Things to do · Hurghada · Egypt
12 best things to do in Hurghada
12 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Hatem Moushir, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The essential sights in Hurghada are Giftun Islands, Dolphin House reef and Hurghada Marina. Of the 12 picks below, 4 are free, 2 work on a rainy day and 5 suit children. Allow about 7 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- Giftun Islands
- Free sights
- 4
- Good on a rainy day
- Hurghada Museum
- Time to see the highlights
- 7 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giftun Islands | Sekalla and Hurghada Marina | Full day | Mid-priced |
| Dolphin House reef | El Gouna | Full day | Mid-priced |
| Hurghada Marina | Sekalla and Hurghada Marina | 1–2 hours | Free |
| El Mina Mosque | Sekalla and Hurghada Marina | 30 minutes | Free |
| El Dahar souq | El Dahar | 1–2 hours | Free |
| Hurghada Museum | Central Hurghada | 1–1.5 hours | Mid-priced |
| Hurghada Grand Aquarium | Hurghada | 2 hours | Mid-priced |
| Sahl Hasheesh sunken city | Sahl Hasheesh | 1–2 hours | Low cost |
| Eastern Desert safari | Eastern Desert | 3–6 hours | Mid-priced |
| Makadi Water World | Makadi Bay | Half a day | Mid-priced |
| Kitesurfing and windsurfing | Soma Bay | 2–3 hours per lesson | Expensive |
| Abu Tig Marina | El Gouna | 2–3 hours | Free |
The 12 best things to do
Island · Sekalla and Hurghada Marina
1.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. 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.
Choose a boat that limits passenger numbers; the big party boats get crowded at the most popular reefs.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
- Photo spot
Nature · El Gouna
2.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. Even when dolphins are not around, the reef has good snorkelling.
Stay calm in the water and let dolphins approach; do not chase or touch them, and choose an operator that respects the no-chase rules.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
Waterfront · Sekalla and Hurghada Marina
3.Hurghada Marina
The marina's pedestrian boardwalk curves around moored yachts and dive boats, lined with restaurants, cafés, bars and ice-cream shops. It is the city's most popular evening walk, with views of the El Mina Mosque lit up across the harbour.
Come for sunset and dinner; the boardwalk is at its liveliest after dark.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Food
- Couples
Religious site · Sekalla and Hurghada Marina
4.El Mina Mosque
Hurghada's grandest mosque stands on the waterfront near the port, with two tall minarets and Ottoman-style domes. Floodlit at night, it is the city's main landmark.
Photograph it from the marina boardwalk after sunset; dress modestly and ask permission before entering outside prayer times.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- After dark
Market · El Dahar
5.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. It is the most local shopping experience in Hurghada.
Visit in the early evening, when it is cooler and busiest, and haggle politely.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- Food
- After dark
Museum · Central Hurghada
6.Hurghada Museum
Opened in 2020, this museum brings together objects from across Egyptian history, from pharaonic statues and jewellery to Coptic and Islamic pieces. It is a compact introduction to ancient Egypt for visitors who will not reach Cairo or Luxor.
Visit on a windy day when boat trips are cancelled, or in the afternoon heat.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Aquarium · Hurghada
7.Hurghada Grand Aquarium
A large aquarium with Red Sea and tropical fish, sharks, rays and a walk-through tunnel, plus a small zoo section. It gives non-swimmers and young children a close look at the marine life on the reefs.
Combine it with a resort day; it is a good option for very young children before a snorkelling trip.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Experience · Sahl Hasheesh
8.Sahl Hasheesh sunken city
Just off Sahl Hasheesh, the submerged remains of an unfinished building — columns, steps and stone blocks — lie in shallow water, now colonised by coral and reef fish. It makes an unusual snorkelling and introductory diving site.
Go in the morning, when the water is calmest and visibility is best.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Active
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Eastern Desert
1.Eastern Desert safari
Jeep, quad-bike and camel trips head into the Eastern Desert behind Hurghada, where rocky mountains rise from sand plains. Most include a visit to a Bedouin settlement for tea and bread, and evening trips add dinner and stargazing.
Choose a sunset trip in summer to avoid the midday heat, and bring a scarf and sunglasses for the dust.
- Time needed
- 3–6 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Active
- Kids
- Outdoors
- After dark
Theme park · Makadi Bay
2.Makadi Water World
A large water park at Makadi Bay with dozens of slides, a lazy river and children's pools. Several neighbouring resorts include access in their rates.
Check whether your hotel includes access before buying a ticket.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Active
- Outdoors
Experience · Soma Bay
3.Kitesurfing and windsurfing
Strong, steady northerly winds and shallow lagoons make El Gouna, Soma Bay and Makadi popular places to learn kitesurfing and windsurfing, with schools offering beginner courses on flat water.
Learn with a school that uses radio helmets and a rescue boat, and book a course over several days to allow for wind changes.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours per lesson
- Cost
- Expensive
- Active
- Outdoors
Waterfront · El Gouna
4.Abu Tig Marina
El Gouna's main marina is lined with restaurants, bars and cafés under arcades, with yachts moored along the quays. It is the hub of El Gouna's evening life and a pleasant contrast to the resort hotels.
Combine a dinner here with a stroll around the lagoon bridges of downtown El Gouna.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Food
- Couples
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Art and museums | Hurghada Museum |
| History | Hurghada Museum |
| Outdoors and nature | Giftun Islands, Dolphin House reef, Hurghada Grand Aquarium and Sahl Hasheesh sunken city |
| Food and markets | Hurghada Marina, El Dahar souq and Abu Tig Marina |
| After dark | Hurghada Marina, El Mina Mosque, El Dahar souq and Eastern Desert safari |
| With children | Giftun Islands, Dolphin House reef, Hurghada Grand Aquarium and Eastern Desert safari |
| On a rainy day | Hurghada Museum and Hurghada Grand Aquarium |
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Hurghada?
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.
+What can you do for free in Hurghada?
Hurghada Marina, El Mina Mosque, El Dahar souq and Abu Tig Marina. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Hurghada when it rains?
Head indoors to Hurghada Museum and Hurghada Grand Aquarium.
+What is there to do in Hurghada at night?
Hurghada Marina, El Mina Mosque, El Dahar souq and Eastern Desert safari are best after dark.