Hurghada: Your Resort Navigation Assistant

Hurghada is considered to be one of the most famous resorts on the Red Sea coast. Every year, millions of tourists come here, making it an ideal destination for both summer and winter vacations. 

However, Hurghada is not a uniform tourist area. The resort is divided into districts such as Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, Sakala, El Ahyaa, El Gouna, and others. Each of these areas has its own unique features.

El Gouna

It’s a tourist area located in the northern part of the Hurghada region. El Gouna is a modern seaside resort with a stunning marina and a 10-kilometer sandy beach. Almost all local hotels are situated on small islands connected by bridges, making it a kind of «Egyptian Venice.» The main mode of transportation here is motorboats. To reach the beach, you’ll need to take a boat, though some hotels do offer direct access to the open sea. There are also designated swimming areas in the lagoons.

El Gouna is generally known for its tranquil and leisurely atmosphere, offering premium-class hotels. Most visitors are from the Netherlands and Germany. A pleasant local feature is the option to exchange your dinner at your hotel for dinner at another hotel, allowing guests to sample various cuisines. However, it’s important to verify the possibility of such an exchange beforehand, based on the terms of your contract.

El Ahyaa

One of Hurghada’s newer districts, El Ahyaa has expanded significantly over the past five years. Its only real downside is its shallow waters. However, for families with children, this could actually be an advantage, so it’s important to consider the individual preferences and needs of the tourists.

Another drawback of the El Ahyaa district is its distance from the city center. However, this also brings certain advantages. For example, tourists staying at hotels in this area, who plan to take an excursion to Cairo from Hurghada, can save about an hour of travel time. El Ahyaa is the closest resort to Egypt’s capital and the magnificent Pyramids of Giza, meaning that tourists are picked up later and returned earlier than those staying in other tourist areas.

Dahar

Dahar, also known as the Old Town, is home to numerous souvenir shops and shopping centers. It features the largest fruit and vegetable market in the area, where produce from various regions of Egypt is brought in.

The Old Town is rich in other attractions as well. For instance, the Coptic Cathedral of Saint Shenouda, built for followers of one of the oldest branches of Christianity, is located here. Hurghada’s most famous mosque, El Mina, is also found in Dahar. With its towering white minarets, El Mina captivates visitors and is undoubtedly a must-see for travelers.

Sakkala

Sakkala is a district traditionally inhabited by fishermen. It is home to Hurghada’s main fish market, where you can buy the freshest seafood. The area offers a wide variety of cafés and restaurants, including seafood spots like Al Halaka. Sakkala is also known for its vibrant entertainment. The local beach club, Papa’s Beach, attracts visitors from different parts of Hurghada with its loud music and tasty cocktails.

However, there are some downsides. Sakkala has heavy traffic, with almost no traffic lights, and the chances of cars stopping for pedestrians at crossings are slim. Therefore, it’s important to be very careful when navigating the roads here.

New Marina

Founded in 2008, New Marina is located close to the city center, yet it remains quite peaceful. This tourist area is set within a port with 200 docking berths and is adjacent to a scenic boulevard with a pedestrian walkway. It’s considered one of the most beautiful spots in the city, offering picturesque views.

New Marina boasts a variety of entertainment options. It has a lively nightlife, with numerous restaurants, bars, and clubs. There’s even a state-of-the-art 7D cinema. For those seeking more cultural experiences, there’s the El Mina Masjid, a richly decorated mosque with multiple domes that looks particularly stunning in the evening when lit up by spotlights.

Sheraton Street

This area is divided into two parts: Old Sheraton and Sheraton. Old Sheraton is home to one of Hurghada’s oldest hotels, the Sheraton, which is now closed. However, visitors to Old Sheraton can still enjoy other hotels, as well as restaurants, bars, several public beaches, and an open area with panoramic views of the Hurghada port and Giftun Island.

The second part of the area is more commercial. It features a large number of shops, cafes, restaurants, and several hotels such as Seagull and Minamark. The Sheraton Street area is within walking distance of the city center.

El Mamsha

El Mamsha is a tourist pedestrian zone in Hurghada, featuring a long street often referred to as the Promenade. In this area, guests can easily find all necessary amenities right outside their hotel, including shops, cafes, restaurants, and more. El Mamsha is known for its vibrant public events, such as large concerts, festivals, and various competitions. The nightlife here is lively, with the Little Buddha beach club being a particularly popular dance venue that attracts tourists from all over Hurghada.

At the heart of the area is the large Esplanada Mall, which stands out as a noteworthy attraction in its own right. The mall features a central fountain and offers not only shops but also spa services, a sports center, and a food court. Additionally, El Mamsha houses a large McDonald’s, several pizzerias, and for a romantic dinner, visitors can check out the popular GAD restaurant.

Village Road

This area is also called Hotel Street. When it comes to tourist infrastructure outside of the accommodations, there isn’t much to rely on. Village Road is known for its large resort hotels that offer a variety of entertainment within their own premises. Here, you’ll find the popular Pickalbatros hotel complex, which includes 5 hotels and attracts many tourists.

However, there are some places to visit outside of the hotels, such as the Grand Aquarium where you can see marine life, and the large Senzo Mall, which is conveniently accessible for guests staying in Village Road.

Sahl Hasheesh

The name of this area means «a green valley» in Arabic. It offers tourists an opportunity to enjoy a vacation in a style of «One Thousand and One Nights,» alongside oil magnates and Hollywood stars. This area is also known as the «Egyptian Riviera,» covering over 4,000 hectares and stretching for 12 kilometers. Since 2007, luxurious five-star hotels have been opening one after another, well integrated into the landscape.

Sahl Hasheesh is the most fashionable and modern district in Hurghada. It is home to the famous Fountain Square, a popular tourist attraction where many visitors come just to take photos.

Makadi Bay

This district is located in one of the most picturesque areas of Hurghada, surrounded by mountains and set along a coast with coral reefs. It’s an ideal destination for family vacations or a romantic honeymoon. However, one notable feature of Makadi Bay is that all entertainment is offered within the hotel grounds, making it less appealing for those who enjoy exploring new places on foot. There is no infrastructure outside the hotels, and traveling to the city or other districts can be inconvenient.

In some areas of the beach in Makadi Bay the sea bottom is coral, requiring special footwear for swimming. However, the stunning natural and architectural beauty more than makes up for it: hotels designed in a unified style are nestled in lush greenery, with the Egyptian desert visible in the distance. Another advantage is the large aqua park Makadi Water World, a paradise for water fun enthusiasts. Additionally, the area features the «Dolphin World«, where guests can enjoy dolphin shows or swim with these marine animals.

Soma Bay

Soma Bay is part of the luxury segment of Egyptian resorts. It consists of two parts: the first one includes hotels on the Soma Peninsula, and the second comprises hotels located around it. Soma Bay boasts excellent gently sloping beaches and crystal clear seawater which make the resort area a perfect choice for family holidays. The magnificent Ras Abu Soma coral reef is sure to delight diving and snorkeling fans with its underwater beauty.

Soma Bay is an ideal place for those who prefer to spend their entire vacation in the hotel premises, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. One of its key features is the thalassotherapy center Cascades, located in the La Residence des Cascades hotel. This center is one of the largest thalassotherapy centers in the world, covering an area of 3,000 square meters.

Safaga

Safaga is a port city located 60 km away from Hurghada. It’s highly popular among kitesurfing and windsurfing enthusiasts. Diving lovers will also find everything they need for their favorite sport in Safaga.

While the beaches here are not always clean and the access to the sea is not the most convenient, the area boasts significant advantages. The local black sand is known for its healing properties, particularly for treating skin conditions like psoriasis. It’s also very helpful in terms of treating the musculoskeletal system, helping with conditions such as rheumatism and arthritis. According to Egyptian specialists, to achieve lasting results, the healing sand therapy in Safaga should be continued for several weeks.