Lively Red Sea Resort
Sinai and Red Sea Coast, Egypt
As with Sharm el Sheikh on the Sinai coast Hurghada’s fortunes have changed dramatically over the last 2 decades. Attracting an international set of travellers keen to get a tan and see something of the Red Sea the town is bold and brassy, with many large hotels catering to the beach-sets’ every need. It’s of interest to adventure travellers because of the good snorkelling and diving, so come here with your eyes open and enjoy its underwater delights before moving on.
Background
Lying some 4 hrs east of Luxor on Egypt’s Red Sea coast Hurghada was in the early 80s little more than a fishing village on the edge of the Eastern Desert but when hotels proved to be a profitable investment all building commenced apace and unrestricted development now means that Hurghada spreads along the coast some 25km from what was the old town’s centre. Popular with East Europeans the town is occasionally kitsch and brash and doesn’t feel at all Egyptian but for all that it has some great underwater attractions with several superb dive sites to discover out of town.
Relaxing
Hurghada offers restaurants, bars and, in the larger hotels, discos and floorshows.