More about: Best Things To Do in Hurghada
Hurghada, located on the shores of the Red Sea, is one of the main tourist cities in Egypt and is famous not only for its white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, but also for its marine life and water activities. In addition, from there you can explore coral reefs, paradisiacal islands and deserts, so you will find plans for all ages and during all seasons of the year.
Some of the best things to do in Hurghada include snorkeling and scuba diving in the Red Sea reefs, visiting the New Port to enjoy its lively nightlife, discovering the Al Mina Mosque and participating in a desert tour, where you can discover Bedouin life and gaze at the stars in a clear sky .
1. Visit the Al Mina Mosque
Al Mina Mosque is one of the most famous religious buildings in Egypt in general and Hurghada in particular. Inaugurated in 2012, it is one of the Islamic references of the country and stands out for its white domes and its two minarets that reach, each, 40 meters high.
The interior of the mosque, a constant in Islamic temples, is decorated with mosaics and calligraphic details depicting verses from the Koran. The prayer hall, on the other hand, is an open space designed to accommodate hundreds of worshippers, and features a visitor center where you can learn about Muslim religious practices and observe how the temple serves as a meeting place for the local community.
In terms of its history, the Al Mina Mosque was built with funds provided by the government and donations from local worshippers, giving it a deep significance to the Hurghada community. Although relatively new, it has quickly become one of the most important monuments in the city, not only for its religious function, but also for its architectural value.
While it is not possible to access the minarets, being located near the port, the mosque also offers an expansive view of the Red Sea, so it is often one of the sites included in the itinerary when booking a guided tour of Hurghada.
2. Discover the replicas of Mini Egypt Park
If you want to visit one of the most peculiar attractions in Hurghada, you can't miss Mini Egypt Park, a theme park that offers a miniature tour of Egypt. This park houses more than 60 scale replicas of the country's most emblematic monuments, including the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Temple of Karnak, with designs that faithfully represent the original architectural details.
The tour of Mini Egypt Park is like a journey through time and space, as it will allow you to see, in a matter of hours, what would normally take days or even weeks to explore all of Egypt.
The park is designed so that you can walk among the models and listen to the commentary of local guides who will explain the history and cultural significance of each site.
This park is one of the most visited attractions in Hurghada due to its ability to attract both tourists and locals. It is also a perfect place for those who don't have time to tour the entire country, as booking a visit to Mini Egypt Park offers an ideal alternative to discovering the highlights of Egypt without the need for long journeys.
3. Tour the Grand Aquarium of Hurghada
The Grand Aquarium is one of Hurghada's most popular attractions and is a perfect alternative for those who wish to explore the marine biodiversity of the Red Sea. This world-class aquarium houses everything from tropical fish to rays and sharks. There is also a glass underwater tunnel that allows you to walk among the fish as they swim above and around, creating an immersive experience.
The aquarium also has themed areas that recreate ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs. Here you can find sea turtles, seahorses and a jellyfish pond. Also, the adjacent small zoo houses crocodiles, snakes and exotic birds, providing a complete experience of the animal world.
Booking tickets for the Grand Aquarium of Hurghada is also one of the best things to do with children in the city, as it offers interactive exhibits, informative panels and educational talks that emphasize the protection and preservation of the oceans and marine ecosystems.
4. Relax on Hurghada's beaches
One of the biggest attractions of this coastal city are its beaches, which offer a perfect alternative for those looking to relax in the sun by the Red Sea. Among the most popular beaches in Hurghada are Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay and El Gouna, which stands out for its luxurious surroundings and coral reefs close to the coast.
On the other hand, Hurghada's beaches offer a variety of water activities, so you can practice windsurfing, kitesurfing and parasailing taking advantage of the constant winds and calm coastal waters. Near these sites you can also opt for boat rides and discover the marine life in glass-bottomed boats.
This destination is also world-renowned for its diving opportunities. The city is the gateway to some of the Red Sea's best marine exploration sites, such as Giftun Island Reef and the depths of Abu Ramada. Beginners will be able to book a diving excursion in Hurghada, but experienced divers looking for an aquatic adventure will also find their place.
5. Live a Hammam Spa Experience in Hurghada
Booking a Hammam Spa experience in Hurghada will give you the chance to discover one of the oldest traditions in the Arab world. The hammam, also known as a Turkish bath, is a ritual of purification and relaxation that has been practiced for centuries in various cultures of the Middle East and North Africa.
The experience begins in a warm steam room, where the heat and humidity open the pores and prepare the body for deep cleansing. Through a combination of exfoliation and massage, the hammam not only rejuvenates the skin, but also promotes total relaxation of the body and mind.
The hammam ritual involves a body cleansing process that includes vigorous exfoliation with a special glove called a kessa, followed by a wrap of black soap made from olive oil. Discovering the hammam tradition during your trip to Hurghada is an opportunity to connect with an essential part of Arab culture, while enjoying the care of your body.
The hammam, in itself, is not only a beauty treatment, but also a social and spiritual experience that symbolizes purification and rebirth. In the spas of Hurghada this tradition is combined with modern techniques, offering an indigenous experience in a relaxed and authentic environment. Those seeking a break from tourist activities will find the hammam an ideal way to revitalize.
6. Attend the Neverland musical show in Hurghada.
For an experience that combines world-class entertainment with the magnetism of live theater, you can book tickets to the Neverland musical show in Hurghada. This popular show is a production inspired by the story of Peter Pan and Neverland and provides a staging that will take you through different cultures and artistic styles, including choreography, acrobatics and performances.
Neverland brings to the stage a team of dancers, acrobats and actors who perform elaborate sets in detailed costumes to the rhythm of immersive music. This international show has been performed for more than a decade in Hurghada and has captured not only the public's favor, but also that of the critics, making it a must-see option if you want to discover local entertainment.
Also, one of the highlights of these experiences is the Moroccan dinner that is included as part of the show. Before or after the show, you'll have the opportunity to sample an authentic Moroccan meal that offers a taste of traditional Moroccan flavors, including couscous, aromatic tajines and desserts served with mint tea.
7. Visit Cairo from Hurghada on a full day tour.
Booking a full-dayexcursion to Cairo from Hurghada is an unforgettable experience that will allow you to discover the most iconic treasures of Egypt's capital. Located about four hours away by car, Cairo is famous for the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple, an archaeological site that is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and a major magnet for world tourism.
In Cairo you can also explore the Egyptian Museum, which is one of the most important museums in the world. There you can discover a collection of more than 120,000 objects, including the treasures of the pharaoh Tutankhamun, but also mummies, sculptures and jewelry spanning more than 3,000 years of history on the banks of the Nile.
Visiting Cairo is also a perfect opportunity to get to know the multiculturalism that distinguishes Egypt and some of the most popular districts of the city, such as the Coptic quarter, home to some of the oldest Christian churches in the country. Finally, in the Egyptian capital you can also visit the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest markets in the Middle East.
8. Stargazing from the desert of Hurghada
One of the best things to do in Hurghada is to gaze at the stars from the desert at night. This experience, which you can live in the enigmatic Sahara, far from the urban lights and the bustle of the city, will allow you to make an astronomical observation and discover, accompanied by experts in the field, one of the clearest skies in the world.
While you can do this activity on your own, one of the best ways to optimize your visit is to book a nighttime stargazing tour of the Hurghada desert. These excursions, organized by local guides, will allow you to reach the camp located deep in the desert in all-terrain vehicles or camels.
Once at the camp, and after watching the sunset, as the best time to arrive is before sunset, the guides will share with you stories about the constellations and planets that can be distinguished in the firmament. In addition, these experiences usually include a traditional Bedouin dinner around a campfire, where you can taste local dishes and enjoy the peaceful and cozy atmosphere of the desert.
Participating in a night tour of the Hurghada desert is one of the memorable activities you can do during your trip, as it combines adventure, culture and astronomy under the vastness of the night sky.
9. Tour Luxor on a tour from Hurghada
Another nearby city you can discover using Hurghada as a base is Luxor, which is home to one of the most important archaeological sites in the world and is known as Egypt's largest open-air museum. Luxor, located on the banks of the Nile River, was the ancient city of Thebes and there you can find some of the most emblematic temples and monuments of the Egyptian civilization, such as the Temple of Karnak.
In this city you can also find the Temple of Luxor, located in the heart of the city and connected in ancient times with Karnak by the Avenue of the Sphinxes. This temple is famous for its statues of Ramses II and its pylons. Nearby you will also find the Necropolis of Thebes, a complex that houses the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, where the tombs of some of Egypt's most famous pharaohs were found.
This destination can be visited on your own or by booking an excursion to Luxor from Hurghada. It is an experience that will allow you to have the assistance of an expert local guide and save money, as many of the entrances to the historic buildings are usually included in the price.
10. Visit the Orange and Giftun Islands
If you want to visit one of the most fascinating natural sites in Hurghada, you can't miss the Orange and Giftun Islands, which will give you a postcard of the unspoiled beauty of the Red Sea and its landscapes. These islands are located a short distance from the coast and are part of a protected nature reserve. Giftun is the largest, with a history linked to the conservation of its marine flora and fauna, as its waters are home to coral reefs.
Orange Island, on the other hand, is smaller but equally captivating. It is popular for its white sandy beaches and tranquil atmosphere, perfect for relaxing. These islands can be reached on a boat trip from Hurghada on a journey that will allow you to enjoy the natural environment and the horizon, which is usually clear, especially during the summer months.
Orange and Giftun are recognized as ideal destinations for a snorkeling experience. The waters surrounding both islands are rich in marine life, being home to corals, fish and other marine creatures that inhabit these reefs.