Hurghada is on the western shore of the Red Sea, on the opposite side from Sharm el-Sheikh. Most of those who go from Baku know it as a cheap all-inclusive holiday, whereas the main reason is under the water. There is also one important difference: the free stamp given for Sinai is not valid here, and Hurghada requires a full visa. Below I have written both what is under the water and the programme away from the shore.
The reef and diving in Hurghada
The Red Sea has one of the most accessible coral reefs in the world and the water stays clear all year round. To swim with a mask and snorkel you do not need a diving certificate; the boat takes you out over the reef and the water does the rest. The density of fish bewilders a person seeing it for the first time.
If you want to become a serious diver, Hurghada is among the cheapest places in the world for beginners’ courses. A three- or four-day course provides you with an international certificate. When choosing a centre, look at the condition of the equipment and the number of people in the group, because that is exactly where the difference lies.
Giftun island and the boat day
Giftun is an island with national park status and it takes an hour by boat from the town. White sand, shallow turquoise water and the edge of the reef are all in one place. There is a park fee for entry to the island; it is usually included in the tour price, but it has to be asked about in advance.
Mahmya beach is the most famous part of that island and is full in the afternoon hours. The boats leave at eight and come back at four, with lunch served on deck. Comparing the island and reef tours in advance is both cheaper and more reliable than the people offering them on the beach.
The desert safari and Luxor
Behind the town is desert straight away. The quad bike and jeep safari is organised for sunset and ends with dinner in a Bedouin camp and a starry sky. There is a lot of dust, so take glasses and a scarf.
A day trip to Luxor, though, is an entirely different level. The road takes four hours one way, which means you set off at two in the morning, and in exchange you see the Karnak temple and the Valley of the Kings. Staying one night in Luxor makes this route considerably more comfortable.
Read more: An Egypt travel guide: Cairo and the pyramids, Luxor, the Nile cruise, Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh
Hotels and budget in Hurghada
The town stretches along a long shore and the districts differ considerably from one another. El Dahar is the old centre, with its market and local prices. The Sakkala marina side is newer, while Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh are like a world of their own belonging to the hotels.
| Four-star all-inclusive | 60–110 dollars a night for a couple |
| Five-star | 120–220 dollars |
| Diving course | Beginner level, a few days |
| Visa | 25 dollars at the airport, in cash |
If the hotel has its own reef there is no need to go out on a boat every day, and that changes the budget seriously, so choose hotels by their beach and reef access. There are seasonal direct flights from Baku, while through the year you go via Istanbul and Dubai; check flight prices in the Hurghada direction by changing the dates. Official tourism information is on Egypt’s official tourism portal.
Season in Hurghada
October–May is the most comfortable period, the weather is 24–30 degrees and the sea stays warm. In July–August the temperature passes forty and a programme away from the beach becomes almost impossible. In December–February the water is still fit for swimming, but the wind strengthens, and it is precisely in these months that the surfers come. The Novruz and New Year weeks are the most expensive time.
In short
Hurghada gives far more than a cheap all-inclusive holiday, on the condition that you are ready to look under the water. Choose your hotel by its own reef, go to Giftun in the morning, plan Luxor with one night, and avoid the middle of summer. If you want to see Egypt along with several cities, you can look at the ready-made tour packages. For a route and a visa, fill in the application form.
Note: park fees and the hotel season are changeable, so check the dates before booking.
