By air
Hurghada International (HRG), ~5 km
Africa · Egypt
Hurghada, Egypt
Red Sea diving and desert trips
Getting there
Best time to visit
October to May — warm seas
Don't miss
Giftun Island
The Marina
El Gouna
The Grand Aquarium
Things to do
Diving
Snorkelling
Desert trips
Boat days
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Marc Ryckaert · CC BY 3.0
What to pack
Swimwear
A quieter corner
Giftun Island's white beaches
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time for a Hurghada beach holiday?
October to May, when the seas are warm. Swimwear is the main thing to pack.
What can I do in Hurghada?
Go diving and snorkelling, take a boat day or a desert trip, and visit the Marina, El Gouna and the Grand Aquarium.
Is Giftun Island worth a boat trip?
Yes, for Giftun Island's white beaches. Back on land, feast on fresh seafood.
How close is the airport to Hurghada?
Hurghada International (HRG) is just about 5 km away.
About Hurghada
- Coastal
- Desert
Where it is
Hurghada is the capital of Egypt's Red Sea Governorate, a resort city strung along the Red Sea coast at the edge of the Eastern Desert, with islands such as Giftun offshore and bare desert mountains inland.
History
Hurghada was a small fishing village in the early 20th century, and oil was later found along this coast. From the 1980s it was developed as a seaside resort, hotels spread for many kilometres along the shore, and purpose-built resort towns such as El Gouna rose nearby.
People
Most of Hurghada's residents are Egyptians who came from across the country, especially the Nile Valley, to work in tourism, and Bedouin of the Eastern Desert such as the Maaza live in the hinterland. Arabic is spoken, and many residents also speak Russian, German or English for their work.
Known for
- Diving and snorkelling on Red Sea reefs
- Boat trips to Giftun Island
- The Hurghada Marina
- Desert quad and jeep safaris
- The lagoon town of El Gouna
Did you know?
The wreck of the SS Thistlegorm, a British supply ship sunk in 1941 with its cargo of motorbikes and trucks still aboard, lies within day-trip reach of Hurghada and is one of the most famous wreck dives in the world.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.