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Hurghada has long been known as one of Egypt’s most popular Red Sea resorts, but beyond the beaches and all-inclusive hotels lies a destination filled with desert adventures, underwater worlds, and ancient history.
Whether you’re visiting for a week of relaxation or planning a packed itinerary, there are plenty of things to do during your trip to Hurghada, Egypt.
Very few experiences capture the scale of Egypt’s Eastern Desert quite like a jeep, quad-biking, or buggy-driving adventure. You’ll have the opportunity to ride across open sand, framed by distant mountains. It’s fast, exhilarating, and unlike anywhere else in Egypt.
The main differences between quad bikes and buggies are the steering wheel, roll cage, and the extra power that allows buggies to handle larger dunes more comfortably, whereas quad bikes are much more agile and are usually solo-driven with handlebar-controlled steering.
There are desert safari tours that offer both options in one trip, giving you the best of both worlds. A desert safari is a perfect adrenaline-filled activity for beginners, as long as you book through a reputable provider.
Camel riding at sunset
There are several ways you can ride a camel in Hurghada. You’ll find camel rides along the beaches, near resorts, and within Bedouin communities, where tourism often helps support local livelihoods.
While camel riding may not be for everyone, this is a traditional and often cinematic experience, particularly at sunset as you glide across the beach or desert as the sky softens to amber tones.
You’ll also be surprised at how adrenaline-filled a camel ride can be, with the moving humps and height of the camel.
Stargazing in the desert
For a truly romantic and educational experience in Hurghada, venture far from the city lights and bustling resorts into the desert at night under the magical night sky. Stargazing tours often include astronomy guides, telescopes, and stories of ancient connections to the stars. You’ll also often have a dinner-and-sunset-watching option to make a full evening of it.
With constellations glistening overhead, it’s one of Hurghada’s most peaceful experiences.
Bedouin experience
To better understand the desert and cultures beyond the dunes, a Bedouin experience introduces travellers to traditional lifestyles, food, and hospitality. Expect herbal teas, flatbread baked over an open flame, and conversations that bring cultural context to the landscape you’ve been exploring.
Experiencing Bedouin culture is a reminder that the desert isn’t empty — it’s rich with history, tradition, and community.
Read more about what we learned during our visit to a Bedouin Village in Hurghada.
Hurghada Marina
Hurghada Marina is the city’s social heart after dark. Here, you’ll find restaurants, cocktail bars, and cafes overlooking luxury yachts in the marina. It’s perfect for an evening meal or sunset drink, with a relaxed atmosphere making it a stylish spot for travellers.
Dolphin spotting at Dolphin House
Dolphin House is one of the Red Sea’s famous marine sites. It’s accessible by boat and known for its resident pods of wild dolphins. Responsible tours allow visitors to observe these animals in their natural habitat and, sometimes, even swim alongside them when under strict guidelines. It’s one of Hurghada’s most magical wildlife encounters.
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Boat trip to Orange Bay
Often praised for its turquoise waters and pale sands, Orange Bay is a favourite island day trip. Located in the Giftun Islands, it’s ideal for swimming, snorkelling, or simply relaxing on wooden loungers over crystal-clear shallows. The shallow lagoons and floating wooden platforms have made Orange Bay one of Hurghada’s most photographed day trips.
Kitesurfing on the Red Sea
Thanks to steady winds and warm waters, Hurghada is a prime destination for kitesurfing. Both beginners and experienced riders will find conditions ideal, with several places offering lessons and equipment hire along the coast.
If staying at hotels such as Jaz Aquamarine or Jaz Bluemarine, kitesurfing lessons are available, subject to weather conditions. This offers a dynamic way to experience the Red Sea beyond swimming and snorkelling.
Diving and snorkelling
Hurghada sits along one of the world’s most biodiverse coral reef systems. Whether you’re a certified diver or a first-time snorkeller, the underwater scenery is extraordinary: colourful reefs, tropical fish, turtles, and occasionally reef sharks.
With many dive sites accessible by boat within an hour, it’s one of the Red Sea’s standout experiences.
Cairo day tour
A day trip from Hurghada to Cairo offers a journey into Egypt’s ancient heart. Most tours include visits to the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Egyptian Museum. It’s a long day, but standing before monuments that shaped world history is a powerful counterpoint to Hurghada’s modern resort setting.
There are several ways to visit Cairo from Hurghada. These are often by car, bus, coach, or plane. Flights are significantly quicker, though usually more expensive. You can also choose a guided tour or plan the trip yourself. Many hotels offer this excursion, but it’s also worth comparing them with online providers via sites like GetYourGuide.
Luxor day tour
Like Cairo, Luxor can be visited independently or as part of a guided tour, but people usually travel via car, bus, or coach, as it’s closer than Cairo.
Luxor is often considered one of the world’s greatest open-air museums. Day tours typically include Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and the Temple of Hatshepsut. If you visit before sunrise, you may also have the opportunity to take a hot air balloon tour (weather permitting).
For history lovers, it’s one of the most rewarding excursions from Hurghada.
Hurghada Museum
For a deeper understanding of Egypt’s heritage without travelling far, the Hurghada Museum presents artefacts spanning pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Coptic, and Islamic periods. It’s a well-curated, modern museum that provides valuable historical context to the region.
To learn more about Hurghada culture and people, discover our experience: The driver with no name.
Mini Egypt Park
Located between Hurghada and El Gouna, Mini Egypt Park is an open-air exhibition of scaled replicas of Egypt’s most famous landmarks. From Abu Simbel to the Cairo Tower, it’s an engaging way to explore the country’s highlights in one place – particularly popular with families.
Hurghada Grand Aquarium
The Grand Aquarium offers an immersive introduction to Red Sea marine life, featuring large tanks, underwater tunnels, and educational exhibits. It’s ideal for those who want to learn about the region’s ecosystems before heading out to snorkel or dive, or for travellers looking for a cooler indoor experience.
Semi-submarine Red Sea tour
For those who want to explore beneath the waves without getting wet, a semi-submarine cruise provides underwater viewing through panoramic windows. You’ll glide above coral reefs and schools of tropical fish while staying comfortably dry, making it accessible for all ages.
Sunset cruise to Mahmya Island
Mahmya Island is one of the Red Sea’s most pristine escapes, known for its protected reefs and powder-soft beaches. A sunset cruise here combines gentle sailing, swimming in crystal waters, and unforgettable golden-hour views.
It’s an elegant, slower-paced way to experience Hurghada’s coastal beauty.
Why Hurghada deserves a place on your bucket list
Hurghada is far more than a beach resort. It’s a gateway to desert landscapes, vibrant coral reefs, and some of Egypt’s most iconic historical sites.
Whether you’re racing across the dunes on a quad bike, snorkelling in the Red Sea, or standing before the ancient temples of Luxor, Hurghada offers a blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation that’s difficult to match.
For travellers seeking year-round sunshine with genuine variety, Hurghada remains one of Egypt’s most rewarding destinations.
If you have any questions or concerns before visiting Hurghada, read our article which details all FAQs and everything you need to know before your trip.
Many of Hurghada’s excursions can be booked directly through hotels, local tour offices, or online platforms such as GetYourGuide. Prices and inclusions can vary significantly, so it’s worth comparing options and checking recent reviews before booking.
Kelsey Haslam is the founding editor of Magenta Adventures Travel Publication and a freelance travel writer with a focus on community-based travel, culture-led experiences, and theatre tourism. She is passionate about spotlighting lesser-known destinations and connecting travellers with meaningful, human-centred stories.
Her published work includes destination features and luxury hotel reviews for leading travel outlets such as A Luxury Travel Blog, Beau Monde Traveler, and Luxury Lifestyle Magazine.
Explore more about Kelsey’s background on the About Page.
