Put the desire to get warm and take a bath with Nemo in the middle of winter, add a low-cost flight from Milan (with easyJet from Malpensa) and lo and behold, you already feel like taking a trip to Hurghada, Egypt, in the cold months of winter. The heat and the coral reef, however, are not the only reasons to buy a flight to Egypt as soon as possible.
Hurghada
We are facing the Horn of Africa, on the opposite side of the Red Sea from Sharm el Sheikh. As soon as we land at Hurghada airport it is already clear: with a 4-hour flight from Milan we have landed in the middle of spring.
In Hurghada, the sea has all the shades of blue, from light blue to cobalt, passing through deep blue. It makes us think of the Caribbean, only here the sky is crystal clear and deep and all around us is the desert, immense and dusty.
The Eastern Desert is traversed by the Red Sea Hills. They are called hills, but they are real mountains towering sharply and parallel to the sea, like clay sculptures in all shades of brown. In reality, beneath their desert-like bulk are gold mines, alabaster and porphyry quarries, which have been flooding Egypt with precious gifts since the time of the ancient Egyptians.
A boat takes us off the coast of Soma Bay, a few kilometres from the city of Hurghada. A shoal of silvery anchovies, so thick that you have to ask permission to swim, welcomes us to our first dive in the Red Sea. There are blue, blue and purple corals, giant urchins that look as if they have been painted a fresh shimmering black, and, of course, Nemo frolicking around his anemone (find out more about snorkelling and diving at Soma Bay here).
On the way back to our landing place, we gauge the potential of the Hurghada coast, which with its 40 km of flat white beaches is the perfect place to do all the water sports you can think of, from windsurfing to kiteboarding, via sailing and wakeboarding.
We tried out the Sliders, one of the largest cable parks in the world, where you get to grips with your board using cables that work like water skilifts.
After the intense sport there is the spa. One of the most beautiful in the Middle East can be found at The Cascades Soma Bay Spa and Thalasso Therapy, a facility decorated with stucco and majolica tiles that recall the lotus flower and the papyrus, symbols of Egypt and the lush Nile Valley.
A 3:30-hour bus ride, almost all of it through the heart of the Eastern Desert, takes you from Hurghada to Luxor in the Nile Valley.
The first stop is at the temple of Hatshepsut, which is unique because it is scenically arranged on three levels. The hieroglyphics have such intense colours that they seem to have been painted yesterday. They tell us the story of the journey of the Ancient Egyptians to Somalia, an epic journey to bring back the precious incense tree that, during the New Kingdom, decorated the scenic avenue leading to the temple.
The Valley of the Kings is a magnificent collection of underground tombs carved into the heart of the mountains.
Inside, the bas-reliefs, drawings and colours are perfectly preserved and tell stories that are in part still mysterious. In part, it is like reading an open book and tiptoeing into the world, the thoughts, fears and hopes of people who lived 3500 years before us.
The Temple of Karnak from the outside looks almost like a squat and spartan fortress, but the wonder is inside: a forest of mammoth columns decorated with colourful hieroglyphics, huge statues and the Avenue of the Sphinxes, a 3 km long avenue that connected (and will soon connect again) Karnak to the temple of Luxor.
Travelling to Hurghada a diversion allows you to visit one of Egypt's most beautiful and least known temples, the temple of Dendera, the goddess of beauty.
What to do in Hurghada
Below, we have selected 10 things you absolutely must do on a trip to Hurghada with useful information on how best to organise your trip.
Catamaran tour
You've just arrived in the heat. Nothing beats a catamaran tour to discover the clear beauty of the Red Sea. Orca Diving at the Sheraton Soma Bay offers catamaran and motor boat tours to discover the sea and seabed of Hurghada.
Snorkelling
In the middle of winter, a wetsuit is required, but there are also those who do without without. Most hotels and resorts offer equipment and snorkelling tours. From the pier of the Sheraton Soma Bay, you can dive directly to the reef and snorkel on your own at any time of the day, otherwise you need to rent a boat to reach the coral and aquarium beds.
Thalasso therapy and spa
At The Cascades Spa, the enormous thermal pool provides a complete relaxation and reactivation massage path that starts at the feet and ends in an invigorating tub. Once out of the water, you can relax poolside in the warm sun of a sheltered, quiet courtyard.
Golf
There are two professional golf courses in El Gouna that include islands and lagoons. Never played golf?
No problem. At the Sheraton Soma Bay, beginner's courses are available to approach the sport in stages and with the help of an instructor.
Romantic dinner on the beach
At the Sheraton Soma Bay, you can book a romantic dinner for two on the beach for an exclusive and unrepeatable experience (the price is 250 euros per person, but it is well worth it). At the Hilton Luxor you dine on the terrace overlooking the Nile and if that doesn't sound special enough, you can start the evening with a stop at the infinity pool on the Nile.
Kite surfing
Kite surfing is one of the best reasons to travel regularly to this corner of Egypt and enjoy water sports without spending a fortune even in the middle of winter. In El Gouna, there is a cablerpark with four lagoons with routes for beginners and experienced wakeboarders. In addition to practising tricks in the lagoon, in El Gouna you can try kitesurfing in the sea with an optimal water temperature and always perfect wind.
Beaches
What are the most beautiful beaches? There are islands and islets off the coast of Hurghada. Giftun Island National Park is a paradise for diving and relaxing on Mahmya beach. The island of Gota Abu Ramada is known as the aquarium of the Red Sea. Sahl Hasheesh, about ten kilometres from the city of Hurghada, is one of the best known beaches; then there are those of El Gouna, Mangroovy Beach, Zeytuna Beach, Makadi Bay with its beautiful coral reefs and Sharn El Naga with its red cliffs.
Karnak and Luxor Temple
A 3.30-hour bus ride from Hurghada takes you to the temples of Karnak and Luxor in ancient Thebes. One day is enough to visit them both.
Ideally, however, you should stay at least one night in Luxor to see them at leisure and to enjoy the magic of the sunset on the banks of the Nile. Pay attention to the times: the road from Hurghada to Luxor opens at 6am and closes at 6pm. An experienced guide with an Egyptologist background is the perfect solution to listen to the most beautiful stories told by the hieroglyphs and to manage the times in the best way and not have any nasty surprises with the road closure system (we travelled with Akef and we had a great time, here you can find his Facebook page).
Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut
The ticket to visit the Valley of the Kings includes a visit to three tombs. Those who want to use their camera or smarthphone have to pay an extra ticket (cost €15). To fully enjoy the scenic majesty of the Temple of Hatshepsut, near the Valley of the Kings, it is recommended to go there early in the morning on the way back to Hurghada, before leaving Luxor.
Cruise on the Nile
The Dahabiya is a cruise on the Nile in a traditional two-sailed boat. It is the best way to enjoy the authentic atmosphere of sailing on the Nile, stopping in villages to have tea with locals and visit archaeological sites, to the colourful villages of Nubia in southern Egypt. Departing from Luxor.
What to see in Hurghada
What to see in and around Hurghada? Below are 5 things to see in Hurghada.
El Dahar
El Dahar is the old part of Hurghada and is the best place to shop for souvenirs, spices and handicrafts, or to dine in one of the many restaurants on Marina Boulevard.
Sekala
Sekala is the new district of Hurghada where most of the nightclubs are located. For a softer evening in a club or for a live concert, it is best to choose the clubs inside the hotels.
El Gouna
El Gouna is a town built in the desert, where only some 20 years ago there was absolutely nothing. It resembles a kind of brand new Positano with colourful houses and hotels.
Besides resorts and beaches, there are restaurants, lagoons, golf courses, swimming pools and kite surfing schools, spas and entertainment.
Giftun Island National Park
Opposite Hurghada are a series of desert islands surrounded by incredible sea beds. One of these is Giftun Island, then there are Little Giftun, Abu Ramada, Magawish and Monkar.
Soma Bay Marina
Soma Bay Marina is a small harbour a few kilometres north of Hurghada city. The houses, narrow streets, small squares and the jetty are colourful. This area was also only recently built. It is a perfect place to take a walk, eat in a restaurant and have an ice cream in the evening.
Where to stay
The Sea Waves Hostel is a hostel frequented mainly by surfers and water sports enthusiasts. It is located in El Dahar, in the old part of Hurghada and has cheap prices (from €12 per night). The coast of Hurghada and the surrounding area is teeming with resorts. Some of these, such as the Sheraton Soma Bay (very close to the Hurghada Marina) are five-star resorts with a heated swimming pool, spa with thalasso therapy, golf courses, gymnasium and diving and snorkelling facilities, and at certain times of the year can offer advantageous, all-inclusive offers.
In El Gouna, about 30 km north of Hurghada, there are resorts, hotels and flats of all types (from 2 to 5 stars).
Flights to Hurghada
From Milan Malpensa you fly low-cost to Hurghada with easyJet from €27.99 per person one way. Departure is early Wednesday afternoon and return to Milan on Sunday morning. Hurghada Airport is located 5 km from the city of Hurghada.
To board flights to Hurghada, a passport with a residual validity of 8 months or an identity card (also with a residual validity of 8 months) is required.
Those travelling with an ID card must show two passport photos when boarding in Milan, which will be used to issue a tourist visa to enter Egypt. The tourist visa costs 25$, can be obtained at the airport and is only payable in cash (here you can find all the info on obtaining a tourist visa in Egypt).
Climate and weather
The climate in Hurghada is subtropical and desert-like. This means that it never rains (or almost never) and that it can be very, very hot in summer. From June to August, temperatures can reach as high as 45°. It is true, however, that the wind always blows and the heat is dry and therefore manageable. The summer months are the best for swimming and enjoying snorkelling and water sports.
Winter does not exist and average temperatures in January, February and March range from 18 to 22°. The Red Sea water maintains a pleasant temperature all year round and when there is no wind (or wearing a wetsuit) you can swim even in the middle of winter. Be prepared to leave the rain and cold at home: clear blue skies await you down to the furthest depths of the horizon!
Map
Egypt
Hurghada
