Once a remote sleepy fishing and oil extraction village, Hurghada has become during the past years one of the most vibrant, lively and busy beachside resort towns of the Red Sea Riviera. Merging the old with the new, Hurghada boasts some of the finest hotel chains in Sekala and the tourist district south of it, and the sights, smells and sounds of El-Dahar, a lively hub of everyday Egyptian life, making it one of the Red Sea Riviera destinations with the strongest local flavour. Holidays in Hurghada can go from the romantic getaway in one of the upscale hotels, to the action-packed sports holiday, and have a bit for everybody.
Originally born as one of the main scuba diving locations of Egypt, due to the impressive underwater life of its reefs and islands, in the years it has become a favourite also for board-sports fans, thanks to some outstanding beaches ideal for wind and kitesurfing. International competitions are held every year along its sandy shores, attracting an ever raising number of surfers from all over the world.
Divided into the two districts of El Dahar and Sekala, Hurghada has something interesting for everybody. El Dahar, the old town, with its souks, fishermen joints and local shops, gives a taste of real Egyptian life and excellent shopping of local artefacts. Sekala, the tourist area born around the old harbour, and its extended tourism district, is a hive of action with some 20 km of hotels, shops, shopping centres, cinema, clubs, restaurants – a vibrant holiday hub where everything is open until very late at night.
Some very interesting excursions are available with departure from Hurghada. From the marine paradise of Giftun Island with its sparkling white sandy beaches, to the ancient Coptic monasteries of St. Anthony and St. Paul, with frescos that rival the Byzantine works by Fra Angelico in Florence and illuminated manuscripts centuries old, to the Roman ruins of Mons Claudianus and Mons Porphirites, Hurghada has a wealth of activities to keep a curious traveller busy for quite some time.
