Hurghada
Egypt
- Giftun islands
- El Gouna
- Sahl Hasheesh
- Makadi Bay
- Eastern Desert
About Hurghada
Hurghada, on the western shore of the Red Sea, grew in the 20th century from a small fishing village into a major resort city.
Coral reefs, dive and snorkel sites, the offshore Giftun islands and resort zones stretching along the coast define its character, with the Eastern Desert rising behind it.
Natural phenomena and seasons
- Dust and sand storms (March–May) — Dust and sand storms are more frequent from March–May; visibility can drop quickly and flights may be affected.
How many days do you need?
Four or five days suit a relaxed beach and diving stay: plan one day for a boat trip to the Giftun islands, one for El Gouna and one for a desert excursion, and spend the rest by the sea and on the reefs.
Where to stay
- Sekalla and El Dahar — The older part of town, with the souk, harbour and local restaurants.
- Southern coast — Large beachfront resorts.
- El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi — Self-contained resort areas outside the city.
From the airport to the city
Hurghada International Airport (HRG) is a few miles southwest of the centre. Taxis, ride-hailing cars or hotel transfers run into town; agree on the fare in advance.
Getting around
The city stretches along the coast and is served by taxis and minibuses. Resort areas are mostly reached by hotel shuttles. Day trips by road run to Luxor.
Good to know
- Don't touch or stand on coral, and choose reef-safe sunscreen.
- Use licensed operators for boat and dive trips.
- The currency is the Egyptian pound. Check current official travel advisories before you go.
Useful links
- Experience Egypt (Egyptian tourism) egypt.travel
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: November–April. The warmest month is August (average high 95 °F); the wettest is March (0.1 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 70.3 | 0.07 | Ideal |
| February | 72.3 | 0.03 | Ideal |
| March | 76.6 | 0.08 | Ideal |
| April | 82.2 | 0.01 | Ideal |
| May | 88.0 | 0.01 | Good |
| June | 92.3 | 0.00 | Very hot |
| July | 94.1 | 0.00 | Very hot |
| August | 94.8 | 0.00 | Very hot |
| September | 91.9 | 0.00 | Very hot |
| October | 86.9 | 0.08 | Good |
| November | 80.1 | 0.04 | Ideal |
| December | 73.6 | 0.02 | Ideal |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
Public holidays 2027
- Christmas DayJanuary 7
- National Police DayJanuary 25
- Revolution Day 2011January 25
- End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) *March 9 (3 days)
- Sinai Liberation DayApril 25
- Labour DayMay 1
- Sham El NessimMay 3
- Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) *May 16 (4 days)
- Islamic New Year *June 6
- 30 June DayJune 30
- Revolution DayJuly 23
- Birthday of Muhammad (Mawlid) *August 14
- Armed Forces DayOctober 6
* Date follows the lunar calendar and may shift by a few days.
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencyEgyptian Pound (£)
- Dialling code+20
- Plugs & voltageType C, F · 220 V · 50 Hz
- EmergencyPolice 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180
- DrivingOn the right
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.