Hurghada is a warm and vibrant destination on the stunning Red Sea coast, transformed from a former fishing village into one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations. The city was founded in 1905 by the fishermen of Ababda.
Since the 1980s, Hurghada has attracted the attention of local and foreign investors. Thanks to the investments, this small fishing village has developed and is now a popular holiday destination.
Today, Hurghada is one of the centres of diving and snorkelling tourism worldwide. With spectacular coral reefs, luxury resorts, colourful bazaars, rich cuisine and year-round sunshine, there is something for every taste.
Historical and Cultural Attractions
Abu Sha’ar Ancient Fortress: It is a military base built during the Roman period in the 4th century AD. In the 5th century, it was converted into a Christian settlement. These old ruins shed light on history.
Hurghada Museum: Opened on 29 February 2020 and housing 1,791 artifacts, this modern museum introduces regional culture in the best way with its collection ranging from Ancient Egypt to the modern period.
El Dahar Bazaar: Located in the historical centre of the city, this colourful bazaar is frequented by authentic shoppers, from fresh spices to traditional handmade products.
Modern Buildings and Majestic Architecture From my perspective
Al Mina Mosque: This mosque has become one of the city’s modern landmarks, with its huge domes and fine craftsmanship, nestled in the magnificent Mediterranean landscape.
Kirstal Mosque (Al Mina): Completed in 2012, this mosque is the largest mosque in the region with an area of 8,000 m². With a capacity of 10,000 people, it is quite impressive with its two minarets and 25 domes.
Hurghada Grand Aquarium: This gigantic aquarium was opened in January 2015. With a tank volume of 3,500 m³, it is one of the largest aquariums in the Arab world. With 100 species and 1,200 sea creatures, you can closely observe the marine life here.
Sand City Hurghada and Mini Egypt Park: This is the first open-air sand sculpture museum in North Africa. Scale replicas of famous Egyptian artefacts are exhibited in this museum.
Shopping and Gastronomy
Senzo Mall: Opened in 2020, this large shopping centre is home to many shops. There are stores of international brands and regional designers. There is a wide range of food and beverage options, from restaurants specialising in Egyptian cuisine such as Abou El Sid to international chains.
El Dahar Akinci Bazaar: Here you can find authentic items from leather to papyrus, spices to souvenirs. This is a traditional Egyptian market. Don’t forget to bargain with the sellers. You can find the most beautiful souvenirs here.
Local delicacies: Taste Kosharin (a mixture of mergestane, rice, pasta and lentils) at Il Eskandarany. Find fresh seafood at the Fish Market and authentic Egyptian mezze at Abou El Sid.
Hurghada Natural Attractions and Outdoor Activities
Coral Reefs and Snorkelling: The reefs around Giftun Islands (Orange Bay, Dolphin House) are famous for their schools of colourful fish. Here you can dive and swim with the fish. Daily boat trips are also available.
Scuba Diving: Hurghada has diving spots suitable for beginners and advanced levels. Sunken ship diving points are great places for mystery lovers.
Desert Safari: You can make your trip to Hurghada more fun with quad-bike, 4×4 jeep tours, camel rides and traditional Bedouin camping experiences. The sunset here offers unique frames for photography enthusiasts.
Water Sports: You can also participate in activities suitable for windy days such as windsurfing and kitesurfing. Equipment hire and training options are available.
What is the Climate of Hurghada?
Hurghada has a hot desert climate. The average daily temperature is 24.4 °C. It almost never rains here throughout the year.
Winter months (December-February): During winter, daytime temperatures are between 20-24 °C and nighttime temperatures between 10-13 °C. This is the best time to visit Hurghada.
Summer (June-August): During the summer months, temperatures can reach up to 35-46 °C during the day. However, thanks to the winds blowing from the coast, the temperature is relatively low.
Best Time: April to May and October to November are the best months to visit Hurgha. During these months the sea water is warm and the weather is not sweltering.
Why you should visit Hurghada?
Hurghada is one of the most popular destinations on the Red Sea. It offers a combination of golden sandy beaches under the bright sun all year round and the unique beauty of the underwater world.
The region is one of the world’s leading centres for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts, with hundreds of coral reefs and vibrant marine life.
On safari tours organised in the deserts covered with sand dunes, you can explore adrenaline-filled tracks with 4×4 vehicles or discover the authentic culture of the region with traditional Beduin village visits.
Hurghada, which stands out with its family-friendly structure, has large water parks, educational aquariums such as Hurghada Grand Aquarium and children’s clubs.
This city has safe and fun activities for all age groups. History and culture buffs can shop from Ottoman and Egyptian handicraft stalls in the ad-Dahar Bazaar and explore the Ancient Egyptian collection of the Hurghada Museum, which opened in 2020.
Delicious traditional Egyptian cuisine will delight your palate. There are also direct flights to Hurghada International Airport from many cities.
Transportation Options from Sphinx Airport to Hurghada
Fastest by plane
The fastest way to get from Sphinx Airport to Hurghada is by plane. Air Cairo operates regular flights on this line. Charter flights are organised in some periods.
The flight time from Sphinx Airport to Hurghada is 1 hour 25 minutes. One-way ticket prices start from 50-73 USD for early booking. For last minute purchases, ticket prices are in the range of 90-110 USD.
There are 48-60 direct flights from Cairo Airport to Hurghada per week.
Air Cairo, EgyptAir and occasionally charter carriers operate these flights. The flight time takes an average of 1 hour 5-25 minutes. One-way ticket prices start from 34-42 USD in low season. In high season, ticket prices can increase to 80-110 USD.
You can go to Cairo Airport from Sphinx Airport and take a flight from here to Hurghada.
Travelling by Bus
If you prioritise your budget and want to watch the scenery along the way, you can go to Hurghada from Sphinx Airport by bus. From Sphinx Airport, you must first reach the bus stops with a 10-minute taxi ride. The distance between Sphinx airport and Hurghada is approximately 500 km.
Operators: Go Bus Egypt and Blue Bus operate services on the Hurghada-Giza (SPX entry points) route. The average journey time is 5 hours 40 minutes. There are breaks on the way. Ticket prices are between 8-11 USD per person. Ticket prices vary according to the equipment of the bus (air conditioning, toilet, Wi-Fi). There are both day and night services. Ticket prices may be more favourable on night services.
Rent a Car
If you want to shape your journey according to your own schedule, take a break in desert landscapes or discover random beaches on the way, you can start your journey by renting a car from Sphinx Airport. There are offices of car rental companies such as Avis, Budget, Hertz and SIXT at the airport. The average daily price for economy class cars is 40-70 USD. The price is between 80-120 USD for SUV and minivan vehicles. Fuel, insurance packages and motorway tolls, if any, are billed separately. Check all conditions carefully when booking.
By choosing the alternative that best suits your needs and travel style, you can make a safe, comfortable and planned journey from Giza to Hurghada.