Hurghada is more than a beach hotel. Within an hour you can be snorkelling a coral reef, riding a quad through the Eastern Desert or watching the stars from a Bedouin camp. Here are the 25 best things to do in Hurghada, grouped so you can plan your days.
On the Red Sea
1. Spend a day at Orange Bay
White sand and shallow turquoise water on Giftun Island. The day includes two snorkelling stops, lunch on the boat and 1h30 on the beach. Orange Bay from €25 per person.
2. Look for wild dolphins at Dolphin House
The reef where spinner dolphins rest. When they are around you can swim near them; they are wild, so sightings are likely but not guaranteed. Dolphin House from €25.
3. Take a private speedboat
Your own boat for 4 hours: Dolphin House and a snorkel stop (€150), add White Island (€180), or add Orange Bay or Hula Hula too (€200). Best value for families and groups. Private speedboat
4. Stand on White Island
A sandbar in the middle of the sea, surrounded by turquoise water. We visit it on speedboat options 2 and 3. White Island
5. Relax on Hula Hula Island
Calm, clear water and the same easy island day as Orange Bay, for €25. Hula Hula
6. Choose Paradise Island
One of the most famous beaches off Hurghada: two snorkel stops, lunch on the boat and 1h30 on the island, €55. Paradise Island
7. Spend a slow day on Mahmya
A beach club island with crystal-clear water. Beach day €45, with buffet lunch €65, or with lunch and snorkelling at Sabina Reef €95. Mahmya Island
8. Try Ozirea Island
Oriental breakfast, snorkelling and island time: Classic €40 (2 hours on the island) or Full-day €60 with the pool and lunch on the island. Ozirea
9. Eat a seafood buffet on the Pirates Boat
Shrimp, calamari, fish and kofta, two guided snorkel stops and Orange Bay, €85. Pirates Boat
10. Go 4 metres down in a submarine
The Nefertari day adds a submarine tour to a seafood buffet and a snorkel stop: coral and fish without getting wet. €110. Nefertari Boat
11. Watch the reef from a semi-submarine
40 minutes of reef fish through the windows, a free-diver show and 30 minutes of snorkelling. Great for kids and non-swimmers, €20. Semi-submarine
12. Go scuba diving
Two dives on Red Sea reefs with lunch on the boat and equipment, €35. You can snorkel after your dives. Diving
13. Fly over the sea parasailing
A speedboat from the marina, then 2-5 minutes in the air over the Red Sea, €25. Parasailing
In the desert
14. Do the Super Safari
The full desert programme: quad, buggy, Bedouin village, camel ride, buffet and an oriental show with tanoura and fire. €30. Super Safari
15. Ride a quad for 3 hours
For riders: 25 km across the desert to the Bedouin village, camel ride and Bedouin tea, €25. Quad tour
16. Watch the stars in the desert
Sunset, a BBQ dinner and folklore show, then telescopes with a guide. €40. Stargazing
17. Go horse riding
Two hours on the beach or across the dunes, €35. Horse riding
Day trips into ancient Egypt
18. See Luxor in a day
Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon, with lunch and all tickets. €85 by bus, €95 by minibus. Luxor from Hurghada
19. Visit the Pyramids of Giza
The pyramids, the Sphinx and the Egyptian Museum or the Grand Egyptian Museum, with a guide and lunch. From €65. Cairo from Hurghada
20. Fly a hot air balloon over Luxor
Sunrise over the Valley of the Kings, 45-60 minutes in the air, €230. Balloon
21. Snorkel with sea turtles in Marsa Alam
Abu Dabab Bay is famous for turtles grazing on seagrass, and dugongs if you are lucky. €110 for the full day. Abu Dabab
In town
22. Explore the city: mosque, marina and bazaar
El Mina Mosque by the sea, the New Marina, a perfume oil factory, the Felfela viewpoint and the old-town bazaar, €30. City tour
23. Walk the glass tunnel at the Grand Aquarium
Shark feeding, a fossil museum with whale skeletons and an underwater tunnel, €40. Grand Aquarium
24. Spend a day at an aqua park
Water slides, a lunch buffet and transfers, €65. Aqua park
25. Slow down at the spa
Massage, scrubs, sauna and steam after a few busy days, from €35. Spa
How to plan your days
- 3 days: Orange Bay, Super Safari, city tour.
- 5 days: add Luxor or Cairo, and a private speedboat with Dolphin House.
- 7 days: add Marsa Alam turtles, stargazing and a lazy day on Mahmya.
Doing four big trips? Our packages save money: Orange Bay + Super Safari + Cairo + Luxor for €200 instead of €220. All prices are in our 2026 price list, and if you are wondering about safety, read Is Hurghada safe?
Questions
What is Hurghada best known for?
The Red Sea: coral reefs, island beaches like Orange Bay and Giftun, and dolphins. It is also the easiest base for day trips to Luxor and Cairo.
What can you do in Hurghada for free?
Walk the New Marina, visit El Mina Mosque from outside, swim at your hotel beach and watch the sunset over the sea.
Is pickup included on these trips?
Yes, pickup is free anywhere in Hurghada. El Gouna, Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh add €10.
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