Hurghada Mini Guide
Tell Me About Hurghada
Hurgada only a few decades ago was a small fishing village that had barely heard of the word ‘tourism’ let alone think of embracing it. With the popularity of winter sun destinations, the business chiefs decided that its prime location on beautiful beaches with stunning coral reefs and great diving opportunities would make it the perfect destination for those wishing to escape the north European winter. In the light of the decision, over a hundred hotels have sprung up accompanied by bars, clubs and restaurants and life there is now a polar opposite to that in the 1960s.
How do I get to Hurghada?
As a popular holiday destination, there are dozens of flights from all over Europe to Hurghada Airport. Three companies fly from the UK including Thomas Cook and Thomson from
Birmingham,
Manchester and
Gatwick whilst easyJet also operate a route from
Gatwick South Terminal.
On arrival you are likely to enter the brand new terminal, recently brought into operation, which has the latest technology to speed your journey through this part of your holiday. Quick but effective passport checks and a state of the art baggage reclaim facility means that you’ll soon be able to collect your Rhino hire car and get on to the important bit of enjoying your holiday.
On your return journey you’ll find excellent facilities for departure with plenty of check-in desks, efficient security and a host of shops and restaurants to entertain you whilst you wait for the journey home. There’s a large duty free facility and a store selling those last minute gifts including stuffed camels, Tutankhamen models and pyramid paperweights.
What Else is There in Hurghada Apart From the Beach?
How about boarding a glass-bottomed boat to drift over the reefs and marvel at the myriad colourful fish? You can snorkel out to see them too with the reefs being only 10m from the shore. You can try scuba diving in one of the best locations on earth for beginners or take a quad bike out into the desert for an overnight stay with the Bedouin people. Go star watching in skies unpolluted by city lights or take a short trip to the treasures of Luxor or an overnight tour of Cairo and the pyramids or take a boat out to the small exotic island of Giftun and laze on the pure white sands.
What Should I Eat When I’m There?
Most hotels and restaurants in Hurghada serve mainly westernised food and there’s no end of fast food outlets, steak houses, and Chinese, Indian and other restaurants. For traditional food you’ll have to look hard away from the tourist strips where you’ll be treated to slow cooked goat served with rice, plentiful fish cooked with mild spices or the delicious salads reminiscent of tabbouleh, served with flatbread.
What can I buy as Gifts?
Most of what you’ll see is typical tourist tat which, sooner or later, will end up in the charity shops. Best buys are probably jewellery although much of it is in the unusual Middle Eastern style which can sometimes look a little cheap at a dinner party back home. Don’t forget to haggle for everything – it’s part of the fun!