Hurghada once began life as a humble fishing village on the shores of the Red Sea but now it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Egypt. Teeming with hundreds of hotels, swanky bars and stylish restaurants, it is the ideal destination for couples looking for a bit of adventure. From scuba diving amidst the coral reefs, quad biking through the desert or taking tea with a Bedouin tribe, there is plenty to see and do. Our collection of the best places to stay in Hurghada have something for everyone from family-friendly properties to super luxury.

The miles and miles of pleasant golden beaches is a defining reason for Hurghada's popularity. The waters are as clear as glass and scintillating beneath them are kingdoms of coral reefs and the wandering denizens of marine life. Scuba diving is, naturally, quite popular here and the locals are great with beginners, and it's a fine way of immersing yourself in the underwater world. But if scuba diving isn't your cup-of-tea, have no fear: you can hire a glass-bottomed boat to explore the seas and see, swimming beneath you, marine life.

Hurghada, like many resort towns, teems with swanky bars and stylish restaurants. Cute cafes and food vendors line the beaches, and big commercial complexes like Senzo Mall allow visitors to go on day-long shopping sprees. There is also the Grand Aquarium, a great place to take the kids.

The wide and wild stretches of desert plains surrounding the resort town are also worth exploring. Be sure to hire a motorbike or beach buggy and take a guided tour of the desert. You can even go camel riding through the desert, to far-flung ancient sites, or take a quad bike to a remote corner of the desert and take tea with Bedouin tribespeople. Don't forget to take a day trip to Cairo, where you can stand face-to-face with the Great Pyramid of Giza and immerse yourself in the world-renowned Egyptian Museum. Luxor, 4 hours drive away, boasts the Valley of Kings, a sight you mustn't miss!

What not to miss

• Take tea with a Bedouin tribe after quad biking through the desert.
• Go camel-riding through the arid plains surrounding the town.
• Hire a glass-bottomed boat and see marine life swimming beneath you.
• Check out the Grand Aquarium.
• For a day trip, head to Cairo and marvel at the Great Pyramid of Giza!
• Go on a shopping spree at Senzo Mall.

Hurghada is full of easy charm and wonder. Check out our collection of the best places to stay in Hurghada to start planning your trip.

The best places to stay in Hurghada

For families

• Steigenberger Al Dau Beach Hotel: a family-friendly resort with its own golf course, Red Sea spa, private yachts and scuba diving school. Many restaurants and bars leading down to the sea; the suites are elegant and have private balconies. Great for large families and watersports enthusiasts.

Pure luxury

• The Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh: a 5* luxury resort boasting its own private beach and coral reef to dive in. Romantic, the building itself resembles an ancient temple and the suites are cream-white with large balconies. The restaurants serve an impressive variety of cuisine and the infinity pools are dreamlike.

For an apartment or villa

• Our partner Booking.com has a wide range of villas and apartments in the nearby area.

Travel information

• Fly straight to Hurghada International Airport - most major European airlines have direct flights there.
• If you want to rent a car, contact our partner Rentalcars.
• There is sunshine all year round, but to best enjoy the warm water and escape the summer crowds, go in the autumn, when the temperature ranges between 17 and 35 degrees.

Still not sure?

• Expand your search to include Cairo and Sharm el Sheikh.
• Browse through our collection of the best places to stay in Egypt.
• Or contact one of our Gurus for advice.