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Movenpick Resort & Spa El Gouna, Hurghada

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Hurghada

Updated 1 October 2026 · 12 things to do

Pictured: Movenpick Resort & Spa El Gouna

Hurghada is about the water. The Red Sea here is warm, clear and full of reef, and a mask and snorkel is all it takes to be face to face with shoals of brightly coloured fish. Boats leave the marina every morning for the Giftun islands, divers head out to coral walls, and kitesurfers take over the windy bays further south.

Then there's the other Egypt, an easy trip away. The temples and tombs of Luxor, the pyramids at Giza and the open desert behind the coast all make a good change from the beach. Hurghada is stretched along the shore for kilometres, so pick your area first, then pick your days.

Don't miss

  1. 1The Giftun Islands
  2. 2Snorkelling and diving the Red Sea reefs
  3. 3El Gouna
  4. 4Luxor and the Valley of the Kings
  5. 5A desert safari

On and under the Red Sea

This is why most people come.

  1. The Giftun Islands

    Day trip

    Giftun Island off Hurghada on the Red Sea
    Photo: cattan2011, CC BY 2.0

    A protected group of small islands a short boat ride off Hurghada, ringed with white sand and shallow reef. Day boats leave from the marina and the big hotels, usually with two or three snorkel stops and lunch on board. Orange Bay and Mahmya are the names you'll hear most.

    Tip: Choose a smaller boat if you can, and look, but never touch or stand on the coral.

  2. Snorkelling and diving the Red Sea reefs

    Activity

    Coral reefs in the Red Sea near Hurghada
    Photo: kallerna, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The reefs here are some of the most famous in the world for snorkelling and diving, with clear water, shoals of anthias, parrotfish, clownfish and turtles on a good day. Beginners can try a discovery dive with an instructor, and qualified divers can head out to wrecks and coral walls.

    Tip: Use reef-safe sun cream, and don’t feed or chase any marine life.

  3. Kitesurfing and windsurfing

    Activity

    Kitesurfing on the Red Sea at El Gouna
    Photo: Marc Ryckaert, CC BY 3.0

    The wind blows reliably along this coast, which has made it a magnet for kitesurfers. El Gouna and Soma Bay are the places to go, with flat, shallow lagoons for beginners and open water for the experienced. Schools run lessons from complete beginner level.

Towns and neighbourhoods

  1. El Gouna

    Neighbourhood

    A lagoon at El Gouna on the Red Sea coast
    Photo: Marc Ryckaert, CC BY 3.0

    A purpose-built resort town north of Hurghada, laid out around lagoons and islands with a walkable Downtown of cafés, restaurants and bars, and boats that act as taxis. It's calmer, greener and more polished than the rest of the coast, and it's the one place here where you can spend an evening wandering around.

    Tip: Come for a day or an evening even if you are staying elsewhere. It is about half an hour north of Hurghada.

  2. Hurghada Marina

    Neighbourhood

    Boats moored in Hurghada Marina
    Photo: Almondox, CC BY 3.0

    The marina is the easy evening out: a waterfront promenade with restaurants, cafés and bars facing the boats, and the point of departure for many sea trips. Come at sunset and take a table with a view.

  3. Dahar

    Neighbourhood

    The old town of Hurghada, where the city began as a fishing village. Wander through the souk for spices, tea, hibiscus and scarves, look in at the Al-Mina mosque and eat cheaply at local restaurants. It's more Egyptian and less polished than the resort strip.

    Tip: Haggle politely in the souk, and dress modestly away from the resort areas.

Desert and Nile days

  1. Luxor and the Valley of the Kings

    Day trip

    The Valley of the Kings near Luxor
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Ancient Thebes, on the Nile, is the best reason to leave the beach: the vast columns of Karnak Temple, the rock-cut royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Luxor, lit up at night. It's a very long day from Hurghada, so many people choose an overnight stay.

    Tip: Book a licensed guide and start at dawn, before the heat and the crowds.

  2. Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza

    Day trip

    The pyramids of Giza
    Photo: Ricardo Liberato, CC BY-SA 2.0

    The last of the ancient wonders still standing, rising from the edge of the modern city. Seeing the pyramids and the Sphinx is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. From Hurghada it's either a short flight or a very long drive, and a guide helps make sense of it all.

  3. A desert safari

    Activity

    A desert safari in the Eastern Desert near Hurghada
    Photo: E v Schoonhoven, CC BY 3.0

    Hurghada's back garden is the Eastern Desert, a landscape of dry wadis, rock and sand. Safaris go out by 4x4, usually finishing with sunset over the dunes and a Bedouin-style dinner under the stars. The silence and the night sky are the real draw.

    Tip: Check what the operator offers, and avoid any trip that uses animals as an attraction.

Family and food

  1. Water parks

    Water park

    Several big hotels and a few stand-alone parks along the coast have slides, wave pools and lazy rivers. They are a good use of a day when the wind is up or the kids have had enough of the sea.

  2. Koshari and Egyptian street food

    Food

    A bowl of Egyptian koshari
    Photo: Basma, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Koshari is Egypt's favourite fast food: rice, lentils, macaroni and crispy onions, topped with a spicy tomato sauce. Pair it with ful medames, a slow-cooked fava bean dish, and warm bread for breakfast. Both are cheap, filling and easy to find in Dahar.

  3. Fresh fish by the sea

    Food

    Many seafront restaurants let you choose your fish from the day's catch and have it grilled with garlic, lemon and spices, served with rice, salad and tahini. Ask the price by weight first, then eat slowly with a sea view.

Where to stay in Hurghada

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Hurghada →

Getting around

Hurghada is long and spread out, so taxis and hotel transfers are the easiest way to get around. Most excursions include pick-up from your hotel. Agree the fare before you get into a taxi, or use a ride-hailing app.

When to go

The Red Sea is warm enough for swimming for much of the year, with comfortable weather in spring and autumn. Summer is very hot, so do day trips like Luxor outside the peak months if you can, and save the afternoons for the pool and sea.

Questions about visiting Hurghada

What is Hurghada best known for?
Snorkelling and diving on Red Sea coral reefs, warm winter sun, big all-inclusive resorts and easy day trips to Luxor and the desert.
Is Hurghada worth visiting?
Yes, for reliable sun, easy snorkelling and diving, and the chance to combine beach days with the temples of Luxor or a desert safari.
What is there to do in Hurghada with kids?
Boat trips to the Giftun islands, snorkelling in calm water, resort water parks and a desert safari for older children.
Can you visit Luxor from Hurghada?
Yes, as a long day trip by coach, though many people stay overnight to avoid a very early start and a late return. Pick a licensed operator.

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