Red Sea Areas Guide 2026 - Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Makadi Bay

Hurghada is the pulsating heart of the Red Sea governorate. It's not just a resort; it's a real city with about 300,000 locals. It's divided into three main parts: El Dahar (Old Town), Sakalla (City Center), and El Mamsha (Tourist Promenade).

📍 Location & Access

Located roughly in the middle of the Red Sea coast. It hosts the main International Airport (HRG).

From Cairo	450km (5-6 hours by Go Bus or car)
From Luxor	300km (3.5-4 hours by car/bus)
From Europe	Direct flights (4-5 hours)

🏥 Tourist Services

Hospitals: Nile Hospital, Red Sea Hospital (Modern, accept insurance).
Shopping: Senzo Mall (International brands), Dahar Souq (Local vibe).
Uber/Careem: Fully available and cheap.
Internet: 4G is excellent (Vodafone/Orange coverage everywhere).

💎 Why Stay Here?

If you want variety. You can dive in the morning, shop in a traditional souq in the afternoon, and club in Little Buddha at night. It's the cheapest place to stay (see my Budget Guide) and offers the most honest experience of modern Egypt.

Salem's Honest Take:
It’s noisy. I won’t lie. Especially on Sheraton Road. But it’s alive. If you hate silence and love energy, this is your spot. Just learn to cross the road (walk with purpose, don't run!).

Privately owned, perfectly manicured, and built across a series of lagoons and islands. El Gouna is where Egypt's elite and European expats live. It feels like a different country.

📍 Geography & Logistics

It's a self-contained town 30 mins north of Hurghada Airport.

From Airport	25-30km (Private transfer essential)
Getting Around	Tuk-tuks (fixed price) or E-bikes
Vibe	Eco-chic, pedestrian-friendly

Book Transfer to Gouna

🎒 Services & Needs

Hospital: El Gouna Hospital (World-class standards).
Money: ATMs everywhere, cards accepted almost everywhere.
Co-working: G-Space (famous for digital nomads).
Dining: Over 100 restaurants around the Marina and Downtown.

Salem's Honest Take:
It is expensive. A burger here costs double what it costs in Hurghada. But... it's spotless. No trash, no honking, just vibes. If you want a "Soft Landing" in Egypt, start here.

Heading south from the airport, you hit the "Resort Belt". First Sahl Hasheesh (Luxury), then Makadi Bay (Family/Nature), then Soma Bay (Sports/Spa). There is no "city" here, just massive gated communities.

Area	Distance from HRG	Best For
Sahl Hasheesh	20km (25 mins)	Honeymoons, Walking the boardwalk
Makadi Bay	35km (40 mins)	Snorkeling (House reefs!), Families
Soma Bay	50km (55 mins)	Kitesurfing, Golf, Deep relaxation

🏥 Services

Medical: Resort clinics + Ambulance points nearby.
Shopping: Limited to hotel shops (overpriced). Go to Senzo Mall for real shopping.
Transport: Uber works for drop-off but hard for pickup. Pre-arrange taxis.

✨ Why Come Here?

The Sea. The reefs in Makadi and Soma Bay are significantly healthier than Hurghada city. If you are a diver or snorkeler, stay in Makadi. If you are a golfer, Soma Bay (Cascades Golf) is the only real option.

Salem's Honest Take:
You are captive here. Meaning, if you don't like the hotel food, there is no "restaurant down the street." You have to take a taxi to Hurghada (30-40 mins). Pick your resort carefully! (Read my Best Resorts Guide).

🌊 Safaga (60km South)

A port town with black sand beaches famous for curing psoriasis (medical tourism). Very windy — world championships for Kitesurfing happen here. Not very aesthetic, but functional and cheap.

Getting there: 1 hour taxi from Hurghada.

🏛️ El Quseir (140km South)

5000 years of history. This was the main port for Queen Hatshepsut. It has an Ottoman fortress and old charming architecture. Very quiet, very authentic. The diving here is pristine because... well, nobody goes here.

Getting there: 2 hours from Hurghada.

Marsa Alam (280km South)

The new superstar. It has its own airport (RMF), but many come from Hurghada. This is where you see the Dugong (sea cow) and giant sea turtles. It is NOT a city; it is a stretch of coast with isolated resorts.

From Hurghada	3.5 - 4 hours by car. Safe road, just long.
From Europe	Fly direct to Marsa Alam (RMF) if possible.
Services	Very limited outside hotels. Port Ghalib is the only "town" center.

🛢️ Ras Ghareb (150km North)

Honest Truth: It's an oil city. You pass it on the way to Cairo. Not really a tourist destination, BUT... the old lighthouse (Gustave Eiffel designed it, allegedly) is cool. Good for a coffee stop if you are driving to Cairo.

🐠 Ras Mohammed (Sinai)

Wait, this is NOT in Hurghada. This is Sharm El Sheikh side. Can you visit? Yes, but it's a mission.

How to go: Ferry from Hurghada Port (when it's working - schedules are erratic) OR Fly EgyptAir (HRG -> SHARM). It is a national park and arguably the best diving in the world.

Logistics Tip:
Don't try to "day trip" to Ras Mohammed from Hurghada. It's too far. If you want to see it, book 2 nights in Sharm El Sheikh.

Lost in Geography?

Don't worry. Just tell us what you like (Diving? Chilling? Partying?) and we'll point you to the right dot on the map.

Ask Salem Directly

The Red Sea Coast Explained

Hurghada City