A short history
Hurghada was a fishing village in the early 1900s. Oil companies arrived later. Tourism grew from the 1980s. It is now one of Egypt's busiest resort cities.
Sunny Red Sea resorts and coral islands
Hurghada is a long strip of resorts on the mainland Red Sea coast. It offers reefs, island trips and diving, and is the closest beach base for a Luxor day trip.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
The Giftun Islands are a protected area with reefs and beaches. Boat trips stop for snorkeling.
Tour.
Luxor is home to Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and other temples. It is a long day trip.
Tours run 80 to 150 USD; Valley of the Kings entry alone is EGP 750 (about 15 USD) in 2026, with Tutankhamun extra.
Hurghada Marina is a modern harbor with restaurants and bars. It is lively at night.
Free.
El Gouna is a lagoon town with canals, beaches and restaurants. It is upscale.
Free.
Orange Bay is a beach on Giftun with white sand and clear water. It is popular.
Tour.
Mahmya is a beach on Giftun. It is quiet.
Package.
Desert safaris visit Bedouin camps by quad or jeep. They often include dinner.
Tour.
El Dahar is the old town with markets and mosques. It is local.
Free.
The Grand Aquarium shows Red Sea marine life. It is good for families.
Entry.
Semi submarines let you view reefs without swimming. They are good for families.
Tour.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Add Luxor and the desert.
Quiet reefs.
37 mi · Car about 1 hour
Dugongs.
155 mi · Car about 3 hours
Best: March to May and October to November. Warm water and pleasant air.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
The US State Department rates Egypt at Level 2 (increased caution); Hurghada is generally safe; main risks are touts and sun.
Resorts are spread out.
Microbuses and taxis.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: luxury
Quiet bay.
Best for: couples
Lagoon town.
Best for: budget
Central.
| Main airport | Hurghada International Airport (HRG), 4 mi from the center |
| To the center | Taxis take about 15 minutes. |
| Around town | Use taxis and resort shuttles. |
| Ride apps | Uber, Careem |
Fish with rice.
Green soup.
Semolina cake.
| Plugs | Type C and F, 220 V |
| Tap water | Use bottled water |
| Tipping | Tipping (baksheesh) is expected; 10 to 15 percent in restaurants and small notes for services. |
| Payments | Cards work in resorts; carry cash for taxis and tips. |
| Etiquette | Dress modestly away from the beach. Ask before photos. |
Hurghada was a fishing village in the early 1900s. Oil companies arrived later. Tourism grew from the 1980s. It is now one of Egypt's busiest resort cities.
Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.