Salt-water swimming, picnicking, sunbathing under perched parasols- the Old Vic beach in Hurghada offers a plethora of relaxing activities. It is the best spot to relax, soak under the sun and let salt waters poke your sandy toes.
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Hurghada is home to the country’s best sandy beaches, luxury experiences, and diving sites. Once a small, fishing village, Hurghada grew into a hub of luxury resorts and water experiences. The warm waters of the Red Sea offer inviting snorkeling, diving, and windsurfing promises. When in Hurghada, you can enjoy a quiet getaway on one of its beaches, tackle shipwrecks underwater, or explore the teeming marine life underwater. If you want the desert safari experience, Hurghada also offers long sandy stretches and dunes to experience quad bike safari and camel rides. Read on to know more about Hurghada, how to book Hurghada tickets, and other pieces of information that will help you plan your visit.
Salt-water swimming, picnicking, sunbathing under perched parasols- the Old Vic beach in Hurghada offers a plethora of relaxing activities. It is the best spot to relax, soak under the sun and let salt waters poke your sandy toes.
One of the best diving spots in Hurghada, these two coral towers separated by a chasm are home to many colorful fishes, jack, and tuna. It is known for its teeming number of moray eels. If you are lucky, you may also chance upon hammerhead sharks.
The Sand city is an open-air museum outside the Hurghada center, filled with sand portraits of mythological figures, Wonderland art, and Walt Disney statues. The legendary characters are made from compressed cement and water and then sealed with varnish.
Head to the Giftun islands to explore the rugged plateaus, surrounded by shimmering waters. You can explore the coastal reefs teeming with colorful fishes, look at the endangered birds flying above, or lie down on one of the many palm-frond parasols on the beach.
Located just 15 mins away from the Hurghada airport, the Sahl Hasheesh beach is known for its pristine waters and sandy shores. It is located on a gulf in the Red sea. The beaches are very well-maintained, which gives them their signature white sheen when sun rays fall on them.
The Makadi coast is solely frequented by tourists and is dotted with numerous luxury resorts and villas. The locals do not really visit this part of the coast, hence it is perfect for a secluded stay amidst the pristine beaches with spectacular views of the Red sea.
An excursion trip away from Hurghada, the Mahmya island is located on Big Giftun island. You can book a boat ride to this spot and enjoy snorkeling and diving in the colorful reefs. You can also enjoy a relaxing getaway under the chairs atop clean, golden sand.
Book a desert safari in the middle of the Egyptian desert, a few hours away from Hurghada to get a deeper insight into Bedouin culture and cuisine. You will be greeted with performers, fancy drinks, shishas, and splendid views of the starry, desert night sky.
The Gota Abu Ramada houses a large number of marine life, shoals of colorful fishes, and numerous coral pinnacles. You will definitely spot triggerfish, eagle rays, lionfish, and clownfish while diving in this popular spot.
Abu Nuhas is a popular exploration site, home to seven shipwrecks, four of which are accessible to tourists. SS Carnatic is a famous British cargo ship that sank in 1869. It is rumored to have been laden with gold chests along with a variety of wines.
The most interesting excursion that you can experience in Hurghada is a desert safari to the Egyptian sandy stretches. You can try sand adventure activities like quad bike rides, sandboarding, and camel rides on the desert safari from Hurghada.
The yellow Sindbad submarines allow you to explore the underwater scene. You can see graceful fleets of colorful, tropical fishes to intricate, flashy coral structures during this 50-minute underwater exploration.
The beach resort town is known for its sheer number of local cafes, shops, restaurants, and shisha bars. If you walk towards the Hurghada Corniche and the Marina, you can catch stunning views of the Red Sea and the surrounding colorful shacks.
Although the Hurghada markets are not as big as the ones in Cairo, the shopkeepers are friendly and sell every kind of knick-knack from Egyptian headscarves to shishas. Make sure to take a keepsake with you back home as a reminiscence of your trip here.
The Hurghada Marine museum is quite literally a sample of the Red sea encompassed in glass. It is home to almost 1200 sub-aquatic species that reside in 24 diverse ecosystems, The sharks, turtles, rays, and the “touch-tank” experience is sure to delight toddlers and adults alike.
The Monastery of St. Anthony, established in the 4th century BC, is the oldest functioning monastery in the world. It houses the largest collection of Coptic wall paintings in Egypt. The high-walled churches, bakery, and lush gardens inside the monastery are an impressive sight.
Also known as the Abdel-Moneim Riad mosque, the impressive structure and architectural details of the Big mosque often enthrall viewers. The domes, arches, and hallways are lined with Islamic motifs. Its most-recognizable features, the minarets, are visible from a mile away.
The Marina Boulevard in Hurghada is an upmarket spot, lined with multi-million dollar yachts and fine restaurants. However, it is an excellent viewpoint. You can catch the sunset for free and spend your bucks at the pubs or souks later.
If you want to enjoy some water adventure activities and feel the wind on your face, head to the Harry Nass windsurf center. It has a shallow bank, where you first learn how to balance. There are trained professionals to make your experience safe and enjoyable.
On your Hurghada stay, you will realize the vastness and splendor of the desert night sky. You can take a drive away from the city center and book an astronomy tour to learn about the different constellations and how the Bedouins used the starry night sky to navigate.
Known for its array of adventurous sports, kitesurfing, waterboarding, diving, and snorkeling, El Gouna attracts attention throughout the year. It also houses Egypt’s largest golfing destination and Slider’s Cable Park, one of the largest in the world.
Time Zone: Eastern European Standard Time (GMT+2)
Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)
Country Code: +20
Emergency Numbers:
Monday to Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Monday to Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Monday to Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Monday to Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Hurghada is filled with luxury resorts with water parks and unlimited fun activities for you and your family to indulge in. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide.
A. The best way to book Hurghada tickets is to get them online. Online ticket bookings are easy, quick, and convenient. If you book tickets online, you may also chance upon great deals and discounts.
A. Yes, you can book Hurghada tickets online. In fact, it is recommended that you book tickets online to avoid standing in long queues.
A. If you book Hurghada tickets online, you can enjoy great deals. Children aged 4 to 11 years enjoy discounted prices on activities like snorkeling, quad bike rides, and desert safari in Hurghada if they arrive with valid ID proof.
A. When in Hurghada, make sure to indulge in snorkeling and scuba-diving in the Giftun islands. Soak in the sun at Makadi water bay, Mahmya island, and Sahl Hasheesh. You can also explore the shipwrecks at Abu Nuhas.
A. Hurghada records hot temperatures around the year. April to October record the hottest temperatures, while the remaining months are slightly cooler. April, May, October, and November are the best months to go scuba diving or snorkeling in Hurghada.
A. You need to spend at least five to seven days in Hurghada to get your fill of the sandy shores, Bedouin markets, and gorgeous coral reefs.
A. Hurghada experiences scorching temperatures throughout the year, so pack light and comfortable clothing like tees and shorts for your trip.
A. You must try the desert safari and water adventures in Hurghada. It has some of the best diving spots in the world that are teeming with shoals of tropical fishes and colorful corals. If you are an adrenaline junkie, you will enjoy the quad bike rides across the sandy dunes. You may also try kitesurfing and scuba diving in Hurghada.
A. Hurghada has plenty of luxury resorts and facilities to meet your every need. There are disability diving centers to help visitors with limited mobility, and to ensure that they can experience the gorgeous coral reefs of Hurghada to the fullest.
A. When in Hurghada, you must experience quad bike rides in the desert safari. If you want to explore the underwater shipwrecks, head to Abu Nuhas. The Giftun islands, a short while away from Hurghada, house gorgeous coral reefs that are accessible to both beginners and professional divers.
A. Make sure to try Tahini salads, a plethora of seafood, delicious lentils, shawarma, falafel, homemade kofta, basbousa, and other typical Egyptian dishes when visiting Hurghada.
A. You may want to take a stroll along the sandy shores, catch the sunset from Marine Hurghada, indulge in an authentic Bedouin dinner, gaze at the starry desert night sky, or ride on a quad bike with your partner in Hurghada.
A. The best way to get around Hurghada is to grab mini-buses, taxis, or by foot. The resorts are grouped quite close together. It is best to take in the sights, markets, and beaches on foot. However, you can flag down taxis and cabs to reach destinations further away.
A. Hurghada has some of the best diving spots and pristine beaches in the world. You must visit Hurghada to catch splendid views of the Red sea from its shores, explore the many shipwrecks at the Suez canal opening, look at the gorgeous coral reefs, and gaze at the starry desert night sky.
A. There are accessible diving centers in Hurghada, open for all visitors with limited mobility to enjoy snorkeling and scuba-diving. If you are not comfortable with diving, make sure to visit the Sand City and Marine Museum.
A. If you do not have much time to spare, but would like to explore as much of Hurghada as possible, book a snorkeling tour. The boat ride will take around 45 minutes and you can explore the reefs for another hour or so.
A. Book a quad bike safari with BBQ dinner or a Luxor to Hurghada day tour to explore many of its timeless temples and enjoy the Bedouin cuisine and culture to the fullest.
A. You can book a one-way, convenient, and easy airport transfer from the Hurghada airport to the hotel, and vice versa. An air-conditioned vehicle will be sent to you, with a professional driver and luggage assistance.
A. Children will have a fun time exploring the sandy shores, feasting on delicious falafel, and swimming in the salt waters of Hurghada. The Sand City and Marine Museum are popular children’s attractions in Hurghada.
A. Tipping is quite common in Hurghada. You may hear prayer calls during the day, floating from the Blue Mosque. Stand still and be respectful of their traditions. If you are visiting religious sites, cover your knees and shoulders.
