SHOPPING ONLINE IN HURGHADA

 Aswan, with its palm-lined shorelines and beautiful temples, offers a tranquil retreat from the bustling cities. Don't miss the chance to visit the twin temples of Abu Simbel, one of Egypt's most striking monuments.

 A cruise on the Nile is an essential Egyptian experience. These cruises provide a unique perspective of the country, gliding past ancient temples, lush farmlands, and traditional villages.

 The resorts along the Red Sea, such as Sharm El Sheikh, are popular for their pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and world-class diving facilities. These resorts also offer a range of activities including guided tours, snorkeling, and desert excursions.

 For a different kind of adventure, head to the Sahara. The White Desert National Park, with its surreal white rock formations, and the Black Desert, known for its dark conical hills, offer a glimpse into Egypt's contrasting landscapes.

 Egyptian cuisine is a delightful fusion of flavors, reflecting the country's rich cultural influences. Staple dishes include ful medames (mashed fava beans), koshari (a mix of lentils, rice, pasta, and tomato sauce), and molokhia (a green soup made from jute leaves).

 From luxury beach resorts and international hotel chains to quaint guesthouses, Egypt offers a range of accommodation options to suit every budget. When staying along the Nile, consider paying extra for a room with a river view for an unforgettable experience.

 While Egypt is generally safe for tourists, it is advisable to stay vigilant, especially in crowded tourist spots. Always follow local advice and avoid regions where travel is not recommended.

 Most travelers to Egypt need a visa. It's recommended to obtain your visa before traveling, especially if you're visiting for work or business. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival.

 Pack lightweight, breathable clothes for the desert heat, along with a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Comfortable shoes are a must for exploring ancient sites. Don't forget your swimsuit for the Red Sea resorts!

 Egypt, with its timeless allure and incredible diversity, promises an adventure of a lifetime. Whether you're a history buff, a culture vulture, or an adventure seeker, this ancient land has something to offer everyone. So pack your bags and get ready to uncover the mysteries of Egypt!

 Hurghada is situated on the coast of the Red Sea Governorate, in Egypt’s Eastern Desert. While it is located over 450 km southeast of Cairo by road, it is closer to other nearby cities. For instance, it is approximately 50 km from Safaga, which is the port where pilgrims embark once a year to Mecca, and around 230 km from Qena, the nearest city in the Nile Valley, located in Middle Egypt.

 The Eastern Desert acts as a natural barrier that has caused the entire Red Sea coast to remain almost free of civilization until recent times. This is why there were only a few fishing villages and some industrial plants for mining exploitation, such as phosphates.

 In contrast, the Sinai coast is closer to Hurghada, just a few tens of kilometers away by sea. This makes crossings or small cruises on the Red Sea viable, allowing tourists to explore other places of similar underwater interest, such as Sharm El Sheikh.

 Hurghada is situated at a latitude of around 27ºN, resulting in intense sunlight at noon during the hot months. As a result, it’s crucial to have proper protection such as sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, and so on. However, the presence of the Red Sea helps moderate the maximum temperatures, making them milder compared to other regions of the country, such as the Nile Valley.

 The abundance of sunlight is an advantage for Hurghada, as tourism is guaranteed even during the cooler months, which can be chilly in other parts of the world. Here are some average values to help guide your trip:

 When it comes to things to do in Hurghada, the possibilities are endless. While history and culture enthusiasts may need to venture out of the city to satisfy their interests, those seeking a relaxing beach vacation or thrilling underwater adventure will find plenty to do here. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

 Diving is undoubtedly the most popular activity in Hurghada, drawing in visitors from all over the world. The Red Sea’s unique underwater topography and crystal-clear waters make it a diver’s paradise. From rugged underwater terrain with areas of great depth to stunning coral reefs and shallow sections near the shore perfect for snorkeling, Hurghada offers an unforgettable diving experience for all levels of expertise.

 In addition, the diversity of fish, sharks, and corals is enormous. And with species that stand out for their beauty thanks to their vivid and whimsical colors. In this sense, the list of species is very extensive, so if you come to Hurghada as a tourist to dive, you may come across specimens of this type: Dascyllus aruanus, sergeant major, yellowtail barracuda, haddock, castanet, raccoon butterflyfish, masked butterflyfish, blue triggerfish, angelfish, lionfish or Red Sea Scarus microrhinos. Whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, dolphins, sea snails, blue-spotted rays, Millepora complanata coral, and Acropora cervicornis coral are also illustrious inhabitants of these waters.

 The diving spots are very varied and not too far from the coast in some cases. There are options for all levels, so anyone can come to Hurghada as a tourist with this intention. These are some of the most famous diving spots among divers:

Flower Shop in El Gouna

 For those who are unable or unwilling to go diving or snorkeling, Hurghada still offers the opportunity to see marine species as a tourist. How? By boarding specialized boats. One example is the glass-bottomed boats, which allow for comfortable viewing of marine fauna in their natural habitat. These boats are called semi-submarines and are equivalent to snorkeling in open waters, as they allow for observation of species in surface waters.

 To reach greater depths, you can opt for mini-submarine tours instead. From the ports of Hurghada, some depart daily and can dive more than 20 meters, allowing for the contemplation of species that are more difficult to see.

 And for those who prefer to stay on the surface, boats for dolphin watching are also available. In some cases, if you’re lucky, the option to jump into the water and swim with the dolphins is included.

 One can hire a 4×4 or quad bike to explore the desert, or opt for a more traditional experience like a camel ride, which provides an up-close view of the Bedouin culture. Some tours also include Bedouin tea or traditional gastronomy of the area. Tours can last from a couple of hours to a full day.

 For tourists with extra days, there are several excursion options outside of the city, where they can stay overnight or return to their accommodation in time. These are some of the most common options, due to their interest and proximity:

 El Gouna: A tourist enclave located 30 km north of Hurghada. It offers similar attractions as Hurghada, but with fantastic resorts that challenge nature with facilities that extend into the sea. It has several marinas and offers other leisure proposals such as golf courses and water sports at the Sliders Cable Park.

 Temple of Dendera: The southernmost part of Middle Egypt is the closest part of the Nile Valley to Hurghada, and Qena and its surroundings house the Temple of Dendera, one of the best-preserved monuments of Ancient Egypt. It is located about 230 km away.

 Luxor: A several-day excursion to Luxor, located about 300 km away, allows tourists to admire the Valley of the Kings, the Luxor Temple, or the Karnak Temple, among other great tourist destinations.

 Despite not having the historical monuments of other Egyptian cities, Hurghada offers plenty of opportunities for tourists to explore and capture beautiful memories. Here are some of the top sights to see:

 The best beaches in Hurghada are the private ones managed by the resorts for their guests, although some also sell tickets to other tourists. Public beaches do not offer comparable services or cleanliness, so it’s recommended to opt for paid bathing areas for a better experience.

 One must-visit destination is Giftun Island, especially the larger one, which offers excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities, along with fine sandy beaches and crystal-clear water. Paradise Beach and Orange Bay are the two most popular spots here. A short 5-km boat trip is required to reach the island.

 If you’re fascinated by the diverse and vibrant marine life of the Red Sea, a visit to one of the aquariums or marine museums in Hurghada is a must. One of the most impressive options is the Hurghada Grand Aquarium, located just a short distance from the city’s airport. This aquarium boasts a large glass tunnel where you can get up close and personal with a variety of fish species. It also has outdoor spaces that house other exotic animals like reptiles and birds, making it a perfect destination for families with children.

 Apart from the Hurghada Grand Aquarium, there are two smaller yet equally fascinating options: the Red Sea Aquarium on the Corniche, and the Hurghada Marine Museum & Aquarium located north of the city. These museums showcase life-size reproductions and exhibits that can supplement your knowledge of the marine life found in the Red Sea.

 Hurghada offers a range of family-friendly activities beyond the small parks with attractions. One of the most popular is the Jungle Aqua Park, a large water park with numerous and thrilling slides, small pools with water jets, and ample sunbed areas. The complex also offers catering options for visitors.

 For a different kind of entertainment, Sand City is a must-visit. It is an open-air museum showcasing breathtaking creations made entirely of beach sand. Talented artists sculpt sculptures of famous cartoon characters, ancient pharaohs, deities from Egyptian religion and Western mythology, and creatures from the artists’ imaginations.

 Further south, near Makadi Bay and approximately 25 km from the airport, is Mini Egypt, a small theme park full of miniature replicas of Egypt’s main monuments. Visitors can take fun pictures with large constructions that are equivalent in height to an adult person. These include the Pyramids of Giza, mosques of Cairo, Abu Simbel, the New Library of Alexandria, and the Temple of Hatshepsut in Deir el Bahari, providing a delightful experience for children and adults alike.