Hurghada City Holidays

Hurghada’s the place that put Egypt’s so-called Red Sea Riviera on the map. This Sixties child’s got a PhD in diving, and it’s got its mitts on around 40 kilometres of coastline. Over the last 50 years, Hurghada City’s pretty much shaken off its fishing village roots, knocking together hotels and a flashy marina. But you can still get a slap of culture in the old town, El Dahar.

Most of the sandy beaches around here are divvied up among the plush hotels. But it’s what’s off-shore that drags in the punters. The waters of the Red Sea are stuffed full of marine life, so boat rides out to the coral reefs are in-demand. Moray eels, dolphins, turtles and clownfish – or Nemos – are all top spots.

The rest of Hurghada’s also handy for those wanting to see more of the Red Sea Coast. It’s a launch pad for trips to beach resorts like Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay. El Gouna’s also worth the half-an-hour drive – if only just to check out the bizarre, pattern-like coastline and watersports hotspot, Mangroovy Beach.