First Time in Hurghada?

🎯 The Honest Truth — No Filters

Look, I've been to Hurghada... I dunno, maybe 7 or 8 times now? And every single trip I learn something new. Sometimes the hard way. So here's my attempt to save you from my mistakes.

First off — this place is NOT like the Maldives or Bali. It's rougher around the edges. More real, if you know what I mean. The infrastructure can be... let's say "interesting." But that's also what makes it special. You're not in some sanitized theme park version of Egypt. You're actually IN Egypt.

The vibe here is super chill. Egyptians are genuinely friendly — sometimes aggressively friendly in a "come see my shop" kind of way. But once you pick up a few phrases from my Arabic language guide... like "la shukran" (no thanks) with a smile — you're golden.

🤫 Stuff Nobody Tells You

Alright. Here's the stuff that the shiny brochures conveniently forget to mention:

The Airport Thing

Hurghada airport is... functional. Let's go with that. When you land, you'll see bunch of guys in booths selling visas before immigration. That's legit — buy your $25 visa there (USD CASH ONLY, they're super strict about this). Then you shuffle through immigration which takes maybe 15-30 mins depending on how many flights landed at once.

Oh and — the luggage carousel situation can be chaotic. Deep breaths. Your bag will show up. Eventually.

The "Taxi Driver Approach"

The moment you exit the arrivals hall, you'll be approached by approximately seven thousand taxi drivers. Okay, maybe slight exaggeration. But it feels like it. They're not dangerous, just persistent. If your hotel's sending someone (which most do), look for a guy holding a sign with your name. Usually spelled creatively. I've got a full breakdown in my getting around Hurghada guide — worth reading before you land.

The Heat Situation

Okay so. I'm from Northern Europe. I thought I knew what "hot" meant. I did not.

Summer in Hurghada is properly, legitimately HOT. Like 40°C hot. The kind of hot where walking from the pool to your room feels like a survival challenge. If you can handle that — great! If not, maybe aim for October through April. I've got a complete month-by-month weather breakdown if you want to pick the perfect time.

That said — winter here is glorious. Low 20s, sunny, perfect swimming weather. Basically what we wish our summers were in the UK. Check the weather guide — honestly helps a lot with planning.

📅 Your First Day — A Survival Guide

Right, you've landed, you've survived the taxi situation, you're at your hotel. Now what?

Actually Do This:

• Get a SIM card: Either at the airport or ask your hotel — 10GB costs like €5-10. WhatsApp is basically how Egypt communicates.
• Get some cash: Euros work at the hotel but you'll want Egyptian pounds for everything else. ATMs are everywhere.
• Download Uber: Trust me on this one. Game changer.
• Drink water: Like, lots of it. More than you think you need. The dry heat sneaks up on you.
• Take it easy: Don't plan five activities for day one. Chill. Acclimate. Have a Stella by the pool.

Avoid This:

• Don't book a dive for day one. You'll be tired from travel. Get a good night's sleep first. Day two or three is better — and my diving guide has tips on when to schedule your first dive.
• Don't eat the ice at sketchy places. Bottles water only until your stomach adjusts. Week one is... adaptation time. My food and restaurants guide has the safe bets.
• Don't sunbathe for 3 hours on arrival. You WILL burn. The sun here is different. Start with 30 mins and work up. The weather guide explains why the UV here hits different.

💸 Let's Talk Money

Okay so. Egypt got significantly cheaper for Europeans recently. The Egyptian pound devalued quite a bit, which — without getting political — means your euros go way further than they did a few years ago.

Quick reality check on prices (as of my last trip):

Compare that to, say, Southern France or Greece. It's honestly ridiculous value. I've done two-week trips here that cost less than one week in Barcelona.

🙈 Mistakes I've Made (So You Don't Have To)

Honestly, I could write a book on this. But here's the greatest hits:

1. Packing Like I Was Going to the Arctic

My first trip, I brought like three pairs of jeans. Mate. What was I thinking. You need: swimwear, light clothes, maybe one nice outfit for dinner, and that's basically it. Oh, and reef-safe sunscreen — the stuff here is expensive and not great.

2. Booking Everything in Advance

Half the fun is figuring things out when you're there. Yes, book your hotel and flights. But tours and activities? Often cheaper and more flexible if you book locally. Though... do book the really popular stuff like liveaboards in advance. Those sell out.

3. Staying at the Resort the Whole Time

Look, the all-inclusives are great. But you're missing out if you don't venture into actual Hurghada at least once. The Marina is beautiful at sunset — check out the nightlife guide for the best spots. El Dahar market is an experience. The local fish restaurants are incredible. Get out there.

4. Assuming "African Time" Was a Joke

When the boat says it leaves at 8am, that means... maybe 8:30. Maybe 9. The dive instructor will show up eventually. Fighting this will only raise your blood pressure. Just... embrace it. Bring a book. Have coffee. It's fine.

🏝️ So What Should You Actually Do?

Alright, you're here, you're sorted, you've got your SIM card and Uber... now what? Here's my honest hierarchy of "don't miss" stuff:

Absolute Must-Dos:

• Get in the water. I don't care if you dive, snorkel, or just float around — the Red Sea is genuinely world-class. The coral! The fish! The visibility! It's unreal. My complete diving guide has everything you need to know.
• Sunset at the Marina. Grab a shisha, order mint tea, watch the boats. Perfect. More recommendations in the nightlife guide.
• Try actual Egyptian food. Not the hotel's "international buffet." Real food. Koshari. Ful. Shawarma from a street cart. Life-changing. My Egyptian cuisine guide will walk you through everything worth trying.

Really Worth It:

• Giftun Island. National marine park. Ridiculous snorkeling. The boat trip alone is gorgeous — check out my snorkeling trips guide for the best operators.
• Desert quad safari. Touristy? Maybe. Fun? Absolutely. The sunset BBQ with Bedouins is surprisingly nice. My desert safari guide has the full breakdown.
• Luxor day trip. Yeah it's a long drive (about 3-4 hours each way). But seeing the Valley of the Kings is... there's nothing else like it. See my Luxor & Cairo day trips guide for how to do it right.

Skip Unless You Really Want To:

• Glass-bottom boats. Honest opinion? Just snorkel. It's 100x better.
• Dolphin shows. Nah. Just book a proper dolphin watching boat trip instead — way more ethical. The things to do page has better options.
• Random shopping tours. You'll end up in alabaster factories and papyrus shops buying stuff you don't need. Hard pass. Go explore on your own — check my practical info for shopping tips.

🤝 Quick Culture Crash Course

Egypt's a Muslim country. Which sounds obvious, but it affects some day-to-day stuff:

• Ramadan: If you visit during the holy month, many restaurants are closed during daylight hours. Resorts operate normally though.
• Dress code: In tourist areas, wear whatever. Outside resorts? Shoulders and knees covered is respectful. Nobody will arrest you, but you'll feel more comfortable.
• Friday prayers: This is the big day. Some shops close midday. It's peaceful, actually.
• Alcohol: Available in tourist areas. Not everywhere else. And NEVER drink in public areas — that's a serious no-no.

💭 Final Words of Wisdom

Here's the thing about Hurghada that took me a few visits to really get:

It's not trying to be the Maldives. It's not pretending to be some luxury paradise designed for Instagram. It's a working Egyptian city that happens to have incredible beaches and one of the best reef systems on the planet.

If you go in expecting absolute five-star perfection, you might be disappointed. But if you go in with curiosity and a sense of adventure? You'll have an incredible time. And you'll probably be back. Most of us are repeat visitors for a reason. Start planning with my things to do guide.

The diving alone is worth the trip. But it's the small things that keep me coming back — the way the call to prayer sounds at sunset, the genuine warmth of the people, the absurdly cheap and delicious Egyptian food, the feeling of actual adventure that's hard to find anywhere in Europe anymore.

So yeah. Go. You'll be fine. Better than fine, actually.

And if you see a confused-looking European tourist who overpacked and forgot his visa money — be nice. Everyone's been there.