Hurghada Travelers Recommend

Three days in Hurghada allow you to experience the natural wonders and adventures of the Red Sea, enjoy the city’s attractions, and discover the surrounding desert. You’ll also have time to venture farther afield, with trips to Cairo or Luxor. Here’s how. 

Day 1: Red Sea Waters and Desert Sands

The Red Sea is Hurghada’s star attraction, so immerse yourself in its waters. For spectacular snorkeling, join a full-day trip to coral gardens, islands, and dolphin habitats. Scuba dive trips that cater to both beginners and experienced divers run to places such as Giftun Island. Alternatively, step aboard a fully equipped boat and spend the day fishing for some of the Red Sea’s 1,000 species, such as grouper and snapper. Later, make tracks for Hurghada’s desert. Cross the plains on an ATV, or choose a tour with multiple activities, such as camel rides and Bedouin encounters. Many extend into the evening, with dinner and belly-dancing shows beneath the stars.

Day 2: Day Trip to Cairo or Luxor

Take a (long) day or overnight trip to Cairo or Luxor, by air or road. Perhaps go overland to Cairo to see the Giza Pyramids and Egyptian Museum, home to Tutankhamun’s treasures. Closer by is Luxor, the capital of Egypt during pharaonic times and the location of the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, and more. If you’re not planning a return to Egypt any time soon, it might make sense to visit both Cairo and Luxor in one 2-day trip. Fly to Cairo in the morning and spend the day touring before flying on to Luxor for overnight and to explore its big-ticket sights the next day.

Day 3: From Sights to Sports

Spend your final day exploring Hurghada’s sights, such as St. Maria Church and old mosques, on a city tour, then let rip at a cable water park, bouncing across the waves on a wakeboard. Alternatively, slow the pace with a glass-bottom boat or submarine ride to see the underwater world without getting soaked. Other options include a day out at family favorite Aqua Jungle Park, with 35 chutes, 14 pools, and other attractions. Finally, round off your trip with a dinner-and-show excursion. Savor a traditional Egyptian dinner before watching an outdoor Arabian fantasia show of acrobatic horse-riding displays, folkloric dancing, stunts, and music.

If you only have a day to spare in Hurghada, planning ahead is key to enjoying as many of its attractions as possible. From prebooking snorkeling and scuba diving trips on the Red Sea to taking off on desert expeditions, here are our tips for experiencing the best of this Egyptian resort city in 24 hours. 

Morning: Soak Up the Red Sea

No trip to Hurghada is complete without experiencing the Red Sea and its white-sand beaches. Snorkeling fans can join full-day boat trips to various snorkeling hot spots, including reefs where they can explore underwater, watch for dolphins, and ride banana boats. If you prefer to stay dry, opt for a submarine trip. Settle onboard and admire the rainbow-hued corals and fish through viewing windows rather than a facemask. If you’re a novice or experienced scuba diver, Hurghada’s waters beckon with great visibility and rich sea life. Join an open-water boat trip that lets certified divers explore the depths on guided excursions, while beginners enjoy onboard tuition and introductory dives.

Afternoon: Exploring the City and Desert

Many boat tours finish by midafternoon, leaving you ample time to explore on land. An afternoon tour of Hurghada introduces you to the city’s top attractions, such as its Coptic Cathedral and fishing village. Alternatively, if you’re up for some full-throttle adventure, head into the desert on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), roaring along dusty trails before stopping for tea and a camel ride. For something gentler, meanwhile, wander around the Hurghada Grand Aquarium, where the tanks and transparent walkways are populated with nurse sharks, rays, reef fish, and other marine life.

Evening: Sunsets and Shows

If you opted for an afternoon ATV tour, it may continue into the night with a stop for sunset photos before a barbecue dinner and folklore show under the stars. Otherwise, relax and enjoy some classic Egyptian entertainment by booking an evening dinner-and-show experience that begins with a meal and culminates in an exhilarating horse-riding, belly dancing, and acrobatic show in an outdoor arena. If that doesn’t fit the bill, head into the desert on a 4x4 drive and savor dinner Bedouin-style as the sun sinks behind the mountains.

With its white sands and Red Sea waters, Hurghada is ideal for sun, swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. But away from the beaches, the resort also offers desert mountains, Bedouin culture, adventure sports, and family fun. Here’s how to sample them all on a 2-day break.

Day 1: Red Sea Days, Arabian Nights

**Morning:**Visitors flock to Hurghada for its gorgeous waters, so start out on the Red Sea. Experienced scuba divers can sail to marine-life spots such as Giftun Island, while first-timers can take trips that include tuition and introductory dives. If diving doesn’t float your boat, opt for a snorkeling cruise to areas known for their coral beds and dolphin sightings.

**Afternoon:**Make more of the Red Sea with activities that let you experience its sea life without getting wet. A fishing trip is a treat for seasoned and newbie anglers, while a glass-bottom boat or submarine excursion is a great way for nonswimmers and young kids to view the underwater depths.

**Evening:**After an action-packed day, unwind with a Hurghada dinner-and-folklore-show package. Adults and kids will love relaxing over a traditional dinner before hitting the Alf Leila Wa Leila 1,001 Arabian Nights fantasia show. This outdoor extravaganza fuses Arabic horse-riding displays with traditional dance and music to make for a magical evening.

Day 2: City Sights to Desert Nights

**Morning:**Dip into history with a day trip to Luxor, southwest of Hurghada. While a tour means an early start, you’ll be rewarded with the stunning sights of Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. If you prefer to stay in Hurghada, discover the ‘Ghost City’ of Umm el Howeitat—its abandoned streets are a haunting window into bygone desert life. 

**Afternoon:**Following a morning’s exploring, switch to more laid-back activities. Choose the adrenaline rush of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) expedition into the desert, or go for family fun with a visit to Hurghada’s Jungle Aqua Park to enjoy its slides and pools.

**Evening:**Spend your last night absorbing the mystique of Hurghada’s desert. Book an ATV or 4WD tour into the mountains, and as the sun sets, enjoy a barbecue supper and folkloric displays. Many trips also include a stop at a Bedouin village and activities such as camel rides and stargazing to make your final evening extra special.