In short
Hurghada is the largest resort town on Egypt's Red Sea coast, a 40-kilometre strip of hotels, marinas and dive centres with its own international airport. It is the easiest, best-value place to add beach time to an Egypt trip, with daily boat trips to the Giftun Islands and Luxor about four hours away by road.
Hurghada grew from a small fishing settlement into Egypt's biggest beach destination from the 1980s onwards, and it shows: the town is long, sprawling and built for holidaymakers rather than for strolling. What it offers in return is choice. There are hundreds of hotels, from simple dive lodges to large all-inclusive family resorts, and more boat operators, dive schools and excursions than anywhere else on the mainland coast.
The town falls into three parts. El Dahar in the north is the old centre, where locals shop in the souq and eat in cheap grill houses. Sakkala, south of it, is the busy middle, with the port, the El Mina Mosque and Hurghada Marina's waterfront restaurants. South of that, the resort strip runs along Village Road and the main coast road towards the airport and beyond, where most visitors actually stay. Further south again are the self-contained resort bays of Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay and Soma Bay.
For Australians and New Zealanders, Hurghada works best as the beach finish to a Nile itinerary or as a base for families who want shallow water, kids' clubs and easy boat trips. If you want somewhere quieter and more stylish, look at El Gouna to the north; if marine life is the priority, Marsa Alam to the south. Our broader Red Sea coast guide compares the whole region.
Top things to see in Hurghada
Giftun Islands and Mahmya
The two Giftun islands lie about 45 minutes by boat off Hurghada inside a protected area. Day boats stop at two or three reefs for snorkelling, and some land at Mahmya, a beach club of white sand and shallow turquoise water on Giftun Kebir. A national park fee is charged on top of the boat trip.
Hurghada Marina
The marina in Sakkala is the town's most pleasant evening spot, with a boardwalk of cafes, seafood restaurants and yachts. It is also where many dive and snorkel boats depart, so it is worth knowing even if you stay further south.
El Dahar old town
The northern district is where Hurghada's residents live and shop. Wander the souq for spices, cotton and household goods at local prices, and eat fresh fish chosen by weight at simple seafood restaurants. It is the closest thing the town has to a traditional Egyptian centre.
Abu Nuhas and the Strait of Gubal wrecks
North of Hurghada, the reef of Abu Nuhas has claimed several ships, including the Carnatic (1869) and the Giannis D (1983). They are classic day-boat wreck dives of about 1.5–2 hours each way, suitable for certified divers in calm conditions.
Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh
South of town, these resort bays have their own house reefs, so you can snorkel straight off a jetty. Sahl Hasheesh has an upmarket promenade and a snorkel site among the submerged columns of an unfinished building project known as the Sunken City, while Makadi Bay is popular with families for its sheltered water.
Soma Bay
About 45 km south of Hurghada, Soma Bay is a peninsula of a few large resorts with a championship golf course and reliable wind for kitesurfing. It feels removed from the town and suits travellers who want to stay put.
Eastern Desert and Roman quarries
Inland, the Red Sea Mountains rise behind the coast. Half-day jeep or quad trips visit Bedouin-style camps, while full-day trips reach the Roman imperial quarries of Mons Claudianus and Mons Porphyrites, where columns for Rome were cut.
Luxor in a day
Hurghada is the closest beach to Luxor. A private day trip leaves around 5–6am, covers Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple, and returns late at night. It is long but rewarding; an overnight in Luxor is more comfortable.
In-depth sight guides
- Giftun Islands: The Giftun Islands are two low desert islands, Giftun Kebir and Giftun Saghir, lying roughly 10 km off Hurghada inside a marine…
- Makadi Bay: Makadi Bay is a purpose-built resort bay on the Red Sea coast about 30 km south of Hurghada, made up of a string of large hotels…
- Sahl Hasheesh: Sahl Hasheesh is a planned, upmarket resort bay about 20 km south of Hurghada, with a 12 km curve of coast, luxury hotels, a…
- Soma Bay: Soma Bay is a private resort peninsula about 45–50 km south of Hurghada, just north of Safaga, with a handful of large hotels, an…
Unforgettable experiences
- A full day on a smaller boat to the Giftun Islands, with snorkelling stops and lunch on board
- A discover-scuba session or a PADI open-water course in warm, clear water
- Seafood dinner at the marina, choosing your fish by weight
- A sunset jeep or quad ride into the Eastern Desert mountains
- A dawn departure for a private day trip to Luxor's temples and tombs
- A morning snorkelling a resort house reef in Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh
When to visit Hurghada
Hurghada has sunshine almost every day of the year. March to May and September to November are the sweet spots, with air temperatures of about 26–32°C and the sea at 24–28°C. June to August is very hot on land, often 35°C and above, though the sea is warmest. December to February gives mild days of about 21–24°C, cool evenings and water around 22°C, which suits Australians escaping a hot summer but is often windy. School holidays in Europe and Egypt bring the biggest crowds, so book family resorts early for those periods.
How long to spend in Hurghada
Three nights gives you one boat trip and two beach days. Four to five nights is the most popular choice after a Nile cruise, and a week suits divers or families who want a proper rest. If you plan a Luxor day trip from here, add a night so the long day doesn't eat into your beach time.
Getting there
Hurghada International Airport (HRG) sits between the town and the southern resort strip, about 15–30 minutes from most hotels. Domestic flights from Cairo take about an hour. At the time of writing some Gulf carriers fly between Hurghada and their hubs, which can make it possible to fly home via the Gulf without returning to Cairo; routes change seasonally, so check when booking. By road, Hurghada is about four hours from Luxor across the Eastern Desert, and roughly 5–6 hours from Cairo. El Gouna is about 30 minutes north, and Marsa Alam about 3.5–4 hours south.
Specialist tips
- Choose your area first: the southern strip and bays for resort holidays, Sakkala for walking to the marina, El Dahar for local life
- Pick a boat operator that caps numbers; the cheapest Giftun trips can carry 50 or more passengers
- Check that your resort's beach has a house reef or jetty if you want to snorkel without a boat
- Allow 18–24 hours after your last dive before flying to Cairo or home
- Negotiate taxi fares before setting off, or ask your hotel to book a car
- Take a rash vest and reef-safe sunscreen; the sun is strong even in winter
Hurghada: frequently asked questions
Is Hurghada good for snorkelling?
Yes, especially by boat. The best reefs are offshore at the Giftun Islands and around them, while resort bays such as Makadi Bay have house reefs you can reach from a jetty. Our Red Sea snorkelling guide compares the spots.
Can you do a day trip to Luxor from Hurghada?
Yes. It is about four hours each way, so expect a 14–16 hour day. We recommend a private car and guide and, if you can, an overnight stay. See our Luxor day trip from Hurghada guide and the Luxor destination guide.
Which part of Hurghada is best to stay in?
Most visitors stay on the southern resort strip or in the bays of Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi or Soma for beach and reef. Sakkala suits those who want restaurants within walking distance. Our where to stay in Hurghada guide goes area by area.
Is Hurghada good for families?
It is one of the easiest family beach destinations in Egypt, with shallow sandy beaches, kids' clubs and short transfers. Our Egypt family adventure finishes here; see also Egypt with kids.
Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh?
Hurghada is closer to Luxor and better value; Sharm has more dramatic reefs and access to Mount Sinai. Read Hurghada vs Sharm el-Sheikh or the wider Red Sea coast guide.
