Egypt, home to one of the greatest civilizations in history, attracting the attention of the whole world due to the mystery of the pyramids, is a center of attraction where African and Arabian cultures are blended. One of Egypt's most popular destinations is Hurghada, located on the Red Sea coast, famous for its diving tourism and attracting more and more tourists every day! How to get to Hurghada, places to visit in hurghada, Also eaten in Hurghada, What to do in Hurghada answers to your questions and much more Hurghada travel guide I am waiting for you in this article of the nature, have a pleasant reading!
What You Will Find In This Article
Is a Visa Required to Travel to Hurghada?
The first step to go to Hurghada is to get an Egyptian visa. I applied for an Egypt visa about two months before my trip, and I started to anxiously wait for my travel date to arrive. Visa exit times can take longer, especially during peak holiday seasons, so apply for your Egypt visa as early as possible.
How to get Egypt visa? Be sure to take a look at my post.
How to Get to Hurghada?
You can fly directly to Hurghada from Istanbul or from many points in Europe without the need for any transfer. I reached Hurghada, which I reached by direct flight from Istanbul, at night.
Taxis are the only way to go from Hurghada airport to Hurghada city centre. At the exit of the airport, taxi drivers will immediately surround you, make sure to bargain and try to agree on 10 USD.
Hurghada A Five-Star Paradise for Water Sports Fans
Hurghada is located 460 kilometers from Cairo, the capital of Egypt, and 300 kilometers from the Valley of the Kings on the banks of the Nile. Located on the coast of the Red Sea, the city is a complete five-star resort. With its proximity to important diving spots, underwater enthusiasts; With its beaches suitable for sailing and surfing, it attracts those who love the surface to Egypt. With its kilometers of beaches and luxury hotels along the coast, Hurghada is a five-star paradise especially for those who love water sports.
Places to Visit in Hurghada
We can evaluate the center of Hurghada in two main parts: El Dahar, the old city area where you can see traditional Egyptian life, and Sakkala, the new tourism center.
in the El Dahar region; mosque, fish market, old port, local bazaars and local life welcome you. Coptic Cathedral, Hurghada Al Mina Mosque and Hurghada Aquarium are among the must-see places in this region. You can find many things such as papyrus, jewelry, souvenirs, statues of Egyptian gods in bazaars like the labyrinth. Be sure to bargain while shopping in these bazaars.
Sakkala district is the new face of Hurghada. With the mobilization of tourism, modern buildings, hotels, shopping street, nightlife, this is the place where those who come to Hurghada spend time. If you want to stay in the heart of the city, you can choose this region for accommodation. Hurghada Marina is also located in this region. You can also join daily diving or snorkeling tours with boats departing from the marina. By staying in this area on my trip to Hurghada, I had easy access to both the entertainment and activities in the lively streets, cafes and bars of the city in the evenings.
If you want to have a holiday in Hurghada with the comfort of a five-star hotel and away from the city, you can stay 20-30 kilometers from the city center in Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Makadi regions.
What to Eat in Hurghada?
In whichever of these regions you stay in Hurghada, you can find the best dishes of Arabian cuisine. You can eat any kind of food, from small local restaurants to chain restaurants around the world. Kebabs, hummus and falafel, which are close to Turkish cuisine, are my favorite dishes.
What to do in Hurghada?
Hurghada is a great option for those who want to experience the sea, sand and sun trio to the fullest; It also hosts many activities such as desert safaris, Bedouin villages and ancient cities.
Diving & Snorkeling
While in Hurghada, I suggest you experience snorkeling or diving at Giftun Island to get acquainted with the amazing underwater diversity of this region. The island, which can be reached by a short journey by boats departing from Hurghada Marina, fascinates people with its variety of corals and fish. Swimming with colorful fish all day without leaving the water is a wonderful experience. We paid only 15 Usd for the day tour.
Safari
The desert begins when you get a few kilometers from Hurghada. You can go on safari with camels or ATVs in the desert, and experience desert life by visiting Bedouin Villages. Be prepared to swallow a lot of sand!
Luxor and Aswan Tour
The main reason I went to Hurghada was to see the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temples and Luxor on the banks of the Nile river. You can go to this region with daily tours from Hurghada, or you can take longer tours of 2-3 days where you can see the Abu Simbel Temple, including Aswan, and you can see the most important cities and temples of the Egyptian Civilization.
Abu Simbel Temple Check out my post too!
You can spend a full week in Hurghada by staying in the city center or in the hotels area and participating in daily activities. Hurghada is a great choice for a European-class holiday while experiencing the authentic culture of Egypt.
A shortened version of this article was published in the July 2019 issue of SunTimes Magazine.
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