First-class hotels, nightlife and water sports on Egypt's east coast
A popular European package holiday destination, Hurghada boasts first class hotels, all-inclusive resorts, and a buzzing night life. The town's central location on Egypt's coast makes it a gateway to prime diving sites all over the Red Sea. Known locally as Ghardaga, Hurghada has grown from a small fishing village into an internationally renowned holiday destination, with bars, restaurants, shops, and accommodation to suit all budgets. The resort strip south of the town is a 12-mile (20km) stretch of beach where the hotels vie for position.
Hurghada is famous for water sports including sailing, fishing, kitesurfing and windsurfing, and its offshore underwater gardens and coral reefs make it a favourite among divers and snorkellers. You don’t have to get wet, however, to experience the coral and marine life, as many hotels offer glass-bottomed boat excursions, alongside the usual banana rides, pedal boats and canoeing. Land-based activities away from the beach include golfing, horse riding, and desert excursions by camel, 4x4 or quad bike – or on foot!
El Dahar, the old part of Hurghada town, has a traditional Egyptian bazaar where holiday-makers can buy souvenirs such as papyrus and traditional ‘shisha pipes’. If you are prepared to bargain, you will be rewarded by better prices than in the resort shops.
Hurghada’s growing reputation as a holiday party town is based on its clubs, discos, pubs, trendy lounges, and the sheer variety of entertainment on offer, from beach barbeques and karaoke evenings to foam parties and divers' parties. Papas Beach Club and Calypso are popular places to hang out, while Alf Leila Wa Leila is famous for belly dancing and Arabic folklore.
Dining out in Hurghada can involve hard decisions, with food available from around the world. Go downtown to El Dahar for authentic and usually inexpensive Egyptian food served from street stalls and restaurants, but don’t expect to be served alcohol here. Most hotels have their own restaurant serving international cuisine, and the usual fast food chains are also in evidence.
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