Once a tiny fishing village nestled on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, Hurghada has been transformed into a major tourist resort. It is actually the country’s oldest and most famous resort town. Many people visit Hurghada to stay in a 5-star resort, swim in the sea, and enjoy water activities like snorkeling and scuba diving. This comes as no surprise, as Hurghada is one of the world’s most prominent snorkeling and scuba diving destinations and has numerous all-inclusive 5-star resorts. Most of them come with private beaches and world-class facilities.
But while the town’s main tourist attractions seem to be concentrated on the beach, there are lots of other things to do in Hurghada. Travelers can visit a local marketplace and shop for souvenirs, go for a stroll along the picturesque car-free marina, or book a day trip to the historical city of Luxor to discover breathtaking temples and other ancient monuments.
In this 1-day travel itinerary, you will find a list of the best things to do in Hurghada. To help you organize your trip, we’ve also included a few ideas for day trips and recommendations for things to do with children in Hurghada. As a bonus, you will find a list of the best restaurants and resorts/hotels in this vibrant coastal town in Egypt.
Lined with palm trees, waterfront cafes, and elegant restaurants, Hurghada’s car-free marina is an ideal place to start your morning walk. Go for a stroll along this vibrant promenade to check out the luxury mega yachts, enjoy views of the Red Sea, and shop for souvenirs at the nearby boutiques and shops. You can also get your morning breakfast fix and unwind with a cup of coffee/tea at places like Vanille Bar & Restaurant, Luca's Pub & Grub, and the Blues Restaurant & Bar.
Located right next to the marina, Al Mina Mosque is also known as the Heavenly Mosque. With its two 40-meter-high minarets, an impressive dome, beautiful chandeliers, and stunning decorations/writings, it is one of the most impressive buildings in Hurghada. Step inside the enormous hall used for religious gatherings which accommodates more than 10, 000 visitors. You can also visit the large square in front of the mosque. We should probably mention that women have to cover their shoulders, knees, and hair when visiting the mosque.
Your next stop is a local marketplace called El Dahar Bazars. If you wish to visit a district where the locals live and purchase groceries, this busy market is where you want to go. Here, you will find many shops selling a wide array of goods, from fruit, veggies, and livestock to souvenirs, perfumes, clothes, and everyday essentials. Keep in mind that most local vendors here don’t speak English. El Dahar Bazars is definitely the most authentic part of this resort town in Egypt.
Opened in 2017, the Hurghada City Center Shopping Mall is located right next to the Hilton Plaza Hotel in downtown Hurghada. With a small aquarium, a modern cinema complex, and a food court, it is a perfect destination for travelers visiting Hurghada with children. The mall also includes numerous shops, from world-famous international brands selling jewelry and clothes to local specialty stores where you can purchase authentic Egyptian gifts and souvenirs.
Your afternoon walk begins in front of a unique museum that houses an impressive collection of sand sculptures. Welcome to Sand City Hurghada, an open-air museum with beautifully crafted replicas of Egyptian pharaohs and pyramids. You will have a chance to see sand replicas of Poseidon, Odin, Cleopatra, and other famous historical figures. For some reason, there are also sculptures of popular movie and cartoon characters such as Sponge Bob. You can explore Sand City Hurghada on foot or book a camel ride. The whole place can be done in less than one hour.
A combination of an aquarium and a mini zoo, the Hurghada Grand Aquarium is home to more than 1,000 animals ranging from pelicans and monkeys to giant sea turtles, stingrays, sharks, and many types of fish from the Red Sea. The aquarium itself looks amazing with gorgeous landscapes and more than 20 exhibits where you can see marine creatures in their natural habitat. Don’t miss the popular shark-feeding event! It will take you about 2 hours to explore the Hurghada Grand Aquarium.
The last stop on our afternoon walk is perfect for travelers who don’t have time to travel all across Egypt and see temples and pyramids in Giza, Aswan, and Luxor. The Hurghada Museum gives you an overview of the main archaeological sites in the country for just 200 Egyptian Pounds. There are about 2,000 artifacts with descriptions in Arabic and English at this fabulous museum. Expect to see statues, oil paintings, royal pieces, Coptic icons, mortuary masks, and much more. The museum also offers a few shops where you can purchase souvenirs and gifts.
Hurghada has a desert climate, which means that the temperature and humidity is high in summer. For example, temperatures in July and August are around 38°C, making it unbearable to spend the entire day outdoors. January and February are the coldest months of the year in Hurghada with an average temperature of 23°C. During this time of year, it is impossible to swim in the sea as the water temperature can be as low as 18°C. Therefore, we recommend visiting Hurghada in April and May or October and November when the water is warm enough for swimming, but it is not as hot outside as in July and August.