Hurghada

Hurghada was founded in the early 20th century, and until a few years ago, remained a small fishing village.

Hurghada has little historical significance in Egypt, but is the capital and most important city of the Red Sea Governate of Egypt. The main reason for its existence today ought to make you happy if you're into water sports: it's home to some of the finest beaches, coral reefs and tropical fish in the Middle East. This place is very spread out. The quickest and cheapest way around is by taxi. Cabs are not metered, so barter with the driver. Fares are by car, not by individual.

The port is actually a couple of kilometers south of Hurghada proper. Hurghada lies on the northwestern Red Sea Coast some 375km south of Port Suez. The main tourist excursions from here are to Luxor, site of the Pharaonic tombs-that's a three-hour drive west and south; and Cairo and the Pyramids, six hours one-way west and north.

Hurghada offers a wide range of accommodations, ranging from luxury five-star resorts and villages on the beach to the more-modest two and three-star hotels in and around town. Unlike Alexandria, where the summer is the high season, the winter months (October through April) are the busiest in Hurghada, and hotel availability and rates will change quickly depending upon the flow of visitors.

Shopping in Hurghada generally can be found in two very rent environments: the traditional Egyptian bazaar in the area known collectively as El Dahar (Hurghada proper), and all the shops at the resort villages. As a rule, prices are better downtown, primarily because most of the resort shops won't barter. Hours and days of operation aren't consistent at all but, as a general rule of thumb, shop owners open late in the morning, close early in the afternoon for a long lunch, then return for a few hours around 1800.

There are free beaches here but it is better to pay a small fee and take your sun in a nicer place with better surroundings. The best-kept beaches are located at or near Hurghada's most-popular resort complexes, which dot the coast north and south of town. All of these hotels and resort villages offer their facilities to non-guests, usually for a daily fee, which sometimes varies depending upon the time of year. Grass huts are usually offered on these semi-private beaches so visitors can take a break from the sun, or get out of the path of blowing sand (the sand here is not just "the beach," it's the Arabian Desert). Beer, wine, mixed drinks and soft drinks are moderately priced and served on the hotel/resort beaches.

There are many exotic varieties of finned and shellfish, and brilliantly shifting colors, not one of which is oil-stain brown. This is one of the few spots in this comer of the world where they're not drilling for oil (and thereby leaking it into the water). Some reefs can be reached without a boat, but be careful! In addition to that plastic card listing all the underwater hazards, visitors should be aware that wading around the coral reefs will slice bare feet to ribbons. One of the best trips is to Geftun Island, which includes 2 one-hour snorkeling jaunts and a meal aboard the boat.

But today, it has gone on to become the foremost tourist resort of the Red Sea coast and an international center for aquatic sports. If it takes place in or on the water you can do it here: windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, swimming, but, above all, snorkeling and diving. The unique underwater gardens offshore are some of the finest in the world, justifiably famous amongst divers. The warm waters here are ideal for many varieties of rare fish and coral reefs, which may also be observed through glass bottom boats. This area has many fine accommodations, usually offering warm and efficient service. Restaurants are mostly along the main road. While in Hurghada, don't miss the museum and aquarium, with their complete collections of flora and fauna of the Red Sea. 

Today, Hurghada is known as a party town, particularly among Europeans.  Locals and others will tell you that life begins at night in Hurghada, with the many, many clubs. They are particularly frequented by the young, but certainly many others of all ages. One may often find a rousing party centered around the visitors from a tour group taking over the action of a particular bar.  They are easy to find along the main street, along with loads of inexpensive and expensive hotels. 

It is also a beach resort, where thousands of older Europeans and others come with their families to enjoy the sun and fun of private resort beaches, some all inclusive.  Many of these hotels offer so many activities and facilities that one may never need to leave the resort.  Often, the larger resorts have zoos, playgrounds, discos, bars, a number of pools and even small theaters.

Hurghada is also a city under development.  Many new hotels and construction are taking place, and we can expect to see some great new hotels, restaurants and other facilities in the near future.  Actually this is a busy section of the Red Sea in general.  Safaga is just south of Hurghada, and Soma Bay with its beautiful Sheraton is even closer to the South.  To the North is El Gouna, a highly organized resort community.  Together, these communities and resort areas offer just about everything a visitor might wish for, from raucous parties to isolated scuba diving, with golf, bowling and fishing in between.

Islands near Hurghada offer all kinds of fun and excitement. Take a day trip to Gifatin Island for snorkeling and a fish barbecue, or view the Red Sea from a submarine! When you're not in the sea you can shop in the boutiques, relax in the luxury holiday villages or visit the Roman Mons Porphyrites (mountain of porphyry) remains at nearby Gebel Abu Dukhan (Father of Smoke). Day-trips or safaris to explore the Red Sea Mountains by camel or jeep are also available.

Nearby islands and destinations include:

Shadwan Island

Shaab Abu Shiban

Shaab el-Erg,

Umm Gammar Island

Careless Reef

Abu Ramada Island

Shaab Abu Ramada

Dishet el-Dhaba

Shaab Abu Hashish

Sharm el-Arab

Abu Minqar Island