Planning a trip to Egypt? Then be sure to visit Hurghada and its must-see attractions!
Egypt is often synonymous with a vast desert dotted with pyramids and sphinxes. However, the small Egyptian town of Hurghada will surprise you with its completely different atmosphere. Indeed, Hurghada is bordered by a beach that stretches for some forty kilometers along the Red Sea. In fact, Hurghada is famous for its beach and turquoise waters. So you’ll find plenty of hotels and activities in this coastal town. A visit to Hurghada is full of surprises!
Are you traveling and looking for things to do in Hurghada? Then you’ve come to the right place! With our top 10 must-sees, you’re sure to find something to do when visiting Hurghada.
1. Diving Giftoun Island
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Wondering what to do in Hurghada and want to discover the magnificent aquatic life of the Red Sea? Then take a boat trip to an island popular for its aquatic fauna and multicolored corals: Giftoun Island. In fact, you can easily enjoy a snorkeling session here. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, you’ll always find something to suit you.
Please note, however, that you should be careful to book your session in advance. Indeed, this type of must-do activity is very popular with those wishing to visit Hurghada. You should also make sure that the weather is sunny and warm during your adventure. This will make diving all the more enjoyable, and you won’t risk catching a cold.
2. Fantasia folk show at Alf Leila We Leila
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Visiting Hurghada also means immersing yourself in the local culture. For this, you can enjoy a magnificent show at the Alf Leila We Leila Hotel. Belly dancers, acrobats of all kinds, a cultural exhibition with horses, a Bedouin and Tannura show and fabulous traditional folklore. That’s just a taste of what’s in store.
The show runs Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 8 pm to 10 pm.
3. Desert quad safari
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Are you wondering what to do in Hurghada and looking for a thrill? Then set off from Hurghada to discover the desert on a quad bike. This type of activity can be booked on site or online. Your guide will pick you up directly from your hotel.
Before you start, you’ll have the chance to take the quad for a test drive. This will enable you to learn how to handle the vehicle before setting off on your excursion. Once underway, a Bedouin village comes into view, some twenty kilometers from the starting point. Once you’ve conquered the sand dunes with your quad, you can stop off in the village. Once there, you can learn about their customs and how to ride a camel.
4. Jungle Aqua Park
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It’s impossible to miss Egypt’s largest waterslide park! Hurghada’s Jungle Aqua Park boasts thirty-five slides and fourteen pools! It’s the perfect day out for the whole family. What’s more, if you have young children, this activity is guaranteed to be a success.
5. City of Sand
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Would you like something a little different while you’re visiting Hurghada? How about a visit to an open-air museum of fantastic sand sculptures? That’s what Hurghada’s Sand City has to offer. Forty-two sculptures and seventeen designs by artists from different countries.
The open-air museum can be visited daily from 8 am to 6 pm. So you can see the various sculptures at your leisure and take plenty of photos. And if you’re thirsty, there’s a small café, Kafficho, on site. There are also souvenir stores nearby, should you wish to buy a few items to remind you of your vacation.
6. Valley of the Kings in Luxor
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Pocholo Calapre
The Valley of the Kings, an Egyptian must-see, is just a three-hour drive from Hurghada. Would you like to see it while you’re visiting Hurghada? If so, you can use a tour operator to take you there. Some will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a tour of the Luxor Valley and its wonders. If you’re looking for something a little more unusual, you can also hop aboard a felucca. This is a typical Egyptian sailing boat. It will take you across the Nile to the City of the Dead.
On site, the impressive Colossi of Memnon greet you at the entrance to the last remains of the temple of Amenophis III. Be enchanted by the magnificent architecture of the Valley of the Kings and visit the temple of Hatshepsut. Once you’ve had enough time to explore the vast monuments to your heart’s content, you’ll be taken back to your hotel.
7. Red Sea submarine tour
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Fancy an unusual activity during your stay in Hurghada?
Then we’ve got something for you: a submarine tour of the Red Sea. At the water’s edge, you’ll find the opportunity to board a Sinbad submarine. You’ll be able to enjoy a 1 to 3-hour excursion among the flora and fauna of the Red Sea.
8. Dolphine World
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Wondering what to do in Hurghada with your family? Then the incredible dolphin and sea lion show at Dolphin World will leave you speechless.
Indeed, the animals perform breathtaking acrobatics that will put smiles on the faces of parents and children alike. Dolphine World’s main attraction, however, is the chance to swim with dolphins and sea lions. In fact, it’s one of the only places in the country where you’ll have the chance to swim with these charming creatures!
9. Boat trip
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Ihor Bondarenko
If submarines scare you, you can also opt for a more traditional sea trip. With or without a skipper, a boat rental in Hurghada promises a varied selection of itineraries, as the city enjoys a privileged geographical position.
Indeed, as well as being on the shores of the Red Sea, the resort is at the gateway to the Suez Canal and the Gulf ofAqaba. And we haven’t even mentioned the aforementioned local spots, Giftoun Island and Dolphine World.
As you can see, taking to the open seas is one of the mainstays of Hurghada’s activities.
Find a boat to rent in Hurghada
10. The Great Aquarium of Hurghada
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Aquariums are always a fun and inspiring activity, whatever your age. That’s why you should visit Hurghada’s Grand Aquarium. It’s dedicated to teaching the importance of conservation and ecology for our aquatic wildlife.
One of the main attractions is undoubtedly the underwater tunnel. It’s a dream come true for adventure-seeking children. What’s more, you can stroll through a small, friendly zoo and feed some of the animals. You’ll find monkeys, exotic birds and many other animals.
How to get to Hurghada
Would you like to visit Hurghada from France or Cairo ? But you don’t know how? Then here’s some information you might find useful.
By plane from France
To get to Egypt and visit Hurghada from France, generally allow 6 to 8 hours’ flying time. However, you’ll need to pay close attention to the airline you choose to avoid stopovers. For example, some flights to Egypt have one or two stopovers before arriving at Hurghada airport.
We therefore advise you to use a flight comparison service such as Ulysses. To help you with your search, here are some airlines that fly to Hurghada airport:
- Air Egypt
- Swiss Air
- Turkish Airline
- Pegasus Airline
- Lufthansa
Getting to Hurghada from Cairo
The cities of Hurghada and Cairo are separated by a large desert and a freeway running along the Nile valley. As a result, you can rent a car or take a bus. It will take you around 3 to 4 hours to reach the city center.
The other option is to take a cab. However, we don’t recommend it for this trip. Cabs are expensive and not always safe.
Transfer from airport to city center
Hurghada airport is around five kilometers from the city center. So, if you’ve booked a hotel in the center, you’ll need to make a transfer. Don’t worry, you’ll be able to find your own means of transport. You can take a cab, a shuttle or even a private mini-bus.
If you opt for a cab: you can book your Hurghada airport cab with TaxiTender. This is an online booking platform for reliable and affordable airport transfers. Your driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals area, with a sign bearing your name. He will then drive you to the exact location you wish to reach. Cancellation is free of charge. If you’ve booked an early morning flight to Hurghada airport, or would simply prefer to take a cab to the airport, this platform is ideal for that purpose.
Where to stay in Hurghada?
With over 200 hotels to choose from, Hurghada is known as Egypt’s beach resort town. As a result, you’ll be spoilt for choice, both in terms of location and price. By consulting an online hotel comparator, you can easily find the establishment that suits you best.
If you’re on a smaller budget, Airbnb offers a wide range of accommodation in the city.
Map of hotels and accommodation – Hurghada, Egypt