Flanking Egypt’s Red Sea coast, sun-drenched Hurghada has plenty to offer for beach and water sports vacations. While many travelers simply sit on its sands, the Red Sea reels in scuba divers and snorkelers, promising exotic marine life and fantastic coral reefs. Undersea world aside, there are plenty of other things to do in Hurghada. Think cruises to the white beaches of Giftun Islands, 4WD and buggy forays into desert mountains, visits to old Hurghada’s souks and aquarium, and day trips to see the antiquities of Luxor, Aswan, and Cairo.
Hurghada boasts year-round sunshine. When you land here, you’re almost guaranteed a blast of warm, dry air. The period from November to January brings milder (but still sunbathing) weather with almost no rain, though even hardy swimmers may find the sea chilly.
Winter is also when Hurghada’s popular sporting events take place, including the Ironman competition in November and International Fishing Festival in February. Summer and the shoulder season see regular temps above 90°F (32°C).
Hurghada doesn’t have much public transportation, largely because most visitors relax at the pool or beach for the duration of their trips. If you want to visit the Marina or Old Town, hop on a hotel shuttle, or do like the locals do and catch a public microbus. These cheap, cheerful (usually white) minivans will collect you and drop you off at the roadside on request. Cabs are also plentiful. But to avoid haggling with drivers who don’t use meters, use rideshare services instead.
If you want to see a slice of authentic Egyptian life, head for the El Dahar souk in old Hurghada. The market is full of fruit, vegetable, fish, and meat stalls, as well as colorful trinket and clothing stands. It offers fascinating insight into locals’ everyday routines. Take Egyptian currency and haggle. While Hurghada is a safe place to travel, you may want to carry two purses or split your cash and cards into two sections, in case you run into pickpockets.
