Hurghada

A Red Sea resort town known for reef snorkeling and diving, with boat trips out to the Giftun Islands.

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Hurghada is a resort town on Egypt's Red Sea coast, with the Eastern Desert rising behind it. Most of its appeal is the sea: clear water, coral reefs close to shore, and snorkeling and diving trips that leave from the harbor. Boats run out to the Giftun Islands, a marine park of islands and reefs offshore. Along the coast, resort bays sit beside the older town center of Sakkala, where you find shops, cafes and restaurants away from the hotel grounds.

The town suits beach stays, diving and snorkeling, and families who want a warm base in winter. The best months are October to April, when temperatures are milder; summer is very hot. Four to seven nights covers a boat day and a rest day. If you want the temples at Luxor, plan a separate night there, since it is a long journey from the coast.

Hurghada in five

Check the UK travel advice before you bookThe UK advice says security forces carry out routine checks on vehicles and at airports to protect resorts including Hurghada. It also covers diving boats, quad bikes and resort harassment, so read it before you book.UK travel advice
Arrive with a visa; there is no resort-only stamp hereThe no-visa stamp applies only to arrivals at Sharm El-Sheikh airport. For Hurghada, UK passport holders need an e-visa, applied for at least 7 days before departure, or a visa on arrival at an approved airport, paid in cash.Egypt visa and entry
Choose between a Giftun boat day and a house reefDay boats to the Giftun Islands suit a first snorkel; a hotel with a reef jetty suits repeat swims. Ask any boat operator for its safety briefing and book through your hotel or an approved agent.Day trips from Hurghada
Make Luxor an overnight, not a day tripLuxor is about four hours each way by road, so a same-day return leaves little time at the temples. Sleep one night in Luxor or fly, and keep the coast for the rest of the week.Luxor travel guide
Pick the bay before the hotelSakkala and El Dahar put you in town with restaurants nearby. Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi Bay are resort bays with longer transfers. Decide between a town and a self-contained resort first.Where to stay in Hurghada

Things to do in Hurghada

See all attractions in Hurghada

Sight · HurghadaJaza'ir Jiftun

A bird's eye view of a city and a body of water

Landmark · HurghadaHurghada MarinaTake a taxi from your hotel and order it through a ride app. The marina is also an easy hop from the Sinbad Club area.

Beach · HurghadaPublic Beach Number 9 Hurghada

Our things to do guide for Hurghada

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to HurghadaPut the places you like in Hurghada on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Hurghada (HRG), a short taxi ride from Sakkala and El Dahar
Getting there: Fly into HRG; coaches from Cairo take most of a day
Getting around: Taxis in town; hotel transfers for the south bays
Best base: Sakkala for town life; Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi Bay for resorts
Time needed: 5–7 days; add 1 night for Luxor

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryClear0 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Mild, cool sea
FebruaryClear1 rainy dayHigh21°Low14°Mild, windy
MarchClear0 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Warming up
AprilClear0 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°Warm sea, Easter
MayClear0 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hot
JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh33°Low27°Very hot
JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh34°Low28°Hottest, busy
AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh35°Low29°Hottest, busy
SeptemberClear0 rainy daysHigh33°Low27°Hot, warm sea
OctoberClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Warm sea
NovemberClear0 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Mild, clear
DecemberClear0 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Mild, busy

Average daily high and low in Hurghada, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Hurghada

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 23°
Humidity: 38%
Wind: 14 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Hurghada

11:57 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+2

Today30°23°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue31°25°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed29°24°0%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu28°23°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri27°23°0%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat25°20°0%Saturday: Clear. High 25°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun25°19°0%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 11:35 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 55.96 EGP

Amount

Converted to

EGP · Egyptian Pound

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Giftun Islandsa half-day boat tripSnorkeling stops and beaches off Hurghada, booked on a licensed boat.
Luxorabout 4 hours each way by roadTemples and tombs; sleep one night rather than racing back.Read the guide
El Gounaa short drive northA planned lagoon resort town for a dinner out or a kite lesson.Read the guide

Before you go to Hurghada

Hotels in Sakkala or the south baysTown base or resort bayCheck availability

Giftun and desert day tripsCompare boat and jeep outingsCompare day trips

eSIM for HurghadaData from the airport to the marinaRead the guide

Insurance for Red Sea tripsRescue cover for boats and divesRead the guide

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Rules for Hurghada, checked

Hurghada arrivals need a visa: an e-visa or a visa on arrival at an approved airport. The Egypt page has the fee and validity.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
The Egypt e-Visa Portal says to create your e-visa application at least 7 days before your departure.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
On quad bikes always wear a crash helmet; serious accidents involving British nationals have happened in resort areas and safety standards vary.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source

All Hurghada guides

green grass field with trees and brown concrete building

Where to stayWhere to stay in Hurghada: town, marina or a resort bayChecked Oct 6, 2026

Things to doDay trips from Hurghada: Giftun boats, desert, Luxor and what to skipChecked Oct 6, 2026

Head to headHurghada or El Gouna: which Red Sea base is better for you?Checked Oct 6, 2026

Plan around Hurghada

Red Sea coast

How Hurghada fits with El Gouna and Marsa Alam

Read the guide Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada?

Entry rules, reefs and add-on trips compared

Read the guide Marsa Alam travel guide

Quiet southern reefs, a long drive down the coast

Read the guide All of Egypt

Cairo, the Nile and the Red Sea in one plan

Read the guide

Hurghada FAQ

Do you need a visa for Hurghada?

UK passport holders do. Apply for an e-visa online at least 7 days before departure, or buy a visa on arrival at an approved airport; the Egypt page has the fee. The Sharm resort stamp does not apply here.

Is Hurghada worth visiting for a beach holiday?

Yes if you want reef trips, a large choice of hotels and an easy overnight to Luxor. It is less suited to travelers who want a small, quiet village, and for that Marsa Alam is the better coast.

How many days do you need in Hurghada?

Five to seven days covers a beach week with one boat day. Add a night in Luxor if you want the temples, and allow two more days if you plan a dive course.

Can you do Luxor as a day trip from Hurghada?

Technically yes, but the drive is about four hours each way, which leaves a rushed visit. A night in Luxor is better, or fly if you want a same-day return.

Is Hurghada safe for tourists?

The UK advice lists Hurghada among resorts that security forces protect with routine checks. It also flags assault and harassment reports in Red Sea resorts, with advice on taxis, hotel staff and excursions, so read it first.