Things to do in Hurghada

On and under the sea

1. Orange Bay — the classic first boat day: two reef stops, lunch on board, a shallow beach on Giftun. Families, first-timers.
2. Mahmya Island — a calmer beach club on Giftun's southern tip with fixed programs and a reef trip. Couples, people who dislike party boats.
3. Paradise Island — lunch on the sand instead of on deck. For a slower beach day.
4. Magawish by speedboat — a 20-minute crossing and a few hours on a beach. For half-day people; compare it on Hurghada islands.
5. A dedicated snorkel trip — skip the beach club, spend the time on reefs. For people who came for the fish.
6. Dolphin House — a reef north of town where wild dolphins rest. Good swimmers, calm days, and a crew that follows HEPCA's rules.
7. Semi-submarine or glass-bottom boat — coral without getting wet, two to three hours. Non-swimmers, grandparents, toddlers.
8. Intro dive — one guided dive with an instructor, no course. Curious non-divers.
9. Private boat or sunset yacht — your own timing and route. Families, birthdays.
10. Fishing trip — a morning on a boat with lines out. Anglers, and patient children.
11. Parasailing and water sports — parasailing, banana boats and more, often added to island trips. Teenagers.
12. Sharm El Naga — snorkeling from the beach 45 km south, no boat. For people who get seasick; see islands.

Desert afternoons and nights

13. Quad or buggy safari — an hour or two driving across the desert behind a guide. Bring a scarf for the dust.
14. Jeep and Bedouin dinner — village visit, dinner, a show. The easiest desert evening for mixed groups.
15. Horse, camel and stargazing — slower and quieter than quads. Couples, kids old enough to ride.

Temples and tombs: the long trips

16. Luxor day trip — Valley of the Kings and Karnak, about four and a half hours each way by bus. History fans who can sleep on buses.
17. Luxor over two days — the same sites without the rush and a night in Luxor. Worth it if Luxor is the point of your holiday.
18. Cairo and the pyramids by bus — the cheapest way to Giza, with a night-time start.
19. Cairo by plane — about an hour's flight each way instead of a night on the road.
20. Aswan, Abu Simbel or a Nile cruise — two to five days. For people who want more than one day of temples.
21. St Anthony and St Paul monasteries — two Coptic monasteries in the Eastern Desert. Christian pilgrims, quiet-history people.

Parks, aquariums and hot-afternoon options

22. Grand Aquarium — Red Sea fish behind glass, a couple of hours indoors. Small children, very hot days.
23. Aqua parks — Makadi Water World, Jungle Aqua Park and others sell day passes. Families whose hotel has only a pool.
24. Mini Egypt, Sand City and Hurghada Museum — monuments in miniature, sand sculptures, real antiquities. A short taste of Egypt for those who skip Luxor.
25. Dolphin World — a dolphin show with captive animals. Read our page first: keeping dolphins in pools and making them perform raises real animal-welfare concerns.

Town, El Gouna and the spa

26. El Dahar and the bazaar — the oldest part of town, with cheaper shops than the tourist strip. Go in the evening, and bargain.
27. The marina — a promenade of restaurants and cafés by the yachts. The easiest evening out.
28. City tour — El Mina Mosque, St Shenouda Church, the bazaar and the marina with a guide and transport. First-time visitors who want orientation.
29. El Gouna — a lagoon resort town 20 km north, with its own marina. A change of scene for an afternoon.
30. Hammam and spa — a Turkish bath, scrub and massage. The best thing to do on the day after Luxor.