7 Days in Hurghada: A Relaxing Red Sea Beach Itinerary with Snorkeling, Desert Stars, and Easy Day Trips
Hurghada rose from a quiet fishing outpost into Egypt’s most beloved Red Sea resort town, drawing travelers with year-round sunshine, turquoise shallows, and some of the planet’s most accessible coral reefs. It sits between desert mountains and a glassy sea—an easy base for island-hopping, snorkeling, and gently doing nothing at all.
Beyond the beaches, Hurghada serves as a low-stress launchpad for history-packed day trips to Cairo and Luxor. Spend the morning floating over coral gardens, then trade flip-flops for a desert jeep at sunset to watch the Milky Way sparkle over the Eastern Desert.
Practical notes: most visitors fly into Hurghada International (HRG). ATMs are common; carry small bills for tips and taxis. Dress casually at resorts, but modestly in town. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard, and water shoes. Expect warm days and cool desert nights—even in summer, the sea breeze keeps things pleasant.
Hurghada
Hurghada’s appeal is simple: calm water, long beaches, and reef life so vibrant you can snorkel right off the boat in 5–10 minutes. The Marina’s palm-lined promenade is perfect for evening strolls; Old Town Dahar gives you a glimpse of everyday life and a bustling fish market.
- Top highlights: Orange Bay on Giftun Island, Dolphin House reef, Sahl Hasheesh’s long swimming bay, El Gouna’s lagoons, Hurghada Grand Aquarium, sunset desert excursions, and easy flights to Cairo for the Pyramids.
- Food scene: Expect ultra-fresh seafood, grilled meats, and Egyptian staples like foul (fava beans) and taameya (Egyptian falafel). Waterfront dinners in the Marina feel especially leisurely.
- Good to know: Many resorts sell day-use passes ($25–60 with lunch). Marine park fees are typically paid in cash on boat trips. Avoid touching coral; a floaty (snorkel vest) makes relaxed reef time even easier.
Where to stay: For mid-budget comfort, look along Sheraton Road/Marina for walkability; choose Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi Bay for quieter beaches; El Gouna for boutique vibes and lagoons.
- Search Hurghada vacation rentals on VRBO (condos for families, multi-bedroom villas with pools).
- Search Hurghada hotels on Hotels.com (all-inclusive resorts, quiet beach stays, and Marina-adjacent picks).
Getting there: Fly into HRG from Cairo (~1 hr) or European hubs (4–5 hrs seasonal charters and regular services). Compare fares and routes here:
Airport taxis to central Hurghada take ~20–30 minutes. Agree the fare in advance or ask your hotel for a transfer. In town, metered cabs are rare; negotiate or request a set fare before riding.
Day 1: Arrival, Marina Stroll, and a Seafood Welcome
Morning: Travel day. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and a light scarf for sun and sand. If you plan to snorkel, bring your own mask for comfort.
Afternoon: Land at HRG and check in. Take a gentle walk along Hurghada Marina—yachts bobbing, sea breeze, coffee stands—ideal for easing into Red Sea time. Stop for a fresh juice or espresso at a marina-side café.
Evening: Dinner at El Halaka (Dahar; choose your fish then have it grilled) or Starfish (Sheraton Road; mixed seafood and Egyptian mains). For something simple and budget-friendly, Moby Dick serves hearty Egyptian grills and stews. Early night to rest.
Day 2: Orange Bay—Powder Sand and Coral Color (Full-Day Boat)
Set sail to Orange Bay for clear-water snorkeling and a laid-back beach club vibe. Expect hotel pickup, a calm cruise, two snorkel stops with guide-led briefings, lunch on board, and hours of shallow, turquoise water over white sand—perfectly “relaxing” and beach-forward.
Book: Orange Bay Island Snorkeling Trip With Water Sports - Hurghada
Tips: Bring a rash guard, reef shoes, and a waterproof phone pouch. Small marine park or island fees may be collected in cash. Back in town, a light dinner near the Marina hits the spot.
Day 3: Old Hurghada, Aquarium, and Desert Stars
Morning: Explore Dahar (Old Town)—browse the souk, peek into the fish market, and practice friendly bargaining. Breakfast ideas: try Egyptian Gad for foul, taameya, and fresh baladi bread, or grab pastries and coffee along Sheraton Road.
Afternoon: Visit the Hurghada Grand Aquarium for a primer on the Red Sea’s marine life—great context before more snorkeling. Cool off by your hotel pool afterward; consider a brief hammam and massage for deep relaxation.
Evening: Head into the Eastern Desert for an easygoing astronomy outing with Bedouin dinner. You’ll ride by jeep, watch the sun melt into pink mountains, and view planets through a telescope under dark skies.
Book: Hurghada: Star Watching Desert Adventure by Jeep with Dinner
Post-tour, unwind with herbal tea back at the Marina or at your hotel terrace.
Day 4: Resort Day by the Sea (or Optional Cairo by Plane)
Morning: Keep it slow: beach time and a leisurely swim. Consider a day-use pass at a Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi Bay resort for wide, calm swimming zones and long piers—exactly the relaxed vibe you asked for.
Afternoon: Spa hour. Book a classic hammam followed by a light- to medium-pressure massage. Nap, read, repeat.
Evening: Sunset promenade at Sahl Hasheesh’s Old Town pier, then back to Hurghada for dinner at The Lodge Restaurant & Bar (Marina; grills and international plates) or White Elephant (Hurghada Marriott; long-running Thai favorite).
Optional full-day alternative: If you want to see the Pyramids without the long drive, take a small-group day trip by plane to Cairo. Expect airport transfers, roundtrip flights, the Pyramids, Sphinx, and the Egyptian Museum—with a guide making the history sing. It’s a big day, but unforgettable.
Book: Hurghada Cairo Pyramids day tour by plane - Small group
Day 5: El Gouna’s Lagoons and Easygoing Eats
Morning: Taxi 30–40 minutes north to El Gouna, a planned lagoon town with pastel homes and bridges. Start with coffee and breakfast at a marina café, then take a lagoon boat (weather permitting) to glide through calm channels and sandy spits.
Afternoon: Beach time near Marina or at Mangroovy area; rent a lounger and dip in the shallow, warm water. Lunch at Zia Amelia (handmade pastas and salads) or Le Garage (gourmet burgers) in Abu Tig Marina.
Evening: Golden-hour stroll as yachts return to harbor. Dinner at The Smokery Yacht Club (international seafood and grills with marina views). Taxi back to Hurghada.
Budget tip: Agree on the taxi fare before departure; typical round trip is often cheaper if you book a return with the same driver.
Day 6: Dolphin House VIP—Snorkel with Wild Dolphins (Full-Day Boat)
Sail to Dolphin House for a respectful chance to swim near wild dolphins and drift over soft coral gardens. This full-day VIP trip usually includes hotel pickup, snorkel guide, two to three in-water sessions, lunch, and time on brilliant sandbanks. Sightings are common but never guaranteed—the crew will brief you on responsible distances and behavior.
Book: Dolphin House VIP Snorkeling Sea Trip Full Day W / Lunch - Hurghada
Evening back in town: seafood feast at El Mina Restaurant (choose fish by weight) or a casual plate of kofta and mezze at Moby Dick.
Day 7: Slow Morning, Souvenirs, and Departure
Morning: One last swim or poolside coffee. For brunch, grab a late Egyptian breakfast—foul, taameya, tahini, and pickles—plus fresh juice.
Afternoon: Pick up souvenirs (spices, dates, Egyptian cotton) at the Dahar souk or in air-conditioned comfort at Senzo Mall. Transfer to HRG for your flight. Leave extra time for security and check-in.
Evening: In transit. If overnighting, toast your trip with a mint lemonade on the Marina and watch the boats light up the harbor.
Cost & timing snapshot for planning:
- Airport transfer to central Hurghada: ~20–30 min; agree a fixed fare (prices vary with season and fuel).
- Orange Bay or Dolphin House full-day boats: commonly 7–8 hours, with lunch; bring cash for any marine park fees.
- El Gouna taxi: ~30–40 min each way; arrange a return pickup.
- Cairo day trip by plane: hotel pickup before sunrise; late return. Choose this only if you’re up for a high-energy day.
Food and drink favorites (current and traveler-loved):
- El Halaka (Dahar): classic choose-your-catch seafood; try grilled sea bream and sayadieh rice.
- Starfish (Sheraton Road): approachable seafood and Egyptian staples; good for mixed groups.
- Moby Dick (Sheraton Road): value-friendly Egyptian grills, stuffed pigeon (on request), and stews.
- The Lodge Restaurant & Bar (Marina): casual grills with marina views—great at sunset.
- White Elephant (Hurghada Marriott): long-standing Thai with consistent curries.
Quick packing and safety tips: Bring a wide-brim hat, reef-safe sunscreen, and a light long-sleeve for mid-day sun. Drink plenty of water. Don’t touch coral or stand on reefs. Carry cash for tips and small purchases. Dress modestly in town away from resort areas.
Optional cultural add-ons (another day or a swap): If history calls, consider a Luxor day tour (Valley of the Kings, Karnak). Choose private or small-group to keep it comfortable; it’s a longer drive than Cairo by plane but a treasure for temple lovers.
Alternate Viator options if you extend or swap a day:
When you’re ready to lock in flights, compare routes and fares here: Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. For stays, browse VRBO Hurghada and Hotels.com Hurghada to match your mid-range budget and relaxing vibe.
Summary: Over 7 days, you’ll soak up Hurghada’s calm beaches, snorkel kaleidoscopic reefs at Orange Bay and Dolphin House, sip sunsets on the Marina, and gaze at a billion desert stars. Keep it restful, with the option to add Cairo or Luxor for a single burst of ancient wonder—then drift back to the Red Sea’s soothing blue.