Hurghada Attractions
Old Hurghada
There’s much more to Hurghada than modern resorts and tourist facilities.
North of the resorts, you’ll find Old Hurghada, or Ad-Dahar. Most locals live in Ad-Dahar, and it’s here that you’ll find the most authentic restaurants and hotels.
The highlight of the old town is the souk, or market. It’s easy to while away several hours here, browsing the local produce and spices, and shopping for take-home souvenirs like rugs, water pipes and traditional clothing.
North of the resorts, you’ll find Old Hurghada, or Ad-Dahar. Most locals live in Ad-Dahar, and it’s here that you’ll find the most authentic restaurants and hotels.
The highlight of the old town is the souk, or market. It’s easy to while away several hours here, browsing the local produce and spices, and shopping for take-home souvenirs like rugs, water pipes and traditional clothing.
Qena
Qena provides visitors to modern-day Egypt with a glimpse into the far-distant past.
The ancient city was formerly known as Cainepolis, and also boasts many famous Islamic buildings.
Today, Qena is best known as the closest town to the ancient, well-preserved ruins of Dendera.
The temple complex at Dendera includes the immaculately intact and impressive Temple of Hathor, and is well set up for visitors with an information center and cafe.
The ancient city was formerly known as Cainepolis, and also boasts many famous Islamic buildings.
Today, Qena is best known as the closest town to the ancient, well-preserved ruins of Dendera.
The temple complex at Dendera includes the immaculately intact and impressive Temple of Hathor, and is well set up for visitors with an information center and cafe.
The Gifton Island
The Giftun Islands are a popular excursion from Hurghada, offering snorkeling, diving, sunbathing and a welcome retreat from the mainland bustle.
Offshore reefs provide spectacular drop-offs for experienced divers, hiding moray eels and fish in amongst the corals. Closer to shore, the coral reef snorkeling is superb.
The islands are famous for their pristine protected beaches, and a resort on the larger island provides all the facilities you need for a day by the sea, along with tours and windsurfing.
Offshore reefs provide spectacular drop-offs for experienced divers, hiding moray eels and fish in amongst the corals. Closer to shore, the coral reef snorkeling is superb.
The islands are famous for their pristine protected beaches, and a resort on the larger island provides all the facilities you need for a day by the sea, along with tours and windsurfing.
Mons Porphyrites
The short trip to Mons Porphyrites is a popular excursion from Hurghada.
Egypt’s rare porphyry was highly valued by the ancient Romans, and these former Roman quarries were mined for their precious purple and white crystalline stone, used to decorate columns, sarcophagi and temples.
This former quarry town was once a thriving settlement of houses, temples and workshops. Today, you can still see relics of this activity, which involved not only quarrying the semiprecious stone but also dragging it for miles across the remote desert sands to the Nile, from where it was shipped to Rome.
Nearby Mons Claudianus supplied the Romans with rare black granite, which was used to carve the pillars of Rome’s Pantheon.
Egypt’s rare porphyry was highly valued by the ancient Romans, and these former Roman quarries were mined for their precious purple and white crystalline stone, used to decorate columns, sarcophagi and temples.
This former quarry town was once a thriving settlement of houses, temples and workshops. Today, you can still see relics of this activity, which involved not only quarrying the semiprecious stone but also dragging it for miles across the remote desert sands to the Nile, from where it was shipped to Rome.
Nearby Mons Claudianus supplied the Romans with rare black granite, which was used to carve the pillars of Rome’s Pantheon.
Marine Biology Museum
Hurghada’s Marine Biology Museum reveals insights into the aquatic wonderland lying offshore.
Whether you’re a keen snorkeler or want to learn more about the world’s rare coral reefs, the museum provides all the answers, focusing on the Red Sea’s ecological environment.
You’ll also find out about the critters that live in the Red Sea, including sharks and turtles.
Whether you’re a keen snorkeler or want to learn more about the world’s rare coral reefs, the museum provides all the answers, focusing on the Red Sea’s ecological environment.
You’ll also find out about the critters that live in the Red Sea, including sharks and turtles.
Safaga Port
The busy fishing and ferry Safaga Port is frequently visited by cruise ships and snorkeling day tours.
Excursions head off to dive the port’s unpolluted waters from long stretches of beach near Tobia Arba'a reefs.
Kite and windsurfing are popular here too, and nature lovers are intrigued by the town’s black sand dunes.
Excursions head off to dive the port’s unpolluted waters from long stretches of beach near Tobia Arba'a reefs.
Kite and windsurfing are popular here too, and nature lovers are intrigued by the town’s black sand dunes.