Hurghada is Egypt’s biggest Red Sea resort: a long strip of hotels along the coast, an old town, a marina, and an international airport ten minutes from most of them. It is the easiest beach base in Egypt, with the most flights, the widest choice of hotels and the most to do outside the hotel, from island boat trips to day trips to Luxor.
The areas, and how they differ
Hurghada stretches for more than 40 kilometres, and the area you choose matters more than in most resorts.
- El Dahar: the old town in the north, with the local market and mosques. Few beach hotels, but the most authentic part of the city.
- Sakkala and the Marina: the centre, with restaurants, bars, the marina promenade and most of the nightlife. Hotels here are close to everything but beaches are shorter.
- The resort strip south of the centre: the long coast road towards the airport, lined with large beach resorts, most of them all-inclusive.
- Sahl Hasheesh: a planned bay about 20 kilometres south, with upscale resorts, a seafront promenade and clear water.
- Makadi Bay: about 30 kilometres south, a self-contained bay of family resorts. See our Makadi Bay hotel guide.
- El Gouna: a lagoon town about 25 kilometres north, with its own marina, restaurants and kitesurfing.
Further south, Soma Bay and Marsa Alam are quieter alternatives.
All-inclusive, or eating out
Most beach resorts are all-inclusive, which suits families and anyone who wants to relax. If you would rather eat out in the evenings, choose a hotel in or near Sakkala, the Marina or El Gouna, where restaurants are within walking distance or a short taxi ride.
Sand, reef or jetty
Hurghada has more sandy beaches than the southern coast, but some hotels sit in front of coral, with a jetty out to deeper water. Sandy beaches are easier for small children; a jetty and a house reef are better for snorkelling from the hotel. The best reefs, around the Giftun Islands, are reached by boat on a day trip from Hurghada.
Egypt Honeymoon Escape: Cairo & Red Sea
Want to see this for yourself? This trip covers it.
View This TripBefore booking, ask: is the beach sand or reef, is there a jetty, how far is the hotel from the Marina and the airport, and is the all-inclusive level full or limited to set hours.
When to go
Hurghada is warm all year. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable; summer is hot, with the sea at its warmest; winter days are pleasant but evenings are cool and the wind can be strong. See the best time to visit Egypt.
Getting there, and day trips
Hurghada International Airport has direct flights from much of Europe and from Cairo. Luxor is about four hours by road, which makes a day trip, or a few days on the Nile followed by the beach, an easy combination. See our Red Sea beaches and Egypt packages.
Help choosing
We book across Hurghada and know which properties have a sandy beach and which a reef, which are quiet and which lively, and which suit families, couples or divers. Tell us how you want to spend your stay and we will shortlist against it: talk to us, or browse the hotels we work with.
