Things to Do in Hurghada: The Ultimate Red Sea Holiday Guide

Hurghada is one of Egypt’s most popular Red Sea destinations, and it is easy to see why. With year-round sunshine, turquoise water, sandy beaches, coral reefs, desert landscapes, lively marinas, family attractions, and easy access to famous historical sites, Hurghada offers far more than a simple beach holiday. Whether you are visiting for relaxation, adventure, diving, culture, or a family getaway, there is a wide choice of things to do in and around the city. Tripadvisor’s Hurghada destination pages continue to list beaches, islands, water parks, archaeology tours, restaurants, and Red Sea excursions among the area’s most popular visitor experiences. (Tripadvisor)

One of the best ways to start your Hurghada holiday is with a boat trip to the Giftun Islands. These islands are famous for clear water, soft sand, and excellent snorkelling conditions. Many trips include hotel pickup, a boat journey, time on the beach, snorkelling stops, and lunch on board or on the island. Mahmya, Orange Bay, and Paradise Island are some of the best-known beach stops in the Giftun area, offering postcard-style views and shallow water that is ideal for swimming and relaxing. Day trips to Mahmya on Giftun Island are widely promoted as full-day snorkelling cruises with beach time and a local lunch buffet. (TUI.co.uk)

Snorkelling and diving are among the main reasons people choose Hurghada. The Red Sea is known for colourful coral gardens, tropical fish, and warm water, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced divers. If you are new to diving, many local operators offer introductory dives with instructors, while certified divers can join daily dive boats to explore deeper reefs and more varied sites. Even if you do not dive, a simple snorkelling trip can still give you a memorable view of the underwater world.

For those who prefer to stay dry, a semi-submarine or glass-bottom boat trip is a great alternative. These excursions are especially popular with families, children, and visitors who want to see coral reefs without swimming. You can sit below deck and look through large windows as the boat passes over marine life, making it a comfortable option for older travellers or anyone who is not confident in the water.

Back on land, Hurghada Marina is one of the best places to spend an evening. The marina area has a relaxed waterfront promenade with restaurants, cafés, bars, shops, and views over the yachts. It is ideal for a sunset walk, dinner by the water, or a more polished evening out after a day at the beach. The official Hurghada Marina website highlights its restaurants, bars, cafés, and outlets along the promenade, making it one of the city’s most convenient leisure spots. (hurghada-marina.com)

For a more local atmosphere, visit El Dahar, Hurghada’s old town. This is where you can experience a different side of the city away from resort hotels and beach clubs. Expect busy streets, local shops, markets, bakeries, mosques, cafés, and everyday Egyptian life. It is a good place to shop for spices, souvenirs, textiles, and small gifts, but it is also worth visiting simply to see how local residents live and work. A guided city tour can help first-time visitors understand the area and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Another enjoyable cultural stop is Sand City Hurghada, an open-air sand sculpture museum. The attraction describes itself as a sand art museum and includes large-scale sculptures inspired by ancient history, mythology, fantasy, and popular culture. It is a good choice for families, photographers, and anyone looking for something different from the usual beach-and-boat itinerary. Tripadvisor also describes Sand City as an open-air sand sculpture museum with dozens of sculptures and reliefs created by artists from different countries. (sandcityegypt.com)

Families should also consider the Hurghada Grand Aquarium. It is designed as an indoor attraction where visitors can learn more about Red Sea marine life, with features including an underwater tunnel, mini zoo, and rainforest-themed areas. This makes it a useful option on a very hot day, a windy day, or when younger children need a break from long excursions. The official aquarium website promotes the attraction as a place to explore the Red Sea “in glass” through its tunnel and marine exhibits. (Hurghada Grand Aquarium)

No visit to Hurghada is complete without experiencing the desert. Desert safaris usually take visitors into the Eastern Desert by quad bike, jeep, buggy, or camel. Many tours include a stop at a Bedouin-style camp, tea, dinner, entertainment, and sunset views over the mountains. This is one of the best ways to see the contrast between the blue Red Sea and the golden desert landscape. For adventure seekers, quad biking is the highlight; for photographers, sunset in the desert is often the most memorable part.

Hurghada is also a useful base for day trips to some of Egypt’s most famous historical sites. Luxor is a long but rewarding excursion, giving visitors the chance to see temples, tombs, and ancient monuments along the Nile. Some travellers also take longer trips to Cairo to see the Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum area, although this usually requires a very early start or an overnight stay. If your holiday is mainly about the sea, one cultural day trip can add depth and variety to your itinerary.

If you simply want to relax, Hurghada has plenty of beach clubs, resort beaches, pools, spas, and waterfront restaurants. Many hotels offer private beach access, water sports, entertainment, and wellness facilities. You can spend the morning swimming, the afternoon enjoying a massage or spa treatment, and the evening dining by the marina. This easy balance between activity and relaxation is one of Hurghada’s biggest strengths.

For water sports lovers, Hurghada and the wider Red Sea coast offer opportunities for windsurfing, parasailing, wakeboarding, banana boat rides, and kitesurfing. Conditions vary by beach and season, so it is worth checking locally before booking. Nearby El Gouna is also well known for water sports and makes a pleasant day or evening trip, with lagoons, restaurants, boutique shops, and a more modern resort-town feel.

In the evening, Hurghada becomes more social. Visitors can enjoy hotel entertainment, beach bars, marina restaurants, nightclubs, shisha cafés, and relaxed waterfront dining. Seafood is especially popular, and many restaurants serve grilled fish, calamari, prawns, mezze, rice dishes, and Egyptian-style salads. For a quieter night, a marina stroll and coffee by the water is often enough.

The best Hurghada itinerary combines sea, sand, city, and desert. Spend one day on a Giftun Island boat trip, one day snorkelling or diving, one evening at Hurghada Marina, one morning exploring El Dahar, and one afternoon in the desert. Add Sand City or the Grand Aquarium if you are travelling with children, and consider Luxor if you want a taste of ancient Egypt. With the right mix, Hurghada becomes more than a beach resort: it becomes a complete Red Sea holiday destination.