Museum
Opened in 2020, this museum brings together objects from across Egyptian history, from pharaonic statues and jewellery to Coptic and Islamic pieces.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Where to stay
Sekalla and Hurghada Marina is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$ · Best for budget, solo travellers, food lovers and culture
El Dahar
The old town, with the souq, local cafés and budget hotels
$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, solo travellers and food lovers
Sekalla and Hurghada Marina
Marina boardwalk, dive boats, restaurants and bars around the port
$$ · Best for families, beach and budget
Village Road
Long strip of large beach resorts south of the centre towards the airport
$$$ · Best for couples, luxury, beach and quiet stays
Sahl Hasheesh
Planned resort bay 20 km south with a promenade and clear-water reefs
What to eat
- Grilled Red Sea fish — Grouper, sea bream, snapper or calamari chosen from a display, weighed and grilled or fried, then served with rice, tahini and salads.
- Sayadeya — Fish cooked with rice in a dark, spiced broth flavoured with caramelised onions, a coastal Egyptian classic.
- Koshari — Rice, lentils, macaroni and chickpeas with tomato sauce, garlic vinegar and crispy onions; filling, cheap and vegetarian.
- Ful and ta'ameya — Stewed fava beans and fava-bean falafel served with bread, pickles and salad, the everyday Egyptian breakfast.
- Hawawshi — Flatbread stuffed with spiced minced meat, onions and chilli, then baked until crisp.
- Fiteer — Layered, flaky pastry folded around savoury or sweet fillings such as cheese, meat, honey or custard.
When to go
The best times to visit Hurghada are March to May and October to November, with warm days, comfortable sea temperatures and pleasant conditions for excursions to Luxor. Summer is very hot but good for warm-water swimming, while December to February is sunny but cooler, with chilly evenings and windy boat days.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Warm days, calm evenings and sea warming towards 25°C; ideal for both the beach and Luxor trips. |
| Summer | June–August | Very hot, often above 35°C, but breezy, with the warmest sea and family-holiday crowds. |
| Autumn | September–November | Hot September easing into warm, sunny October and November with the sea still near 25–28°C. |
| Winter | December–February | Sunny days in the low 20s °C, cool nights and the coolest sea; windy days can cancel boat trips. |
Getting there and around
Hurghada International Airport sits in the middle of the resort strip, about 5 km from Sekalla. Taxis and transfers take about 10–15 minutes to the centre, 25–30 minutes to El Gouna or Sahl Hasheesh, and about 45 minutes to Soma Bay.
Hurghada is long and spread out, so you will rely on taxis, hotel shuttles and microbuses between districts. Walking works within the marina area, El Dahar and El Gouna's downtown.
Plan your days
Four days allows a Giftun Islands boat trip, a dolphin or reef snorkelling day and time at the resort. A week adds a long day trip to Luxor, a desert safari and an evening in El Gouna or the marina.
Practical information
- Currency
- EGP
- Language
- Arabic (Egyptian) and English
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled water is sold everywhere and supplied by hotels.
- Emergency number
- 122 police, 123 ambulance, 126 tourist police
- Tipping
- Small tips are expected for boat crews, dive guides, drivers, porters and housekeeping, and about 10% in restaurants if service is not already added.
Check your own government's travel advice before travel. The main issues are persistent touts and unagreed taxi fares, strong sun and heat, and sea urchins, coral cuts and wind-driven currents on boat trips; listen to crew briefings and use buoyancy vests if unsure.
Flights to Hurghada
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Hurghada?
Four days allows a Giftun Islands boat trip, a dolphin or reef snorkelling day and time at the resort. A week adds a long day trip to Luxor, a desert safari and an evening in El Gouna or the marina. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Hurghada?
The best times to visit Hurghada are March to May and October to November, with warm days, comfortable sea temperatures and pleasant conditions for excursions to Luxor. Summer is very hot but good for warm-water swimming, while December to February is sunny but cooler, with chilly evenings and windy boat days.
+What is Hurghada known for?
Red Sea diving, Giftun Islands, All-inclusive resorts, Kitesurfing, Hurghada Marina, Luxor day trips and Winter sun. Boat trips from Hurghada Marina reach the white beaches and reefs of the Giftun Islands, a protected area, in about 45 minutes.
+Is Hurghada expensive?
Hurghada is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $90–$180 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Hurghada?
No. Taxis and organised excursions cover everything; driving in town is chaotic and long-distance roads to Luxor are better left to a driver.