Hurghada in a day
8 h route4 stopsBest: The sea in the morning, before the wind gets upUpdated July 2026
Let’s be honest: Hurghada has no monuments, no postcard old town, nothing to "see" in the classic sense. It was a fishing village of a few thousand people and in forty years it has become 40 kilometres of resorts. What it has is the Red Sea, and that’s enough.
The water is transparent, sits at 22-28°C year-round and the reefs start metres from the shore. A well-built day is: sea in the morning, when there’s no wind, and El Dahar, the original town, in the afternoon, the only thing left of pre-tourism Hurghada.
The route, stop by stop
4 STOPS- 01
The reef, in the morning
The Red Sea has one of the best-preserved reef systems on the planet and here it starts metres from the beach: you don’t need to be a diver or pay for an expensive trip. With a mask and snorkel from almost any hotel’s shore you’ll already see clownfish, parrotfish and living coral. For more, the half-day boat trips head out to the offshore reefs. Go in the morning: from midday the northerly wind usually gets up and the sea chops, which is also why Hurghada is famous among kitesurfers.
- 02
Giftun Island
The classic trip and the one everyone does: a protected island 45 minutes away by boat, with white sand, turquoise water and reefs all around. It’s a national park, so there’s an entry fee and rules. The boats go full and it’s a very touristy plan, but the water doesn’t lie: it’s among the best in Egypt. If you want something quieter, ask about Magawish Island or the Mahmya, less crowded.
- 03
El Dahar, the original town
The old quarter, to the north, holds the only thing left of real Hurghada: the fruit and fish market, the streets where people live, the mosques and the souk, which is touristy but far less so than the resorts.
Here you eat for a fraction of what the hotel strip charges and you see actual Egypt, not the all-inclusive-wristband version.
Half an afternoon is enough, and it’s what separates a trip from a holiday in a pool.
- 04
The marina at sunset
The marina shows Hurghada’s modern face: a yacht harbour with a promenade, fish restaurants, cafés and boats. It has no authenticity whatsoever and it’s still pleasant at sunset, with the desert mountains turning pink behind. It’s the place to have dinner without touching the hotel buffet, and where people gather at night. Alcohol is normal here, which is scarce in the rest of Egypt.
Frequently asked
What is there to see in Hurghada?
Little in the classic sense: Hurghada has no monuments or historic centre. You come for the Red Sea: coral reefs metres from the shore and water between 22 and 28°C year-round. The only "city" part is El Dahar, the original town with its market.
Do you need to dive to see the coral in Hurghada?
No: the reefs start metres from the shore and with a mask and snorkel from almost any hotel beach you’ll already see clownfish, parrotfish and living coral. Scuba opens up more sites, but it isn’t essential.
Is Giftun Island worth it?
For the water, yes: it’s a national park 45 minutes away by boat, with white sand and reefs. It’s very touristy and the boats go full, so if you want quiet, ask about Magawish or Mahmya, less crowded.