The bays, north to southالخلجان من الشمال إلى الجنوب
| El Gouna | A planned lagoon town 25 km north, with marinas, golf, restaurants and a distinct self-contained feel. The most expensive and the most walkable. |
|---|---|
| Hurghada town and Sekalla | The working town — Marina Boulevard, the Old Town, local restaurants and the cheapest hotels. |
| Sahl Hasheesh | A quiet crescent bay of large resorts south of the airport, good for families. |
| Makadi Bay | Resort-only bay with a good house reef, around 30 km south. |
| Soma Bay | Golf, thalasso spa, and the Tobia Arbaa reef; popular with kitesurfers and divers. |
| Safaga and Marsa Alam | Further south, quieter, with better reefs and longer transfers. |
On and in the waterعلى الماء وتحته
Day boats run to Giftun Island and the Northern Islands for snorkelling and beach stops, and to dive sites including Abu Ramada, Careless Reef and the Umm Gamar wall. Wreck divers head north to the Thistlegorm or the Abu Nuhas reef and its four wrecks. Dolphin House at Sha'ab Samadai is a southern day trip from Marsa Alam rather than Hurghada.
The wind that makes Hurghada mediocre for flat-calm swimming makes it excellent for kitesurfing and windsurfing, with big schools in the town, Soma Bay and El Gouna. Season runs strongest from spring through autumn.
Combining Hurghada with Luxorالجمع بين الغردقة والأقصر
Luxor is roughly four hours by road from Hurghada across the Eastern Desert, which makes a one-day temple trip possible and a two-day trip far more enjoyable. Day tours leave before dawn, cover Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut, and return after dark; it is a long day in a minibus, and an overnight in Luxor turns it into a real visit.
Hurghada airport has direct charter flights from much of Europe, and domestic connections to Cairo. Cairo is about an hour by air or a very long drive.
Common questionsأسئلة شائعة
Is Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh better?
Sharm has the stronger diving close to shore, in Ras Mohammed and Tiran. Hurghada has more choice of resort bays, better wind sports, cheaper flights from many European cities, and road access to Luxor. Families often prefer Hurghada's sandy bays; divers usually prefer Sharm.
How far is Luxor from Hurghada?
About 280 to 300 km, or four hours each way by road across the desert. Day tours run, but an overnight makes the trip far more worthwhile.
Is the sea warm in Hurghada in winter?
It cools to around 22°C in January and February — swimmable for most people, and cold enough that divers want a thicker wetsuit. Air temperatures stay mild and sunny through the winter.
Can you drink alcohol in Hurghada?
Yes, in hotels, resorts and licensed bars and restaurants. It is not sold openly outside those venues, and public drinking is not acceptable.