Hurghada Holidays 2021 / 2022

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The cosmopolitan resort of Hurghada is the capital of the Red Sea Riviera, where beautiful beaches, vibrant nightclubs and world-class diving destinations await. It’s a world away from its origins as a small fishing village, yet is maintains all of its Egyptian charm. Tucked away in the depths of the turquoise waters are striking underwater coral gardens just waiting to be explored by eager divers; they’re awash with incredible marine life like pretty butterfly fish and glow-in-the-dark anemones. As well as underwater experiences, the possibilities for family fun are virtually endless on Hurghada holidays, with everything from paddling in the shallow shores of white-sand beaches to diving in the deep, blue sea and sailing on a catamaran

What do I need to pack?

With the ‘Capital of the Red Sea’ sitting on the edge of the Sahara Desert, you can expect the sun to be strong, so be sure to take plenty of sunscreen on your holiday to Hurghada. Unlike other tropical climates, there’s little or no humidity, so cool and airy clothes made from natural fibres like cotton, linen or bamboo are perfect.

Egypt is a conservative country, so it’s advisable for women to cover up once they’re away from the beach. Pack long dresses, long-sleeved shirts and, if you’re thinking of visiting any religious sites, a headscarf is also a good idea. Similarly, men ought to pack some trousers as, even in modern cities like Cairo, too much flesh can cause unintended offence.

For those who want to bring gadgets with them, a plug adaptor is essential, and it can be helpful to have a portable power pack to hand.

16-30 ℃

The climate is hot, dry and subtropical climate, without a cloud in the sky for most of the year.

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5 hours

Hurghada International Airport is 8km away

Weather and climate in Hurghada

Temperature: 16-30 (°C)

When’s the best time to go?

Known as the ‘Capital of the Red Sea’, it’s hard to believe that this luxurious holiday destination was once little more than a fishing village. This great location is perfect if you enjoy a slice of the high life. Families will find plenty to keep children entertained, with most hotels having their own waterparks or private beaches. Couples can enjoy a spectacular array of restaurants, clubs and bars and some excellent shopping.

If you want to see some of Egypt’s most famous attractions, you’ll find that the resort is within easy reach of some of the best, including Cairo, the Sphinx, and the Pyramids of Giza. However, choosing the best time to go can be tough, so we’ve put together some Hurghada travel advice to make things easier.

The temperature rarely drops below 20°C, even at night, making Hurghada holidays perfect at any time of year. To make the most of the sunshine, book your break between June and September when temperatures climb into the low 30s°C, and you can expect around 13 hours of sun each day. The area doesn’t have a rainy season, so it’s really down to how hot you like it. For coolersightseeing conditions, spring and autumn are milder, but still very warm.

Hurghaga Weather Overview
Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec

Hurghada is best for...

Adventurers: Hop on board a 4x4 for an off-road jeep ride across the desert. How about a trip to a Bedouin village followed by a delicious dinner bursting with regional flavours?

Day trippers: Take a laid-back cruise to the uninhabited Giftun Island; sit back and relax on the white sand before swimming or snorkelling in the crystal-clear sea.

Families: Everyone will enjoy a glass-bottomed boat trip across the stunning Red Sea surrounding Hurghada. Keep an eye out for dolphins, rays, turtles and all kinds of colourful fish along the way.

Fast facts for Hurghada

Language: The language spoken is Arabic.

Currency: The currency used is Egyptian pounds (E£).

Local time: Hurghada is 1 hour ahead of GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Hurghada International Airport. Transfers to the resort of Hurghada take just 20 minutes.

Flight time from UK: The Hurghada flight time is 5.5 hours.

Tourist Information: Before your Hurghada holiday, you can find further tourist information over at www.egypt.travel.

Visa / health: Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt for recommendations and advice on visas and health for your holiday to Hurghada.

Holiday destinations related to Hurghada:

Getting around Hurghada

By microbus: Flag down a microbus (they’re the white mini vans) and hop on board to travel around cheaply. The routes are fixed, but there are no allocated stops along the way so just make sure the driver knows where you want to get off.

By taxi: You’ll have no problem finding a taxi in the resort. It’s always a good idea to get a price before you start, and you’ll pay on arrival. We recommend you ask your hotel for an estimated price so you know you’re getting a fair deal. Remember to take some change with you, too.

Events in Hurghada

For hobby anglers: Just as winter comes to an end, the Hurghada Fishing Competition begins in February, bringing in adventurous anglers from around the world to join in the contest. If you like your holidays to have a fishy theme, this is the time to book.

Open-air clubs: From June, this sunny resort’s nightlife scene really comes into its own. The summer fun begins with open-air clubs and beach parties, so you can party under the stars until the sun comes up.

Water sports: October sees the arrival of the Yacht Racing / Water Skiing Festival, where you can watch sailing and water sports specialists take to the Red Sea in style. Come and soak up the festive atmosphere for yourself.

Religious festivals: Ramadan (a holy month of fasting for Muslims, usually in May or June) won’t have a big impact on your holiday, as tourists are exempt from restrictions. However, the resort is likely to get busy straight after it finishes, as Egyptian families go away to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha.

Hurghada safety and security

Do I need a passport?

Hurghada passport regulations require British citizens to present valid passports on entry. For further information on passport requirements, visit: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/entry-requirements

Do I need a visa?

You’ll need a Hurghada visa to enjoy a holiday here. While it’s possible to buy one on arrival, it’s advisable to get one in advance. Visas can be bought online.

Should I get travel health insurance?

To protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances on your holiday to Hurghada, it’s advisable to have comprehensive travel health insurance. A good policy will pay for medicines, medical treatment and even the cost of returning to the UK if it’s necessary. It’s worth looking over your existing policy to see what is and isn’t covered, including sports like scuba diving.

Any other tips?

To minimise the risk of an upset stomach, be sure to only drink bottled water. Similarly, avoid salads that have been washed in tap water, and fruits that have been unpeeled and washed.
Only use the orange taxis for getting around and be sure to agree on the price and the currency you’ll be paying in before you travel.
Tipping is part of the service industry, so factor in around 10% to the price of meals. Tip waiters directly when possible, ensuring that they receive the money as opposed to it going to the restaurant. Maids, drivers and hotel porters are worth tipping, as they’ll provide you with the best service.
Be prepared to haggle in markets. Vendors will start high and you should aim to bargain to a price you think is reasonable. However, only haggle if you have an intention to buy; time-wasters are not popular.