# 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.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada

## Ready itineraries

- [One day in Hurghada town: an itinerary in the best order](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/in-1-day.md): The El Dahar bazaar, El Mina Mosque by the harbour, lunch at the fish market, the Marina in the evening and the antiquities museum — in order, by taxi.
- [Hurghada with kids: a day out](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/with-kids.md): The shark tunnel at the Grand Aquarium, El Mina Mosque by the port, lunch at the fish market and a walk past the yachts in the Marina — short walks and taxis.

## All 10 places with the YesGo score

- [El Mina Mosque](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/el-mina-mosque.md): YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free, between prayers. El Mina Mosque is Hurghada's best-known mosque, opened in 2012 beside the fishing harbour, with two white minarets of about 40 metres and…
- [Hurghada Fish Market](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/hurghada-fish-market.md): YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free entry; seafood sold by weight. Hurghada Fish Market is the working market on the fishing harbour, across the road from El Mina Mosque. Entry is free: you pay for seafood…
- [Hurghada Marina](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/hurghada-marina.md): YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free. Hurghada Marina is a gated yacht harbour and promenade in Sakkala, the town's favourite evening stroll and the departure point for many…
- [El Dahar Old Town](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/el-dahar-old-town.md): YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free. El Dahar is Hurghada's old downtown, north of the port: a noisy local souk selling clothes, spices and souvenirs, with street cafés and…
- [Sahl Hasheesh](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/sahl-hasheesh.md): YesGo score 28/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free. Sahl Hasheesh is a purpose-built resort bay 18 km south of Hurghada airport, 25–35 minutes by taxi from the centre. There's no ticket: the…
- [Hurghada Museum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/hurghada-museum.md): YesGo score 28/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · 300 EGP, students 150. Hurghada Museum is the Red Sea's first antiquities museum, with about 2,000 objects from the pharaohs to modern Egypt. It opens daily in…
- [El Gouna](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/el-gouna.md): YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · No ticket; entry permit needed. El Gouna is a private lagoon town 25 km north of Hurghada, nicknamed the Venice of the Red Sea. There's no ticket, but it's gated…
- [Hurghada Grand Aquarium](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/hurghada-grand-aquarium.md): YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · $35, $32 online; kids 4–9 $17.50. Hurghada Grand Aquarium is the city's big Red Sea aquarium: a 24-metre tunnel under sharks and rays, a mock rainforest and a mini zoo. It…
- [Orange Bay](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/orange-bay.md): YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Trip from $20 + park fee ≈ $5. Orange Bay is a white-sand beach club with a shallow turquoise lagoon on Giftun Island, a protected area off Hurghada. You can only get…
- [Dolphin House](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/hurghada-dolphin-house.md): YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Tours from $17 + ≈ $5 fee. Dolphin House is Sha'ab El Erg, an offshore reef north of Hurghada where wild dolphins often rest by day. You can only get there by boat…

## 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.

## Trip 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
- 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

## Key facts

- **1905** — founded as a fishing village — now the Red Sea’s biggest resort (source: Wikipedia, “Hurghada”)
- **≈ 40 km** — of hotels along the shore from El Gouna to Sahl Hasheesh (source: Wikipedia, “Hurghada”)
- **Red Sea** — one of the saltiest and warmest seas, with reefs close to shore (source: Wikipedia, “Red Sea”)
- **Giftun** — the islands off Hurghada are a protected area (source: 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.

| Where | What to see | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **El Dahar** | [Old town](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/el-dahar-old-town), [fish market](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/hurghada-fish-market) | ½ day |
| **Sakkala** | [El Mina Mosque](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/el-mina-mosque), [Marina](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/hurghada-marina) | evening |
| **South** | [Museum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/hurghada-museum), [Aquarium](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/hurghada-grand-aquarium) | 1.5 h each |
| **Islands** | [Orange Bay](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/orange-bay), [dolphins](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/hurghada-dolphin-house) | 1 day |
| **North** | [El Gouna](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/el-gouna) | ½ day |
| **South coast** | [Sahl Hasheesh](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/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.

| Area | Best for | Keep in mind |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **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.

| How | To | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **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.

- **January in Hurghada**: day ≈ 21°C, night ≈ 11°C, sea ≈ 23°C, rainy days: 0. About 21°, sea ≈ 23°, windy.
- **February in Hurghada**: day ≈ 22°C, night ≈ 12°C, sea ≈ 22°C, rainy days: 0. The coolest month, sea ≈ 22°.
- **March in Hurghada** (best time): day ≈ 24°C, night ≈ 15°C, sea ≈ 22°C, rainy days: 0. About 24°, warming up.
- **April in Hurghada** (best time): day ≈ 28°C, night ≈ 18°C, sea ≈ 24°C, rainy days: 0. About 28° — a great time.
- **May in Hurghada** (best time): day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 22°C, sea ≈ 26°C, rainy days: 0. About 32°, sea ≈ 26°.
- **June in Hurghada**: day ≈ 34°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 0. Hot, ≈ 34°.
- **July in Hurghada**: day ≈ 35°C, night ≈ 26°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 0. Heat ≈ 35°, dry and breezy.
- **August in Hurghada**: day ≈ 35°C, night ≈ 27°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 0. Warmest sea ≈ 29°.
- **September in Hurghada**: day ≈ 33°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 0. About 33°, sea ≈ 28°.
- **October in Hurghada** (best time): day ≈ 30°C, night ≈ 22°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 0. About 30° — the best month.
- **November in Hurghada** (best time): day ≈ 26°C, night ≈ 17°C, sea ≈ 25°C, rainy days: 0. About 26°, sea ≈ 25°.
- **December in Hurghada**: day ≈ 22°C, night ≈ 13°C, sea ≈ 24°C, rainy days: 0. About 22°, fresh evenings.

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.

| Where | Why | Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **[Luxor](https://yesgo.io/egypt/luxor)** | Karnak, Valley of the Kings | ≈ 4 h |
| **[Cairo](https://yesgo.io/egypt/cairo)** | Pyramids, Grand Museum | ≈ 5–6 h / 1 h by air |
| **Orange Bay** | Beach and snorkelling | ≈ 1 h by boat |
| **Dolphin House** | Dolphins, reef | ≈ 1.5 h by boat |
| **Desert** | Quad bikes, Bedouin camp | ≈ 30 min |

## 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.

- [El Mina Mosque](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/el-mina-mosque) — Free, between prayers
- [Hurghada Fish Market](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/hurghada-fish-market) — Free entry; seafood sold by weight
- [Hurghada Marina](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/hurghada-marina) — Free
- [El Dahar Old Town](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/el-dahar-old-town) — Free
- [Sahl Hasheesh](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/sahl-hasheesh) — Free
- [Hurghada Museum](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/hurghada-museum) — 300 EGP, students 150
- [El Gouna](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/el-gouna) — No ticket; entry permit needed
- [Hurghada Grand Aquarium](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/hurghada-grand-aquarium) — $35, $32 online; kids 4–9 $17.50
- [Orange Bay](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/orange-bay) — Trip from $20 + park fee ≈ $5
- [Dolphin House](https://yesgo.io/egypt/hurghada/hurghada-dolphin-house) — Tours from $17 + ≈ $5 fee

## 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.

## Questions

### 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

- Wikipedia, “Hurghada”; “Red Sea”; “Giftun Islands”; Hurghada climate (1991–2020 normals)
- Hurghada International Airport — official website
- Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Facts checked: 09.11.2026

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