Things to do in Hurghada: top sights and where to go
Hurghada stretches 40 km along the Red Sea, but the core sits by the port: El Mina Mosque, the fish market and the Marina boardwalk are 5–10 minutes apart on foot, with the old El Dahar bazaar 5–10 minutes away by taxi. The Grand Aquarium and Hurghada Museum are 15–20 minutes south by taxi. Keep a second day for a boat to Orange Bay on Giftun or the dolphin reef, or for El Gouna's lagoons 25 km north.
Sights
Hurghada itineraries
Hurghada travel guide
Before you go: the Red Sea and islands, the old town and Marina, areas and hotels, the airport, day trips to Luxor and Cairo.
Hurghada on your own: the essentials
- How many days
- 7–10 days: sea, islands, Luxor
- When to go
- October–November and March–May
- Visa
- Depends on your passport — e-visa or on arrival
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Currency
- Egyptian pound (EGP); US dollars widely taken
- Airport
- Hurghada (HRG) ≈ 5 km from the centre
- Sea
- Red Sea: coral, snorkelling, often windy
- Day trips
- Luxor ≈ 4 h, Cairo ≈ 5–6 h, islands
- Getting around
- Taxis, minibuses, hotel transfers
- Bargaining
- Expected at markets and with taxis
- Time zone
- UTC+2, UTC+3 in summer
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Key facts
Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Hurghada”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Hurghada”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Red Sea”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Giftun Islands”Things to do in Hurghada
Things to do in Hurghada town: the El Dahar old town and market, El Mina Mosque, the fish market, the Marina at sunset and the Hurghada Museum. On the water — Orange Bay and Dolphin House; for kids — the Grand Aquarium. Nearby are El Gouna on its canals and Sahl Hasheesh. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above.
| El Dahar | Old town, fish market | ½ day |
|---|---|---|
| Sakkala | El Mina Mosque, Marina | evening |
| South | Museum, Aquarium | 1.5 h each |
| Islands | Orange Bay, dolphins | 1 day |
| North | El Gouna | ½ day |
| South coast | Sahl Hasheesh | 2 h |
Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready itineraries for 1–2 days, with places in a sensible order.
Where to stay in Hurghada
Where to stay in Hurghada depends on what you want: El Dahar and Sheraton Road for town life, markets and budget hotels; the resort strip and Makadi for all-inclusive and families; Sahl Hasheesh for a house reef and snorkelling; El Gouna for nightlife, kitesurfing and restaurants.
| El Dahar, Sakkala | Town, markets, budget | Simpler beaches |
|---|---|---|
| Sheraton Road | Cafés, Marina, evenings | Older hotels |
| Resort strip | All inclusive, families | ≈ 15–30 min to town |
| Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi | House reefs, quiet | ≈ 20–40 min to town |
| El Gouna | Nightlife, kitesurfing | ≈ 30 min to Hurghada |
Hurghada airport to your hotel
Hurghada International (HRG) is ≈ 5 km from the centre, 15–40 minutes from most hotels. Use a pre-booked transfer or a taxi; there is no rail link.
| Taxi | Town and Sheraton Road | ≈ 15 min |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer | Coastal resorts | ≈ 15–40 min |
| Transfer | El Gouna | ≈ 30 min |
Agree the taxi fare before you get in, in pounds or dollars.
Hurghada weather by month
You can swim in Hurghada all year; the best time to visit is October–November and March–May, ≈ 24–32 °C by day with the sea at 22–27 °C. Summer is hot, ≈ 35 °C, but dry and breezy. Winter days are ≈ 21–22 °C with 22 °C water — bring a layer for evenings.
°CiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 21° | 22° | 24° | 28° | 32° | 34° | 35° | 35° | 33° | 30° | 26° | 22° |
| Night | 11° | 12° | 15° | 18° | 22° | 25° | 26° | 27° | 25° | 22° | 17° | 13° |
| Sea | 23° | 22° | 22° | 24° | 26° | 27° | 28° | 29° | 28° | 27° | 25° | 24° |
| Rain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: March–May and October–November
- day ≈ 21°
- night ≈ 11°
- sea ≈ 23°
- rain 0 days
About 21°, sea ≈ 23°, windy. Swimmable, the water is fresh — about 23°.
- day ≈ 22°
- night ≈ 12°
- sea ≈ 22°
- rain 0 days
The coolest month, sea ≈ 22°. Swimmable, the water is fresh — about 22°.
- day ≈ 24°
- night ≈ 15°
- sea ≈ 22°
- rain 0 days
About 24°, warming up. Swimmable, the water is fresh — about 22°.
- day ≈ 28°
- night ≈ 18°
- sea ≈ 24°
- rain 0 days
About 28° — a great time. Warm for swimming, water — about 24°.
- day ≈ 32°
- night ≈ 22°
- sea ≈ 26°
- rain 0 days
About 32°, sea ≈ 26°. Warm for swimming, water — about 26°.
- day ≈ 34°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 27°
- rain 0 days
Hot, ≈ 34°. Warm for swimming, water — about 27°.
- day ≈ 35°
- night ≈ 26°
- sea ≈ 28°
- rain 0 days
Heat ≈ 35°, dry and breezy. Warm for swimming, water — about 28°.
- day ≈ 35°
- night ≈ 27°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 0 days
Warmest sea ≈ 29°. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 33°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 28°
- rain 0 days
About 33°, sea ≈ 28°. Warm for swimming, water — about 28°.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 22°
- sea ≈ 27°
- rain 0 days
About 30° — the best month. Warm for swimming, water — about 27°.
- day ≈ 26°
- night ≈ 17°
- sea ≈ 25°
- rain 0 days
About 26°, sea ≈ 25°. Warm for swimming, water — about 25°.
- day ≈ 22°
- night ≈ 13°
- sea ≈ 24°
- rain 0 days
About 22°, fresh evenings. Warm for swimming, water — about 24°.
It almost never rains, but the sea breeze blows most days — sheltered bays are calmer.
Day trips from Hurghada
The main day trips from Hurghada are Luxor for Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, Cairo for the pyramids, boat trips to the Giftun islands and Dolphin House, and quad-bike desert safaris. Luxor and Cairo take a full day.
What to eat in Hurghada
In Hurghada, eat fish and seafood: at the fish market you choose the catch and the cafés next door grill it. Egyptian street food — koshari, ful and ta’ameya — is cheapest in El Dahar.
- Fish from the market — pick it at the stall, grilled next door.
- Koshari — rice, pasta and lentils with crispy onions.
- Dates and karkadeh — from El Dahar market, good gifts.
- Mango — juice and fresh fruit in season, summer to autumn.
Hurghada prices for sights and trips
The old town, Marina, mosque and fish market are free. You pay for the museum, the Grand Aquarium and boat trips to the islands and Dolphin House, which add a national park fee.
| Hurghada Museum | 28 | 1 h 30 min | 300 EGP, students 150 |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Gouna | 26 | 4 h | No ticket; entry permit needed |
| Hurghada Grand Aquarium | 24 | 1 h 30 min | $35, $32 online; kids 4–9 $17.50 |
| Orange Bay | 21 | 4 h | Trip from $20 + park fee ≈ $5 |
| Dolphin House | 21 | 2 h | Tours from $17 + ≈ $5 fee |
Free — 5 places: El Mina Mosque, Hurghada Fish Market, Hurghada Marina, El Dahar Old Town, Sahl Hasheesh.
Tips
- Reef shoes are a must: coral is sharp and sea urchins live in the shallows.
- Don’t touch coral or turtles — national park fines are steep.
- Leave for Luxor before dawn to reach the temples while it is cool.
- Bargain at the market — first prices are often two or three times too high.
FAQ
Is Hurghada worth visiting?
Yes, for warm sea all year, coral reefs close to shore and day trips to Luxor and Cairo. It is a beach resort first, not a historic city.
What to do in Hurghada with kids?
The Grand Aquarium, a boat to Orange Bay, a glass-bottom boat over the reef and hotel water parks.
What to do in Hurghada at night?
Walk the Marina, eat at the fish market, or head to El Gouna’s Abu Tig Marina for bars and restaurants.
What is the weather like in Hurghada in December?
About 22 °C by day and 13 °C at night, with the sea near 24 °C — swimmable, but evenings are cool.
When is the best time to visit Hurghada?
October–November and March–May: warm days, a warm sea and no extreme heat.
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
It depends on your passport: many nationalities can get an e-visa online or a visa on arrival at Hurghada airport. Check the rules for your passport.
Can I do a day trip from Hurghada to Luxor?
Yes — about 4 hours each way by road. Tours leave before dawn and cover Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s temple.
Can I visit the pyramids from Hurghada?
Yes, but by road it is 5–6 hours each way; a one-hour flight makes the day far easier.
Where to stay in Hurghada for snorkelling?
Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi, where many hotels have a house reef right off the beach.
How much is a taxi in Hurghada?
Short town rides are cheap, but there are no meters: agree the price first, and ask your hotel for the usual fare.
Sources and fact-check
- Wikipedia, “Hurghada”; “Red Sea”; “Giftun Islands”; Hurghada climate (1991–2020 normals)
- Hurghada International Airport — official website
- Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Day trips from Hurghada
- Sharm El Sheikh · 89 km
- Luxor · 208 km
- Cairo · 403 km
- Alexandria · 584 km