Attractions Nearby Hurghada, Day Trips and Excursions

(Hurghada, Egypt)

Hurghada may have plenty of coastal attractions to keep you occupied and entertained, but tourists who have the inclination to explore surrounding areas will find their efforts rewarded. Sharm el Sheikh is another major coastal resort with many water-based attractions and lies on the opposite side of the Red Sea, being linked to Hurghada by regular ferries and boats.

For a number of ancient attractions and historical monuments, the crazy city of Luxor is hard to beat, while the historical temple at the capital of Qena is equally impressive. Also close to Hurghada is Port Safaga, where a huge range of water sports are on offer.

Sharm el Sheikh

Located on the southern shoreline of the Gulf of Aqaba, Sharm el Sheikh can be found to the north-east of Hurghada, sited across the Red Sea. Sharm el Sheikh is home to a couple of stunning bays, both of which contain superb sandy beaches and good nearby facilities, which include many coastal hotels. Known for its scuba diving and snorkelling, the underwater landscape and crystal-clear waters regularly attract dive clubs from all over the world. Other water sports and marine attractions in Sharm el Sheikh include sailing, wind surfing, glass-bottom boat rides and also parasailing.

Qena

An important provincial capital standing to the south-west of Hurghada, Qena is easy to reach and offers a number of nearby attractions, of which the magnificent temple complex in the Dendara area, on the town's outskirts, is the real highlight. Qena is easy to reach and lies where the main Hurghada road intersects with the busy Nile Road. The market town of Qena is fairly scruffy in appearance and the centre itself does not warrant exploring.

Luxor

Situated to the south-west of Hurghada, Luxor is like no other city on the planet and contains many truly world-class attractions and historic sites. Luxor is the actual site of the historic city of Thebes and its stunning monuments have made this location second only in popularity to the pyramids of Giza, next to Cairo. The main attractions here include the Karnak Temple, the Luxor Museum, the Mummification Museum and also the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens.

Port Safaga

The attractions of Port Safaga lie just over 50 km / 31 miles to the south of Hurghada. A popular coastal destination sited alongside the Red Sea, Port Safaga is an unassuming tourist resort with a small amount of accommodation and a host of water sports. Port Safaga is known for its superb diving opportunities and windsurfing conditions, while the dark beaches, stunning bays and nearby islands are all equally appealing and well worth the journey. Under the water you can expect to see many colourful creatures, including both sharks and tuna fish, which are to be found around the Abu Qifan and the Tobia Arbaa reefs, amongst other locations.