2 days in Hurghada

Day by day

1. Day 1: Giftun Islands and Hurghada Marina

   Giftun Islands, Hurghada Marina, El Mina Mosque and Dolphin House reef, then El Dahar souq in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Giftun Islands

      Day boats from the marina stop at two or three reefs for snorkelling and land at beaches such as Mahmya on Giftun Kebir, with turquoise shallows and beach cafés.

   2. Late morning

      Hurghada Marina

      It is the city's most popular evening walk, with views of the El Mina Mosque lit up across the harbour.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Grilled Red Sea fish

      Fish restaurants in El Dahar and around the marina, where you choose the fish and pay by weight.

   4. Afternoon

      El Mina Mosque

      Floodlit at night, it is the city's main landmark.

   5. Late afternoon

      Dolphin House reef

      Even when dolphins are not around, the reef has good snorkelling.

   6. Evening

      El Dahar souq

      Visit in the early evening, when it is cooler and busiest, and haggle politely.

2. Day 2: Hurghada Museum and Hurghada Grand Aquarium

   Hurghada Museum, Hurghada Grand Aquarium, Sahl Hasheesh sunken city and Makadi Water World, then Eastern Desert safari in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Hurghada Museum

      It is a compact introduction to ancient Egypt for visitors who will not reach Cairo or Luxor.

   2. Late morning

      Hurghada Grand Aquarium

      It gives non-swimmers and young children a close look at the marine life on the reefs.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sayadeya

      Seafood restaurants in El Dahar and Sekalla.

   4. Afternoon

      Sahl Hasheesh sunken city

      It makes an unusual snorkelling and introductory diving site.

   5. Late afternoon

      Makadi Water World

      Several neighbouring resorts include access in their rates.

   6. Evening

      Eastern Desert safari

      Choose a sunset trip in summer to avoid the midday heat, and bring a scarf and sunglasses for the dust.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 25–36 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.4 hours in December to 13.8 hours in June.

Getting between stops: Taxi. Taxis are the main way between the resorts, the marina and El Dahar; most are unmetered.

More or fewer days

• One day in Hurghada
• 3 days in Hurghada
• 5 days in Hurghada

Questions travellers ask