Hurghada is where the Egyptian desert meets one of the richest coral coastlines on earth. In a single trip you can drift over a living reef at breakfast, ride a quad bike across the Eastern Desert by afternoon, and stand inside a 3,000-year-old temple two days later. This guide covers the best things to do in Hurghada — the reefs, the islands, the desert, the ancient sites and the city itself — with honest, practical detail so you can plan a trip that actually fits the days you have. Everything here is bookable directly from Fantasia Hotel through our partner Elaria Travel, with hotel pick-up included.
Snorkeling and diving the Red Sea reefs
The Red Sea is the single reason most people come to Hurghada, and it lives up to the reputation. The water is warm, exceptionally clear — visibility of 20 to 30 metres is normal — and the reefs sit close to shore, so you don't need to be an experienced diver to see something extraordinary. Expect hard and soft corals in colours that look almost artificial, clouds of anthias and butterflyfish, moray eels tucked into ledges, and with a little luck, green turtles, Napoleon wrasse, reef sharks and pods of dolphins.
The best snorkeling for beginners
You do not need any qualification to snorkel, and the calm, shallow lagoons around Hurghada are some of the friendliest places in the world to start. Most day boats anchor over sheltered reef gardens where the coral begins in two or three metres of water. Mask, snorkel, fins and a buoyancy vest are provided, and the crew keeps an eye on first-timers. Families with children and complete non-swimmers are comfortable here — the vest keeps you floating while you look down at the reef.
Diving, from your first breath to certified wrecks
If you have never dived before, a "discovery" or intro dive lets you breathe underwater for the first time in shallow water with an instructor holding you the whole way — no course required. If you want to go further, Hurghada is one of the cheapest and best places in the world to earn an open-water certification, with warm water and gentle conditions making the training easy. Certified divers have dozens of sites to choose from, including the reefs of Giftun, the drop-offs at Abu Nuhas with its cluster of historic shipwrecks, and further-afield marine parks.
What you'll actually see
- Coral gardens — table, brain, fire and staghorn corals, plus the swaying soft corals the Red Sea is famous for.
- Reef fish — parrotfish, angelfish, clownfish in their anemones, trumpetfish, and huge schools of glassfish that part around you as you swim.
- Bigger life — green and hawksbill turtles, blue-spotted rays, the occasional reef shark, and dolphins that sometimes ride the boat's bow wave on the way out.
The best dive and snorkel sites around Hurghada
Once you know the names, you can ask for specific reefs when you book. A few of the standouts:
- Giftun Island (Small and Big Giftun) — the closest world-class reefs, with drift dives along coral walls, plentiful fish and easy shallow snorkeling on the sheltered side.
- Abu Ramada — "the Aquarium" — a nickname it earns, with dense schools of fish, sloping coral gardens and superb visibility, suitable for snorkelers and divers alike.
- Careless Reef — a more advanced dive north of Giftun, known for moray eels and the chance of larger pelagic fish.
- Umm Gamar — a long reef with a wall, a plateau and a small wreck, popular with certified divers.
- Abu Nuhas — the "ship graveyard" — four historic wrecks including the Giannis D and the Carnatic, one of the Red Sea's premier wreck-diving areas, usually reached by a longer trip or a liveaboard.
If diving becomes the whole point of your holiday, consider a liveaboard — a multi-day boat that sleeps on the water and reaches the remote southern and offshore reefs (the marine parks, Elphinstone, the Brothers) that day boats can't. It's the serious diver's way to see the very best of the Egyptian Red Sea.
Island and boat trips
A day at sea is the classic Hurghada experience, and there is more variety than most visitors expect. The standard trip leaves the marina in the morning, moors at two or three reefs for snorkeling, serves a lunch of grilled fish, chicken and salads on board, and gives you beach time on an island before heading back mid-afternoon.
Orange Bay and Giftun Island
Orange Bay, on Giftun Island, is the postcard version of the Red Sea: a long sandbar of white powder running out into water that shifts from clear to electric turquoise. There are sunbeds, a couple of beach bars and shallow reef right off the sand. Giftun is a protected national park, which is exactly why the coral here is still in such good condition. It's the most popular island day out from Hurghada, and for good reason — go on a weekday if you can, to avoid the busiest crowds.
Paradise Island, Mahmya and the quieter alternatives
If you'd rather trade some convenience for space, Paradise Island and Mahmya (also on Giftun) are calmer, greener beach setups with excellent house reefs. Mahmya in particular is run as a low-impact eco beach and tends to feel less commercial. These make a lovely, unhurried day for couples or anyone who found the busier bays too lively.
Dolphin House (Sha'ab El Erg)
North of Hurghada, a horseshoe-shaped reef known as Dolphin House is home to a resident pod of spinner dolphins. Trips here are timed to give you the best chance of snorkeling near wild dolphins in their natural habitat — never chased or fed, just observed from a respectful distance. Sightings are common but never guaranteed; that's the nature of wild animals, and it's what makes it special when it happens.
Desert safaris and Bedouin experiences
Turn your back on the sea and Hurghada has a second landscape entirely — the vast, silent Eastern Desert rolling toward the Red Sea Mountains. The classic afternoon safari is one of the region's most popular excursions, and it packs a lot into a few hours.
You'll head inland by 4x4, then switch to a quad bike or buggy to ride the dunes and gravel plains as the light turns gold. Most trips include a stop at a Bedouin camp for sweet tea, a short camel ride, and a chance to watch the sun drop behind the mountains. As night falls the camps put on a barbecue dinner, traditional music and a tanoura dance show, and — because there's almost no light pollution out here — some of the clearest stargazing you'll ever see. On a moonless night the Milky Way is stretched right across the sky.
Morning safaris are the cooler, calmer option in summer and are better for photography. If you're travelling with young children or prefer a gentler pace, a jeep-only sunset tour skips the quad bikes but keeps the camp, the camels and the stars.
Water sports and marine adventures
Beyond snorkeling, Hurghada's calm bays are a playground for anyone who likes being on or under the water.
- Parasailing — lifted gently behind a speedboat for a bird's-eye view of the coast and the reefs below.
- Jet skis and banana boats — fast, splashy fun in the sheltered bays, with instruction for first-timers.
- Glass-bottom boats and semi-submarines — the reef without getting wet, ideal for grandparents, nervous swimmers and small children.
- Sea Trek and helmet diving — walk along the seabed in a weighted helmet, breathing normally, no swimming skills needed.
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing — the flat, windy lagoons just north in El Gouna are a world-class spot, an easy transfer from Hurghada for a day.
A submarine trip is worth a special mention for families: purpose-built tourist submarines descend to see the deeper reef through large portholes, which is a genuine thrill for children and a comfortable option for anyone who doesn't want to snorkel.
Beaches and the coast around Hurghada
Hurghada's coastline runs for tens of kilometres, and the character changes as you move along it. Knowing the difference helps you plan lazy days as thoughtfully as active ones.
In and around town
The central beaches, from Sekalla down to the Marina, are the most convenient — sandy, gently shelving and backed by cafés, so you're never far from a cold drink or a snack. They're lively and social rather than secluded, which suits a first day of acclimatising or an easy afternoon between excursions. From Fantasia Hotel you're within easy reach of the seafront and the Marina promenade, so a swim, a stroll and dinner can all happen without a long transfer.
The resort bays: Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi and Soma Bay
South of the city, a string of purpose-built bays offers calmer, more polished beach days. Sahl Hasheesh has a long, elegant promenade and clear house reefs; Makadi Bay is family-focused with shallow, sheltered swimming and a big water park; and Soma Bay, further south, is a quieter peninsula loved by divers and windsurfers. Any of them makes an easy day trip if you fancy a change of scene.
El Gouna, the "Venice of the Red Sea"
Twenty-five minutes north, El Gouna is a stylish lagoon town threaded with canals, marinas and bridges. It has some of the region's best kitesurfing, a lively marina full of restaurants and bars, and a more upmarket, boutique feel. It's a rewarding day or evening out, and an easy transfer from Hurghada.
Day trips to ancient Egypt: Luxor, Cairo and the Pyramids
One of Hurghada's biggest advantages over other beach resorts is that it puts the greatest monuments of the ancient world within a day's reach. You can spend most of your holiday on the coast and still stand in front of the Pyramids or walk into a pharaoh's tomb.
Luxor and the Valley of the Kings
Luxor is roughly a four-hour drive west and is comfortably doable as a long day trip, leaving before dawn in an air-conditioned coach or minivan. Often called the world's greatest open-air museum, Luxor holds the vast temple complex of Karnak, the elegant Luxor Temple, the colossal statues of the Colossi of Memnon, and — across the Nile on the west bank — the Valley of the Kings, where Tutankhamun and dozens of other pharaohs were buried in painted rock-cut tombs. A guided tour handles the driving, tickets and Egyptology so you just absorb it. If a single day feels rushed, an overnight Luxor trip lets you add a Nile felucca sail and a more relaxed pace.
Cairo and the Giza Pyramids
The Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx are the one sight everyone knows, and they can be reached from Hurghada by road (a longer day) or, far more comfortably, by a short domestic flight. A Cairo day trip typically pairs the Giza plateau with the Egyptian Museum and its treasures, and increasingly with the vast new Grand Egyptian Museum near the pyramids. It's a big day, but standing at the foot of the last surviving wonder of the ancient world is worth the early start.
Going further afield
If ancient Egypt captures you, there's more within reach. An overnight Cairo trip gives you a relaxed day at the Giza plateau plus the Egyptian Museum and the atmospheric Khan el-Khalili bazaar, without the punishing round-trip in a single day. From Luxor you can add a dawn hot-air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings and the Nile — one of the most magical experiences in Egypt — or continue south to Aswan and Abu Simbel, Ramesses II's colossal rock temples, most easily reached by a short flight. Ask us to combine these into a multi-day loop if history is the heart of your trip.
The Marina, El Dahar and Hurghada after dark
Hurghada is not only reefs and ruins — the town itself is worth your evenings. The New Marina is the polished heart of it: a waterfront promenade of yachts, seafood restaurants, shisha lounges and cafés, lit up and lively after sunset. It's an easy, safe place to stroll, eat well and watch the boats, and it's only minutes from Fantasia Hotel.
For something older and more authentic, head to El Dahar, the original downtown. Its bustling souk is the place to bargain for spices, perfume oils, cotton, lanterns, papyrus and souvenirs — haggling is expected and part of the fun. Nearby you'll find local ahwas (coffee houses) where Egyptians play backgammon over mint tea, and cheap, excellent street food: koshari, ta'meya (Egyptian falafel) and fresh grilled seafood.
After dark, Hurghada offers everything from quiet rooftop shisha to beach clubs and lively bars, particularly around the Marina and Sekalla. It's a relaxed, welcoming scene — dress is casual, and the mood is friendly rather than raucous.
Where and what to eat in Hurghada
Eating is one of the quiet pleasures of a Hurghada trip. The Red Sea means the seafood is genuinely fresh, and Egyptian cooking is generous, flavourful and easy to love.
Dishes to try
- Grilled fish and seafood — sea bream, calamari and prawns, usually served whole and simply grilled with rice, salad and tahini. Pick your fish from the ice at a seafood restaurant near the Marina.
- Koshari — Egypt's beloved street dish of rice, lentils, pasta and chickpeas topped with spiced tomato sauce and crispy onions. Cheap, filling and vegetarian.
- Ta'meya and foul — Egyptian falafel made with fava beans, and slow-cooked bean stew, the classic local breakfast.
- Molokhia, tagines and grilled meats — hearty home-style Egyptian cooking you'll find in the downtown restaurants of El Dahar.
- Fresh juices, mint tea and Turkish coffee — mango, guava and sugarcane juices are everywhere, and sweet mint tea is the national ritual.
Where to eat
The Marina is the go-to for a smart seafood dinner with a view of the yachts, while El Dahar rewards anyone willing to seek out authentic, inexpensive local kitchens and street stalls. Between them you'll find plenty of international options too — Italian, Lebanese, Asian and the usual familiar names — so fussy eaters and children are easily catered for. For dessert, don't miss om ali, Egypt's warm, creamy bread pudding, or a plate of sticky basbousa.
Shopping and bringing home souvenirs
Hurghada is a good place to shop, from the haggle-and-banter of the old souk to fixed-price malls. The El Dahar souk is the classic experience: spices and dried hibiscus for karkadeh tea, perfume and essential oils, cotton galabeyas and scarves, papyrus, alabaster carvings, brass lanterns, shisha pipes and the ubiquitous painted cartouche jewellery. Haggling is expected — smile, start low, and be ready to walk away, which often produces the best final price.
For a calmer, air-conditioned experience, the Senzo Mall and the Marina boutiques offer fixed prices, brand shops and cafés. Wherever you buy, small, light and unbreakable items — spices, tea, scarves, oils — travel home best.
Family-friendly things to do
Hurghada is an easy destination with children, and there's plenty beyond the beach to fill a family holiday.
- Water parks — several large aqua parks with slides, lazy rivers and splash zones for all ages, a guaranteed hit on a hot afternoon.
- Hurghada Grand Aquarium — a walk-through Red Sea aquarium and mini-zoo, a good rainy-plan and a gentle introduction to the marine life kids will later see snorkeling.
- Mini Egypt Park — scale models of Egypt's greatest monuments in one shaded garden; a fun, quick overview of the whole country's history.
- Sand City — enormous sand sculptures of pharaohs, film characters and fantasy scenes.
- Glass-bottom boats and submarines — see the reef without swimming, perfect for younger children.
Most reef and island boat trips welcome children and provide small-size snorkel gear and vests, and the crews are used to keeping an eye on young swimmers.
Slow days: spa, wellness and sunset on the water
Not every day has to be an early start and a packed itinerary. Part of what makes a Red Sea holiday restorative is knowing when to do nothing at all.
Hurghada's spa culture draws on both Egyptian and wider traditions. A traditional hammam — steam, a black-soap scrub and a foam massage — is a wonderful way to unwind after a day of sun and salt, and most good hotels, including Fantasia, offer massages and treatments you can book without leaving the building. A slow morning by the pool, a long lunch, and an afternoon treatment is a perfectly good "itinerary" for at least one day of any trip.
As the day cools, a sunset cruise is the gentlest way to be on the water — no snorkeling, no schedule, just the coastline turning pink and gold from the deck of a boat, often with dinner and music. For a livelier evening, dinner-and-show cruises and the Marina's restaurants keep going well into the night. However you spend them, these slower days are what you'll remember as the trip settles in your memory — the balance between adventure and rest is the whole point of coming to the Red Sea.
How many days do you need, and a sample itinerary
You can enjoy Hurghada in a long weekend, but a week lets you combine sea, desert and ancient Egypt without rushing. Here's a balanced seven-day plan that keeps the tiring trips spaced out:
- Day 1 — Arrive, settle in, and unwind on the beach or by the pool. Evening stroll along the Marina.
- Day 2 — Orange Bay / Giftun Island boat trip: snorkeling and beach time.
- Day 3 — Rest and explore: El Dahar souk, shopping, a spa afternoon.
- Day 4 — Full-day Luxor tour (early start, Valley of the Kings and Karnak).
- Day 5 — Recover on the water: a gentler diving or Dolphin House trip.
- Day 6 — Afternoon desert safari, Bedouin dinner and stargazing.
- Day 7 — A slow last morning, last swim, and departure.
Shorter on time? Prioritise one island boat trip and one desert safari — together they capture the two faces of Hurghada. Add a Luxor day only if you have at least four or five nights.
Practical tips for visiting Hurghada
Getting there
Hurghada International Airport (HRG) sits just a few kilometres from the town centre and receives direct flights from across Europe, the Gulf and Egypt's own hubs, so most visitors arrive on a short, direct charter or scheduled flight. Transfers from the airport to your hotel take only 15–20 minutes; arranging one in advance through your hotel is the smoothest way to start a trip. Many nationalities can obtain an Egyptian tourist visa on arrival or online as an e-visa — check your country's requirements before you fly.
Getting around
Hurghada is spread out, so most visitors rely on hotel transfers, arranged excursions and taxis. Agree the fare before you get in a taxi, or use a ride-hailing app where available. For trips and day tours, hotel pick-up and drop-off is almost always included — which is exactly how our excursions with Elaria Travel work.
Money, tipping and bargaining
The currency is the Egyptian pound. Carry some cash for the souk, taxis and tips, as many small vendors don't take cards. Tipping (baksheesh) is customary for good service — a few pounds for helpful staff, guides and drivers. In the souk, haggling is expected: start well below the asking price and settle somewhere in the middle, always good-naturedly.
What to pack
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses — the sun is strong year-round.
- A rash vest or long-sleeve swim top for snorkeling, and water shoes for rocky entries.
- Light, modest clothing for town and the souk; a light layer for cool desert evenings.
- Any personal medication, plus motion-sickness tablets if you're prone to it on boats.
Staying comfortable and safe
Hurghada is a well-established, welcoming tourist destination. Drink bottled water, ease into the sun on your first days, and stay hydrated — the dry heat sneaks up on you. Book excursions through your hotel or a reputable operator rather than street touts, so you know the boat, the guide and the safety standards are sound. That, in the end, is the simplest reason to book from Fantasia: every trip in this guide can be arranged at reception, with trusted operators and hotel pick-up, so your only job is to enjoy it.