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Situated along Egypt’s Red Sea Coast, the sleepy fishing village of Hurghada has emerged to become one of the country’s most celebrated and visited tropical getaways. As soon as the international travel community discovered the pristine beauty and ideal climates offered by this coastal town, it instantly became a vacation favorite. Known for its true blue waters, stunning marine life, gorgeous beaches and endless entertainment options, Hurghada is truly one of the Red Sea’s most magnificent. For tourists planning a trip, here are some pointers on all where to go and what to do, for an unparalleled experience!
Beaches and Underwater Activities
Hurghada boasts some of the Red Sea’s greatest underwater attractions. The seabed separating Hurghada’s beautiful coast and the surrounding small islands is filled with colorful coral reefs and exotic “underwater gardens.” Many locals have become certified, professional dive masters and make a bulk of the Hurghada diving guides that enable both first timers as well as veteran scuba divers to enjoy excursions below the surface. Underwater enthusiasts can dive, snorkel or even use glass bottom boats to explore hundreds of varieties of tropical fish and Hurghada’s endless spreads of colorful coral reef and underwater vegetation.
Looking to enjoy even more in the sun and sand? Hurghada has some excellent windsurfing, parasailing, jet skiing, boating/sailing and fishing locations. Of course, simply lounging on the beach is just as popular, and Hurghada has a number of gorgeous sandy shorelines to choose from. If you are looking for more secluded spots during your stay, trips out to the neighboring Giftun, Abu Menkar, Magawish and Abu Ramada Islands provide some excellent options.
Entertainment Beyond the Sea
Resorts, top-notch international restaurants, excellent shopping and fantastic nightlife embellish the Hurghada scene, making it one of the most comfortable, relaxing and enjoyable spots to visit in Egypt. Enlist your Hurghada tour guide to help you sort out and arrange all the following attractions plus a number of other great local activities.
Spas & Health Resorts
Get pampered in Hurghada by the town’s 100+ resorts/spas, most of which are equipped with state of the art treatments and facilities. Just 60 kilometers south of Hurghada is the town of Safaga, its health retreats famous for its mineral rich, remedial black sands (great for those suffering from skin disorders).
Shopping in Hurghada
Down to retail therapy, Hurghada’s el Dahar district (the old city center) is where visitors will find most of the area’s best shopping. Filled with traditional souks, local stores and a vibrant fish market, travelers can buy everything from spices and perfumes to local crafts and Egyptian specialty foods in this ancient bazaar.
Nightlife in Hurghada
As Hurghada has become an extremely tourist friendly town, its nightlife is not surprisingly vibrant and popular. With lax alcohol laws, busy bars, nightclubs and other tourist-friendly evening retreats, a night out in Hurghada is truly a big draw. The Sekalla and el Kawser districts are the best places to find the area’s liveliest nightlife scenes.
Adventures in the Desert
While Hurghada has many aces up its sleeve to indulge visitors, desert adventures are an excellent way to get the adrenaline rush kick started. Spend the day just outside of the town exploring the sands around the Eastern Arabian Desert on four wheels (quads, jeeps, buggies etc.) or four legs (camelback).
Day Trips from Hurghada
For visitors looking to get out of town for a bit, day trips to Cairo, Luxor and Shadwan Island are quite popular. With the Red Sea Mountains, Anfish Mountain and the famous Roman Mons Porphyrites looming off in the distance, hikers and history buffs will find some excellent day trips in the area as well.
