Situated on the shores of the Red Sea, Hurghada is one of Egypt’s most important seaside resorts. Thanks to its continuous development over the last few decades, the city has gradually become a popular tourist destination for foreigners and Egyptians alike. Its vast stretches of sand, as well as the possibility of taking boat trips and practising water sports, have led to this development, particularly scuba diving. But where to stay in Hurghada? How do you find the ideal accommodation?
Finding accommodation in a city that is constantly expanding is of vital importance. You need to optimise your choice of area and type of accommodation according to your own expectations. Depending on whether you want to make the most of the beach, enjoy an all-inclusive holiday, or experience your trip in an atmosphere that is as close as possible to everyday Egyptian life, the choice of place to stay will be different. So the first thing to do is to get an overview of the various districts in and around Hurghada, and their characteristics, to help you decide where to stay. We’ve divided them up in this guide, with our accommodation recommendations for each one, classified by budget.
Things you need to know
Before going into detail on each area to help you decide where to stay in Hurghada, here are some key things you need to know about the city. This’ll give you a better idea of the city.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our top places to stay in Hurghada:
- $ This inexpensive establishment is 300 metres from the sea and boasts a wide range of facilities,
- $$ This hotel, offers good value for money, with rooms overlooking the sea,
- $$$ This luxury establishment, with access to a private beach, 3 swimming pools and a spa.
Map of different areas to stay in Hurghada
Here’s a map which includes our picks of hotels and flats. You can also use this map to pinpoint the different areas we’ll cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following colour code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Essentials to stay in Hurghada
Areas where to stay in Hurghada
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Hurghada.
Accommodation in Al-Sakkala, Hurghada's liveliest district
Located on the seafront in the central part of Hurghada, the Al-Sakkala district is the liveliest in the city. A large number of shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs can be found in this area. Quite new, Al-Sakkala is lively both day and night. If you're looking for a lively place to stay in Hurghada, this district is an ideal choice. You can also easily enjoy the beaches and scuba diving.
There are also a number of places of interest to see within this area. To the north is the harbour, from where you can reach Sharm El Sheikh by boat in around 2? hours one way. You can also take an excursion to Giftoun Island, which takes 45 minutes to reach by boat. The marina is located right next to the port.
Another site of interest is the Al Mina mosque, Hurghada's largest building, opened in 2012. Situated on the seafront, it was built entirely of white marble.
For all these reasons, accommodation in Al-Sakkala is an excellent choice for staying in Hurghada. The accommodation on offer is mainly hotels. Prices vary mainly between the low and mid-range.
Al-Sakkalla accommodation tips
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The hotel is 300 metres from the sea and offers rooms at a low price. It features a spa, swimming pool, bar and restaurant. This is a good place to stay for cheap in Hurghada.
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Charming hotel close to the marina. In addition to its private beach, the hotel has a swimming pool, terrace, bar and restaurant.
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Hotel complex offering excellent value for money. Rooms with balcony and sea view. Includes private beach, spa, bar and restaurant.
Stay in El-Sawaki, close to the centre on a budget
The area around El-Sawaki beach is also a very good choice for accommodation in Hurghada. This area lies to the north of the port and stretches along a two-kilometre stretch of sand and adjacent inner streets.
It is also a lively area, although not to the level of ambience experienced in Al-Sakkalla. There are a large number of restaurants, cafés and bars in the area. The accommodation on offer is also interesting, with mainly hotels at very attractive prices.
Another real attraction of staying in El-Sawaki is its proximity to the El Dahar district, a 15-minute walk to the south. The oldest district in the city, it is the real historic centre of Hurghada. While it is difficult to find accommodation in this district, El-Sawaki is the best choice for visiting it on foot. The authenticity of El-Dahar is expressed by an immersion in the local and daily life of Hurghada. Strolling through the spice, fish and vegetable markets will give you a feel for the traditions of Egyptian life.
Accommodation ideas in El-Sawaki
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This establishment is close to the beach and offers low-cost accommodation. It features a swimming pool, restaurant and private parking.
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Located on the seafront, this two-bedroom flat sleeps up to 6 people. It is well-equipped and has a balcony.
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4-star complex with private beach and rooms with terrace or balcony. It includes 3 swimming pools, a spa, a restaurant and a bar.
Accommodation in El-Mamsha, a new district under development
A new district of Hurghada, El-Mamsha is located in the southern part of the city. Close to the airport, it is the ideal place to stay if you are visiting Hurghada and want to stay close to the airport.
In this sector, a little further away from the city's central bustle, there is a wide choice of hotels to suit all budgets. Art and history lovers can visit the Hurghada Museum, which opened in 2020. The first museum in the Red Sea region, it contains many exhibits from ancient Egypt, as well as from other eras such as the Greco-Roman period and modern Egypt.
Staying at El-Mamsha means you can enjoy the peace and quiet while strolling along the 4-kilometre stretch of the Red Sea and taking a swim. There are a large number of shops, restaurants and cafés in the area, which is still growing.
Eecommendations for staying in El-Mamsha
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This apartment hotel offers spacious, well-equipped flats for up to 4 people at attractive rates. There is also a swimming pool and a garden.
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Hotel complex offering rooms with balcony. Close to the Hurghada Museum and the airport, it features a private beach, swimming pool, spa, restaurant and bar.
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A luxury establishment on the shores of the Red Sea. It has a private beach, 6 swimming pools, a spa, a bar and a restaurant. It's a great 5-star place to stay in Hurghada.
Accommodation in El-Gouna, a trendy new tourist resort
Located more than 10 kilometres north of the central sectors of Hurghada, El-Gouna is a man-made town whose construction began in the 1990s.
The accommodation on offer consists mainly of luxury resorts and a few mid-range hotels. There are also numerous restaurants, bars and a golf course. The nightlife is quite lively. Swimming and water sports are also available.
Deciding to stay at El-Gouna can be seen as wanting to stay somewhere away from the everyday life of Hurghada. So, if you want to experience a minimum of the atmosphere of an Egyptian town, accommodation in El-Gouna is not the best option. It's best for a purely relaxing stay.
El-Gouna accommodation recommendations
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Group of bungalows overlooking the pool or lake. All-inclusive package available. The establishment has 5 swimming pools, including two for children, a bar, a restaurant and a private car park.
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Very luxurious 5-star complex offering large suites decorated in the style of the last three centuries. It features a private beach, swimming pool, spa, bar and restaurant.
Stay at Al-Ahiaa, for all-inclusive holidays
Stretching for around 10 kilometres along the Red Sea to the north of Hurghada, the Al-Ahiaa area is a viable option for accommodation in the city. However, its eccentricity in relation to the central districts means that it is necessary to use taxis to get there.
Choosing to stay in this area is mainly relevant for people wishing to stay in an all-inclusive establishment. In fact, the vast majority of the accommodation on offer in this area is of this type, or flat rental.
Aside from the beaches, there are no major sites of interest to be seen in Al-Ahiaa. Accommodation in this area is therefore ideal for those looking to relax in a structure with a swimming pool, restaurant and a range of services while enjoying the beach. You don't even have to leave the complex for the duration of your stay!
Suggested accommodation in Al-Ahiaa
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A complex offering flats and bungalows at very competitive rates. It has 3 swimming pools, two of which are indoor, and a fitness centre.
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Beachfront hotel offering rooms with balcony. It has 6 swimming pools, a spa, a restaurant and a bar.
Summary
Hurghada’s recent and continuing development makes it necessary to have an initial overview of the main districts in and around the city. This will give you a better idea of where you would like to stay in Hurghada. The choice of where to stay during your stay will depend on your priorities and expectations.
The districts of Al-Sakkalla and El-Sawaki are the best possible choices of places to stay, so you can make the most of both the stretches of sand and the water sports. But also the daily life of the locals. On the other hand, staying in the El-Mamsha, Al-Ahiaa and El-Gouna areas is less interesting because of their location and specific characteristics.