What to do in Hurghada

The desert excursion takes you on an authentic, exotic journey. Beyond the wilderness and rocky mountains, you'll find a Bedouin camp, which you'll discover before going out to admire the stars.

From Hurghada, hop in a jeep before heading off into the desert. A short camel ride is offered before you hit the sands on a jeep ride to the Bedouin camp.

Sitting on cushions in the middle of the desert, you'll be served traditional tea. We'll then explain their way of life, including a bread-making demonstration.

As daylight fades, it's time to admire the sunset over the mountains. As you climb the cliffs, you'll be treated to a sublime panorama - the highlight of the show.

After dinner by candlelight, there's still time forstargazing. The guide will show you the most beautiful stars between two explanations, before returning to your hotel.

The Hurghada Museum, although a little out of the way, brings a touch of culture to a leisurely stay. Recently opened, it boasts over 2,000 exhibits.

If you don't know what to do at the end of your stay, this is a good place to visit in Hurghada to discover a piece of the country's history.

You can wander through objects dating back several millennia. Admire these showcases of ancestral wonders.

You'll find furniture, accessories, weapons, jewelry, everyday objects, sculptures, paintings and even mummies! The latter come notably from the Valley of the Golden Mummies.

It's a fairly short visit, taking just one hour to survey its 3,000 m2. You'll follow an itinerary that takes you through different eras: Ancient Egypt, the Greco-Roman era, the heyday of Coptic art, the Islamic period and the modern era.

Highlights include jewelry from the dynasty of Mehemet Ali, a statue of Merytamon, Osiris and the god Ptah.

Swimming with dolphins is an experience to be had, and ranks among the top things to do in Hurghada. Accessible via an excursion off the coast, this activity complements a snorkeling proposal.

Once on the boat, head for a spot renowned for its large numbers of these mammals. You can then dive down to join them for a swim. It's a short but intense moment that delights young and old alike.

After lunch on deck, you can enjoy a snorkeling stop to admire the depths and marine life of the Red Sea.

The instructors will provide you with all the equipment you need: fins, mask and snorkel. Another stop is planned to take in more of the colorful fish and coral reefs.

If you don't know what to do in Hurghada, there are quad bike excursions in the desert. It's a fun way to discover the resort's surroundings, as well as some of the local culture.

Once you're on site, your guides will brief you on the operation of the quad and remind you of safety instructions.

After a warm-up lap, you're off into the desert. It's a magical moment, as the cliffs in the distance and the sandy mist lend a timeless charm. A scarf is provided to protect you from the dust.

After an hour, you'll arrive at a Bedouin camp. You can take a quick camel ride before enjoying a cup of tea in the village.

The return journey is punctuated by the sunset over the mountains. It's a breathtaking change of scenery, and a great way to get going again!

A visit to the El Mina mosque is one of the things to do in Hurghada on a first visit, if only for the beauty of its architecture.

Built in white marble in 2012, this monument boasts two large minarets and multiple domes.

The interior is equally impressive, with large chandeliers, traditional oriental motifs and Islamic calligraphy.

Small manuscripts of the Koran are piled on the walls, and arches add to the charm of this religious building. Here you can see the locals at prayer. Authentic and serene, this place can be visited every day.

To do so, you'll need to take off your shoes. For women, you'll need to cover your hair, upper body and ankles.

For this reason, you can rent a prayer dress in an adjoining building, which you'll need to put on before entering this sacred place.

The beauty of the Red Sea'sseabed makes snorkeling a must-do activity.

So it's impossible to know what to do in Hurghada if you haven't booked a snorkeling trip!

Mask, flippers and snorkel are provided by the instructors who accompany you throughout the day. After a quick briefing with explanations and instructions, you can dive into the turquoise water to admire the fish and coral reefs.

Two stops are scheduled to let you make the most of these treasures.

This type of excursion is often complemented by other activities, such as swimming with dolphins or discovering Orange Bay. Situated on the Giftoun Islands, the latter offers an incredible landscape.

At the end of the day, you're often treated to a more playful activity on the water, such as a towed buoy!

Essential to any vacation, there are many beaches along the Hurghada coast. Most of them are private, accessible only from seaside hotels.

They are often bordered by countless colorful deckchairs where you can relax and sunbathe. The advantage is that you can enjoy the beach at your leisure, while taking part in water sports such as snorkelling.

The resort itself has few public beaches.

However, some stand out, notably El Sawaky Beach to the north of the historic center and Orange Beach, just a stone's throw from the town center. You generally have to pay to access them. There are also more locals.

A trip to Cairo allows you to discover some of Egypt's must-sees. The capital is about 5 hours away. However, this rather long and tiring excursion is one of the things to do in Hurghada.

Once there, you can marvel at the majestic pyramids of Giza and discover the temples of Khéops, Kephren and Mykérinos. Pass by the Giza Sphinx before continuing on to the Valley of the Temples.

The afternoon is reserved for downtown Cairo, where we visit the Egyptian Museum, the world's most important museum of its kind. It is famous for its collection of mummies. A cruise on the Nile and a camel ride are optional extras.

Lunch in an oriental restaurant and hotel pick-up are included.

The marina is one of the city's highlights. Located just a stone's throw from the mosque, it offers a pleasant stroll along the marina.

The setting is pleasant and well-decorated. In high season, the promenade is very popular with tourists, both during the day and in the evening.

Most of the restaurants here offer an international menu. There's a wide choice of cuisines, from Greek and Japanese to Egyptian and English.

There are also ice-cream vendors for daytime refreshment. There's also a small souk where you can make a few purchases.

Thepier for sea excursions is located in the marina. You may be asked to embark on one of them here.

Beyond these aspects, you can simply stroll along the marina to discover this colorful and original architecture.

Want to experience local Egyptian life? Head north into the historic part of Hurghada. You'll find the El Dahar district and its souk.

Immerse yourself in this chaotic maze, and you're sure to find the typical atmosphere of the country, with its merchants, local products and small shops.

Older than today's city center, this area is home to a local market selling fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, spices and chickens.

This is where the locals come to do their shopping. A few souvenir stores are located a little further away for the few tourists who venture here.

Another great place to visit in Hurghada is the aquarium.

Come and discover sharks, turtles, seahorses, etc... All set off by original decor. You'll even find a zoo with crocodiles, monkeys and more.

You'll follow a path, alternating between an interior filled with aquariums and an exterior featuring larger land mammals.

Cross a monkey bridge and discover crocodiles below, re-enter to observe turtles, before returning outside to discover pelicans!

Please note, however, that it's rather remote, situated along the main boulevard away from the town center. So you'll have to take a cab. Nevertheless, it's an ideal visit for families, entertaining young and old alike.

The only drawback is that it's very expensive for tourists...

Another interesting activity to try out if you don't know what to do in Hurghada: the submarine! Entertaining and educational for children, this excursion lets you discover aquatic life in a different way.

This outing is accessible from Hurghada: you'll be taken to a boat that will take you out to sea. This is your chance to admire the Red Sea landscape, before arriving at the submarine.

You can then enter the cabin, which is large enough to accommodate around 40 people.

Then it's off for a 40-minute ride. You'll dive to a depth of 20m.

From the comfort of your seat, admire the divers surrounded by multicolored fish. This activity is especially fun for children!

Enjoy a spa session for a memorable stay! It's a great experience to have in Hurghada. This treatment includes several practices, for maximum relaxation.

After enjoying an oriental tea, you'll be taken to the hammam to begin the relaxation process. Take advantage of this Turkish bath to unwind. You'll then be treated to a body scrub, followed by a foam cleansing.

Then enjoy your massage session. Lasting 45 minutes, it releases tension and pampers you with a soothing technique. A final visit to the sauna or jacuzzi to relax your body, before transferring back to your hotel.

Not far from the aquarium and archaeological museum is Sand City, an impressive open-air museum containing numerous sand statues.

In all, you'll be able to see over fifty of them. The visit is fairly quick, and takes place along two separate routes, each with a different theme.

One is more cultural, with statues relating to history and mythology. The focus is on the ancient period (Egypt, Greece).

Discover the Eye of Udjat, Poseidon, the Egyptian pyramids, the goddess Isis, the temples of Abu Simbel. But also the Hindu mythological god Ganesh!

The second tour is ideal for families, as it focuses more on children's worlds.

It's a great visit when you've got nothing else to do in Hurghada.

Discovering the seaside resort automatically means discovering Egypt's culinary specialties.

It's the perfect opportunity to sample these diverse dishes. Kochari, taameya, foul, kefta, fatta, there are dishes for meat lovers and vegetarians alike.

The famous "poor man's dish", kochari consists of starchy foods such as pasta, rice and lentils, accompanied by chickpeas, onions and garlic vinegar. It's topped with a tomato sauce. This is a must-try dish.

Numerous restaurants in the marina offer a variety of international specialties. For more authenticity, opt for the back streets. Almustafa Fish near Avenue d'El Bahr offers freshly caught fish specialties for a ridiculously low price. It's reputed to be the best fish restaurant in town, and it's easy to see why.

El Dar Darak, near Al Fondok Avenue, offers delicious Egyptian cuisine. Discover the fatteh (or fatta) dish made with rice, chickpeas, Greek yoghurt and garlic, lentil soup and other mezzés such as dolmas (vine leaves)!