Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh: where to go in Egypt
Mykyta Dzhus · Updated 2026-10-20 · 4 min read · Where to go
Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh are on the same sea but on opposite sides of it: Hurghada is on the Egyptian mainland, Sharm on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. That shapes the reefs, the beaches and the excursions.
Contents
In short
- Sharm el-Sheikh: the best reefs right off the shore, clear water, snorkelling and diving, the Sinai mountains close by. You often get into the sea from a pontoon.
- Hurghada: more sandy beaches with a gentle slope, easier with small children, closer to Luxor and its temples, and usually cheaper.
Where they are and how to get there
Both resorts have international airports close to the hotels. From Hurghada airport most hotels are 15–40 minutes away (the furthest are Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay to the south and El Gouna to the north). From Sharm el-Sheikh airport to Naama Bay takes about a quarter of an hour.
Sharm is southern Sinai: between the sea and desert mountains, with several bays (Naama Bay, Sharks Bay, Nabq). Hurghada stretches along the coast for dozens of kilometres, so the area of your hotel decides whether you're in the thick of things or in a quiet resort town.
Sea and reefs
In Sharm el-Sheikh many hotels sit right above their own reefs: walk down the pontoon and within minutes you're swimming over corals, giant clams and schools of fish. The water is usually clearer, and 20–30 minutes south is Ras Mohammed National Park, one of the best-known diving areas in the world. On the reefs you need coral shoes, and reef-safe sunscreen is the better choice.
In Hurghada the best reefs are further from the shore: boats to the Giftun Islands (with the popular Orange Bay) take about 45 minutes. In return the water around the islands is turquoise, and a day on a boat is one of the resort's best outings.
Beaches and holidays with kids
With small children Hurghada is easier: many hotels have a sandy beach with a gentle slope and no coral underfoot. Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay are especially calm in this respect. Sharm also has hotels with a sandy entry or a lagoon, but when booking, check how the way into the water is set up: a pontoon over a reef is awkward for toddlers.
Excursions from Hurghada
- Luxor: the Valley of the Kings, Karnak and the Temple of Hatshepsut. The drive takes about 4 hours each way, so it's a full-day trip.
- Giftun Islands and Orange Bay: a day on a boat with snorkelling.
- El Gouna: a lagoon town with canals, marinas and restaurants.
- Desert safari by quad bike or jeep with the sunset.
- Cairo and the pyramids: far by bus, flying is easier.
Excursions from Sharm
- Ras Mohammed: a national park with reefs and mangroves.
- Tiran Island: a boat trip to the famous reefs in the strait.
- Mount Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery: usually a night climb to see sunrise from the top.
- Dahab and the Blue Hole: a laid-back divers' town about an hour and a half away.
- Coloured Canyon: a walk through Sinai's narrow multicoloured gorges.
Evenings and atmosphere
In Sharm, evenings mean the Naama Bay promenade, the SOHO Square entertainment complex and the Old Market with its bazaar. In Hurghada life centres on the marina, the central streets with cafés and shops, and El Gouna, where people go for dinner by the water. Hurghada is known for wind, so kitesurfing and windsurfing are popular, especially in El Gouna and Soma Bay.
Weather and season
The Red Sea is warm all year. Summer is very hot, and desert trips are better moved to the morning or evening. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable. In winter the days are usually sunny and warm enough for the beach, but evenings are cool and desert nights are properly cold: bring a jumper or a light jacket.
Which suits whom
- Snorkelling and diving: Sharm.
- Small children and sand: Hurghada or nearby Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay.
- Temples and history: Hurghada is closer to Luxor; Cairo is far from both resorts.
- Mountains and desert: Sharm with Sinai.
- Kitesurfing: Hurghada, El Gouna, Soma Bay.
- Budget: Hurghada has more inexpensive hotels.
What to book ahead
- Snorkelling and islands from Hurghada: Giftun, Orange Bay.
- Ras Mohammed and Tiran from Sharm el-Sheikh on GetYourGuide.
Links to 12Go, GetYourGuide and Klook are partner links: the price for you is the same, and a small commission helps us run this blog.
Staying connected at the resort
Wi-Fi in Egyptian hotels is often weak outside the lobby, and on a boat, in the desert or on an excursion there's none at all. A travel eSIM solves this without queuing at an airport kiosk: Egypt starts at $3.49, 5 GB for 30 days is $10.49, a week of unlimited is $27.49. More on your options in “Internet in Egypt for tourists: hotel Wi-Fi, a local SIM or an eSIM”.
FAQ
Where is the snorkelling better, Hurghada or Sharm?
In Sharm el-Sheikh: many hotels have their own reefs by the shore, and Ras Mohammed National Park is nearby. In Hurghada you need a boat to reach the best reefs.
Where to go with small children?
Hurghada or nearby Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay: more hotels there have a sandy beach with a gentle, coral-free entry.
How long is the drive from Hurghada to Luxor?
About 4 hours each way, so the excursion takes a full day.
Is Egypt cold in winter?
Days are usually sunny and warm, but evenings are cool and desert nights are cold; bring a jumper or a light jacket.
Do I need a local SIM card?
Not necessarily: you can install a travel eSIM at home and skip the airport kiosk queue. Options compared in “Internet in Egypt for tourists: hotel Wi-Fi, a local SIM or an eSIM”.
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