Two of the most popular destinations for families seeking some sun, sea and sand in Egypt are Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. Deciding on which of these two cities to visit largely depends on what kind of holiday you are looking for. Whilst Sharm El Sheikh is a quieter location, both cities are renowned for scuba diving and snorkelling. For travellers looking for more things to do, Hurghada is the place to be. The beach resort town which stretches over 40km along Egypt’s Red Sea coast boasts numerous restaurants, bars and nightclubs, while the old town, El Dahar, is home to traditional Egyptian coffee shops and souks.
My list of 10 things to do in Hurghada are not in any specific order, but I do want to mention that whether you choose Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh for your getaway, both are equal distance to Cairo, which means you can take a day trip to visit one of the Wonders of the World from wherever you choose to be based!
This post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission should you chose to make a purchase using my link. I've included recommendations from my own experiences or ones that others have recommended. I hope your time in Hurghada will be full of fun and culture with these activities!
Cairo Day Trip
As I mentioned above, it is possible to take a day trip from Hurghada to Cairo, this can be done by a 1-hour plane journey or 5-hour drive (traffic dependent). Whether you plan to visit other parts of Egypt in the future or not, I recommend this being a must in your list of things to do in Hurghada!
A typical day trip to Cairo by car/bus would go a little something like:
Visit the Egyptian museum: with over 7 floors filled with fascinating artifacts including the most important pieces of Egyptian history such as Pharaonic antiques and the treasure of Egypt's infamous King, Tutankhamen.
Stop at a local for a traditional Egyptian lunch
Depending on time and your tour guide, you may stop at a Papyrus Museum
Visit the Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx: The oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid is the oldest and largest of the Pyramids of Giza. The mythical creature with a lion’s body and human head (The Sphinx) made from limestone is believed to the oldest known monumental sculpture in the world.
Day trip to Luxor
Around a 4-hour drive in land from Hurghada will lead you to another part of Egypt with its own list of things to do. But, if you are only planning to visit Egypt once with Hurghada as your base, a day trip to Luxor must also be added to your list of things to do in Hurghada.
A day spent discovering Luxor’s ancient tombs and temples, usually includes: Visit the Temple of Karnak and admire the columned halls, the chapels, and the sacred lake of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant
Explore the Colossi of Memnon, admiring the only remains of the Temple of Amenhotep III Of course, no trip would be complete without a visit to the Valley of the Kings, a dry and narrow tract of royal tombs, including that of the young king Tutankhamun.
Be inspired by the stunning architecture and discover the Temple of Hatshepsut, the only female ruler of ancient Egypt.
Guided city tour
Now that we’ve covered the best day trips from Hurghada, but let’s not forget about the things to do and see in Hurghada itself!
A city tour is always a handy way of seeing some of the important places without having to map out your own journey, plus with the added benefit of a guide, you’ll have a better understanding of what you are seeing and get some tips on what else to explore in your own time!
Seascope Submarine
Discover the wonders of the Red Sea on board a semi-submarine. What is a semi-submarine, you ask? It is more of a ship-like vessel than an actual submarine, as it cannot fully immerse underwater, instead there is an observation deck below the waterline featuring underwater windows. This is the perfect option for groups who hold a mixture of people wanting to snorkel and those wanting to see the underwater life without having to swim, which is why it makes my list of things to do in Hurghada. Of course, those who do snorkel will see more!
Jeep Safari to Bedouin village
If you’re visiting a destination with a desert, a jeep safari or some sort of venture into the desert is a must, in my opinion!
For more than your typical desert safari experience, I would recommend one that also includes a visit to a Bedouin village as something to do in Hurghada. This will give you a better culture insight into how people used to survive in the desert land, as you will be shown how they would cook food and make tea whilst being guided through the desert and viewing various living quarters including where they would go for worship.
Once the sun has set and you’ve enjoyed a BBQ dinner of delicious grilled delicacies, the night ends with a variety of dances including belly dancing, which most people don’t know actually originates from Egypt! So rather than the belly dancing you see in the Middle East and other parts of the world on safari, Egypt is where you want to experience it for the real deal 😉
Mahmya Island
At Mahmya Island you may mistake yourself for being in the Caribbean as you’ll be surrounded by white sand and crystal blue seas! Unlike Orange Bay and the Giftun islands, Mahmya Island is suited more towards those who just want to relax off main land. An excursion to the island usually includes transportation to and from the island, snorkelling in Sabina Reef (optional) and other activities are also available to keep you entertained. There is a great variety of delicious food available for lunch at the onsite restaurant Top Tip:
· If you decide to wander around the island, be sure to wear flip flops or water shoes, as there can be rocky areas!
Orange Bay/Giftun Island National Park
Looking for more opportunities to snorkel? A day trip from the Red Sea to Orange Bay and the Giftun islands is the thing you need to do in Hurghada!
As you sail towards the islands, partake in the snorkelling stops and enjoy lunch onboard before anchoring down in the clear waters to relax on a white sandy beach.
Pirate boat ship
Many of you may associate pirates with the Caribbean (thanks to the film franchise) rather than Africa/Egypt, and when you google ‘how to dress up as a pirate’ or photos of pirates, one thing that stands out to me is the use of black eyeliner, also known as kohl. This alone is what makes me associate pirates with Egypt more than anywhere else in the world. And after a little bit of research, I was surprised to find that my reasoning has some evidence!
I found out that the use of kohl can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians when Cleopatra, the pharaohs, and noble women all wore kohl around their eyes, as did the nomadic Toureg and Bedouins. It was originally used for prevention of eye ailments but was also thought to as protection from ‘the evil eye’.
… and that ladies and gentlemen is why a sailing trip onboard a pirate ship is a thing to be experienced in Hurghada!
A day out on a Pirate ship consists of sailing, snorkelling and a buffet lunch all beautifully curated with a Pirate theme!
Quad Tour Along the Sea and Mountains
Choose between single or double quads or a 4-person buggy and go off-road, through the Egyptian desert. Explore the Red Sea Mountain ranges with stops for photo opportunities, visiting the falcon houses, desert hill caves and enjoy stunning views overlooking the sea.
Top Tips:
· Choose the sunset option for most picturesque time of day
· Don’t forget your sunglasses and scarf to keep you protected
Pharanoic Massage
After all that excitement, your body will probably be wondering whether it came on holiday to relax or to do more than usual at home?! Most hotel spas in Egypt will offer a Turkish hammam, which tourists may believe is one of the traditional forms of massage as part of the culture. However, in Ancient Egypt, psycho-physical wellness was considered a sacred art. The traditional Egyptian massage, also called the Pharaonic massage, has very ancient origins, with the aim of dissolving tensions and stress, improving the skin tissue and giving harmony to mind, body and emotions. The Ancient Egyptians believed in the 3 “keys of life”: the head, which represents mental intelligence, the ‘emotional’ heart and the ‘materials’ abdomen. The treatment may begin with a hot sauna and time spent in a jacuzzi before moving on to the massage, which is carried out using scented oils and essences originating from the land of the Pharaohs, such as the rose, sandalwood, jasmine, chamomile and mint to create a feeling of total relaxation and abandonment.
Things to note:
· Some resorts with gated entrances will not allow outside excursion companies (Viator, Get Your Guide etc…) to collect guests due to security reasons. When meeting your tour rep, do ensure that they have their badges for verification though!
· If you need to be picked up at reception, it is not recommended to book your tours with companies other than those recommended by the hotel/tour operator.
· External airport transfers are an exception and will be allowed to drop off and pick up within the hotel vicinity.
Not only do I hope that this list of things to do in Hurghada helps you to curate some wonderful holiday memories, but also enables you to plan your trip with more precision!
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