Hurghada
THE QUICK VERDICT
Choose Hurghada if You want Red Sea beach and reef time at a noticeably lower price than Sharm, with charter-flight access from across Europe and El Gouna's polished lagoon town a short drive north..
- Best for
- Giftun Islands snorkel boats, El Gouna lagoon town, charter-flight access from across Europe
- Best months
- Oct–May
- Budget anchor
- $95/day mid-range
- Skip if
- you'd rather not rely on rides or taxis
Egypt's Red Sea Riviera, strung along 40 km of mainland coast facing the Sinai across the Gulf of Suez. Once a quiet fishing village, Hurghada exploded into the country's largest beach-resort cluster from the 1980s onward and now functions as the lower-cost mainland counterpart to Sharm El Sheikh. The Giftun Islands sit a 30-minute snorkel-boat ride offshore, El Gouna (the upscale planned town with its lagoons, marina and golf course) is 25 km north, and Hurghada International handles direct charters from across Europe and the former USSR.
Tours & Experiences
Bookable tours, activities, and day trips in Hurghada
Where to Stay
Compare hotels and rentals in Hurghada
📍 Points of Interest
At a Glance
- Pop.
- 280,000 (city)
- Timezone
- Cairo
- Dial
- +20
- Emergency
- 122 / 123
Hurghada stretches 40 km along the mainland Egyptian Red Sea coast and is the country's largest beach-resort cluster, with around 280,000 residents and several hundred thousand tourist beds across El Dahar, Sekalla and the Sahl Hasheesh / Makadi resort strips
Founded as a small fishing village in the early 20th century, the town transformed into a mass-tourism city from the 1980s onward — the population multiplied roughly 30-fold in three decades
Hurghada International Airport (HRG) is one of the busiest charter airports in the Mediterranean, with direct flights from across Europe, the UK, Russia and the former Soviet states bringing year-round resort traffic
The Giftun Islands — Big Giftun and Small Giftun — sit a 30-minute boat ride offshore in the Hurghada archipelago and host the area's most popular snorkel beaches and reefs
El Gouna, the upscale planned resort town 25 km north, was developed from 1990 by Egyptian magnate Samih Sawiris and now functions as the polished alternative to central Hurghada with lagoons, a marina, an 18-hole golf course and Egypt's only resort-town film festival
The Red Sea here averages 22°C in winter and 28°C in summer with year-round sunshine — making the Hurghada coast one of the most reliable winter-sun destinations within a four-hour flight of most of Europe
Top Sights
Giftun Islands Snorkel Day Trip
🌳The standard Hurghada day excursion — a half-day or full-day boat trip to the Giftun archipelago for snorkelling at Mahmya Beach (Big Giftun) and one or two reef stops along the way. Includes lunch on board, dolphin sightings on the run if you're lucky, and a stop at the famous Orange Bay sandbar.
El Gouna
🏘️25 km north of central Hurghada, El Gouna is a planned upscale lagoon town with a marina, downtown plaza, 18-hole golf course, kitesurf beaches at Mangroovy, the El Gouna International Film Festival each autumn, and dramatically better restaurants and bars than Hurghada itself. Day trip or stay.
Sahl Hasheesh & Makadi Bay
🏘️Two upscale resort enclaves south of the airport (Sahl Hasheesh 18 km south, Makadi 30 km south) with house reefs, calmer water, and a quieter all-inclusive footprint than Hurghada's urban beaches. Where most of the higher-end European charter bookings actually stay.
El Dahar Old Town & Souk
🏘️The original Hurghada — the old quarter to the north with a traditional Egyptian street grid, the local market, El Mina Mosque, fish stalls, and dramatically cheaper food than the resort strips. The closest you get to a real Egyptian town in the Hurghada area.
Hurghada Marina Boulevard
🏘️A modern marina and promenade in central Hurghada with restaurants, bars, retail and the El Mina Mosque (twin minarets, Mamluk-style). Comes alive in the evening — a good place to stroll, dine and shop without the high-pressure sales of the older souk.
Hurghada Grand Aquarium
🏛️A modern aquarium near the airport with around 100 displays of Red Sea and freshwater species, plus dolphin and stingray sections. A reasonable rainy-day or family-friendly option, particularly for travellers not planning to dive or snorkel.
Mahmya Beach
📌A managed beach concession on the south side of Big Giftun Island with sun loungers, beach bar, restaurant and excellent snorkelling on the fringing reef just offshore. Most snorkel boats from Hurghada include a 2-3 hour stop here.
Sand City Hurghada
🏛️A permanent sand-sculpture park on the road south to Sahl Hasheesh, with large-scale themed sculptures (pharaohs, mythology, fairy tales). Touristy but a popular family stop and dramatically more interesting than it sounds.
Off the Beaten Path
El Dahar Fish Market & Grills
The old-town fish market in El Dahar with stalls of the morning catch, plus a row of grill houses where you pick a fish, weigh it, and have it grilled while you wait with mezze and bread. A genuine local meal at a fraction of resort prices.
The single most authentic Egyptian eating experience in Hurghada, in a part of town most resort guests never visit. The grilled red sea bream is sensational.
Mangroovy Beach (El Gouna)
A wide, shallow, flat-water lagoon at the north end of El Gouna and one of the world's most reliable kitesurf beaches — steady cross-shore winds from April through October, schools and rental shops on the sand.
Even non-kitesurfers love the pop-up bars, the beach loungers and the calm-water swimming. The schools rent SUPs and wing-foils for non-kiters.
Abu Tig Marina (El Gouna)
El Gouna's upscale yacht marina with a curving promenade of restaurants, cocktail bars, ice-cream shops and a few late-night clubs — and a much more pleasant evening stroll than central Hurghada's tourist strip.
The single best evening atmosphere on the entire Egyptian Red Sea mainland. Worth the 30-minute taxi from Hurghada just for dinner and a drink.
Mövenpick Soma Bay (house reef)
45 km south of Hurghada at Soma Bay, the Mövenpick has one of the best house reefs in Egypt — a 1.5-km wall reachable by jetty, with full PADI dive centre on site. Day passes available for non-guests.
The house reef rivals named dive sites elsewhere on the coast — and you can swim out and back as many times as you like in a day, no boat required.
Orange Bay Sandbar
A long, brilliant-orange-sand spit between Big Giftun and Small Giftun islands, dry only at low tide. Most snorkel-boat day trips include a 30-60 minute Orange Bay stop — wade in waist-deep crystal water with reef on either side.
Looks unreal in photos but is genuinely as good in person. The light at midday turns the water electric turquoise and the sand glows against it.
Climate & Best Time to Go
Hurghada has a hot desert climate with year-round sun and almost zero rainfall. The Red Sea moderates the air temperature compared with the Egyptian interior — summer days are hot but breezy. Sea temperatures stay between 22°C in February and 28°C in August. Strong steady northerly winds make this a world-class kitesurf coast.
Winter
November - March55-75°F
13-24°C
Peak European winter-sun season. Days are warm and sunny (21-24°C), evenings cool, sea around 22-23°C. Wetsuits useful for divers but not essential for snorkellers. Almost no rainfall.
Spring
April - May63-88°F
17-31°C
Warming fast. April is widely considered the perfect month — comfortable air, sea climbing through 24-26°C, and the wind season for kitesurfers begins. May starts to feel hot at midday.
Summer
June - September75-99°F
24-37°C
Hot air temperatures (often 35-37°C inland) but the steady northerly wind keeps the coast bearable in shade. Sea is a perfect 27-28°C and dive visibility is at its annual peak. Resort pools essential midday.
Autumn
October66-86°F
19-30°C
The other sweet spot of the year alongside April. Heat eases to ideal beach levels, sea still 27°C, winds drop slightly. The El Gouna Film Festival in late October draws a notable cultural crowd.
Best Time to Visit
October through April is the peak season with perfect 22-28°C beach weather and reliable diving. April and October are widely considered the sweet spots — combining warm sea, comfortable air, and lower rates than midwinter European school-holiday peaks.
Winter (December - February)
Crowds: High — peak seasonPeak European winter-sun season. Days warm and sunny (20-23°C), evenings cool, sea around 22-23°C. Wetsuits useful for divers but not essential for snorkellers. Hotel rates and dive boat bookings hit annual peak around Christmas and February half-term.
Pros
- + Reliable warm sun every day
- + Best escape from Northern European winter
- + Dive visibility excellent
- + Mild evenings perfect for marina dinners
Cons
- − Highest hotel rates of the year
- − Charter flights book up months ahead
- − Sea cool enough for divers to want a wetsuit
- − Evenings can drop below 15°C
Spring (March - May)
Crowds: High through April, easing into MayWarming through ideal April highs (28°C) into hot May (32°C+). Sea climbs from 22°C to 26°C. April is widely considered the perfect month — and the start of the kitesurf season at Mangroovy Beach in El Gouna.
Pros
- + April is arguably the perfect month
- + Sea ideal by late April
- + Kitesurf season begins
- + Lower rates than midwinter
Cons
- − Strong northerly winds can disrupt some dive sites
- − May midday heat starts to be uncomfortable
- − Easter brings European family surge
- − Khamsin dust events possible
Summer (June - September)
Crowds: Lower (except August European holidays)Hot air temperatures (35-37°C inland) but the steady northerly wind keeps the coast bearable in the shade. Sea is a perfect 27-28°C and dive visibility is at its annual peak. Also the prime kitesurf months at Mangroovy Beach.
Pros
- + Cheapest hotel rates
- + Warmest sea — no wetsuit needed
- + Excellent dive visibility
- + Peak kitesurf conditions
Cons
- − Dangerously hot midday
- − August European school-holiday surge
- − Outdoor sightseeing limited to early morning
- − Less pleasant for non-water activities
Autumn (October - November)
Crowds: Low to moderate, building into NovemberThe other sweet spot of the year alongside April. Heat eases to ideal beach levels, sea still 27°C in October. The El Gouna Film Festival in late October draws an interesting cultural crowd. Hotel rates climb steadily through November.
Pros
- + Sea still bath-warm
- + Air temperature ideal for beach days
- + Good value before winter peak
- + El Gouna Film Festival adds cultural depth
Cons
- − Hotel rates climb through the season
- − November sees the European winter-sun arrivals start
- − Some risk of late summer heat in early October
- − Eid al-Adha can add domestic Egyptian crowds
🎉 Festivals & Events
El Gouna Film Festival
OctoberA serious international film festival hosted in El Gouna each autumn since 2017, drawing Arab and international filmmakers and a cultural crowd very different from the usual Hurghada beach scene.
Hurghada International Festival of Sand Sculptures
November-DecemberAnnual international sand-sculpting event at Sand City Hurghada, with new themed sculptures unveiled and competitions among invited international artists.
Ramadan
Varies (moves 11 days earlier each year)Tourist resorts continue to serve food and alcohol throughout, but local Egyptian staff may be quieter during the day. Iftar buffets at sunset are wonderful cultural experiences and many resorts offer special Ramadan menus.
Sham El Nessim
April (day after Coptic Easter)An ancient Egyptian spring festival that pre-dates Christianity. Egyptian families picnic on the beaches and eat traditional dishes — a chance to see local rather than foreign tourism.
Safety Breakdown
Moderate
out of 100
Hurghada is a heavily policed resort enclave with low petty crime in the hotel zones and fixed-fare resort taxi structures. The main day-to-day risks are aggressive sales tactics from street touts in El Dahar and Sekalla, occasional scams in the bazaars, and the usual diving and sun exposure hazards. Stay within the standard tourist corridor and Hurghada is comfortably safe.
Things to Know
- •Use Uber or hotel-booked taxis rather than street taxis to avoid fare disputes
- •Bargain hard at the souk and walk away — the second price quoted is often half the first
- •Dive only with PADI / SSI / CMAS-certified centres — check the operator's daily-checked equipment and dive log
- •Avoid the cheap "free" timeshare and excursion offers in the streets — these are high-pressure sales pitches
- •Tap water is not safe to drink — bottled water is everywhere and cheap
- •Female travellers will encounter very little hassle in resort areas; modest dress (covered shoulders and knees) is appreciated in El Dahar souk
- •Heat exhaustion is the most common medical issue — drink twice as much water as you think you need
Natural Hazards
Emergency Numbers
Police
122
Ambulance
123
Fire
180
Tourist Police
126
General Emergency
112
Costs & Currency
Where the money goes
USD per dayBackpacker = hostel dorm + street food + public transit. Mid-range = 3-star hotel + neighbourhood restaurants + transit cards. Luxury = 4/5-star + fine dining + taxis. How we calibrate these numbers →
Quick cost estimate
Customize per category →Estimates based on regional averages. Flight prices vary by season and airline.
budget
$25-50
Budget hotel in El Dahar or Sekalla, El Dahar fish market dinners, microbuses, snorkelling from shore
mid-range
$70-130
Mid-range 4-star resort half-board, daily dive trips, taxi to El Gouna for dinner, day excursions
luxury
$250+
5-star Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi Bay all-inclusive, private dive guide, El Gouna marina dinners, helicopter or yacht charters
Typical Costs
| Item | Local | USD |
|---|---|---|
| AccommodationBudget hotel room | EGP 500-1,200 | $16-39 |
| Accommodation4-star half-board resort (double) | EGP 2,000-4,500 | $65-145 |
| Accommodation5-star all-inclusive (per person) | EGP 3,500-10,000 | $110-320 |
| FoodKoshary or shawarma at a local cafe | EGP 30-80 | $1-2.60 |
| FoodEl Dahar grilled fish dinner | EGP 150-300 | $5-10 |
| FoodMarina or El Gouna restaurant dinner | EGP 300-700 | $10-23 |
| FoodBeer at hotel bar | EGP 70-160 | $2.30-5.20 |
| DivingTwo boat dives with full gear | EGP 1,500-2,500 | $48-80 |
| DivingPADI Open Water course | EGP 10,000-16,000 | $320-520 |
| ExcursionsGiftun snorkel boat day | EGP 800-1,500 | $26-48 |
| ExcursionsLuxor day trip by coach | EGP 1,500-2,500 | $48-80 |
| ExcursionsDesert quad-bike sunset | EGP 1,000-2,000 | $32-65 |
| TransportTaxi Sekalla to airport | EGP 100-150 | $3-5 |
| TransportTaxi central Hurghada to El Gouna | EGP 300-500 | $10-16 |
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- •Book a charter flight-and-hotel package — UK, German and Russian package rates are often half the cost of booking separately
- •Stay in El Dahar or Sekalla for cheaper hotels and walk to the souk and marina rather than booking a southern resort
- •Eat at El Dahar local restaurants and the fish market — full grilled-fish meals for under EGP 200
- •Use hotel shuttles to the marina and souk rather than taxis
- •Buy dive packages of 6 or 10 dives upfront — per-dive rates drop sharply
- •Snorkel from shore at Sahl Hasheesh house reefs (day-pass to a hotel beach is often EGP 200-400 vs EGP 1,000+ for a boat trip)
- •Skip the timeshare presentations — the "free" excursions are bait
- •Negotiate hard at El Dahar souk — start at 30% of the asking price
Egyptian Pound
Code: EGP
1 USD is approximately 31 EGP (early 2026, rate fluctuates). Hurghada is unusually multi-currency — USD, euro, GBP and roubles are all accepted at hotels, dive shops and tour operators, often with prices quoted directly in foreign currency. ATMs are plentiful in Sekalla, El Dahar and the marina. Avoid hotel exchange desks (poor rates).
Payment Methods
Cards are widely accepted at hotels, larger restaurants, dive shops, malls and the marina — Visa and Mastercard most reliably. Cash (EGP, USD or euro) is essential at the souk, taxis, beach bars, small cafes and Bedouin operations. Always carry small EGP notes (5, 10, 20) for tips and small purchases.
Tipping Guide
A 12% service charge is usually added on top of a 14% sales tax. An additional 5-10% in cash directly to the waiter is customary.
Crew tip of EGP 100-200 (~$3-6) per day is standard. Dive guides expect EGP 150-300 per day if they led the briefing and were in the water with you.
Porters EGP 20-30 per bag. Housekeeping EGP 30-50 per day (left in the room). Concierge or special help EGP 50-100.
No tip expected on top of a negotiated fare, but rounding up by EGP 10-20 is appreciated.
EGP 100-200 (~$3-6) per person for a half-day group tour; EGP 200-400 for a full-day private guide.
A small cash tip (EGP 50-100) at desert dinners and camel-trek stops is appreciated and goes directly to the family.
How to Get There
✈️ Airports
Hurghada International Airport(HRG)
5 km southwest of SekallaMost package guests are met by pre-arranged hotel transfers (included in charter bookings). Taxi to Sekalla around EGP 100-150 (~$3-5), to El Dahar EGP 150-200, to Sahl Hasheesh EGP 250-400, to El Gouna EGP 400-600. Allow 15-45 minutes depending on resort.
✈️ Search flights to HRG🚌 Bus Terminals
Hurghada Bus Station (Sekalla)
Go Bus, SuperJet and East Delta run air-conditioned coaches to Cairo (6-7 hr, EGP 250-450), Luxor (4-5 hr, EGP 200-350), Aswan (8-9 hr), and Marsa Alam (3 hr, EGP 100-200). Tickets best booked online or a day ahead.
Getting Around
Hurghada is built around private cars, hotel shuttles, microbuses and taxis — there is no metro and no formal city bus network for tourists. The town stretches roughly 40 km from El Dahar in the north through Sekalla and the marina to Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi Bay in the south, so plan to be driven for any trip outside your own resort zone.
Local Taxis
EGP 50-500 (~$1.60-16) for most tripsBlue-and-white unmetered taxis work the resort strips. Always agree the fare before getting in. Sekalla to El Dahar around EGP 80-150; Sekalla to Sahl Hasheesh EGP 250-400; central Hurghada to El Gouna EGP 300-500.
Best for: Short hops along the resort strip and into the souk for shopping or dinner
Uber
EGP 70-400 for most resort-area tripsUber operates in Hurghada and is increasingly the default for foreign visitors avoiding fare disputes. Coverage thinner than Cairo and pickup times longer, but pricing is fixed in-app.
Best for: Avoiding negotiation and inflated tourist taxi quotes
Hotel Shuttles
Free to EGP 50 (~$1.60)Most large all-inclusive resorts run free or low-cost shuttles to the marina, Senzo Mall and El Dahar souk on a fixed schedule. The cheapest way to get into town if your timing is flexible — ask at reception.
Best for: Cost-conscious access to the marina, mall and souk
Microbuses
EGP 5-15 (~$0.15-0.50) per rideCrammed white minibuses ply the main coast road and are the way locals get around. Cheap (EGP 5-15) but you need to know your stop, share with workers heading to and from resorts, and have small change.
Best for: Adventurous budget travellers comfortable with chaos
Rental Car
$30-60 USD/day plus fuelInternational agencies (Sixt, Avis, Europcar, Hertz) operate at HRG airport. Useful for independent trips to El Gouna, Soma Bay, Marsa Alam or Luxor. Egyptian driving is aggressive but Red Sea coast roads are mostly straightforward.
Best for: Independent day trips and multi-resort coast exploration
Go Bus / SuperJet to Cairo, Luxor & Marsa Alam
EGP 100-450 (~$3-15) depending on routeAir-conditioned coach services run from the bus station to Cairo (6-7 hr, EGP 250-450), Luxor (4-5 hr, EGP 200-350), Marsa Alam (3 hr, EGP 100-200) and the south coast. Book online or at the kiosk a day ahead.
Best for: Budget trips to Cairo, Luxor or south to Marsa Alam
Walkability
Each resort zone is walkable internally, but the strips are far apart and the main coast highway is not designed for pedestrians. The Hurghada Marina Boulevard, Sekalla seafront and El Gouna downtown are very pleasant evening walks. Plan to be driven for cross-town movement.
Travel Connections
Luxor
The Valley of the Kings, Karnak, and the world's greatest concentration of ancient monuments, often combined as a long day trip or 2-night extension to a Hurghada beach holiday. Many resorts sell coach day trips for around EGP 1,500-2,500 per person.
El Gouna
The polished, planned resort town with a marina, downtown plaza, golf course, Mangroovy kitesurf beach and the autumn film festival. Far better restaurants and atmosphere than central Hurghada — popular for evening dinner trips.
Sharm El Sheikh
The Sinai Peninsula equivalent — generally seen as more upscale, with Ras Mohammed National Park, the SS Thistlegorm wreck, and the Strait of Tiran reefs. The HRG-SSH catamaran has been intermittent in recent years; flying via Cairo is the reliable alternative.
Cairo
Egypt's 20-million-strong capital — Pyramids of Giza, Grand Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili. The natural cultural counterpoint to a Hurghada beach week, usually done as a 2-3 night segment at the start or end of a trip.
Marsa Alam & Wadi El Gemal
Quieter, more remote dive resort area on the southern Red Sea coast with Wadi El Gemal National Park, dugong sightings, and access to the Sataya reef pod of spinner dolphins. A serious diver's alternative to Hurghada.
Hurghada Desert Safaris (Eastern Desert)
Quad-bike, jeep or camel safaris into the Eastern Desert with Bedouin tea stops, dune driving, and stargazing or barbeque dinners. Sold by every Hurghada resort and most travel offices.
Entry Requirements
Egypt offers visa-on-arrival and e-visa options for most major tourist nationalities. A standard $25 USD single-entry tourist visa is required at Hurghada International Airport (HRG) for most Western visitors. Unlike Sharm El Sheikh, there is no Sinai-style free visa option at Hurghada — all visitors require the full Egyptian visa.
Entry Requirements by Nationality
| Nationality | Visa Required | Max Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Citizens | Yes | 30 days | Visa-on-arrival ($25 USD single entry) at HRG bank windows or e-visa online before travel. Multiple-entry visa $60. Pay in exact USD cash before passport control. |
| UK Citizens | Yes | 30 days | Visa-on-arrival ($25) or e-visa. Same process as US citizens. Can be extended at the Mogamma in Cairo if needed. |
| Canadian Citizens | Yes | 30 days | Visa-on-arrival ($25) or e-visa. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry date. |
| EU Citizens | Yes | 30 days | Visa-on-arrival available for all EU nationalities ($25 single entry). E-visa also accepted. |
| Russian Citizens | Yes | 30 days | Visa-on-arrival ($25 USD) at HRG. Direct charter flights from Russia resumed in 2021 after a six-year suspension following the 2015 Sinai crash. |
| Indian Citizens | Yes | 30 days | Must apply for visa at Egyptian embassy before travel — visa-on-arrival is NOT available for Indian passport holders. |
Visa-Free Entry
Visa on Arrival
Tips
- •Buy the visa sticker at the bank windows BEFORE approaching passport control — these are in the arrivals hall before immigration
- •Bring crisp, undamaged US dollar bills — torn or marked notes may be refused
- •The e-visa (visa2egypt.gov.eg) costs the same $25 but cuts time at HRG passport control — apply at least 7 days ahead
- •Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival in Egypt
- •Hurghada has no Sinai-style free visa — all visitors need the full $25 visa even for a beach-only stay
- •Visa extensions are possible at the Mogamma government building on Tahrir Square in Cairo
Shopping
Hurghada's shopping is overwhelmingly tourist-oriented — souvenirs, papyrus, alabaster, perfume oils, cotton beachwear and Egyptian spices. Bargaining is expected at the souks and Sekalla strip; prices in modern malls and El Gouna are fixed but higher. Expect to pay 30-50% of the initial asking price after firm negotiation.
El Dahar Souk
traditional marketThe old-town souk in El Dahar — narrow alleys of spice stalls, perfume oils, cotton clothing, leather, papyrus, alabaster and basic household goods. The most authentic and best-priced shopping in town, where locals also buy.
Known for: Spices, perfume oils, alabaster, papyrus, cotton, leather
Hurghada Marina Boulevard
modern marina retailA polished promenade around the central marina with a mix of fixed-price retail, restaurants, ice-cream shops and souvenir boutiques. Far less haggling pressure than the souk and a much more pleasant evening stroll.
Known for: Souvenirs, beachwear, restaurants, evening atmosphere
Senzo Mall
shopping mallHurghada's largest modern mall, with international fast-fashion brands (H&M, Zara, Mango), a supermarket, food court, cinema and family entertainment. Useful for sunscreen, swimwear and other practical items at fixed prices.
Known for: Fast fashion, supermarket, pharmacy, family entertainment
El Gouna Downtown & Marina Boutiques
upscale planned retailBoutique shops in El Gouna's downtown plaza and around Abu Tig Marina with higher-end Egyptian designers, organic cosmetics, art galleries and a much more curated retail selection than central Hurghada.
Known for: Egyptian designers, organic cosmetics, art galleries, gifts
🎁 Unique Souvenirs to Look For
- •Hand-painted papyrus art (verify it bends without cracking — banana-leaf imitations are common)
- •Alabaster pyramids, vases and small carvings from El Dahar workshops
- •Egyptian cotton beach towels, sarongs and shirts
- •Cartouche pendants engraved with your name in hieroglyphics
- •Egyptian spice blends (dukkah, cumin, hibiscus karkadeh)
- •Custom-blended perfume oils in coloured glass bottles
- •Bedouin-style silver jewellery and beaded leather work
Language & Phrases
Egyptian Arabic (Masri) is the language of daily life, but Hurghada is unusually multilingual — most resort staff speak some combination of English, German, Russian and Italian thanks to decades of charter tourism. Outside the resorts, English drops off quickly. Russian is widely spoken on dive boats and in El Dahar.
| English | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (informal) | Ahlan | AH-lan |
| Hello (peace upon you) | As-salamu alaykum | as-sah-LAH-moo ah-LAY-koom |
| Thank you | Shukran | SHOO-kran |
| No, thank you | La, shukran | la, SHOO-kran |
| Please | Min fadlak / Min fadlik (m/f) | min FAD-lak / min FAD-lik |
| Yes / No | Aywa / La | EYE-wah / la |
| How much? | Bi kam? | bee KAM? |
| Too expensive | Ghali awi | GAH-lee AH-wee |
| Where is...? | Fein...? | fayn...? |
| Sea / Beach | Bahr / Shati | bahr / SHAH-tee |
| The check, please | El hesab, min fadlak | el heh-SAHB, min FAD-lak |
| God willing | Insha'Allah | in-SHAH-ah-lah |
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