Shopping · Hurghada · Egypt
Shopping in Hurghada
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: user:vberger, Public domain
Quick answer
Shopping in Hurghada is mostly souvenirs, spices, perfume oils and cotton goods, sold in El Dahar's souq, along Sheraton Road and in resort shops. Haggling is expected outside fixed-price stores. Best souvenirs: Spices and hibiscus, Perfume oils and Egyptian cotton.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 3
- Markets
- 0
- Top souvenir
- Spices and hibiscus
Where to shop
El Dahar souq
Spices, perfume oils, scarves and everyday goods in the old town's market streets.
Sheraton Road
Souvenir and clothing shops in Sekalla near the marina.
El Gouna downtown
Boutiques, design shops and fixed-price stores around the town centre.
What to buy
Spices and hibiscus
Spice mixes and dried hibiscus flowers for karkadeh, sold by weight in El Dahar.
Perfume oils
Essential oils in hand-blown glass bottles; test before you buy.
Egyptian cotton
Towels, scarves and galabiyas in fixed-price shops and the souq.
Papyrus and alabaster
Painted papyrus and carved alabaster, often cheaper on a Luxor trip; check quality carefully.
Streets and markets worth a wander
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
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Fiteer, Karkadeh and Basbousa. Fiteer shops in El Dahar and Sekalla. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| El Dahar | $ | The old town, with the souq, local cafés and budget hotels |
| Sekalla and Hurghada Marina | $$ | Marina boardwalk, dive boats, restaurants and bars around the port |
| Village Road | $$ | Long strip of large beach resorts south of the centre towards the airport |
| Sahl Hasheesh | $$$ | Planned resort bay 20 km south with a promenade and clear-water reefs |
| Makadi Bay | $$ | Self-contained all-inclusive resorts and a water park 30 km south |
| Soma Bay | $$$ | Peninsula of upscale resorts, a golf course and kitesurf centres 45 km south |
| El Gouna | $$$ | Lagoon town of canals, marinas and restaurants 25 km north |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in EGP. Small tips are expected for boat crews, dive guides, drivers, porters and housekeeping, and about 10% in restaurants if service is not already added.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in January–February, May–June and September; the busiest months are the peak holidays.
- January: Coptic Christmas (7 January)
- October: El Gouna Film Festival (in recent years usually October)
- December: Christmas and New Year holiday peak (late December)
Staying near the shops
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Hurghada?
Spices and hibiscus, Perfume oils, Egyptian cotton and Papyrus and alabaster.
+Where is the best shopping in Hurghada?
El Dahar souq: Spices, perfume oils, scarves and everyday goods in the old town's market streets.