Located on the Red Sea, along the eastern coast of Egypt, Hurghada is a popular holiday hotspot, loved by families and couples alike who can't get enough of sunny weather and a great range of attractions. Thanks to its coastal location, Hurghada offers a wealth of boat trips, diving and snorkeling excursions, as well as plenty other activities and attractions which are sure to please everyone.
Family-friendly activities
Families on holiday in Hurghada won't want to miss the chance to spend the day at Makadi Water World. With more than 50 different water slides for kids and adults, including a 19m free-fall slide, mini rainbow, tunnel slide and elephant slide, there is something for everyone to enjoy here. Open from 10am until 5pm every day, this water park also features many chill out and sunbathing zones where you can relax. The price of the ticket includes entry to the park and food and drink at the various eateries found within, making it an affordable day out for everybody.
Another popular water park in Hurghada, Sindbad Aqua Park is the ideal place to cool off during your holiday. Thanks to its rather small size, this park aims to personalise your experience, whilst also cutting down waiting times. As well as entry into the park, the price of the ticket includes unlimited access to the many slides, pools and facilities, in addition to unlimited food and drinks at the various bars, restaurants and cafes. To make sure everyone has an enjoyable day out, an animation team is available to organise fun and games for both adults and children.
Animal lovers won't want to miss the chance to go horse riding Hurghada. This riding school takes in neglected horses and trains them so they're suitable for riding across the Eastern dessert. Whether you're an experienced rider or a first timer, the team at Mira Farm and Horse Rescue have the perfect horse to suit your abilities. Each trip lasts around one to two hours, but full- and half-day safaris can also be arranged which take place through the mountains. Riding lessons are available for people who have no experience, as are child-friendly ponies so the little ones can join in.
Hurghada Grand Aquarium is one of the world's largest aquariums and is a great place for families and couples alike to spend the day. Despite its small size, this aquarium is home to a large number of tropical fish and bigger creatures such as crocodiles and sharks. Open from 9am until 10pm each day, the Hurghada Grand Aquarium encourages visitors to take as many photos as they wish, so don't forget your camera.
Day trips
If you want to get out and about for a bit exploring, head over to Mahmaya Island. Offering a much quieter atmosphere than the hustle and bustle of Hurghada, this island can be reached by a 30 minute boat trip from the port at the resort. Here you can relax on the sandy beach or take to the waters to dive or snorkel where you'll see plenty of colourful marine life. There is a small bar-restaurant on the island which serves affordable food and drink throughout the day, although it doesn't sell any form of alcohol, so make sure you bring your own if you fancy a drink.
Giftun Islands are the ideal place to visit if you're in need of some peace and quiet. Found only a short sail away from the marina at Hurghada, the islands offer a handful of things to see and do, including sunbathing, diving and snorkelling. The offshore reefs are known for their sudden drop-offs and diverse marine life, which attract professional divers from all over the world. The main resort on the largest of the islands provides a great range of amenities, including bar-restaurant, excursions and windsurfing.
Elegant Voyage offers a huge range of trips and excursions, ensuring something for everyone. The Discover the White Desert is by far one of the most popular and includes a journey on a 4x4 land cruiser with driver, multilingual guide, two lunches, mineral water, soft drinks and one night camping in the desert. You'll see many incredible sights during the trip, including the white desert mountains, the crystal mountain, black desert volcanic canyon, tombs of the nobles and you'll also have the chance to explore the golden mummies museum. Suitable for holidaymakers aged eight and above, this excursion runs daily from Hurghada.
If you want to see the best that Egypt has to offer, sign up for a Bedayah Tour. Programme one is one of the most comprehensive and takes place over four days and three nights. Perfect for families and couples of all ages alike, this excursion begins at Cairo airport and includes several breakfasts, lunches and dinners along the way, as well as a visit to the Saqqara, several pyramids and the Sphinx, the Egyptian museum, Old Cairo, the Citadel, the Alabaster Mosque and Khan al-Khalili Bazaar. With photo opportunities at every corner, make sure you take your camera with you.
Adventure seekers won't want to miss the chance to enjoy a day out with Bike Egypt. Based in the centre of Hurghada, this company offers daily safari tours which take place on dirt bikes. The trip begins with a safety briefing, followed by an introduction to the bikes and a test ride to ensure you feel comfortable and safe. During the safari you'll have the chance to race along the dunes and canyons, as well as exploring several Bedouin camps and green oasis where you'll be able to stop for lunch. Full-day and half-day trips are available for individuals, couples and groups which can be tailored to suit your needs.
A quad bike safari is another popular way to explore the Egyptian dessert and guarantees fun for all. The first journey takes place at 9am and lasts for three hours, during which you'll speed through the desert on your own quad bike, discover Bedouin villages, have a go at camel riding and stop for refreshments. The second excursion takes place at 2.30pm and lasts for five hours when you'll also be able to explore the dessert and Bedouin villages, as well as watching the sun set and enjoying an authentic Egyptian barbecue, creating memories which will last a lifetime.
See the sights
The New Marina is a fantastic place to enjoy a leisurely stroll and soak up the sights, so don't forget to bring your camera. As well as the marina with its many boats and yachts, this area is also home to plenty of restaurants, bars and cafes where you can stop for a drink or bite to eat. If you get the chance to go after sunset, make sure you do. The marina takes on a completely different scene when Hurghada's rich and famous come out to wine and dine.
One of the most famous landmarks in the world, the Sahara Desert is a must-visit during your holiday in Hurghada. The best way to explore this site is on an excursion such as the 4WD Desert Safari and Bedouin Dinner, which includes a belly dancing show, camel ride, sand dune climb and star gazing. If you've got some time to explore the desert, you'll find several kiosks where you can rent motorbikes and open dune buggies to get around. The heat is often unbearable during the summer months, so try and visit during winter or spring if you can and make sure you pack your camera.
If you're looking for somewhere to pick up a souvenir of your stay or a place to buy gifts for friends and family back home, El Dahar is the place for you. Known as the local shopping district, this area is laden with mini markets that sell all sorts of things for very affordable prices. Here you'll find traditional Egyptian food and drink, groceries, clothing, pottery and spices. El Dahar is where the locals shop so although it's likely you won't find anyone speaking much in the way of English, it does provide you with a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the Egyptians and their way of life.
Diving & snorkelling
Based in Makadi Bay, Diving Ocean is a top diving school suitable for experienced divers and first timers alike. Here you'll find a wide variety of courses and trips on offer, with everything from beginner courses perfect for children up to advanced courses which will help you earn a career as an instructor. There are various dive sites along Hurghada, each offering a different depth and point of interest, such as reef, island or wreck. If you'd rather snorkel than dive, Diving Ocean also offers several full-day and half-day tours which visit top snorkelling destinations at nearby islands.
Whether you want to learn how to dive or are eager to earn a PADI certificate, Diamond Red Sea can help you out. This popular diving centre is based in the heart of the resort and hosts diving and snorkelling excursions along the Abu Hashish reef in the south of Hurghada. Here you'll have the chance to see many rock formations and marine life such as canals, coral gardens, table corals, ergs, fairy basslets, butterfly fish, blue fusiliers, calamari and barracudas. There are also plenty of larger creatures in the area, including turtles, stone fish and scorpion fish.
One of the earliest established diving centres which operates in the Red Sea, Diving World Hurghada is amongst the best in Hurghada. Ideally located to allow easy access to a number of diving sites, Diving World offers a selection of daily dives, outings, courses and night dives which are always a hit. One of the most popular trips includes a guided tour of the reef and lunch onboard the boat, with an optional snorkelling package for those who don't wish to dive.
Top diving & snorkelling sites
Careless Reef is the ideal diving spot for holidaymakers who want to explore a tropical reef whilst on holiday in Hurghada. This reef features an average depth of 12m, sloping down to 18m, before plummeting into the deep. Only accessible by boat, Careless Reef is where you'll find several walls, plateaus and pinnacles where you'll have the opportunity to see tuna, sharks and barracuda, as well as many more colourful and much smaller fish and coral life, such as goldfish, black fan coral and gorgonians. If you're feeling brave, take some food to feed the oversized moray eels during your trip.
Shaab Abu Ramada/The Aquarium is another popular diving site found off the coast of Hurghada. At around 15m deep, Shaab Abu Ramada is quite flat and shallow with a collection of small coral heads to be found in the surrounding area. Most divers travel to this site for the incredible fish life which includes stingrays, nurse and leopard sharks, jacks, barracuda, small tuna and white-tip reef sharks.
Known for its beautiful reef, Sharm Elnaga is one of the best diving sites in the Red Sea. The ideal site for beginners and experienced divers alike, Sharm Elnaga slides down slowly to 30m before dropping off to a depth of around 80m. In addition to the superb diving opportunities, this site is also perfect for snorkelers who will have the chance to see many beautiful fish, coral gardens and rock formations. Sun-worshippers will be happy on the shore which is home to a soft, sandy beach, full of sun loungers and parasols available for hire.
Families and couples who want to try their hand at diving should stop by Umm Gamaar. Boasting diverse marine and coral life at every turn, this site features a cave several metres below the surface which is always a popular diving attraction. Sharks and dolphins are known to frequent the area, as are lion fish, groupers, stone fish, napoleons, turtles and porcupine fish, making it a top location for wildlife lovers. Not only a place for divers, Umm Gamaar is also ideal for snorkelers, with most of the fish and rock formations visible from close to the surface of the water.