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Introduction |
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Hurghada, known in Egypt as Ghardaga, has come along way since its early life as a simple fishing village. Nowadays it is a lively hub of tourist activity; its crystal clear water, untouched reefs and numerous mesmerising shipwrecks drawing in crowds from the world over. However, alongside this rise in tourism also coexists a reflection of typical Egyptian life, with the resort´s quaint bazaars and mosques emanating Pharaonic charm.
Further inland lie the Desert Mountains, ideal for desert tours and providing a stunning backdrop for your holiday. Hurghada offers its visitors a combination of sunshine, fun, marine life and relaxation - a textbook example of a laid-back holiday destination! |
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Top Picks |
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Venture outside of Hurghada itself and you will see some idyllic resorts to explore, like El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh and El Quseir. El Gouna, for example, is a new destination is situated just 20 minutes away from Hurghada, on Egypt&Acute;s Red Sea. Secluded and luxurious, it is the perfect place for comfort and relaxation.
The mountain range that backs Hurghada to the south creates a beautiful setting to sit back, relax and view a perfect sunset. If you fancy a marine adventure, at least fifteen islands, most with coral reefs, lie within a few miles of the resort, making this a great destination for a boat trip.
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Climate |
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| Hurghada, being a desert resort, generally has a warm and dry climate with a steady breeze. Summers can be very hot indeed - be sure to protect yourself against the sun. In the winter, you can expect temperatures between 20-25° celsius, with clear skies and a bearable heat level. |
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Transportation |
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Public minibuses are cheap and frequent, traversing the coast road to the North and South, although the less central properties are off the main route. Most hotels this far out operate a courtesy bus service. Taxis are in abundance here, but it is always wise to agree a price before the journey and haggle a bit!
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Attractions |
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Obivously, the beaches are a star attraction here. Most hotels along the coast will have their own stretch of beach, with sunloungers, parasols and watersports on offer. The natural desert sand is really a coarse grit similar to that found on the Costa Brava in Spain and is generally less &Acute;sticky&Acute; than other types of fine sand, although many hotels have artificially added fine golden sand for the more discerning tourists!
The Marine Museum is located a few miles north of Hurghada. It is a marine biology station and also contains a small aquarium and is worth a visit if you fancy an easy day out. |
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Entertainment |
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During the day, when you fancy a break from the beach, horse riding; camel rides; bowling alley; tennis, squash and submarine trips are some of the activities you can enjoy.
By night, nearly all hotels provide either Egyptian folklore or themed evenings. Beyond this, most bars and discos are those located within the hotel resorts. The area around the Empire Hotel in town has become the main centre of tourist nightlife outside of these.
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Restaurants |
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You will find lots of good restaurants in the resort hotels and, somewhat surprisingly, approximately 20 independent restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, including Greek, Italian, Chinese, Korean, European, and Egyptian fare.
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Shopping |
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The main Bazaar area of town is the shopping nerve centre, peppered with innumerable gold shops offering good value when you stick your bargaining cap on! Typical Egyptian souvenirs of leatherware, brass and cotton items can be found here to pad your suitcase. Shopkeepers will &Acute;invite&Acute; you in to their shops in an attempt to part you and your spending money, but this is definitely not a hard-sell approach and with a bit of light humour you are sure to have a hassle-free time.
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Recreation |
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| Coral reefs, spectacular fish and warm waters of 20-25 celsius in winter make this a specialist scuba-diving destination and a great place for snorkeling. The constant North-West winds here make it a popular choice for windsurfers, amateur or professional! |
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