Hurghada

Hurghada (/hərˈɡædə, -ˈɡɑː-/; el-Ġhardaqah, Egyptian Arabic pronunciation: [el ɣæɾˈdæʔæ]) is a coastal city that serves as the largest city and capital of the Red Sea Governorate of Egypt. Hurghada has grown from a small fishing village to one of the largest resort destinations along the Red Sea coast, stretching close to 40 km.^[2]

The city is bordered to the north by Ras Gharib, to the south by Safaga, to the east by the Red Sea coast, and to the west by the Red Sea Mountains. The city's nearest airport is Hurghada International Airport. Hurghada contains the islands of Giftun, Umm Qamar, Magawish, Abu Ramada, Abu Minqar, Fanadir, and Shadwan. The Hurghada metropolitan area is home to popular resort cities and towns that include El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, and Makadi Bay. Its main districts are El Dahar, El Saqqala, and El Ahyaa.^[3]

The city by itself is famous for its large and luxurious hotels and resorts, and hosts a large number of tourist facilities.^[4] As of 2024, Hurghada attracts over 9 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited cities in Egypt and consistently ranking among the world's top tourist destinations and the third best nature destination in the world.^[5][6]

The city's name is derived from the Arabic name of the Nitraria plant (Arabic: غردق, romanized: ghardaq). The English Hurghada comes from gharqad (Arabic: غرقد), a variant of the same name.^[7] The tree is mentioned in a hadith, where it is called the "tree of the Jews".^[8]

Hurghada was founded in the early 20th century. For many decades it was a small fishing village, but it has grown into a major Red Sea resort as a result of Egyptian and foreign investment that began in the 1980s. Holiday resorts and hotels provide facilities for windsurfing, kitesurfing, yachting, scuba diving and snorkeling. The city is known for its watersports, nightlife and warm weather. Mean daytime temperatures range from the high 20s °C (86 °F) in summer to the high teens (18 °C (64 °F)) in winter, with daytime summer maximums reaching over 35 °C (95 °F).

Hurghada is a popular holiday destination for Egyptian tourists from Cairo, the Delta and Upper Egypt, as well as package holiday tourists from Europe. Some spend Christmas and New Year there.

In recent years, Hurghada has also become a gateway for day trips and excursions to destinations such as Luxor and Cairo offered by various local tour operators.

Hurghada extends for about 36 kilometres (22 mi) along the coast, but does not reach far into the surrounding desert.

Many of Hurghada's newer hotels, restaurants, and shops are located along El Mamsha. Most of the largest hotel resorts are located in the area between Mamsha and Sahl Hasheesh on El Mamsha. Beyond Sahl Hasheesh there are the hotels of Makadi Bay. The oldest part of town is Sakala, settled by Ababda fishermen along its natural harbor, with the traditional bazaar, post office and long-distance bus stations (Go Bus and Upper Egypt Bus) lying in Dahar. The busiest area is also Sakala, the city center on Sheraton Road lined with hotels, shops and restaurants.^[9]

The Egyptian Red Sea coast has been inhabited since antiquity, with the area of Hurghada being occupied since the 4th century, when the ancient settlement of Abu Sha’ar (Arabic: ابو شعر), located 20 km north of the modern city, was established. Originally founded as a Roman military fort for Ala Nova Maximiana unit between 309 and 311, it was transformed into a Christian community around 400. The Christians repurposed the fort into a church, leaving behind inscriptions, graffiti, and artifacts such as a 5th-century papyrus and a tapestry with a cross. The settlement declined after either the Sasanian or Arab conquest of Egypt.^[10]

The modern city Hurghada was established in 1905 as a fishing village by Ababda fishermen along a natural harbor. Oil was discovered in the area in 1913 by Anglo-Egyptian Oilfields Ltd. During the reign of King Farouk a recreational center was built in the city, but after President Nasser's nationalization of Egypt's industries it was reallocated to the Egyptian Armed Forces.

During the War of Attrition between Israel and Egypt (1967–70), Shadwan Island in the Red Sea to the east of the city was fortified by Egyptian troops and used as a radar post. On 22 January 1970 the island was the site of Operation Rhodes, a helicopter assault by Israeli troops who occupied it for 36 hours.

During the October War of 1973, Hurghada harbor was the target of four Israeli operations.

In September 1994, drive-by shooters killed two Egyptians and a German tourist; another German man was wounded in the attack and died of his injuries after returning to Germany.^[11]

In 2016, a terrorist attack in Hurghada, inspired by the jihadist group Islamic State, wounded three tourists.^[12] In another terrorist attack in Hurghada in 2017, a man declared that he wanted to kill only non-Egyptians, and stabbed seven female tourists. Two German women and one Czech woman were killed in the attack, which took place at two separate resort hotels.^[13][14]

In June 2015 MK in Egypt publisher Yulia Shevel stated that there were about 20,000 Russians in Hurghada, giving it Egypt's largest Russian population, though only about 3,000 were officially documented.^[15] Russian women staying in Hurghada often marry Egyptian men through an urfi (non-shariah) process. The city is also nicknamed Krasnomorsk by Russians, a name modelled on the Red Sea (Krasnoye More in Russian) and Russian city names like Krasnogorsk.^[16] Hurghada has 4 schools for Russian children: Constellation (Созвездие), Our Traditions (Наши Традиции), Dina (Дина) and The World of Knowledge (Мир знаний) (the Russian School Hurghada), as well as the newsletter MK in Egypt. In 2017, a Russian Consulate opened in Hurghada.^[17]

Hurghada has a subtropical-desert climate (Köppen climate classification: BWh), with mild-warm winters and hot to very hot summers. Temperatures in the period December–January–February are warm, but in the evenings temperature may drop from an average 20 Celsius degrees to 10. November, March and April are comfortably warm. May and October are hot and the period from June to September is very hot. The average annual temperature of the sea is 24 °C (75 °F), ranging from 21 °C (70 °F) in February and March to 28 °C (82 °F) in August.

Along the Red Sea coast, Hurghada has cooler temperatures in summer.

Hurghada's culture blends modern tourism with traditional Egyptian life, focusing on Red Sea activities, Bedouin desert traditions, Islamic heritage, and vibrant evening entertainment such as fire shows and bazaars in areas like El Dahar, offering local food such as Koshary, fresh seafood and crafts alongside water sports and resort life.^[22]

While not rich in ancient Egyptian history like Luxor, it showcases contemporary local life and Bedouin customs through desert trips and city tours. Hurghada's large tourism sector means everything is available, from pizza, pasta, and burgers to Thai cuisine and fast-food chains, while the Egyptian dishes as well are dominating in the city.^[23][24]

The Hurghada Museum is the first antiquities museum in the Red Sea Governorate, showcasing approximately 2,000 artifacts from various eras of Egyptian history, with a focus on beauty and luxury throughout the ages.^[25][26] The museum houses a diverse collection spanning the Ancient Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Christian, Islamic, and Modern Egypt. The statue of Queen Meritamen is considered a prominent exhibit, the daughter and royal wife of Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II. The collection features 2,000-year-old mummies from the Valley of the Golden Mummies. A significant portion of the museum is dedicated to items of daily life across different eras, including furniture, makeup, wigs, perfumes, and accessories, highlighting the concept of beauty in ancient times. A notable inclusion is a cabinet containing sacred, handwritten Torah scrolls.

Hurghada offers several venues for appreciating and acquiring local and contemporary art, with options ranging from traditional papyrus paintings to unique sand sculptures. The gallery at Senzo Mall showcases a diverse collection of contemporary paintings and sculptures by local and international artists. The Hurghada Museum displays ancient Egyptian artifacts.^[27][28] Papyrus is both a museum and store where visitors can learn the traditional process of making papyrus and browse a large collection of authentic, hand-painted papyrus art. Sculpture museum is the only open-air sand sculpture museum in Africa and the Middle East, it features over 60 large sculptures and reliefs crafted by international artists. The sculptures depict figures from ancient myths, history, and popular culture.^[29][30]

Bedouin culture in Hurghada offers tourists a glimpse into traditional desert life, focusing on warm hospitality, camel riding, desert exploration, and cultural traditions like tea ceremonies, crafts, and storytelling, with experiences often centered in desert villages where Bedouin families share their unique heritage of nomadic roots, deep connection to the land, and ancient customs with visitors through organized tours.^[31][32]

The Hurghada metropolitan area is home to a number of annual festivals, such as the El Gouna Film Festival, the annual film festival held in El Gouna resort city, has run since 2017.^[33] Another events taking place in the city of Hurghada are the Hurghada Youth Film Festival, which is a week-long event showcasing young filmmakers, blending cinema with Red Sea tourism and culture. The Hurghada International Festival, an annual event held in May with water sports, concerts, beach parties, local crafts, and Red Sea seafood.^[34][35]

El Mina Mosque, is the main Islamic landmark in the city of Hurghada, a modern mosque by the marina known for its tall minarets, white domes, marble details, and peaceful prayer hall, offering a glimpse into local Islamic culture and architecture.^[36] It's a significant site for both worship and cultural exploration in the city. Other mosques in the city include El Dahar Mosque and Hurghada Mosque. Churches in the city include Saint Shenouda Coptic Orthodox Church.^[37] The city also has other churches and a local evangelical community that holds English worship services. St. Takla Church also is Coptic Orthodox church, and Church of the Saint Mary and the black Moses is a newer church located in the El Kawthar area.^[38][39]

The city of Hurghada celebrates a mix of Islamic, Coptic Christian, and national holidays, featuring vibrant festivals like the Eid holidays such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, religious observances like Coptic Christmas on January 7th and Mawlid al-Nabi, and national days such as Revolution Day on January 25th and Egyptian Armed Forces Day on October 6th, alongside cultural events such as Sham El-Nessim and unique spectacles offering diverse cultural experiences year-round. The city also celebrates January 22th as national day for Red Sea Governorate.^[40] The holy month of Ramadan is the main month of fasting, observed with special meals and community focus.^[41][42]

Petroleum in Hurghada is a significant part of the city’s economic landscape, encompassing historical oil fields, major corporate offices, and specialized maritime facilities. The first oil field to be discovered in Hurghada was in 1913, this was one of Egypt’s first major oil finds, playing a crucial role in establishing the country's petroleum industry.^[43]

Geisum and Tawila West oil field is located roughly 70 km northwest of the city of Hurghada, these concession areas are actively developed by PetroGulf Misr.^[44] While Magawish Field is operated by Magapetco (Magawish Petroleum Company), which has received recent budget increases for 2024–2025 to drill new production wells. Also the Esh El Mallaha Field is a joint venture (Eshpetco) involving the Russian company LUKOIL, focused on development and exploration in the West Esh El Mallaha area.^[45][46] The Key Petroleum Entities in Hurghada include Hurghada Petroleum Company (PetroHurghada), PetroGulf Misr, Genope, (South Valley Petroleum Holding Company), Eshpetco (Esh El Mallaha Petroleum).^[47][48]

Hurghada serves as a hub for nearby specialized petroleum ports like Ras Gharib (150 km north) and El-Zeit Gulf, which handle loading, unloading, and marine services. The Petrojet Fabrication Yard is located at El-Zeit Bay, this facility supports offshore projects and platform construction. Major fuel providers including Misr Petroleum, Mobil, TotalEnergies, and Co-Op, operate multiple stations across Downtown Hurghada and Airport zones. The city is expanding its natural gas infrastructure for vehicles, with companies like Gastec operating several high-pressure supply stations.^[49]

Due to its proximity to sensitive coral reefs, the petroleum sector in Hurghada undergoes regular environmental simulations, such as the "Mahrousa" training conducted by PetroSafe to combat potential oil pollution. Organizations like HEPCA also monitor the impact of oil operations on marine biodiversity.^[50][51]

Hurghada's major industry is foreign and domestic tourism as a result of its year-round hot and dry climate and long beaches. Its waters are clear and calm for most of the year, making Hurghada a popular destination for underwater diving and snorkelling. Al Mina Mosque with two 40-metre (130 ft) minarets is the largest mosque in the Red Sea Governorate. Hurghada Museum is the first antiquities museum in the Red Sea Governorate, containing 2000 artifacts that tell the history of Egypt.^[52] Hurghada Grand Aquarium opened in 2015, it is the largest aquarium in Egypt and the second largest in Africa (after uShaka Marine World).^[53]

There are diving sites around Giftun Islands, Abu Ramada Island and Fanadir where tourists can see shipwrecks such as the El Mina or the Rosalie Moller.^{[54][55][56][57]} Beyond the town the coast road passes through other holiday resorts and villages.

Tourism in Hurghada has had a negative impact on its coral reefs,^[58] as according to a study, the reefs have declined by 50% in three decades.^[2] The negative environmental consequences include oil spills, pollution, sewage, and dredging.

Sahl Hasheesh is a newly developed resort located 18 kilometres (11 mi) south of Hurghada on the Red Sea.^[59] It has clear long descending seas and is home to diverse marine life around artificial underwater walls.^[60]

El Qoseir is one of the Egyptian gateways, and one of the oldest cities on the western coast of the Red Sea. In the past it was known by various names, such as Thagho in the pharonic period, Leucos Limen (white port in Greek) in the Hellenistic and Ptolemaic period, and Portus Albus in the Roman period. In the Islamic period it was given the name El Qoseir, which means "a small palace or fortress".

Located between Hurghada and Marsa Alam, El Qoseir used to be an important port. Many people traveled from there to the Land of Punt to buy ivory, leather and incense. During the Ottoman and the Islamic periods, Egyptians and Muslims from North Africa traveled from El Qoseir as pilgrims to Mecca. It was also the only port importing coffee from Yemen. During the French occupation of Egypt, El Qoseir was the arrival point for Arabs and Muslims from Hejaz coming to fight beside the Mamluk against the French army. The most important sites in El Qoseir are the fort and the water reservoir. The water reservoir was El Qoseir's only source of drinking water 100 years ago.

El Qoseir El Adima, the city's historic area, was once a Roman port and hundreds of amphora and old pottery artefacts have been found there. There are several 300-year-old buildings in the area, including an Ottoman fort and a number of historic mosques: El Farran, El Qenawi and El Senousi. The police station is also located at a historic site. The area contains bazaars, cafes, coffee shops and restaurants selling sea food.

Sharm El Naga is a village, around 40 kilometres (25 mi) south of Hurghada. Its beach contains a beautiful reef cliff.

Makadi Bay is a tourist resort located 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Hurghada containing only hotels, shops, and clubs. There are no settlements with local residents. The place has a good sandy beach.

Soma Bay is a tourist resort situated 45 kilometres (28 mi) south of Hurghada, with various hotels including Palm Royale Soma Bay, La Residence des Cascades, Robinson Club, Sheraton (Kempinski – opening August 2008) and Caribbean World Resort Soma Bay (opened December 7).

El Mahmya is a tourist beachfront camp on the protected Giftun island, 45 minutes by boat from Hurghada.^[61]

El Gouna is a privately owned luxury hotel town, about 25 kilometres (16 mi) north of Hurghada. Quiet and clean, the town consists of several islands separated by channels and connected by bridges. In addition to fourteen hotels and three marinas, there are also 2,200 private villas and apartments, and many more are under construction. It is promoted by some as Egypt's Venice. It is built on 10 kilometres (6 mi) of beachfront and has unique and diverse architecture.

El Gouna has diving and watersports centers, horse stables, go-karting, shopping arcades, bazaars, a wide selection of restaurants and bars, night clubs, an internet cafe, four bank branches, many automated teller machines (ATMs), two pharmacies, the El Gouna international school, El Gouna national school, a nursery, a private hospital, three marinas, a library, an airport, one of several casinos on the Red Sea coast, a private radio station, a post office, a museum, real estate offices and an 18-hole golf course designed by Gene Bates with a unique aqua driving range.

Healthcare in Hurghada is predominantly served by a network of private hospitals and clinics which offer high-quality, modern medical services catering to both residents and the many tourists and expatriates in the area. These facilities are well-equipped and often have English-speaking staff.^[62][63]

Hospitals in the city of Hurghada include; Nile Hospital, Royal Hospital, Opern Rajac hospital, El Salam Hospital - Hurghada, AMC Aseel Medical Care Hospital, Elgouna hospital, The Egyptian Hospital, Al Haya Hospital, ALFA Hospital, Red Sea Hospital, Hurghada General Hospital and Hurghada Military Hospital.^[64][65]

Hurghada offers a diverse range of educational options, including local Egyptian schools, numerous international schools following various curricula, and several higher education institutions, primary and secondary education.

The city is home to a Faculty of Education, which focuses on preparing specialized teachers and leaders and conducting educational research.

EELU has a learning center in Hurghada located within the Faculty of Education campus, offering e-learning programs.

Other universities in the city include; Hurghada University, an independent university with a range of faculties and programs.^[66]

International schools include; Russian School in Hurghada, The British School of Hurghada offers IGCSE and A-level programs, Smart City Schools and the GEMS International School Somabay (GISS) follow the American system.

Also schools with the german curriculum include the Deutsche Schule Hurghada (DSH), provided direct continuation of the German education pathway. And the main french curriculum school in the city include L'Ecole Française d'Hurghada.^[67][68] Other schools include; Manara School and National/Language Schools, which follow the Egyptian national curriculum.^[69]

Hurghada is linked to Cairo through Galala road, Cairo - Sokhna road. The city is also linked to other parts of the country with a major network of highways. The city is served by the Hurghada International Airport with scheduled passenger traffic connecting to Cairo and directly to several cities in Europe. It is Egypt's second-busiest airport.^[2]

The port is located on the western coast of the Red Sea, near the entrance to the Gulf of Suez, 370 kilometres (230 mi) south of Suez. It occupies a land area of ​​15,690 square meters and a water area of ​​8,344,000 square meters, with a navigation channel 9,000 meters long and 15 meters deep. The port's importance stems from its strategic location and its service to tourism in the Red Sea Riviera, including yacht tourism of all types, long-distance cruise ship tourism, and maritime shipping lines transporting tourists and passengers from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries.^[70][71] Other ports used for petroleum services operate in the Hurghada Metropolitan area such as Gabal El-Zait port and power plant, as well as Abu Tig Marina in El Gouna.^[72][73]

Hurghada is 455 kilometres (283 mi) from Cairo and is connected to it by the Hurghada-Sokhna-Cairo road. This road begins in the Katameya district of Cairo, passing through Ain Sokhna, then Zaafarana, followed by Ras Gharib, and then Hurghada. It passes through El Gouna, which precedes Hurghada by about 23 kilometres (14 mi). The road splits into two lanes from Cairo to Zaafarana, then into a single lane from Zaafarana to Hurghada.^[74][75] The city is also connected to the cities of Upper Egypt by the (Hurghada/Safaga/Qena/Luxor) road, which is a road with dangerous curves that the Egyptian government is working to develop in order to reduce the high death rate resulting from the numerous accidents that occur on it.

• Marsa Alam
• Red Sea Riviera
• List of cities and towns in Egypt

• Egyptra Travel Guide from Egypt
• speed boat hurghada best company for private sea trip.
• Hurghada travel guide from Wikivoyage
• RedSeaPages - Pulse of the Red Sea Archived 2016-07-01 at the Wayback Machine