Best Things to Do in Hurghada, Egypt

Hurghada stretches 40 km along the Egyptian Red Sea coast opposite the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. The things to do in Hurghada are dominated by the Red Sea’s underwater world: the coral reefs off Hurghada, Giftun Island, and the open sea south toward Safaga and Marsa Alam host an extraordinary diversity of marine life — hawksbill sea turtles, spinner dolphins, dugongs, whale sharks, reef sharks, manta rays, and hundreds of fish species. Dive sites including Sha’ab Abu Nuhas (the wreck site with four accessible shipwrecks including the Carnatic, an 1869 P&O steamer), Abu Ramada Island, and Erg Somaya are among the Red Sea’s most celebrated. For non-divers, the reefs near Mahmya Island and Giftun Island National Park are accessible by snorkeling and glass-bottom boats. El Gouna, 25 km north of Hurghada, is a planned resort town built on a lagoon system, with a more upscale and European feel than Hurghada proper; its consistent wind pattern (the ‘Shamal’ northerly) makes it Egypt’s premier kitesurfing destination. Luxor (the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple) is accessible by day trip (3.5 hours by bus or a short flight).

Best time to visit

September through May is the most comfortable period. June through August is very hot (35-40°C) and the most crowded (primarily with European package holidaymakers). December-February are the coolest months and the best for longer dive days. The Red Sea offers year-round diving; water temperature ranges from 22°C in winter to 28°C in summer. Wind for kitesurfing is most consistent April-June and September-October.

Getting around

Hurghada International Airport has direct charter flights from across Europe and scheduled connections from Cairo. The coastal road (Corniche) runs the length of the resort. Taxis and private transfers connect hotels to dive centers, the marina, and El Gouna. For Luxor, air-conditioned buses and organized day tours are the most reliable options; the drive follows the desert highway inland.

What to eat

Hurghada’s restaurant scene is oriented toward European package tourists: pizza, pasta, buffets, and generic international menus dominate the resort strip. For Egyptian food, the old Hurghada district (Dahar) has local restaurants serving kushari (lentil, rice, and pasta with tomato-vinegar sauce), ful medames (stewed fava beans), and grilled fish with tahini. The fish market near the old harbor has the freshest catch for restaurants that will grill it to order. For a special meal, the nicer restaurants in El Gouna offer significantly better quality than the resort strip.