Hurghada
Temperature
11°
Time
6:59 AM
Hurghada
Like so many of the towns and cities of Egypt, Hurghada, Luxor and Marsa Alam are living history museums. The three cities are positioned as corners of a triangle in the Eastern Desert. Hurghada, a former fishing harbour, stretches 15 miles along the waterfront and is the perfect area for water sports. Marsa Alam is found by the Red Sea coast and tourism is just starting to make an impact. The city of Luxor, with its jaw-droppingly beautiful monuments built by the hands of ancient craftsmen, lies 150 miles inland on the banks of the River Nile.Find your trip
Dating back over 3,000 years, Karnak is a monumental complex of temples, pylons, and chapels. The most significant structure is the Temple of Amun-Ra. The Hypostyle hall, at 16,459 square metres and featuring 134 columns, is still the largest room of any religious building in the world. Besides the main sanctuary, there are several smaller temples and a vast sacred lake.
The Mummification Museum in Luxor is the best place to learn about the secrets of the pharaohs. Take your time to reflect and dwell upon ancient Egyptian history, culture and traditions surrounding the funerary process, the very key element in ancient Egyptian belief systems.
Perched on the east bank of the River Nile, Luxor Museum is an archaeological treasure trove showcasing a wealth of Ancient Egyptian artefacts. From everyday items to exquisite artwork, sculptures, and mummies, the museum provides a fascinating journey through the rich history of the region. Many exhibits were unearthed in local temples, while some trace their origins to the renowned tomb of Tutankhamun, offering visitors a remarkable glimpse into the daily life and artistry of ancient civilisations.
Inspired by the award-winning Sinai Trail and founded by the local Kushmaan Bedouin tribe, the Red Sea Mountain Trail spans 170 km, taking you into less explored territory and wild landscapes that were once part of trade, shepherd and smuggling routes. A Bedouin guide will accompany you through the entire 10-day-long hike, but there are easier alternative routes that can be taken anytime.
El Gouna is a purpose-designed resort town on Egypt’s Red Sea, near Hurghad. Here you can find gourmet restaurants, nightclubs, sports and leisure activities including the Red Sea’s first marina, a fine golf course, beaches, spas and special attractions for children.
Blue Paradise is a diving centre that offers holiday-makers a chance to dive and snorkel in the Red Sea and see coral reefs, dolphins and turtles. All diving is carried out under professional supervision.
Makadi Water World is a fun water park with more than 50 thrilling water slides for both kids and adults, including a 19-metre free-fall slide, tunnel slides, mini rainbow and elephant slides just to name a few. You can easily spend some hours here.
The Sphinx Avenue, also known as The King's Festivities Road, hails from around 380 BC, revealing a historic 2.7 km-long pathway that links Karnak Temple with Luxor Temple in the ancient city of Thebes. Uncovered remnants showcase sphinxes and ram-headed statues adorning both flanks of this ancient avenue, providing a fascinating glimpse into the grandeur of ancient Egyptian architecture and culture.
Dating back over 3,000 years, Karnak is a monumental complex of temples, pylons, and chapels. The most significant structure is the Temple of Amun-Ra. The Hypostyle hall, at 16,459 square metres and featuring 134 columns, is still the largest room of any religious building in the world. Besides the main sanctuary, there are several smaller temples and a vast sacred lake.
The Mummification Museum in Luxor is the best place to learn about the secrets of the pharaohs. Take your time to reflect and dwell upon ancient Egyptian history, culture and traditions surrounding the funerary process, the very key element in ancient Egyptian belief systems.
The area around Luxor’s Kornish Al Nile is one of the busiest in the city, and everything from jewellery to leather goods can be found here.
Stroll around in the beautiful surroundings of Hurghada Marina to discover cutting-edge fashion, high-end jewellery, and swimsuits from world-renowned designers, along with bags and accessories. The boulevard is also dotted with a delightful blend of bars and restaurants against the backdrop of the marina's nautical charm.
Caravanserai is an authentic Egyptian-style shop in Luxor offering a curated collection of the finest handmade items from skilled artisans across Egypt. The shop boasts reasonable prices and a friendly staff, making it an ideal destination for visitors seeking quality souvenirs.
Senzo Mall is located in the heart of Hurghada. It covers an area of 250,000 square meters and offers all types of shops, services and recreational activities. You will find everything from ladies' wear, men's wear, and footwear, to electronics and accessories, plus a food court and a supermarket.
Habiba Gallery is a quaint shop selling an eclectic variety of old and new Egyptian handcrafts made by local producers. Here you can buy beautiful embroidery, beadwork, hand-loomed textiles, bracelets, hand-beaten brass lamps and much more. This is the perfect place to go for gifts.
Ata Bazar is located in front of Luxor temple and is a hassle-free shop where you can find Egyptian souvenirs at fair and fixed prices which means there is no need to haggle.
Aboudi Book Shop is one of the oldest and largest bookstores in the historic city of Luxor — it opened its doors in 1909. Not only books are sold here but also souvenirs, Egyptian gifts and children’s books.
The area around Luxor’s Kornish Al Nile is one of the busiest in the city, and everything from jewellery to leather goods can be found here.
Stroll around in the beautiful surroundings of Hurghada Marina to discover cutting-edge fashion, high-end jewellery, and swimsuits from world-renowned designers, along with bags and accessories. The boulevard is also dotted with a delightful blend of bars and restaurants against the backdrop of the marina's nautical charm.
All visitors to Egypt must obtain a visa from one of the Egyptian diplomatic missions before entering the country or holding an Egypt eVisa. Upon entering, visitors must hold a passport that is valid for, at least, six months from the date of arrival in Egypt.
To avoid uncomfortable crowds at Egypt's most popular sites, avoid travelling in December and January as these months constitute peak tourist season. To enjoy more pleasant temperatures and better accommodation prices, visit from October to April.
Hurghada International Airport, situated 5 km southwest of downtown Hurghada, offers convenient transportation options to and from the city. Taxis, available 24/7, can transport you to various destinations. For budget travellers, minibuses provide regular transportation to the city centre and other Red Sea towns, with flexible stops on demand. The journey takes about 20 minutes to reach the heart of Hurghada. It's advisable to agree on taxi and bus fares in advance to avoid headaches.
Luxor International Airport, located 6 kilometres from the city, offers travellers various transportation options. A budget-friendly public bus service connects the airport to the city centre in approximately 15 minutes. Taxis are available from outside the terminal — be sure to agree on a price before leaving the airport. Additionally, special limousine services are available, as well as car rental companies.
Marsa Alam Airport is the first privately owned airport in Egypt and it is serving both international and domestic flights. Since there is no public transport from the airport, you will need to arrange a transfer with your hotel in advance.
To get around these cities you can either walk or order a taxi. The latter will be your best option. Mini-buses are common if you want to ride with the locals. Trains, which fall into two categories, one with air-conditioning and the other without, are ideal for travelling to nearby towns and cities.
Taxis are available from outside the airports, hotels and the bus and rail stations in Hurghada, Luxor and Marsa Alam. To avoid getting scammed, always agree on a price beforehand to your destination.
There are several post offices in the region. However, they can be a minefield if Arabic is not spoken or read. Hotels offer postal services, which is a safe option to ensure letters are sent and delivered safely.
All visitors to Egypt must obtain a visa from one of the Egyptian diplomatic missions before entering the country or holding an Egypt eVisa. Upon entering, visitors must hold a passport that is valid for, at least, six months from the date of arrival in Egypt.
To avoid uncomfortable crowds at Egypt's most popular sites, avoid travelling in December and January as these months constitute peak tourist season. To enjoy more pleasant temperatures and better accommodation prices, visit from October to April.
