Egyptian property and tour specialists

Hurghada Travel Guide

Hurghada is a lively place to visit or live.

Two decades ago it was just a modest little fishing village, now it is home to 40,000 people and is the largest tourist destination in Egypt with over 1 million visitors per year. The beautiful crystal blue clear, calm waters of Hurghada, fascinating coral reefs and sandy beaches make it an ideal holiday resort. Hurghada stretches for about 40 km along the seashore and it has become an international centre for aquatic sports like windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, swimming, and above all snorkelling and diving.

The unique underwater gardens offshore are some of the finest in the world, justifiably famous amongst divers. The warm waters are ideal for many varieties of rare fish and coral reefs, which may also be observed through glass bottom boats. The city provides a gateway to prime diving sites throughout the Red Sea. Its central location provides favourable access to very famous dive sites. In addition, Hurghada is known for providing access to many uninhabited offshore reefs and islands.

Uncover Egypt have put together below a few useful hints, which we hope will help all our travelers when they are in Hurghada. We genuinely love the area and wish to help everyone to get the best from this wonderful place. Please feel free to contact us if there is anything we can help or advise on to make your visit to Egypt more enjoyable.

Directions

The city is growing and is now developing into four main areas, the old town is called El Dahar and this is located at the northern part of the City, there are hotels here and real estate developments but this area is still a favourite with the locals. A few kilometers south is Sakala, the main road in this area is called Sheraton Road and there are many restuants, hotels and shops. The Ministry of Sound has a large beach here, which you can use to sunbath during the day and party at night.

The new marina, opened in June 2008 is not far from the Sheraton road and offers sophisticated shopping, cafe's and restaurants in a picturesque setting with stunning boats moored there and the best view of the sunset in Hurghada.

Another new area is called El Kawser which is a kilometre further south of Sakkala. A fantastic promenade has been built along the coast line, starting from the Marriot Hotel and stretching over a kilometre, the plan is for it to extend all the way to Sea View Hotel which is the furtherest point south of Hurghada. The promenade is lined with stylish, hotels, shops, restuarnts, bars and cafes and is a very nice place to walk along.

Finally, the area called Golden Mile, this is the coast road out of Hurghada to the North going towards El Gouna. The sandy beaches are beautiful out here, the sea is all shades of blue, there are some hotels, more being built, this is a prime area for real estate development because of the lovely beach front setting.

Safety

You are very safe to walk anywhere day or night and if in doubt locals are always happy to assist you if you need help.

The Egyptian Pound is worth approximately 10 Egyptian to 1 English Pound. Most hotels take credit cards and also change money for you. However, outside the hotels, shops, restaurants, clubs and excursion centres rarely take credit cards and have no credit card facilities.

Egypt is predominantly a cash society. You can use credit cards to withdraw money from cash machines in Hurghada and the charges are not high. Travelers cheques are the best idea either in US Dollars or Sterling. NEVER change money with anyone other than banks, proper Bureaux de Change or within the hotels.

The climate in Hurghada is beautiful all year round. Summer months from end June to end September can be very hot in the daytime peaking in August. Generally temperatures at this time are over 35C and rarely fall below 30°C in the evening. The coolest time of the year is January when the daytime temperatures are usually around 22°C 24°C with night time dropping to 11°C. A lightweight jacket is recommended in the evenings during the Winter and Spring months.

Most hotels have fully stocked vibrant bars for you to enjoy both day and night. However there are some superb bars and clubs scattered throughout Hurghada.

Little Buddha - The sister venue of the well reputed Buddha Bar Paris opened at Sinbad Resort, Village Road, Hurghada in September 2007 and is the place to be seen! This is the place to get cocktails a must for the sophisticated holidaymaker who wants to party in Hurghada. The restuarnt serves sushi and after 11.00pm little Buddha turns into one of the best nightclubs in Hurghada.

The Ministry of Sound – Since Dec 2005 the former Papas Beach club became a brand of the Ministry of Sound, London. It is located on the beach in Sakkala and has regular theme sessions with DJ’s from Ministry of Sound London. Hot summer nights are guaranteed!

There are many other superb places to hang out including Havana nightclub, Papas Bar, Dutch Bar, and Hard Rock Cafe.

DO NOT miss the lovely Bedouin Bars that you can find throughout Hurghada. Sit and have a drink, or a coffee and try the local Shisha pipes. Shishas are fruit flavoured tobacco pipes and are great fun.

Restaurants - Hurghada has a wealth of different culinary choices. There are fast food outlets to please the children, KFC, McDonalds and Pizza Hut and they will all deliver to your hotel or apartment.

For great fresh seafood at fantastic prices go to El Mino fish restaurants in El Sakkala Square or downtown in El Nasser road or El Joker on the corner of Sakkala Square.

Bulls opposite the Marriot Hotel is well known for offering International fare, including Burgers and delicious Mexican food. There is a great European bakers on the ground floor which sells delicious bread.

Check with each restaurant as you arrive in regard to alcoholic drinks. Most restaurants do supply a wide range of drinks including wine and spirits; however some are unlicensed. If they are unlicensed very often they are happy for you to nip to the local supermarket and purchase your own beer and wine. Just ask.

Make sure that even if you are staying All Inclusive that you venture out for a least one meal. Food in the restaurants is often better than the all-inclusive meals.

Getting around in Hurghada is easy and cheap if you are adventurous! The local shuttle buses can be flagged down and cost a few Egyptian pounds. Hotels usually run a shuttle bus to the main centres during the day and evening. However the taxis are cheap and easy to find.

Shopping in Hurghada is fun and unique lively experience. With no fixed prices. Always decide what to pay and be prepared to haggle. Shopkeepers want your business so they will call you to their premises but they are genuinely friendly and kind and a gentle push back if you are not interested is sufficient. There are many beautiful jewellery shops as well as bazaars and perfume shops. Beware of some of the perfume sellers they will “hard sell” you into a high price and often these perfumes are not genuine. Very few shops take credit cards. Make sure you shop around for bargains and check prices shop to shop.

Make sure that you have good comprehensive travel insurance for the duration of your trip. There are hospitals in Hurghada that will deal with all your local medical needs. Major injuries however, would require a transfer to Cairo. There are many pharmacists, most who speak English and who act like doctors for minor ailments. So visit the pharmacist first for advice. All hotels have a doctor that they work closely with so if you are staying in a hotel this should always be your port of call.

For those that are holidaying on a self catering basis, or for people who live in Hurghada there are a variety of reasonably well stocked supermarkets and as more apartment and villas are built so the amount of supermarkets grow.

Egypt is a predominantly Muslim society with a small Christian population. The Egyptian people are however kind, tolerant and non judgmental. They respect other people's opinions and are very fond of the British. However, this is a Muslim country and overtly sexual or overtly drunken behaviour is not tolerated. (A plus to most discerning travelers). Topless sunbathing is not acceptable; however dress styles for holidaymakers are the same as most sunshine destinations.

Please contact us for further details.