« Hurghada » on a booking site can mean a hotel in the busy town centre, on a quiet bay 30 km south or in a lagoon town 25 km north. The atmosphere, the beach and even the transfer time to the airport change completely. Here is our comparison of the areas, with who each one suits and the hotels we would look at first.
The areas at a glance
| Area | Distance from airport | Atmosphere | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Dahar (old town) | ≈ 10 km | Local, souk, cheap | Budget travellers, culture |
| Sakkala & marina | ≈ 6 km | Lively, bars, restaurants | Couples, nightlife, short stays |
| Southern hotel strip (Safaga road) | 5–15 km | All-inclusive resorts | Families, first-timers |
| Sahl Hasheesh | ≈ 20 km | Calm, planned resort bay | Couples, families, beach lovers |
| Makadi Bay | ≈ 30 km | Quiet, reefs | Snorkellers, relaxation |
| Soma Bay | ≈ 45 km | Luxury, golf, kite | Upmarket, sport |
| El Gouna | ≈ 25 km north | Chic lagoon town, marina | Couples, groups, kitesurfers |
El Dahar: the old town
El Dahar is the historic heart of Hurghada: the souk, small cafés, mosques and everyday Egyptian life. Hotels are simple and cheap, and the beaches are not the main draw. Stay here only if you want local atmosphere and low prices; otherwise, come for an evening in the souk (agree prices calmly — haggling is expected).
Sakkala, El Mamsha and the marina: for going out
Sakkala, around Sheraton Road, is the tourist centre: restaurants, bars, shops, pharmacies. The Hurghada Marina has a pleasant boardwalk with cafés and yachts, and El Mamsha (the tourist promenade along Village Road) is the place for an evening walk. Hotels here are mostly mid-range, often with small beaches. Perfect if you don’t want to be stuck in a resort.
The southern hotel strip: the classic choice
South of the airport, along the road to Safaga, the big all-inclusive resorts follow one another on the beach: this is where most package holidays end up. Advantages: short transfer, huge choice, aquapark hotels, prices for every budget. Disadvantages: you depend on taxis to go into town, and some stretches of beach are shallow or rocky. It is the area of many of our aquapark hotels and all-inclusive picks.
Sahl Hasheesh: the calm, upscale bay
About 20 km south of the airport, Sahl Hasheesh is a planned resort bay with wide sandy beaches, a long promenade and a scattering of 5-star hotels. It is greener, calmer and better looking than the hotel strip, and there are good reefs at the end of the hotel jetties. Little to do outside the hotels, but that is exactly what many people come for.
- Our favourites: Baron Palace, Pyramisa Beach Resort, Tropitel Sahl Hasheesh, The Oberoi (luxury).
Makadi Bay: snorkelling and relaxation
Makadi Bay, around 30 km south, is a self-contained resort area on a beautiful bay with rich reefs right in front of the hotels. It is the best area for snorkelling from the shore and for a « do nothing » holiday. Count about 35–40 minutes to Hurghada town, so excursions with pick-up start a little earlier.
Soma Bay: golf, kitesurfing and luxury
Soma Bay is a peninsula 45–50 km south with a handful of high-end hotels (Kempinski, Sheraton, Robinson…), a championship golf course and some of the best kitesurfing conditions in Egypt thanks to steady winds. Very calm, far from everything — book transfers in advance.
El Gouna: the chic lagoon town
El Gouna, 25 km north of Hurghada, is a resort town built on lagoons and islands, with a marina (Abu Tig), a small downtown, restaurants, bars and boutique hotels. It is cleaner, more stylish and more independent than Hurghada — and more expensive. Kitesurfers love its windy beaches. Ideal for couples and groups of friends; less for a pure all-inclusive stay.
Safaga: for divers
Safaga, 55–60 km south, is a working port with a few dive resorts. It is close to famous dive sites (including the Salem Express wreck) but has little holiday atmosphere. Choose it only for a diving-focused trip.
Read also:Best All-Inclusive Hotels in Hurghada (2026): Our Picks by Budget
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Hurghada?
For most first-timers, the southern hotel strip or Sahl Hasheesh: good all-inclusive hotels, beaches and short transfers. Choose Sakkala or the marina for nightlife, El Gouna for a stylish town, Makadi Bay for snorkelling.
Is it better to stay in Hurghada or El Gouna?
Hurghada offers more choice and lower prices, especially in all inclusive. El Gouna is more upscale and walkable, with a marina and restaurants, but costs more. Many visitors stay in Hurghada and spend a day in El Gouna.
How far is Makadi Bay from Hurghada?
About 30 km south of the airport, roughly 35–40 minutes by car to the centre of Hurghada.
Where is the best snorkelling from the beach?
Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh have the best reefs reachable from hotel jetties. In town, the reefs are less impressive and a boat trip to Giftun is a better plan.
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