Once a fishing and shipbuilding port, Hurghada (Arabic for "El-Ghardaqa") is now one of the most famous seaside resorts on the Red Sea (along with Marsa Alam) and the main town on the Egyptian coast. It stretches over some twenty kilometers and is divided into a number of districts, each far from the other.The historic heart of the city, Dahar, has managed to retain its traditional character. At dusk, the old mosque quarters come alive with the heavy smell of grilled meat and the cheerful sounds of the souk. Illuminated by gas lamps or electric bulbs waving in the wind, the stalls overflow with oranges, bananas, parsley and a few varieties of vegetable. The surrounding area is far less cheerful. Here, tourism is concentrated in resorts. Tiny vacation villages, the resorts welcome mainly groups of tourists who have booked their stay from their country of origin, in most cases Germany, Italy and Russia. The aim is to offer all possible services on site, so that these brave souls don't have to go out into the street. Restaurants, boutiques, bank counters, a diving center, swimming pool, private beach and discotheque are all at the disposal of the resort's residents, who only leave their rooms on excursions organized by the diving center. We've got a customer, we'll keep him!The tragedy of a town like Hurghada is that, as they grow and multiply, resorts monopolize the coast and distort mentalities, to the point of making any stay outside one of these tourist factories unappealing. There are plenty of inexpensive hotels in town, as well as restaurants, individual and collective means of transport... But once you're there, you'll realize that almost all the beaches have been taken over by the resorts, and it's impossible to swim anywhere else. To enjoy the sea, you'll have to go to a diving club, where a tour operator will take you by boat to Giftun Island. As a result, even if you stay in an inexpensive hotel, a stay in Hurghada is much more expensive (the daily entrance fee is around LE 100) than in some Sinai towns, such as Dahab or Nuweiba, where the Red Sea is just as splendid.

What to visit Hurghada?

When to go to Hurghada?

When to go to Hurghada ? Your stay will be more pleasant in spring or autumn. In winter, the wind can be violent and the temperature cool. In summer, the scorching temperatures are difficult to bear. The best periods are from September to December and from March to June. Outside of these periods, the coastline of Hurghada is deserted, the vast majority of hotels are closed and tourist services are out of order. It is therefore difficult to practice diving, to go for a quad ride or any other tourist activity.

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Weather at the moment

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Weather all year round

It is the kingdom of the sun. The "rainy" season is reduced to January with... 7 mm of cumulative rainfall. Temperatures are always mild except from June to September when the average temperature exceeds 30°C. In the off-seasons, the nights get cooler and in winter temperatures can drop. The days are mild and the nights sometimes very cool. The water temperature is always above 20°C and from June to November above 25°C.

Budget

The currency is the Egyptian pound (EL) divided into 100 piasters (PT). In English, you will be referred to as pound and piaster, in Arabic as guineh and irch. Euros and dollars are accepted for most tourist services, as well as credit cards. There are many ATMs in the city. Egypt is a fairly inexpensive destination, especially in the all-inclusive version.

Procedures

A tourist visa (maximum validity of 1 month, cost 25 US$) is required in addition to the passport to enter Egypt. It can be obtained from the Egyptian diplomatic authorities in France and in particular from the Egyptian Embassy in Paris, but it is especially easier to buy it when you arrive at one of Egypt's international airports. Luggage is not searched extensively, but it can be searched. Travellers are allowed to enter Egypt in possession of a maximum of LE 5,000 and US$ 10,000 (or the equivalent in euros).

Health

Equip yourself with mosquito repellent even if the country is not affected by malaria. Egypt is one of the countries affected by the avian influenza outbreak. Make sure that your vaccinations required in France are up to date (D. T. Polio for example). Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended. Protect yourself from the sun, the most severe risk of this destination. Food and drinks in hotels in western Hurghada are not a problem. Desert excursions are well established and you don't risk much to go on camelback or quad if you are accompanied.

How to go to Hurghada? Our advice & tips

This seaside resort is the stronghold of organized stays. The excursions in the desert are well established and you won't risk much if you go on camelback or quad bike if you are accompanied. We will also organize for you the traditional day trip to Cairo to see the pyramids. Thematic trips, around diving or sailing, are also on the program of tour operators.

Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destination

It is not a destination of great interest for a traveler who goes alone. Everything is organized for tourists who come in groups or in all inclusive. It is difficult to negotiate the prices on the spot, you will pay more than in the all-inclusive formulas. And you will be left "on the side".

If you come on a package tour, no worries. The shuttle bus will take you to your hotel and if your stay is at the beach, all you have to do is walk to your deckchair! You can also enjoy sailing and go for a little cruise on the sea. We don't recommend renting a car, as it won't be of much use to you. Besides, driving in Egypt is not easy...

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La Marina. Pierre JUIN
Dans la ville d'Hurghada. Pierre JUIN

Discover Hurghada

When to travel?

When to go to Hurghada ? Your stay will be more pleasant in spring or autumn. In winter, the wind can be violent and...
Read more about it

Weather forecast

It is the kingdom of the sun. The "rainy" season is reduced to January with... 7 mm of cumulative rainfall. Temperatu...
Read more about it

Budget

The currency is the Egyptian pound (EL) divided into 100 piasters (PT). In English, you will be referred to as pou...
Read more about it

Formalities

A tourist visa (maximum validity of 1 month, cost 25 US$) is required in addition to the passport to enter Egypt. It...
Read more about it

Health

Equip yourself with mosquito repellent even if the country is not affected by malaria. Egypt is one of the countries...
Read more about it

How to travel by yourself?

It is not a destination of great interest for a traveler who goes alone. Everything is organized for tourists who com...
Read more about it

How to get organized?

This seaside resort is the stronghold of organized stays. The excursions in the desert are well established and you...
Read more about it

Getting around

If you come on a package tour, no worries. The shuttle bus will take you to your hotel and if your stay is at the bea...
Read more about it

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