Egypt
Hurghada's transformation from a sleepy Red Sea fishing village to Egypt's premier beach resort is one of the most dramatic urban stories in the Middle East. As recently as the 1980s, this stretch of Egyptian coastline was home to little more than a handful of fishermen's huts and an oil company compound. Today, Hurghada sprawls for forty kilometers along the coast, its hotels, marinas, and shopping plazas serving as the primary gateway to some of the finest coral reef systems on the planet.
The Red Sea's reputation among divers is unassailable, and Hurghada sits at the epicenter of some of its most celebrated underwater sites. Giftun Island National Park, a short boat ride offshore, protects pristine coral walls and gardens teeming with lionfish, moray eels, Napoleon wrasse, and the occasional oceanic whitetip shark. The wrecks of the SS Thistlegorm — a British World War II cargo ship resting at 30 meters with its holds full of motorcycles, trucks, and ammunition — and the Salem Express near Safaga offer some of the most atmospheric wreck diving in the world. Even non-divers can experience the reef through glass-bottom boats and submarine tours.
The old town of El Dahar, north of the modern resort strip, preserves a more authentic Egyptian atmosphere. The bustling souk offers spices, essential oils, alabaster goods, and the gentle art of haggling that is central to Egyptian commercial culture. The marina area of Hurghada New Marina provides a polished counterpoint — a modern waterfront development with restaurants, cafes, and boutiques that cater to an international clientele. The seafood here is excellent: Red Sea prawns, grilled calamari, and the Egyptian classic of whole sea bream baked with tahini and tomatoes.
Beyond the beach and reef, Hurghada serves as a base for desert excursions into the Eastern Desert. Quad bike and jeep safaris visit Bedouin settlements where traditional hospitality includes bread baked in sand, sweet hibiscus tea, and stargazing under some of the clearest skies in the Northern Hemisphere. The ancient Roman quarries of Mons Porphyrites, where imperial purple porphyry was mined, lie a few hours inland — a journey that reveals the stark beauty of Egypt's mountain desert.
Cruise ships dock at Hurghada's port, with easy access to both the resort strip and old town. The Red Sea climate is warm to hot year-round, with water temperatures never dropping below 20 degrees Celsius. The best visiting season for diving is March through May and September through November, when water visibility peaks and temperatures are comfortable. Summer months are extremely hot but offer the calmest seas. Hurghada has matured from its early days as a package-holiday destination into a genuinely world-class marine tourism center — a place where the Red Sea reveals its underwater treasures with extraordinary generosity.