One must-visit destination is Giftun Island, especially the larger one, which offers excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities, along with fine sandy beaches and crystal-clear water. Paradise Beach and Orange Bay are the two most popular spots here. A short 5-km boat trip is required to reach the island.
If you’re fascinated by the diverse and vibrant marine life of the Red Sea, a visit to one of the aquariums or marine museums in Hurghada is a must. One of the most impressive options is the Hurghada Grand Aquarium, located just a short distance from the city’s airport. This aquarium boasts a large glass tunnel where you can get up close and personal with a variety of fish species. It also has outdoor spaces that house other exotic animals like reptiles and birds, making it a perfect destination for families with children.
Apart from the Hurghada Grand Aquarium, there are two smaller yet equally fascinating options: the Red Sea Aquarium on the Corniche, and the Hurghada Marine Museum & Aquarium located north of the city. These museums showcase life-size reproductions and exhibits that can supplement your knowledge of the marine life found in the Red Sea.
Hurghada offers a range of family-friendly activities beyond the small parks with attractions. One of the most popular is the Jungle Aqua Park, a large water park with numerous and thrilling slides, small pools with water jets, and ample sunbed areas. The complex also offers catering options for visitors.
For a different kind of entertainment, Sand City is a must-visit. It is an open-air museum showcasing breathtaking creations made entirely of beach sand. Talented artists sculpt sculptures of famous cartoon characters, ancient pharaohs, deities from Egyptian religion and Western mythology, and creatures from the artists’ imaginations.
Further south, near Makadi Bay and approximately 25 km from the airport, is Mini Egypt, a small theme park full of miniature replicas of Egypt’s main monuments. Visitors can take fun pictures with large constructions that are equivalent in height to an adult person. These include the Pyramids of Giza, mosques of Cairo, Abu Simbel, the New Library of Alexandria, and the Temple of Hatshepsut in Deir el Bahari, providing a delightful experience for children and adults alike.
A popular destination for tourists is the Marina, a luxurious marina where spectacular yachts and other motor or sailboats can be seen moored. Visitors can also witness boat builders at work, preserving a tradition that has been passed down for generations, such as the dahabiyas and falucas that we use in our Nile cruises. The Marina also boasts a wide range of hospitality and catering options, including international food venues and ice cream parlors.
On the way to or from the Marina, visitors will come across the most beautiful and monumental construction in Hurghada, the Al Mina mosque. This recently built mosque stands out for its refined and numerous domes that sparkle in the sun like the desert sand. The marble pavement in front of its main entrance adds to its beauty, while its minarets, reminiscent of Turkish architecture, give the building an air of majesty that can be seen from many points in the city. Whether with or without children, taking a walk in Hurghada to explore the city is a great way to get a feel for the place.
The Al Mina mosque in Hurghada is not only a beautiful architectural gem, but also offers stunning views from the harbor and a magical sight at night. While it’s possible to visit the mosque outside of prayer times, the interior is just as impressive as the exterior, with a spectacular central lamp as one of its highlights.
For those looking for a more traditional bazaar experience, the Ad Dahar area is home to Hurghada’s own marketplace. Although it may not be as bustling as other bazaars in Egypt, it offers an authentic shopping experience where visitors can find local crafts, clothing, and other unique souvenirs to take back home. It’s a great option for those looking for a more local touch to their travel gifts, compared to the more generic souvenir shops found in many tourist areas.
If you’re planning a trip to Hurghada, it’s helpful to have some practical information to make your visit as smooth as possible. Here are some useful details about getting there, getting around, and exploring the city:
The success of tourism in Hurghada is largely due to its magnificent infrastructure, including its international airport, which has direct flights from numerous countries, making travel organization much easier. Many of these flights are chartered or seasonal, while others come from the capital, Cairo. The most common route for those traveling from Spain is through Cairo, as there are no direct air routes from our country, except for recent changes. Below is a list of destinations that usually have connections with Hurghada Airport:
International direct flights: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Chelyabinsk, Novosibirsk (Russia), Riga (Latvia), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Istanbul, Antalya (Turkey), Belgrade (Serbia), Sarajevo, Tuzla (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Sofia (Bulgaria), Berlin, Cologne / Bonn, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Zweibrücken, Nuremberg, Leipzig, Munich, Stuttgart, Bremen (Germany), Geneva, Zurich (Switzerland), London, Birmingham, East-Midlands, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle (United Kingdom), Tbilisi (Georgia), Kuwait (Kuwait), Brussels (Belgium), Paris (France), Helsinki (Finland)
In addition to planes, cars are another usual means of transport for tourists in Hurghada. This is particularly common for those who organize a closed and tailored package tour of Egypt, as our agency does. The entrance to the city is the 60 highway from Qena, and the approximately 220 km distance between the two cities can be covered in just over two and a half hours. The journey from Cairo via the coastal 65 highway takes about 5 hours. From Marsa Alam, another holiday destination on the same coastline but further south (about 280 km), the journey is just over 3 hours on the aforementioned 65 highway.
Bus is also an option to reach Hurghada, as some transportation companies include it on their national routes. In the absence of a large central bus station, the companies have their own stations, such as Go-Bus and Blue Bus, located in the center, and often with stops at other strategic locations near resorts.
Another viable option, although only privately, is by boat. Sea crossings can be organized from other Red Sea tourist destinations, such as Sharm el Sheikh, Dahab, or Taba, all of them in the Sinai Peninsula.
If you’re visiting Hurghada for tourism, moving around the city independently can be quite challenging. This is primarily due to the city’s limited and inefficient public transport network, as well as its vast size, with three distinct areas:
Ad Dahar: This is the northernmost area of Hurghada and the most “Egyptian” part of the city, as evidenced by its residential constructions and establishments. The area is home to several religious buildings and small tourist attractions, such as the Red Sea Aquarium and the bazaar.
Sigala: Located in the central part of the city, Sigala is home to Hurghada’s most refined and elegant establishments, including the Al Mina Mosque and the Marina.
Free Delivery HurghadaThe Resort Strip: Situated south of the city and near the airport, this area is where the primary holiday resorts are located, with ample space and private beach access.
Therefore, walking between these three areas of Hurghada is impractical and very uncomfortable on local minibusses. Taxis are much more readily available, accustomed to traveling across the city from one end to the other. You will recognize them by their unique combination of colors: orange hood, doors, and roof, and the rest (fenders, bumpers) in black. An indicative fare is 40 LE between Ad Dahar and the resort strip.
There is also a certain variety of car rental offices in Hurghada, especially in the Sigala area and around the Marina, where you will find some of the major chains of this type. Of course, there are also many branches at the airport and other strategic locations.
But undoubtedly, the most comfortable, safe, and fast way to get around and sightsee in Hurghada is by using private taxis. These are companies and professionals specifically focused on tourists, so the quality standards are higher than average. Through Egipto Exclusivo, you can hire this customized service, to have a chauffeured vehicle at your disposal at all times.
If you’re looking for tourist information in Hurghada, options can be limited. The Egyptian Tourism Authority has an office located on the main avenue in the resort area, south of the city and next to the airport.
In practice, it will be more comfortable for you to ask your questions at the hotel where you are staying, especially if it is a resort with good reception service. If you need more detailed assistance, such as organizing a desert excursion or booking a diving activity, it’s recommended to turn to a reputable local agency like Egipto Exclusivo.
We can provide a customized experience for you prior to your trip, as well as offer support during your stay, including private transportation, professional guides, certified monitors, and more. With their assistance, you can make the most out of your visit to Hurghada and have an unforgettable vacation.
Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure in Hurghada? This enchanting travel guide will take you through the best time to visit, top attractions, exciting activities, and everything you need to know for a memorable trip. From snorkeling and diving in the mesmerizing Red Sea to exploring the desert safari, indulging in local cuisine, shopping, and experiencing the vibrant nightlife, Hurghada has something for everyone. Join us as we dive into the vibrant tapestry of experiences awaiting you in this captivating destination. Hurghada Travel Guide is your gateway to discovering the magic of this coastal gem.
When planning a trip to Hurghada, it’s essential to consider the best time to visit to make the most of your experience. The perfect time to explore Hurghada and indulge in its beauty is during the months of March to May and September to November. Here’s why:
Mild Weather: During these periods, the weather in Hurghada is relatively mild and perfect for outdoor activities. With temperatures ranging from 25°C to 30°C, you can comfortably explore the city without the scorching heat of the summer months.
Ideal for Water Activities: The Red Sea’s temperature during these times is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving, allowing you to fully relish the beauty of the underwater world without feeling too cold or too hot.
Avoiding Peak Season: By visiting during these shoulder seasons, you can also avoid the crowds that flock to Hurghada during the peak tourist seasons, ensuring a more serene and relaxed experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer vibrant and lively atmospheres and don’t mind the higher temperatures, visiting during the summer months of June to August can also be exciting. However, be prepared for the hotter weather and the higher influx of tourists.
So, whether you are keen on underwater exploration, a desert safari, or simply relaxing by the Red Sea, selecting the right time to visit will greatly influence your Hurghada travel experience.
When visiting Hurghada, there are several captivating attractions that you simply cannot afford to miss. Whether you are a history buff, a nature enthusiast, or an adventure seeker, the city has something for everyone. Here are the top attractions that make Hurghada a must-visit destination:
Giftun Island: A paradise for nature lovers, Giftun Island offers pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant coral reefs, making it an ideal spot for snorkeling and diving. Visitors can also enjoy a relaxing day by the beach or indulge in water sports activities.
