Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission or fee if you use them, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Navadala Stories.
Hurghada is a destination where you can spend an entire week swimming and enjoying the sunshine. But there is much more to discover once you leave your hotel.
In September, my friend Dijana and I spent 7 days in Hurghada before flying to Cairo and Giza. We wanted a proper beach holiday, but also wanted to experience the desert, explore local neighborhoods, and discover the underwater world of the Red Sea. Our days combined spontaneous decisions and planned excursions.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Here is our actual seven-day journey, followed by practical ideas for shorter stays and a ten-day trip that adds Cairo or Luxor.
START HERE · FIND YOUR PERFECT TRIP
How many days do you have?
My 7 Days in Hurghada
We stayed at Magic Beach Hotel in El Dahar. Its private beach, all-inclusive restaurant and entertainment program made it easy to alternate between slow beach days and excursions.
01 Day One: Arrival, Beach Time & Cleopatra Hammam
We flew from Vienna through Istanbul to Hurghada and landed around 2–3 a.m. Our prearranged taxi driver was nowhere to be found, but we quickly organized another ride. The journey to our hotel took about 50 minutes. By the time we had checked in, it was almost 5 a.m., so we decided to sleep.
We spent the late morning and afternoon on the beach, still tired from traveling. Rather than schedule something demanding, we booked a Cleopatra Hammam experience. The treatment included a body scrub, and we thought it made sense to do it before several days in the sun. Exfoliation can make skin more sensitive, however, so extra sun protection afterward is important.
The two-hour spa experience included a salt room, followed by a traditional hammam ritual with a full-body exfoliation using a special scrubbing mitt and a soothing rinse with warm water. The treatment also included a Finnish sauna, jacuzzi, steam room and a one-hour massage. We were welcomed with a hibiscus-and-rose drink. Booking online was straightforward, and hotel pickup and return were included. We paid approximately €25 per person. Afterward, we returned to the hotel for a quiet evening.
Affiliate link
02 Day Two: Beach, Al Mina Mosque & Hurghada Marina
The next day was all about the Red Sea. We swam, did a little snorkeling near our hotel beach and enjoyed having nowhere else to be.
In the evening, we walked around the harbor area and past Al Mina Mosque before reaching Hurghada Marina. Its illuminated waterfront, restaurants, cafés and boats made it a pleasant place to stroll. We sat down for coffee and shisha, then browsed a few shops.
The marina area felt comfortable for an evening walk, and many stores displayed prices next to their products. That was a welcome change from the bargaining we would encounter elsewhere in the city.
03 Day Three: Desert Sunset & Stargazing
After a morning walk and breakfast, we spent another few hours at the beach. The Red Sea was wonderfully warm in September. Our hotel entertainment team also kept inviting guests to yoga, aqua gym and darts—presumably to help us burn some of the calories from the all-inclusive buffet.
That afternoon we joined an excursion into the Eastern Desert, around 20–25 kilometers from Hurghada. We visited a small Bedouin settlement where we were told one family lived. It seemed partly arranged for tourists, but the surrounding desert landscape was extraordinary. We watched the sunset, saw a demonstration of traditional bread-making and shared dinner.
Our afternoon in Egypt’s Eastern Desert: a Bedouin village, Dijana and me with a chilling camel, and sunset over the rocky hills.
After dark came the highlight: a sky filled with stars. Away from city lights, constellations were easy to see. Our guide pointed out stars and planets, and we observed celestial objects through a telescope. He explained how ancient Egyptians connected the sky with their calendar, religion and beliefs about the afterlife. Astronomical alignments are also relevant to some Egyptian monuments, although individual claims about pyramid alignments remain debated.
The guide even explained how to navigate by the stars if we got lost in the desert. I listened carefully, but I suspect that would still be the end of me! We booked an optional photography session, too.
The Moon through our telescope, and Dijana and me under the Milky Way — a night in Egypt’s Eastern Desert we won’t forget.
A short camel ride was included. I generally have concerns about using animals for tourist entertainment, especially when their welfare is uncertain. The camels appeared calm on this visit, and I participated, but I encourage travelers to assess animal welfare carefully and skip rides if anything seems wrong. The excursion cost around €25 per person at the time; current prices need checking.
04 Day Four: Hula Hula Island & Two Snorkeling Stops
We got up early for our boat excursion to Hula Hula Island. Hotel pickup, lunch and two snorkeling stops were included. We spent about two hours on the island—enough time to enjoy a cold fresh juice, swim and relax.
Then came the part I loved most: two snorkeling sessions of roughly 45 minutes each. I was fascinated by the colorful fish and coral and probably spent more time in the water than almost anyone else on our boat.
We were in deeper, open water, with other boats nearby. The guides explained where we could swim and how to stay safe. Follow their instructions, use a life jacket if you need one, and never touch coral or feed fish. These reefs are living ecosystems.
Back at the hotel, dinner brought an unexpected surprise. My sister and parents had spent the week sending me photos of tagarica, a traditional dish from Tešanj, my hometown in Bosnia and Herzegovina. That evening the buffet featured a vegetarian dish that looked remarkably like tagarica,and something resembling sirnica, a Bosnian cheese pastry. Life is beautiful. Later, a belly dancer performed at the hotel.
05 Day Five: Beach Day & El Dahar Bazaar
On days without excursions, we stayed at the beach. We wanted this to feel like a real seaside holiday, not a race between attractions.
That evening we visited El Dahar, Hurghada’s older district. It was lively, especially after dark. Sellers offered fruit, vegetables and fresh juices, while shops were filled with souvenirs, clothes, shoes, bags, perfumes, spices, gold and other jewelry. Here, unlike at the marina, bargaining skills came in handy.
I enjoyed seeing a neighborhood where daily life continues alongside tourism. Ask prices before buying, carry some Egyptian pounds for smaller purchases and don’t feel pressured to shop.
06 Day Six: Finally, a Real Espresso & Sheraton Street
On our final full day we solved a mystery: why was the balcony café near the hotel lobby always crowded when every room had a balcony and the hotel had an enormous garden and beach? Because that café had the only proper espresso machine!
After six days, I finally had a real espresso. I had even brought Bosnian coffee with me, trying unsuccessfully to make something drinkable because filter coffee is simply not for me. Finding that espresso machine felt like a small victory.
My coffee adventures in Hurghada: improvising Bosnian coffee and finally finding a proper espresso after six days!
We spent the day swimming and practicing snorkeling, then went to Sheraton Street after dinner. One of Hurghada’s main shopping streets, it is busy with large shops, smaller stores and cafés. We bought perfumes and papyrus souvenirs.
Egyptian shopkeepers can be wonderfully persuasive. One essentially told us: “I have what you need, although you don’t know what you’re looking for yet.” Somehow, you end up buying things you never planned to buy.
We returned to the hotel, packed our bags and prepared for the next stage of the journey.
07 Day Seven: Goodbye Hurghada, Hello Giza
We flew to Cairo to visit Giza and its pyramids. After six full days of warm sea, desert skies, snorkeling and evening walks, we were ready to discover a completely different side of Egypt.
Which Itinerary Should You Choose?
For three days, I would focus on one boat trip and an evening at the marina and El Dahar Baazar. With five days, add a hammam and desert stargazing experience while keeping your arrival and departure days flexible. Seven days allow a much slower rhythm, like the one we enjoyed. If you have ten days, consider adding two nights in Cairo/Giza or Luxor.
3 Days in Hurghada
Three days in Hurghada are enough for a short break by the Red Sea and a chance to experience the city. Spend some time relaxing on the beach or enjoying a hammam treatment, take a boat trip to discover the underwater world, and fill your evenings with walks through the Marina and Hurghada’s popular shopping streets.
Day 1 — Beach, Al Mina Mosque & Marina
After checking in and settling into your hotel, head to the beach and make the most of your first day by the Red Sea. After dinner, visit Al Mina Mosque and take a walk around Hurghada Marina, where you can enjoy the waterfront, browse the shops or stop for a drink.
Day 2 — Snorkeling & Boat Excursion
A boat excursion is a great way to spend a day outside the hotel and explore the Red Sea. Many tours include snorkeling stops at coral reefs, with opportunities to see colorful fish and other marine life. If you prefer the desert to the sea, consider a quad bike tour or desert safari instead. Your choice may depend on your interests and the weather conditions.
Affiliate link
Day 3 — El Dahar & Hammam
Enjoy one last swim in the Red Sea before packing your bags and preparing for your next destination. If your departure time allows, treat yourself to a hammam experience or visit El Dahar, Hurghada’s older district, to explore the local market and pick up a few souvenirs. With an early flight, a relaxed morning at the hotel may be the better option.
5 Days in Hurghada
Five days in Hurghada give you plenty of time to enjoy the Red Sea while experiencing more of what the city has to offer. You can combine a boat trip, a desert safari, local sightseeing and relaxing beach days without filling every hour with activities.
Day 1 — Beach, Al Mina Mosque & Marina
After checking into your hotel, spend your first day relaxing on the beach and enjoying the Red Sea. In the evening, visit Al Mina Mosque and take a walk around Hurghada Marina. If you have already had dinner at your hotel, stop for a coffee or another drink at one of the waterfront cafés. The Marina is one of Hurghada’s more relaxed areas, ideal for an evening stroll. Many shops display fixed prices, making browsing easier if you prefer shopping without bargaining.
Day 2 — El Dahar & Hammam
Explore El Dahar, Hurghada’s older district, where you can wander through the local bazaar, browse small shops and visit Saint Shenouda Coptic Orthodox Cathedral. Later, treat yourself to a traditional hammam experience, which often includes a body scrub, steam treatments and a massage, depending on the package. I recommend scheduling the hammam early in your holiday, before spending several days in the sun. Exfoliation can leave your skin more sensitive, so avoid prolonged sun exposure immediately afterward, use sunscreen and give your skin time to recover.
Affiliate link
Day 3 — Desert Safari & Stargazing
Enjoy a relaxed morning at the beach before heading into the Eastern Desert in the afternoon. Depending on your excursion, you may visit a Bedouin village, watch the sunset over the mountains and enjoy dinner under the open sky. One of the highlights of our trip was stargazing through a telescope and learning how the stars were traditionally used for navigation. You can read more about this experience in Day 3 of my seven-day Hurghada itinerary, including what the excursion was like and what we learned about the night sky.
Day 4 — Snorkeling & Boat Excursion
Spend the day exploring the Red Sea on a boat excursion. On our trip, we first visited Hula Hula Island, where we had time to relax on the beach and swim in the turquoise water. After leaving the island, the boat stopped twice for snorkeling, giving us the opportunity to explore the coral reefs and observe colorful marine life. Lunch was included in our excursion and served on board. Check the itinerary when booking, as the order of stops, snorkeling locations and included services may differ between operators.
Day 5 — Beach & Sheraton Street
Spend your final day enjoying the beach and hotel facilities. Many resorts in Hurghada have entertainment teams organizing activities such as beach games, water aerobics and evening shows, so there is often something to do without leaving the hotel. If your departure schedule allows, head to Sheraton Street in the evening. It is one of Hurghada’s main shopping streets, with souvenir shops, perfume stores, cafés and plenty of opportunities for a final walk through the city.
10 Days in Hurghada – Add a Two-Day Cultural Escape
Ten days give you enough time to enjoy the beaches, snorkeling excursions and desert adventures of Hurghada while discovering another side of Egypt. I recommend spending most of your holiday by the Red Sea and setting aside two days for a trip to either Luxor and Qena or Cairo and Giza. Both options offer extraordinary historical sites, but very different experiences.
Option A – Two Days in Luxor & Qena
Day 1 – Luxor: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple & Ancient Thebes
Spend your first day exploring Luxor, the site of ancient Thebes. On the west bank of the Nile, visit the Valley of the Kings, where Egypt’s pharaohs were buried, and the impressive Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, built against towering limestone cliffs. Other nearby attractions include the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Queens and Medinet Habu Temple. In the evening, visit Luxor Temple or enjoy a walk beside the Nile.
Day 2 – Luxor & Qena: Karnak Temple and Dendera Temple
Start your morning in Luxor at Karnak Temple, a vast complex of ancient sanctuaries, monumental gateways and enormous columns. Then travel approximately 60 km north to Dendera, near the city of Qena, to visit the Temple of Hathor. One of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient temples, it is especially famous for its colorful ceiling decorations and astronomical representations. After your visit, return to Hurghada by private transfer or as part of an organized excursion.
Affiliate link
Option B – Two Days in Cairo & Giza
Day 1 – Giza: Pyramids & the Great Sphinx; Cairo: Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
Dedicate your first day to the Giza Plateau, home to the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, as well as the Great Sphinx. I recommend booking a knowledgeable guide who can explain the history of the pyramids, the surrounding tombs and the significance of the site. Allow enough time to explore without rushing from one monument to another.
In the evening, explore Islamic Cairo, particularly the lively streets around Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. The area is full of historic architecture, shops and traditional cafés.
Day 2 – Giza: Grand Egyptian Museum; Cairo: Maadi
Spend the second day at the Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza. Its extensive collections cover thousands of years of ancient Egyptian history, including the treasures of Tutankhamun. I would recommend a guided visit here as well. The museum is enormous, and a guide can help connect the exhibits to the monuments you visited the previous day.
Spend the evening in Maadi, a leafy district of Cairo known for its cafés, restaurants and relaxed atmosphere.
Practical Tips for Hurghada
When to go
September was hot, and the sea was ideal for swimming. Spring and autumn can be pleasant for mixing beach days with sightseeing. Consider the heat carefully for desert trips and archaeological sites.
Where to stay
We stayed at Magic Beach Hotel in El Dahar. El Dahar has local markets; Sakkala and Sheraton Street are convenient for shops and restaurants; the marina offers a waterfront atmosphere; and resort areas farther south often have larger properties and private beaches. Check the exact location before booking.
Transport and excursions
We used Uber exclusively during our stay in Hurghada because we found it convenient and easy to use. The app shows the fare, driver’s name, vehicle registration number, and route in advance, so we always knew what to expect.
For excursions, check the pickup arrangements before booking. All of our tours included hotel transfers, but inclusions vary between providers.
Before you book
Check the actual duration, cancellation rules, hotel transfers, food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, life jackets and any extra fees. For stargazing, confirm telescope observations rather than assuming they are included in every desert safari.
What to bring
Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable shoes, a light evening layer, and a dry bag or waterproof phone pouch for boat trips. Protect the reef by avoiding contact with coral.
Final Thoughts
Six full days in Hurghada gave us the balance we wanted. We swam, explored the desert, snorkeled above coral reefs, visited local markets and still had plenty of time to relax.
The moments I remember most are not only the excursions. They are the little surprises: finding a real espresso, discovering a dinner that reminded me of home, laughing with shopkeepers and looking up at a desert sky filled with stars. Those are the memories I brought home from Hurghada.