Hurghada

🏞️ Nature & Outdoor Activities

• Diving the Giftun Island reefs (Giftun Island, Red Sea Governorate) — The protected national park reefs surrounding Giftun Island offer some of the most accessible and biodiverse diving in the northern Red Sea — soft and hard corals, napoleon wrasse, moray eels, lionfish, and occasional reef sharks in water with visibility regularly exceeding 25 metres
• Desert safari and Bedouin camp experience (Eastern Desert, Red Sea Governorate) — Hurghada sits at the edge of the Eastern Desert — guided jeep and quad bike safaris head into spectacular mountain and sand terrain before arriving at traditional Bedouin camps for a fire-side dinner, Arabic coffee, and a star-filled desert sky
• Swimming with dolphins at Samadai Reef (South of Hurghada, Red Sea Governorate) — A permanent colony of spinner dolphins inhabits the sheltered lagoon at Samadai Reef, accessible on organised excursions from Hurghada — one of the world's most accessible and ethically managed dolphin swimming experiences
• Kitesurfing at El Gouna's kite beach (El Gouna, Red Sea Governorate) — The consistent northern winds of El Gouna's Mangroovy Beach create outstanding kitesurfing conditions year-round — lessons and equipment hire available from established operators on the beach, suitable for all levels from complete beginners upwards
• Sea turtle snorkelling at Abu Dabbab (Abu Dabbab, South of Hurghada) — One of the Red Sea's most celebrated snorkelling sites, where wild green and hawksbill sea turtles feed on seagrass beds in shallow, calm water — reachable on a day excursion from Hurghada and an unforgettable wildlife encounter

🏖️ Beaches

• Mahmya Island Beach (Mahmya Island, Red Sea Governorate) — A protected coral island 45 minutes by boat from Hurghada Marina — pristine white sand, turquoise water, exceptional snorkelling in a managed marine reserve, and strictly controlled visitor numbers that keep it genuinely unspoilt; the finest beach accessible from Hurghada
• Makadi Bay Beach (Makadi Bay, Red Sea Governorate) — A sheltered, calm bay 30km south of central Hurghada, backed by luxury all-inclusive resorts — ideal for families and watersports enthusiasts with exceptionally clear, shallow-entry water
• Sahl Hasheesh Private Beach (Sahl Hasheesh, Red Sea Governorate) — The upscale Sahl Hasheesh development offers some of Hurghada's finest private beach access — calm, crystal-clear water, beautifully maintained beach facilities, and a sophisticated atmosphere distinct from the busier central resort strip
• Paradise Beach (Hurghada, Red Sea Governorate) — A popular day-trip destination accessible by boat from Hurghada Marina — a stretch of clean golden sand with good snorkelling reefs offshore, beach bar facilities, and a relaxed atmosphere popular with families and groups
• El Gouna's Open Beach (El Gouna, Red Sea Governorate) — The public beach at El Gouna offers a more upscale and less crowded alternative to Hurghada's main resort beaches — calm, clear water, well-managed facilities, and access to El Gouna's excellent beach clubs and restaurants

🍽️ Food & Drink

• Fresh catch grilled at Port Ghalib fish market restaurants (El Dahar, Hurghada) — Choose your fish from the day's catch displayed on ice at Hurghada's Downtown marina area, specify your preparation, and eat at waterfront tables — grilled sea bass, calamari, and red snapper at genuinely local prices in an authentic Egyptian setting
• Koshary and street food at El Dahar market (El Dahar, Hurghada) — Venture into Hurghada's old town for Egypt's national dish — layers of rice, lentils, pasta, and crispy onions smothered in spiced tomato sauce — at one of the local koshary shops where a filling bowl costs less than a pound
• Grilled meats and mezze at a Bedouin desert camp dinner (Eastern Desert, Red Sea Governorate) — The desert camp dinner included in most Hurghada safari excursions features grilled chicken and kofta, fresh salads, hummus, pita bread, and unlimited sweet mint tea around a fire — a dining experience with an ambience completely unlike anything available in the resort hotels
• Breakfast at a marina café, El Gouna (El Gouna, Red Sea Governorate) — El Gouna's lagoon-side marina is lined with European-standard cafés and restaurants — start a day in the northern resort with fresh juices, eggs, and strong Arabic coffee at a waterside table as the diving boats head out
• Cocktails and shisha at a Sekalla beachfront bar (Sekalla, Hurghada) — Hurghada's main resort strip comes into its own in the evening — beachfront bars serve fresh fruit cocktails, Egyptian beer (Stella and Sakara), and shisha in an atmosphere that blends laid-back Egyptian hospitality with familiar European resort comfort

🎉 Nightlife & Entertainment

• Papas Bar and Beach Club, Sekalla (Sekalla, Hurghada) — One of Hurghada's most established and popular resort bars — live music, sports screens, cocktails, and a relaxed crowd of international visitors making it the go-to evening venue on the central resort strip for over two decades
• Sindbad Submarine Experience (Hurghada Marina, Red Sea Governorate) — Board a genuine semi-submarine for an evening underwater tour of Hurghada's reef — the boat's glass hull sits below the waterline, allowing passengers to observe the illuminated coral and marine life after dark in an experience equally suited to families and adults
• Live music evenings at El Gouna's Tamr Henna (El Gouna, Red Sea Governorate) — El Gouna's most celebrated open-air restaurant and entertainment venue hosts regular live Arabic and international music evenings in a stunning lagoon-side setting — a more sophisticated and atmospheric evening option than the central Hurghada strip
• Marina boulevard evening stroll and dining, El Gouna (El Gouna, Red Sea Governorate) — El Gouna's Abu Tig Marina is one of the finest waterfront evening destinations in Egypt — boutique restaurants, cocktail bars, ice cream shops, and live music beside superyachts and dive boats in a beautifully designed lagoon setting
• Hurghada Grand Aquarium and evening entertainment (Hurghada, Red Sea Governorate) — The large Grand Aquarium on the main Hurghada coastal road offers evening visits alongside its daytime programme — tunnels through shark tanks, tropical fish displays, and a gift shop that children find endlessly compelling after dark

📸 Instagram-Worthy Spots

• Underwater coral gardens at Giftun Island (Giftun Island, Red Sea Governorate) — The extraordinary underwater visibility and vivid coral formations surrounding Giftun Island create genuinely world-class underwater photography opportunities — invest in a waterproof phone case or underwater housing for shots that will stop your followers mid-scroll
• Eastern Desert at sunset from quad bike (Eastern Desert, Red Sea Governorate) — The deep ochre and crimson desert mountains of the Eastern Desert at golden hour, captured from a quad bike on an elevated desert trail, produce some of the most dramatic landscape images available on any Egyptian holiday
• Hurghada Marina at dusk (Hurghada Marina, Red Sea Governorate) — The marina's colourful dive and excursion boats reflected in the still evening water, with the lights of the resort strip behind, create a vivid and atmospheric photography subject that captures the particular character of Hurghada at its most charming
• Mahmya Island aerial view (Mahmya Island, Red Sea Governorate) — The vivid turquoise-and-white of Mahmya Island's coral-fringed beach, viewed from the water as your boat approaches, is one of the most striking natural compositions in the Egyptian Red Sea — capture it from the boat's upper deck as you arrive
• El Mina Mosque at sunset, El Dahar (El Dahar, Hurghada) — The historic El Mina Mosque in Hurghada's old town, photographed as the call to prayer echoes across the rooftops at sunset, captures an authentic and genuinely beautiful slice of Egyptian life that resort-focused visitors rarely seek out.

Best Value Deals

💸 Holiday Deals Overview

Hurghada consistently delivers some of the finest value five-star beach holiday packages available from the UK — a combination of exceptional resort infrastructure, year-round sunshine, and competitive all-inclusive pricing that very few destinations anywhere in the world can match.

🏨 All Inclusive Holidays

Hurghada's all-inclusive market is one of the strongest in the global travel industry. Large five-star resorts with private beaches, multiple pools, waterparks, and extensive food and beverage programmes are available at prices that regularly undercut comparable Mediterranean properties by 30–50%. The Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh resort zones offer the most upscale all-inclusive options, while the Sekalla strip delivers the widest choice for families and budget-conscious travellers. For the best pound-for-pound all-inclusive value from any UK airport, Hurghada is consistently one of the top three destinations in the market.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Holidays

Hurghada is an outstanding family destination. Large all-inclusive resorts — particularly in Makadi Bay and the central Sekalla zone — offer dedicated waterparks, children's pools with shallow entries, crèche facilities, and kids' clubs with full daily entertainment programmes. The Red Sea's calm, warm water is ideal for children of all ages, and the snorkelling available from many hotel beaches introduces younger children to underwater life in a completely safe environment. Older children and teenagers are invariably captivated by a day trip to the Valley of the Kings — the combination of beach holiday and ancient world adventure makes Hurghada uniquely rewarding for families with children in the KS2–KS4 age range.

💎 Luxury Holidays

Hurghada's luxury offering is centred on the Sahl Hasheesh and El Gouna resort zones — both delivering genuinely world-class accommodation at prices well below comparable luxury destinations in the Maldives, Seychelles, or Caribbean. The Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay, the Baron Palace in Sahl Hasheesh, and the Steigenberger Pure Lifestyle are benchmark luxury properties. For the ultimate Hurghada luxury experience, combine a five-star Sahl Hasheesh or El Gouna hotel with a private liveaboard diving trip, a helicopter excursion to Luxor, and private guided access to the Valley of the Kings at opening time.

⏰ Last-Minute Deals

Hurghada is one of the UK travel market's finest last-minute destinations. The large inventory of hotel rooms, year-round direct flights from multiple UK airports, and consistent demand mean genuine last-minute availability is common — particularly in January, February, and November, when prices drop to their lowest while the Red Sea remains warm, sunny, and perfectly diveable.

Why book with us

💷 Low deposits from £49pp

🔄 Flexible booking & payment options

🛡️ ATOL Protected holidays

📞 UK-based support team (8am–11pm daily)

✅ Competitive Makadi Bay package deals

📅 Best Time to Visit Hurghada

Hurghada benefits from year-round sunshine, making it a dependable destination in every season, with each period offering a slightly different experience.

• Winter Sun (October – April) — Expect warm and comfortable temperatures between 22–28°C, calm Red Sea conditions and excellent underwater visibility. This is the peak season for UK travellers and perfect for combining beach relaxation with cultural trips to Luxor and Cairo.
• Spring (March – May) — Temperatures rise to 26–33°C, offering ideal conditions for snorkelling and diving. This is also a great value period before peak summer demand.
• Summer (June – August) — Very hot at 34–38°C, with fewer European visitors. Beaches and pools are best enjoyed early morning and late afternoon, but this is when prices are at their lowest.
• Autumn (September – October) — A perfect shoulder season with temperatures easing to 28–34°C while the sea remains warm, offering excellent diving conditions and strong overall value.

Hurghada has no bad time to visit, but October to April offers the most comfortable conditions. January and February deliver the best value with ideal weather for beach and diving holidays.



🏨 Where to Stay

• Families: Makadi Bay is the top choice for families, offering purpose-built all-inclusive resorts with large waterparks, multiple shallow pools and calm sandy beaches. The central Sekalla area also provides a wide range of family-friendly hotels across different budgets, many with kids’ clubs, splash parks and full entertainment programmes.
• Couples: Sahl Hasheesh and El Gouna are the best bases for couples. Sahl Hasheesh offers elegant beachfront resorts, private beach clubs and romantic sunset settings, while El Gouna provides a more boutique experience with lagoons, marinas and a refined dining and nightlife scene.
• Luxury seekers: Hurghada’s luxury market is centred around high-end resorts such as Kempinski Soma Bay, Baron Palace Sahl Hasheesh and Steigenberger Pure Lifestyle. El Gouna also offers boutique luxury properties. For a premium experience, combine a five-star stay with a private diving trip or a luxury excursion to Luxor.
• Budget travellers: Hurghada is one of the best-value destinations globally for beach holidays. Sekalla offers affordable three and four-star all-inclusive hotels, while El Dahar provides low-cost apartments and a more authentic local atmosphere with excellent food at very reasonable prices.

🚗 Getting Around

• Resort Transfers / Hotel Shuttle — Most hotels include airport transfers, while shuttle buses and organised tours are the easiest way to travel between resorts and attractions.
• Taxi — Widely available, but fares should always be agreed in advance as meters are rarely used. Hotels can arrange trusted drivers at fixed rates.
• Uber / Careem — Both operate in Hurghada and are the most reliable option for fixed pricing without negotiation, especially for independent travellers.
• Minibus (Microbus) — Local shared transport running along the coastal road between El Dahar, Sekalla and southern resorts. Very cheap and suitable for confident travellers.
• Internal Flights — Quick flights to Luxor (45 minutes) and Cairo (1 hour) are ideal for combining beach and culture without long journeys.
• Day Trip Coaches — Air-conditioned coach excursions connect Hurghada to Luxor (3.5 hours), Cairo (6 hours) and beyond, easily arranged through hotels.

💡 Travel Tips

• Book Giftun Island trips early — the best operators fill quickly in peak season; booking through hotels or licensed providers ensures better quality and smaller groups.
• Always snorkel or dive with a guide at new sites — local experts know safe entry points and where to find the best marine life.
• Choose flights over long coach journeys — a short flight to Luxor saves time and significantly improves the overall experience.
• Visit El Dahar — Hurghada’s old town offers authentic markets, local restaurants and a completely different atmosphere from resort areas.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen — required at many protected sites to protect coral reefs and marine life.
• Drink bottled water only — widely available and essential in the heat.
• Negotiate respectfully in markets — bargaining is expected; starting around 40–50% of the initial price is standard and part of the experience.