Planning a quick trip to Hurghada? This article provides a comprehensive overview of interesting places to explore in Hurghada in a Day!
More than 100 years ago, there was a fishing village on the site of Hurghada, a popular Egyptian resort on the Red Sea.
Then oil was extracted here for some time, which contributed to the development of the village. It only attracted the attention of investors in the 1980s. Then the coast was built up with hotels.
Hurghada stretches along the coast for 20 kilometers. Tourists come here for beach holidays, diving and snorkeling: lovers of diving are attracted by beautiful reefs, bright fish and clear sea.
During three trips, I spent a total of several months in Hurghada. I don’t like to lie on a chaise longue and swim, so I was looking for something to do in the city, away from hotels. It turned out that there is something to see here: for example, objects of ancient Egyptian civilization in the Museum of Hurghada, the church of the religious minority — Copts, the Arab market in the Old City — Al-Dahar.
It seems to me that my route will suit those who, while traveling along the Nile and exploring the ruins of the Pharaonic era, decide to see how the Red Sea resort city lives. Another article will be useful for tourists who came to sunbathe and swim, but want to diversify their leisure time. I advise you to get around the city by taxi, you will have to walk 6 kilometers. The walk will take 5-6 hours.
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How to get to Hurghada
There is only one airport in Hurghada — Hurghada International Airport.
They also come to Hurghada by bus from Cairo: the capital of Egypt are also connected by regular flights. Flights are operated by many and EgyptAir.
Go Bus services run from Cairo to Hurghada. They cover a distance of 460 kilometers in 7 hours. Buses depart every hour at night and in the morning, and less frequently during the day. A one-way ticket starts at 175 EGP.
I came to Hurghada three times. In 2021-direct flight from Istanbul, for a ticket with luggage I gave $ 55. In 2022, I flew from Johannesburg to Cairo for 254.91 $, and then took the Go Bus to Hurghada: I left the Nasr City station, arrived at the stop on Street. 2023, I flew from Tashkent to Cairo and paid 245.22$ for a ticket with luggage.
Hurghada Airport is located 10 kilometers from the city center and about the same distance from the first point of the route-the Sand City Museum of Sand Figures. An Uber ride costs 76 EGP . Feel free to offer the same amount to private taxi drivers.
Go Bus seats are comfortable. On the top shelf there is enough space for a backpack, in the luggage compartment-for a large suitcase. Luggage transportation is free of charge. The bus has air conditioning, but no wifi
Sand City
Sand City is an open-air museum of sand sculptures. According to the official website, it is the only one in Africa and the Middle East.Sand City
On the territory there are several dozen figures-sculptures and reliefs. They were made of sand and held together with water. Here are characters from the history and mythology of not only Egypt. I especially remember the profiles of Queen Nefertiti and Pharaoh Akhenaten, the statues at the entrance to the Abu Simbel temple, the statues of Gaius Julius Caesar, the goddess Isis and Lammasu, a spirit from the mythology of Ancient Mesopotamia.
I also looked at the figure of the Hindu god Ganesha, the scenes of the capture of Constantinople by the Turks and the Battle of Kadesh. For children, the museum has sculptures of Marvel superheroes, Jack Sparrow, Tom and Jerry. Judging by the reviews onGoogle Maps, children like it here.
In general, I also liked the museum: the exhibits are cute, with small details. However, some fragments of sculptures have collapsed and not all figures have signs. But the inscriptions were also translated into Russian. I was also upset by the ticket price of 200 EGP . I think it’s expensive. In 2023, the cost was raised to 300 EGP , or 10 € .
Sand City is open daily from 08: 30 to 17: 30. In winter, it is already dark at 17:00, so lamps were installed in front of the sculptures. You can walk around the territory in 30-40 minutes.
Hurghada Museum
The Hurghada Museum opened in 2020. The building is located in a fenced area. The museum’s premises are located on the second floor, and on the first floor there are souvenir shops. For Egyptian attractions, it is normal that the way to them runs through the bazaar. But the shops here are decent, and the sellers are unobtrusive. I took a taxi from Sand City to the museum for 30 EGP . In 2023, the trip will cost 20-25 EGP .
Some of the exhibits of the Hurghada Museum were brought from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which until recently kept a rich collection of objects related to Ancient Egypt.
An impressive part of its exposition is gradually being moved to the Large Egyptian Museum in Giza, which opened in a test mode at the end of 2022.
The collection of the Hurghada Museum traces the country’s history from antiquity to 1952, when revolutionaries overthrew the monarchy.
My attention was drawn to the bust of Meritamun, the daughter of Pharaoh Ramesses II — and the head of Pharaoh Thutmose III. The first exhibit is carved from limestone, and the second-from red granite. The sculptures are more than 3000 years old.
Also in the Museum of Hurghada there are many household items that were used by the ancient Egyptians. These are containers for cosmetics, mirrors made of polished metal, ceramic jugs, clay pots, armchairs, headrests and other furniture.
The museum is open every day from 10: 00 to 13: 00 and from 17: 00 to 23: 00. Admission costs 200 EGP. In my opinion, this is expensive, because the entire collection occupies one floor. It will take an hour and a half to carefully examine the exhibits.
The Sheraton st.
Sheraton
Sheraton is a tourist street along the Red Sea coast, but you can only approach it through paid beaches or hotels. You can get from the Museum of Hurghada to the beginning of the street by taxi for 30 EGP.
The St.Sheraton stretches for 3.3 kilometers from the abandoned Old Sheraton Hotel, whose building can not be accessed, to Alarosa Square – it is notable only for the construction in the form of a lighthouse. The sidewalks are neatly tiled — it’s nice to walk around here. The impression is somewhat spoiled by the constant noise of cars: this is a busy road.
The section from the Old Sheraton Hotel to Orange Beach is called the Old Sheraton. I like him. Here it is great to look at the beautiful sea and passing yachts and relax on the benches.
Part of the street from Orange Beach to Alarosa Square is quite tourist. There are many souvenir shops, shops with sweets, currency exchangers, offices of mobile operators, cafes. As I understand it, travelers come there to buy all sorts of things: large shopping centers are located on the outskirts of the city or far from the main hotels. On the Sheraton, tourists are accosted by touts, Russian speech is often heard, and there are many signs in Russian. I’ve never bought anything here: I don’t like annoying sellers and haggling.
Hurghada Marina
Hurghada Marina is a small promenade and marina for yachts. From its edge, you can admire the clear water of the Red Sea to your heart’s content. Alarosa Square is a 5-minute walk from the waterfront.
There are no shops here, which upset me. You can only sit in a cafe along the embankment. They display the menu directly on the street so that tourists can get acquainted with it in advance. I only drank coffee here, so I can’t recommend any dishes. In addition to cafes in the harbor, there are several souvenir shops.
Marina is one of the nicest places in Hurghada, and it’s definitely worth a visit. It is open from 10: 00 to midnight, the rest of the time the fence is closed. I was on the embankment in the morning and in the evening. In the morning there are almost no people, and in the evening it is crowded. They don’t let cars in here — it’s never too noisy.
The El Mina Mosque
The El Mina Mosque is located next to the pier. Its white minarets can be seen from afar. In front of the mosque is a spacious fenced area, which is rare for a cramped Hurghada. At the entrance, you need to take off your shoes. I put the shoes in a bag and took them with me.
Then I went through a small cozy courtyard to the mosque itself. Women are allowed inside with their heads covered and their arms and legs covered. In 2022, my friend had to borrow a special robe from one of the caretakers for baksheesh at 20 EGP — this is a kind of tip. Reviews on Google Mapssay that in 2023 the price increased to 1 € . The place for women’s prayers in El Mina is located to the left of the entrance.
In Egypt, mosques are not open around the clock, but from about noon until the end of evening prayers. All mosques are closed to tourists on Fridays: This is the main prayer day in the country. I haven’t seen the opening hours of El Mina, but I’ll assume that it’s also closed in the evening, at night, and in the morning. The prayer schedule is available on the website islamicfinder.org.
I visited Al-Mina during the midday prayer-I looked at the Muslims praying and the interior decoration. Thanks to the abundance of windows and a huge dome, the room is well lit. The columns and ceiling are decorated with carved patterns, which is typical for Arab countries. I wasn’t particularly impressed with El Mina. Although from the embankment, against the background of the sea, it looks fabulous.
St. Shenouda’s Church
St. Shenouda’s Church. A tenth of the population of Egypt professes Christianity. They are mostly Copts-descendants of the ancient Egyptians. There are many temples in major cities of the country, while in Hurghada the Church of St. Shenouda stands out for its size and decoration.
The temple is surrounded by a fence, and police officers sit outside and check passports and bags. They also looked at me. The police make sure that no terrorists get inside: sometimes there are terrorist attacks in Orthodox churches in Egypt. So, the bombing of St. Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo in 2016 claimed the lives of 29 people.
Shenouda Church is immediately appealing: the walls are decorated in traditional Coptic style with smiling saints. The building has huge windows with stained glass windows showing Biblical scenes. The entire interior space is filled with benches. I was at the church around noon, and it was empty at the time.
In addition to the main floor, there is an upper and basement. The upper one was decorated with pigeons, but it offers an excellent view of the altar and the central nave, bounded on both sides by columns. The basement was dark, where students were playing catch-up.
Thanks to the high ceiling and stained glass windows, the Coptic temple made a stronger impression on me than the El Mina Mosque. The distance between buildings is 4.3 kilometers. You can take a taxi for 25 EGP.
The area of El Dahar
The area of El Dahar, where the Church of St. Shenouda is located, is also called the Old Town and downtown. In this part of Hurghada, there are dirty low-rise residential buildings and a lot of garbage on the streets. It is not uncommon to see a donkey cart here. Travelers in Al-Dahar are attracted by the Arabic flavor, fruit and vegetable market, Abdul Munim Riyadh Mosque.
Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are in boxes and on tables, prices are written in Indo-Arabic numerals. If there are two digits, then the amount is in Egyptian pounds, such as 10 or 25. If there are three digits, then two decimal places are pounds and piastres, for example, 5.50 or 7.00. This misleads tourists: it says 2.50, but the buyer may think that 25. Some sellers take advantage of this.
The products on the market are fresh and delicious. If the supermarket can sell semi-green strawberries, then here — always ripe. Fruits and vegetables are imported from Alexandria, Assiut, Africa and the Middle East. They are cheaper than in stores. For example, in 2023, a kilogram of strawberries costs 15-20 EGP on the market, and 45 EGP in supermarkets. Prices for fruits and vegetables vary greatly depending on the season.
The Abdul Munim Riyadh Mosque was named after an Egyptian soldier, an associate of the revolutionary Gamal Abdel Nasser. I didn’t go inside. From the outside, it looks good: a snow-white building with minarets, a massive dome and arches.
Near the mosque there is a major transport interchange, there are several traffic lights. I wouldn’t have paid any attention to this if I hadn’t heard a strange story earlier: supposedly in Hurghada there is a famous traffic light — either the first in the country, or the only one in the city. The story is retold by some travel agents and discussed on forums. I can guess where this came from: there are really only a few traffic lights in Hurghada. This is due to the small number of interchanges in the city and the fact that traffic is mostly one-way.
Details
Money
Money. The currency of Egypt is the Egyptian pound, abbreviated as EGP or LE. There are 100 piastres in one pound, but I rarely see piastres.
Russian bank cards do not work in Egypt, except for UnionPay. According to tourists, you can withdraw money from UnionPay cards in Hurghada at Credit Agricole and QNB Alahli ATMs. You can exchange dollars for pounds at a bank, currency exchange or directly at an ATM — insert dollars and get pounds, and without commission. However, not every ATM supports this operation.
El Gouna.
El Gouna. One day from Hurghada, you can go to El Gouna. It is a small town on the islands 30 kilometers north of Hurghada. The resort is designed for rich European tourists. The Best El Gouna Holidays & TOP All-Inclusive El Gouna 2023/2024
El Gouna is built up with pretty houses, intersected by golf courses and tennis courts, planted with trees. Yachts are bobbing at the pier, bridges are thrown between the islands. The town is cleaner and more well-groomed than Hurghada. TOP 3\4 Stars Hotels El Gouna EGYPT THE Best Hotels
In addition to the natural beauty, I was interested in the restaurant in the tower “El Gouna Tower”. Its roof is accessible for free. From above, I watched the sunset over the Sahara Desert. El Gouna Vs Hurghada
I drove an Uber from Hurghada to El Gouna and paid 98 EGP. In 2023, the price of a trip has not changed. You can also get from Hurghada to El Gouna by bus, it departs from the station next to the market in El Dahar, the fare is 12 EGP . At the entrance to the city, check your passport. I couldn’t call a taxi back and went to the city center, where I took a bus to Hurghada. In 2021, the ticket cost me 15 EGP — it is possible that the driver cheated me. El Gouna itself can be reached on foot or by tuk-tuk.
Sahl Hasheesh
Sahl Hasheesh is another way to diversify your leisure time in Hurghada. It is as clean and green as El Gouna. From Hurghada to it about 20 kilometers. I drove an Uber back and forth. A one-way trip cost 100 EGP, and the price has not changed in 2023. Top Luxury Hotels In Hurghada
I liked the entrance to the city with columns like in the Karnak Temple in Luxor. In fact, these columns are buildings with spiral staircases inside. In 2021, I went up to the roof, no one stopped me. From above, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the desert and the avenue of palm trees that stretches to the central Sahl Hasheesh Square-Arrivals Plaza.
I also remember the embankment with an arched pier. While walking here, I almost forgot that I was in Egypt.
Beaches in Hurghada
Beaches in Hurghada are paid. They usually belong to hotels. However, I know one wild beach-near the residential complex Al Dora. But of course, there are no sun loungers and umbrellas, but there is garbage, and the entrance to the water is rocky. I didn’t dare swim there.
A friend suggested Old Vic Beach, but it was closed. I had to go to the next one — Dream. Admission for the day cost 200 EGP, in 2023 the price rose to 250 EGP. The beach is open from 09: 00 to 18: 00. A towel is issued. You can’t bring your own drinks or food, but you can buy them on site. For coffee in 2022, I gave 40 EGP, for a bottle of water — 25 EGP. It was twice as expensive as in the city. But you do not need to leave a deposit — money that you must spend on water and food on the territory, as is customary on some beaches.
Housing
Housing. In Hurghada, there are many hotels and residential complexes where apartments are intended for rent. Such complexes are found at every turn in the area of Al-Kauser. It is enough to come to the reception and ask if there are any available apartments.
Rent a one-bedroom apartment for a month in 2023 costs 7000-9500 EGP. For long-term rentals, a security deposit of 50% of the total amount, 100 $ or 3000 EGP is requested. Payment is accepted in cash. If you rent through Ostrovok, a double room in a hotel with a rating higher than 8 costs at least 20.23$ per night.
Unlike a hotel room, the apartment has an equipped kitchen, washing machine, clothes dryer, large refrigerator. I need to pay for electricity separately — it costs me 300 EGP per month. I also have to buy a gas cylinder, for which I pay 120 EGP. Also in 2022, I purchased a router with a SIM card for 1078 EGP and distribute Internet from it in rented apartments. A 140 GB package costs 450 EGP . In 2023, such a router will cost 1400 EGP.
Of the unexpectedly pleasant moments-almost every apartment has a turk for making coffee.
Meal
Meal. I visited 15-20 cafes in different areas of Hurghada. The average price of a coffee mug is 10-35 EGP, but the cost can go up to 70-80 EGP — depending on the location. Pizza is 90-150 EGP, burgers 80-140 EGP pasta 90-250 EGP. For a glass of wine, I gave 60-120 EGP.
Local dishes are cheaper. I tried foulle-boiled beans with vegetables or other seasonings — and falafel-fried bean patties. A serving cost 10-15 EGP (— ₽). I can only recommend the Caribbean Bar in the Bella Vista hotel, which opens from the beach to the sea — it’s nice to sit with such a view, especially in the evening.
There are several supermarket chains in Hurghada: Carrefour, Metro, Best Way, Awlad Ragab, Abu Ashara, Spinneys. Prices and assortment, as it seemed to me, are about the same everywhere. Checks in English are issued in Metro and Abu Ashara. I liked Carrefour inEl Dahar best of all — it’s a big store, including a household department, household appliances and all sorts of small things like hangers and towels.
Many products are much cheaper than in Moscow. Here are the prices for 2023:
- chicken fillet, 1 kg-273 EGP;
- eggs, 10 pcs. – from 40 EGP;
- toast bread — 30-35 EGP;
- milk, 1 l — 30 EGP;
- turk coffee, 100 g — 27 EGP;
- yogurt, 0.5 l — 25 EGP;
- tomatoes, 1 kg — 15 EGP ;
- grapefruits, 1 kg — 12.6 EGP.
Western sweets are usually expensive — 50 EGP per chocolate bar. Arab candies and cookies, on the other hand, are cheap — 3-5 EGP for a small package. I especially remember the Syrian semolina sweets, for a large package of assorted gave 150 EGP.
In addition to supermarkets in Hurghada, there is a fruit and vegetable market, small shops and shops. Prices there are lower than in large stores. If there is such a shop near the house, I advise you to buy fresh fruits and vegetables there: it is profitable.
Transport
Transport. There are minibuses in Hurghada, but I didn’t use them. Travel costs 3 EGP. A trip by” Uber ” around the city for 10-12 kilometers will cost 40-50 EGP for 5-7 kilometers-25-30 EGP. Private traders ask the same amount. All private taxis in Hurghada are blue and orange — they are easy to identify.
Connection. Major operators in Egypt are Etisalat, Orange, Vodafone. There are many of their offices in Hurghada. In 2022 and 2023, I bought an Etisalat SIM card with 27.5 GB of Internet and free minutes for calls and SMS. It costs 300 EGP per month.
Numbers in Egypt have the format 0 115 XXX-XXXX. When calling from abroad, they add a deuce in front – +20 115 XXX-XXXX.
When I arrive in Egypt, I usually buy 100 MB of roaming Internet for my Tinkoff Mobile SIM card. It costs 129 rubles. Enough to get from the airport to the apartment and buy a local SIM card.
The language
The language of Egypt is Arabic. Since Hurghada is aimed at tourists, English is more widely spoken here than in other cities of the country. Russian can also be heard, especially on the Sheraton. But you should not expect that you will be fully communicated in English and Russian. Often, Egyptians know only a few common phrases in a foreign language.
Weather
Hurghada Weather. Most of the year, the temperature in Hurghada is above +30 °C. It is very hot from April to October, when the temperature reaches +40 °C. The climate is dry, and rain is an exception. In January and February, it can be cold – +10 … 12 °C in the morning and evening. Since there is no central heating in the apartments, in winter, after sunset, you need to wear a sweater.
Daily expenses in Hurghada — 861 EGP
| Sand City Ticket | 300 EGP |
| Hurghada Museum Ticket | 200 EGP |
| Cafe | 200 EGP |
| Taxi around the city | 85 EGP |
| Airport taxi to Sand City | 76 EGP |
Hurghada In One Day: What You Can See? FAQs Answered
“Hurghada In One Day: What You Can See?” often sparks intrigue among travelers planning a quick stopover in Hurghada.
Let’s unveil the answer to this question by diving into the best places and activities you can enjoy in this seaside city in one day.
Marvel at the Magnificent Marine Life
Did you know that Hurghada is famous for its diverse marine life?
It houses a plethora of aquatic species, including stunning corals and vibrant fishes. Moreover, the red sea reefs here are considered among the world’s top hurghada diving sites. A trip to Hurghada is incomplete without a Scuba Diving or snorkeling adventure. So, if you’re spending a day there, don’t forget to set aside time for this underwater escapade. Is It Safe To Snorkel In Hurghada?
Discover Desert Safari
Curious about visiting the desert?
Hurghada will not disappoint you. Sign up for a Desert Safari and witness the rugged beauty of the Hurghada desert. Whether you choose a quad bike, jeep, or a camel ride, the desert landscapes will offer an unforgettable experience.
Explore El Dahar Square
Fancy getting a taste of culture and history?
El Dahar Square, with its traditional bazaars and mosques, offers a slice of Egyptian history and culture. Here, you can sample authentic Egyptian cuisine, shop for souvenirs, and visit historic landmarks – all conveniently located within the square.
These are just a few snapshots of what Hurghada has to offer in a day.
So pack your bags, throw on your adventure cap, and get ready to make unforgettable memories!
Hurghada is my stomping ground, so be rest assured that this comprehensive guide is a product of extensive firsthand experience and local knowledge. I’m an accredited travel guide, and I’ve been leading tours around Hurghada for the past ten years.
Magnificent Marine Life, Discover Desert Safari, Explore El Dahar Square
Tables
Activities- Details
Scuba Diving -Best way to experience the diverse marine life
Desert Safari – Enjoy the desert landscapes with quad bikes, jeep, or a camel
Explore El Dahar Square | Visit the traditional bazaars and mosques, taste the authentic cuisine
In Hurghada, you can marvel at the magnificent marine life, discover the desert through a fun-filled safari, and explore the cultural hub El Dahar Square.
If you’ve been to Hurghada, tell us what you remember from the sights:
