If you’re like me, you love discovering new places. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the town and environs of Hurghada, Egypt. Located on the western edge of Egypt, on the Red Sea, Hurghada is a popular place with tourists, who come to relax in the excellent weather and take advantage of the seaside location. Recently just a small fishing village, Hurghada has quickly become A Destination. There is plenty of space for everyone, as the environs span 37km from top to bottom. Want to know more about this Egyptian Riviera?

Marina, Hurghada. Photo courtesy flickr creative commons: flickr.com/photos4978803579/

Here are our top ten things to do in Hurghada, Egypt:

1.    Scuba dive. The water is clear and warm, the fish abound, and what can be better than exploring underwater? This is a popular location with scuba divers, for good reason.

Photo courtesy of flickr creative commons: flickr.com/photos/bay47/5505330467/

2.    Water sports. A variety of water sports are available, from kite surfing to windsurfing to sailing. You can also spend time aboard a larger ship, or paddle around in a smaller sea kayak. You can go slowly with a pedal boat, or take a banana ride. There’s plenty to do on the water!

Photo courtesy of flickr creative commons: flickr.com/photos/zamkov/4978803579/

3.    Swim. Of course! You can also snorkel right from the beach.

Photo courtesy of flickr creative commons: flickr.com/photos/marcusmeissner/3034423023/

4.    Golf. While I can’t stand to be away from the water, my husband prefers to golf while we scuba and swim. Luckily for him, there are plenty of golf courses in Hurghada from which to choose.

5.    Explore the desert. Take a camel ride, or a 4x4 safari, and head out of town to explore the desert!

6.    Shopping. The old part of town (El Dahar) boasts a traditional Egyptian bazaar. Practice bartering before you head out – it’s expected, and part of the fun! If you prefer not to haggle, head to Sekalla or Village Road, where you may find some shops with fixed prices. However, remember that this is a cultural tradition, and just go with the flow!

Photo courtesy of flickr creative commons: flickr.com/photos/mcaven/4541376654/

7.    Eat! There are many places to eat in Hurghada, including fast food, traditional food (look in El Dahar), and restaurants and bars.  A popular place with tourists is the Hurghada Marina, where you can find both bars and restaurants.

Photo courtesy of flickr creative commons: flickr.com/photos/87153764@N08/7986404430/

8.    Transportation. There is a local bus line in Hurghada, but there are also taxis. Suggestion: prearrange the price for your whole party, before you hop in the cab. There are also micro buses, which may stop and pick you up on their routes around the city. Your hotel might also have a shuttle – ask the concierge for advice. There are ferries daily (depending on weather) to Sharm-el-Sheikh.

Photo courtesy of flickr creative commons: flickr.com/photos/zamkov/4979411366/

9.    Don’t want to get wet but want to explore the marine life? Here are two options! You can visit the Red Sea Aquarium (a good idea before you go scuba diving, to learn the native marine species), or take a Sinbad submarine tour underwater!

10.    Arts and culture. You could range further afield and visit Cairo and Luxor, but there are also some cultural gems right in town. Visit the Marine Biology Museum to learn about the oceanic ecology of the area. Explore the new National Museum, which is the first national museum founded on the coast of the Red Sea. You can see antiquities, remains from a wide variety of eras, and even submerged mountains. Lastly, there is a new contemporary art gallery at the Café del Mar, located in El Dahar.

Photo courtesy of flickr creative commons: flickr.com/photos/vincentteeuwen/3641169656/