10 Best Things to Do in Hurghada, Egypt: Beaches, Diving & Desert Tours

The Giftun Islands sit about 45 minutes by boat from Hurghada Marina and form a protected national park that caps daily visitor numbers to preserve the coral. The main beach on Big Giftun (also called Paradise Beach) has powdery white sand and water so clear you can spot parrotfish from the shoreline. Most day trips include two or three snorkelling stops over reef walls where sea turtles, moray eels, and shoals of butterflyfish are common sightings.

Boat trips cost EUR 15-25 per person and typically run from 09:00 to 16:00, with lunch included on board. The national park entry fee (around EGP 50 / EUR 1) is usually bundled into the ticket price. Boats depart from Sekalla port or Hurghada Marina - pick-up from most hotels along the resort strip is standard. The sea is calmest between April and October, though winter trips are still excellent with water temperatures around 22 °C.

Pro Tip: Book a smaller boat (max 20 passengers) rather than the large party boats that carry 100+. You will pay EUR 5-10 more but get quieter snorkelling spots, less crowded beaches, and a far more relaxed day.

Orange Bay occupies a separate stretch of Big Giftun Island from the main Giftun beaches and has been developed with sun loungers, beach bars, and a floating pontoon. The sand is blindingly white, the water is shallow for 50 metres out, and the overall vibe leans more beach club than nature reserve. It has become one of the most Instagrammed spots in all of Egypt's Red Sea region.

Day trip packages cost EUR 25-40 per person and include the boat transfer (about 30 minutes from Hurghada Marina), a sun lounger, and lunch. Drinks are extra. Snorkelling gear can be rented on the island for around EGP 100 (EUR 2). Boats depart between 09:00 and 10:00 and return by 16:00-17:00. Orange Bay gets busy from November to March, so arriving on an early boat secures the best lounger spots.

Pro Tip: Bring waterproof shoes. The pontoon walk to the beach bar can be slippery, and some entry points have rocky patches beneath the sand.

Mahmya is the upscale alternative to Orange Bay, located on the southern tip of Big Giftun Island. Run as a private beach concession, it limits numbers more strictly and maintains a quieter, more eco-conscious atmosphere. The beach is wide and shaded by parasols, the buffet lunch is a clear step up from standard boat trip fare, and the house reef right off the beach is excellent for snorkelling without needing a boat ride.

Prices are higher at EUR 40-60 per person, which covers the boat transfer, beach access, lunch buffet, and soft drinks. The boat ride takes about 45 minutes from Hurghada Marina. Mahmya's season runs roughly from March to November - it closes during the windiest winter months. The snorkelling here is arguably the best of any Giftun beach, with healthy table corals and regular sightings of blue-spotted stingrays just metres from shore.

Pro Tip: Mahmya's beach faces west, so afternoon light is superb for photos. Pack a dry bag for your phone - the reef starts in waist-deep water and you will want pictures.

Abu Nuhas reef, about 60 km north of Hurghada, is known as the Ship Graveyard of the Red Sea. Four well-preserved wrecks sit on the reef: the Carnatic (1869, a Victorian-era cargo ship), the Giannis D (1983, a Greek freighter), the Chrisoula K (1981), and the Kimon M. The Giannis D is the most popular dive - its intact wheelhouse at 24 metres depth is one of the most photographed underwater scenes in the Red Sea.

Abu Nuhas is a full-day boat trip with two dives, costing EUR 50-80 per person including equipment rental. Most dive centres in Hurghada run the trip 2-3 times per week. You need at least an Open Water certification, though Advanced Open Water is recommended for the deeper penetration dives. Water temperature ranges from 22 °C in winter to 28 °C in summer, with visibility often exceeding 25 metres. Non-divers can join the boat and snorkel over the shallow reef tops while waiting.

Pro Tip: Ask your dive centre about combining Abu Nuhas with a stop at Shadwan Island reef on the return trip. The soft corals there are among the best in the northern Red Sea, and it adds only 30 minutes to the journey.

The Eastern Desert begins just minutes from Hurghada's hotel strip, and a desert safari is the best way to experience it. Most excursions depart in the late afternoon and include a quad-bike ride across rocky desert terrain, a camel ride, a stop at a Bedouin camp for tea and a barbecue dinner, and a stargazing session after dark. The absence of light pollution out here makes the Milky Way visible to the naked eye.

Prices range from EUR 20-35 per person depending on the operator and whether a dune buggy or quad bike is included. The typical duration is 4-5 hours (roughly 15:00 to 20:00). Pickup and drop-off at your hotel are standard. Some operators offer sunrise safaris as an alternative, which are quieter and cooler but do not include the Bedouin dinner or stargazing. Children aged 6 and over can usually ride camels and attend the camp, though quad bikes typically require a minimum age of 16.

Pro Tip: Wear closed-toe shoes and long trousers - the desert sand kicks up at speed, and flip-flops will not survive the quad-bike section. Bring a scarf to cover your nose and mouth if it is windy.

Hurghada Marina (officially New Marina Hurghada) opened in 2008 and has become the social hub of the city. The waterfront boulevard curves around a yacht harbour and is lined with restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and a small amusement area for children. On any given evening, the promenade fills with families, couples, and groups enjoying the sea breeze and the view of moored boats lit up against the dark water.

Eating at the Marina is moderately priced by Egyptian standards but still affordable for European visitors - a main course at a waterfront restaurant costs EGP 200-400 (EUR 4-8). The Marina is also where most Giftun Island and diving boat trips depart from, so you will likely pass through at least once. It is walkable from hotels in the Sekalla area (about 10-15 minutes), or a short taxi ride (EGP 30-50 / EUR 0.60-1) from further afield.

Pro Tip: Head to the Marina around sunset (roughly 17:30 in winter, 19:00 in summer) for the best atmosphere. The restaurants on the outer curve of the harbour have the widest views and catch the evening breeze.

El Dahar is the original settlement that existed before Hurghada became a resort town. The streets here are narrower, louder, and far more authentically Egyptian than anything along the hotel strip. The central bazaar area sells spices, perfume oils, textiles, and souvenirs at prices significantly lower than the Marina shops. The Abdel Moneim Riad Mosque and the Coptic Church of St. Shenouda sit within a few blocks of each other, reflecting the mixed religious heritage of the town.

El Dahar is best explored on foot in the morning or late afternoon when the heat is manageable. The fruit and vegetable market on Sherry Street is worth a wander for the colours and chaos alone. Street food is excellent - try a ful medames sandwich (stewed fava beans) or a fresh juice from one of the many juice bars for EGP 15-30 (EUR 0.30-0.60). A taxi from the Marina or Sekalla to El Dahar costs EGP 30-50 (EUR 0.60-1).

Pro Tip: Bargaining is expected in El Dahar's bazaar. Start at about 40% of the asking price and settle around 60%. Shopkeepers enjoy the negotiation - it is part of the experience, not a confrontation.

Hurghada Grand Aquarium (opened 2015) is the largest aquarium in North Africa and houses over 1,200 marine and land animals across indoor tanks and an outdoor zoo section. The highlight is the walk-through tunnel where sharks, rays, and giant groupers glide overhead. There are also dedicated sections for Red Sea coral ecosystems, freshwater Nile species, and a small rainforest zone with reptiles and birds.

Entry costs around EGP 600 (EUR 12) for adults and EGP 300 (EUR 6) for children. The aquarium is air-conditioned, making it a good escape during the hottest part of the day. Allow 2-3 hours for a full visit. It sits on the main coastal road in the Village Road area, about 15 minutes by taxi from the Marina. Opening hours are typically 09:00 to 21:00 daily.

Pro Tip: Visit between 11:00 and 14:00 when most tourists are at the beach or on boat trips. The tunnel section is far more enjoyable without crowds, and you can take your time watching the shark feeding (usually around 13:00).

Sand City is an open-air museum featuring large-scale sand sculptures created by international artists. The sculptures depict Egyptian pharaohs, world landmarks, movie characters, and mythological figures - some standing over 5 metres tall. The park covers a surprisingly large area and takes about 60-90 minutes to walk through. New sculptures are added or refreshed periodically, so repeat visits can reveal different pieces.

Entry is around EGP 400-500 (EUR 8-10) for adults. The park is located on the main coastal road near Senzo Mall, about 10 minutes by taxi from Sekalla. It is open from 10:00 to 22:00 and is one of the few attractions in Hurghada that works well after dark, as the sculptures are dramatically lit at night. The site has a small cafe and souvenir shop, but no shade - bring a hat for daytime visits.

Pro Tip: Visit in the evening when the sculptures are illuminated and the temperature drops. The lighting transforms the park into something far more atmospheric than a daytime visit suggests.

Luxor sits roughly 280 km west of Hurghada (about 3.5-4 hours by road) and holds the greatest concentration of ancient Egyptian monuments anywhere in the country. A typical day trip covers the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank - where the tomb of Tutankhamun was discovered in 1922 - followed by the Temple of Hatshepsut carved into the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari, and the colossal Karnak Temple complex on the East Bank. Some tours also include a brief stop at the Colossi of Memnon.

Organised day trips from Hurghada cost EUR 60-90 per person and include air-conditioned minibus transport, an English-speaking Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, and lunch. Departure is early - typically 05:00 to 05:30 - with return around 21:00. The drive crosses the Eastern Desert via a well-maintained highway. Independent visits are possible by renting a car or hiring a private driver (around EUR 100-120 for the round trip), which gives you more flexibility with timing.

Pro Tip: Pay the extra EGP 300 (EUR 6) for a photography pass inside the Valley of the Kings tombs - photos are not allowed without one, and the painted murals in the tomb of Ramesses VI (KV9) are worth every pound. Arrive at the Valley before 08:00 to beat the tour bus crowds.