What to do in Hurghada - 17 tips for activities and excursions

What to do in Hurghada, Egypt? We have visited Hurghada twice, one very recently. We also recently visited Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt. Here are our top tips for what to see and do in Hurghada - from snorkelling and desert tours to sightseeing and exciting excursions.

What is there to see and do in Hurghada?

Hurghada is located on the Red Sea in Egypt, and is easily reached by direct flights from Stockholm, among others. Many different charter companies organise trips here, and it is relatively easy to find trips with good prices. But is it worth travelling here?

When it comes to Egypt, you hear many different opinions, and we have actually had different experiences ourselves. When we went to Hurghada for the first time 14 years ago, we weren't thrilled, although the excursions were very exciting. We simply found the vendors to be intrusive and annoying.

After our successful trip to Sharm el Sheikh we dared to give Hurghada another chance, and we're glad we did! This time we got a completely different experience, and had a really quiet and relaxing trip. We stayed in the tourist resort of El Gouna, just north of Hurghada, which you can read more about on the link below. In this post, we give you tips on what to see and do in Hurghada and the surrounding area.

Tips for things to see and do in Hurghada

Here are 17 tips for things to see and do in Hurghada. If you have more tips, please let us know!

1. Experience the El Dahar market

The El Dahar market in Hurghada, located in the El Dahar square, is a market where the locals themselves sell fruit, vegetables and spices. In this bazaar you can also find all sorts of other things, such as carpets, leather goods and clothes. It's a great place to stroll around for a while and experience the authenticity of Hurghada.

2. Visiting the Coptic Cathedral of St Shenouda

While at the El Dahar market, you can also take the opportunity to visit the Coptic Cathedral of St Shenouda, located nearby. Although the majority of Egyptians are Muslim, there is also a large Christian population in Egypt.

3. Strolling in Hurghada marina

On the coast, Hurghada Marina Boulevard has a beautiful harbour promenade, magnificent luxury yachts and a wide range of restaurants and bars. You can come here to enjoy the tranquillity, the views and perhaps a bite to eat.

4. Check out the fish market

Right next to the marina is the Hurghada Fish Market. Even if you don't want to shop yourself, it's exciting to look around at all the colourful and beautiful fish crowding the ice beds. Here you can also see the fishing boats used by the local fishermen.

5. Admire the Al Mina Mosque

Right next to Hurghada's marina and fishing harbour is the city's big mosque, Al Mina (also the one in the top picture). We settled for looking at the beautiful mosque from the outside, but when we googled a bit about the mosque afterwards, we regretted not going inside. It looks really nice inside!

You can visit the mosque, but as a woman you have to borrow full clothing, which should be possible near the entrance.

6. Shopping on Sherry street

If you get tired of sightseeing, there are of course other things to do in Hurghada, such as shopping. One of the many places to shop is Sherry Street, which is a cross street to the larger Sheraton Road. Here you'll find things like clothes, shoes, mobile phones and other gadgets.

7. See fish in the Hurghada Grand Aquarium

Several people gave us tips about Hurghada. Grand Aquarium, which is supposed to be a really nice aquarium. We didn't end up going here, but if you want to visit it, you can find it on Villages Road, 15 kilometres south of El Dahar square in central Hurghada.

8. Fascinated by sand sculptures in Sand City

Not far from the aquarium is "Sand City", with sand sculptures representing both historical buildings and fantasy figures. However, the sand sculpture in the picture has "nothing to do with the text" - we didn't make it here.

9. Discovering Mini-Egypt

Another attraction we read about is "Mini Egypt". We didn't take the time to go to this attraction, located 33 kilometres south of El Dahar Square in the centre of Hurghada, although we were a bit curious. This is a miniature park where 60 of Egypt's most important sights have been built in miniature - a quick way to "see" all of Egypt!

10. Sunbathing and swimming

Many people travel to Hurghada mainly for sunbathing and swimming. The weather is suitable for sunbathing and swimming all year round, with around 35 degrees in the air in summer and around 21-26 degrees in the air during the winter months. Water temperatures range from 22 to 29 degrees centigrade throughout the year.

There are plenty of hotels both in Hurghada and in nearby tourist centres such as El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi Bay. When we stayed in El Gouna, we spent several days travelling to Zeytouna Beach Island.

11. Snorkelling and diving

Many tourists are also attracted to Egypt for its excellent snorkelling and diving opportunities. The Red Sea is wonderfully clear and the coral reefs are full of colourful fish. You can snorkel and dive from coastal beaches or join a snorkelling excursion. Here are some of the excursions on offer:

• Dolphin House - Luckily, you are out at sea by boat all day, and there is a chance to see dolphins.
• Sharm el Naga - Excursion to a famous coral reef beach and dive centre, which can arrange introductory dives.
• Paradise Beach - Boat trip to the beach on Giftun Island for sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling.

12. Take a glass bottom boat ride

If you prefer to experience the Red Sea and all its fish from a glass-bottom boat, that's fine too. The boats are equipped with both a glass bottom, so you can see life below the surface, and a sun deck on the upper deck.

13. Make an excursion to Luxor

If you're interested in history and want a really exciting excursion, book a trip to Luxor, located on the Nile. Here you can visit the Temple of Karnak, which was once part of the ancient capital of Thebes. You can also visit the Valley of the Kings, which includes the tomb of the famous pharaoh Tutankhamun.

In addition, you can visit the Deir el-Bahari temple and see the pharaoh statues Memnon Colossi. The journey to Luxor takes about 4 hours by bus, with stops along the way.

14. Trip to the Pyramids in Cairo

If you're not satisfied with everything you can do in Hurghada, you can take a longer trip to the capital Cairo. Here you can experience, for example, the Giza Pyramids with the huge tombs of the ancient pharaohs. You can also learn even more about its fascinating history at the Egyptian Museum. The journey to Cairo takes about 5 hours by bus, with stops along the way.

15. go on a desert safari

Do you like action and adventure? We've gone on a desert safari once in Hurghada and once in Sharm el Sheikh, and have to say it's a really fun and exciting experience. The arrangements can vary, but often involve a trip into the desert by jeep or quad bike.

Once out in the desert, you'll often visit a Bedouin village, ride a camel, and finally attend a dinner show with traditional food and dancing as the sun sets over the desert. Read about our latest desert safari in Egypt, which we did in Sharm el Sheikh.

16. Enjoy a spa, massage or Turkish bathing ritual

There are plenty of spas where you can book a massage, Turkish bathing ritual or other treatments. We tried a Turkish bathing ritual and full body massage when we were in Sharm el Sheikh recently. Really good! Prices are often good in Egypt, so if you want to treat yourself to a spa or massage, this is a good opportunity.

17. try Egyptian food

Another thing you might want to do in Hurghada is to try Egyptian food. We can especially recommend all the delicious scrambles (like hummus and baba ganoush) and all the fresh fish and delicious seafood. If you are staying in El Gouna and like fish, we can recommend the restaurant Hydra Seafood Restaurant.

More to do in Hurghada for kids

• Have fun at water parks and amusement parks such as Makadi Water World, Jungle Aqua Park and Sindbad Aqua Park.
• Try various water sports such as banana boating, pedal boating or kite surfing, or perhaps fishing.
• Experience the Red Sea from a submarine.

More to do in Hurghada for those without children

• Discover the peaceful and relaxing tourist resort of El Gouna.
• Take part in various shows and events, such as traditional dancing.
• Join a guided city tour in Hurghada.
• Diving among shipwrecks.

Facts about Hurghada

• Country: Egypt
• Guvernement: al-Bahr al-Ahmar
• Location: On the Red Sea, about 46 miles southeast of Cairo.
• Population: Around 200 000 (2016)
• Centre: El Dahar and Sekalla

Good to know

• Currency: Egyptian pounds (EGP) is the local currency, but the Euro also often works well.
• Price mode: It is generally cheap (index 56 according to Forex, winter 2018/2019). Can be more expensive in tourist locations.
• Farting: It is normal to haggle in markets, bazaars and many shops.
• Tips: It may be appropriate to give a small tip to cleaning staff, drivers, guides etc. who are often on low wages.
• Electrical outlets: Usually the same plug as in Sweden, but some earthed plugs (e.g. computer cord) may have too thick pins, so an adapter is needed.
• Clothes: In tourist areas you can wear western holiday clothes. Inside cities etc. it may be appropriate/feel better for women to cover shoulders and knees.

getting around in Hurghada

• Uber: A convenient, cheap and reliable way to get around inside Hurghada. Just download the app (which requires an Egyptian SIM card or other internet access)!
• Taxi: Also works smoothly, but is more expensive than Uber.

Accommodation in Hurghada

• El Gouna: Quiet tourist resort just north of Hurghada. Here we have stayed at the cosy hotel Sultan Bey.
• Hurghada: Several hotels are located along the coast in Hurghada.
• Sahl Hasheesh: Tourist resort just south of Hurghada, with many beautiful hotels.
• Makadi Bay: Popular tourist resort just south of Hurghada.

Travelling to Hurghada

• Charter: Several charter companies fly to Hurghada, including Airtours, Detur, Apollo, Ving, TUI and Solfaktor.