The Red Sea coast is full of beautiful white beaches with crystal clear waters and a lively underwater world and Hurghada is one of its top resorts. This area of Egypt is a diver’s paradise, with some of the world’s most incredible coral reefs and exotic fish, turtles, sharks, ship wrecks and more. If you prefer to simply soak up the sun Egypt enjoys a fantastic position in the north of Africa and is home to almost guaranteed sunshine and blue skies. And that’s not all. The Old Town of Hurghada is a paradise of art, culture, architecture and history while its modern streets are home to plenty of shops, restaurants, bars and a few clubs.

Hurghada has rapidly developed over the last decade and now offers up all the staples of a truly international holiday resort. There’s something to try from all over the world. So close to the sea, there’s obviously seafood. Around the fish market in Hurghada you can find lots of eateries serving up delicious seafood treats, either in typical Egyptian style or from many different international cuisines. Why not try some baba ganoush, or the Egyptian national dish, ful medames? It’s made of slow cooked fava beans. Yum!

Head to El Dahar for these authentic tastes. If you need a pick-me-up, or if you’re feeling homesick, any popular tourist resort has plenty on offer in terms of the dishes you might find in a greasy-spoon at home. The Egyptians have been brewing beer for more than 3000 years, no wonder it’s so affordable and tasty! Try Pharoah Lager, or Sakara! Winemaking goes back as far as the beer brewing, and the modern Egyptian wine scene is growing, so why not try a bottle of the Obelisk Pinot Blanc?

Because of Hurghada’s smoothly sloping, sandy beaches, this area of the Red Sea makes for a perfect family holiday destination. Almost all the hotels in Hurghada are family friendly for this reason and offer daily activities and evening entertainment for the whole family. Along the beaches you’ll find activities that the kids will love, from water-based playgrounds to swimming and sports.

For the ultimate splash, head to the Makadi Water World, Egypt’s biggest water park. If your children love swimming, then there are beginning scuba sessions for young ones who’ll love scanning the beautiful underwater reefs for colourful fish! Egyptian holidays are an emerging family destination, for obvious reasons! So visit in 2018 and beat the rush.

Water sports, scuba diving and snorkeling. These are Hurghada staples and a must-do when you’re on holiday here. Even when you’re stood on the beach, in the right light you can see the stunning coral reefs and the water teeming with colourful, tropical fish. The hotels in Hurghada cater for everyone, whether you’re all-inclusive or just bunking down for a night, and if scuba diving is something you’re keen on then you can book to stay at a hotel that puts underwater exploration at the forefront of your stay. There’ll be guided tours and equipment available for hire, plus some on-site experts to talk you through where to hit the best spots. Above water there’s also windsurfing, parasailing and jetskiing. If you’re more of a land-based thrill seeker, the 4x4 tours into the desert make for an incredible day out.

Many of the hotels in Hurghada have access to their own private slices of the beaches along the Red Sea Riviera. Makadi Bay has good beaches for diving, and there are hotels situated right along the beach front.  There are lots of water-based activities available here, from diving to wind-surfing. The resorts of Fort Arabesque and Sunrise have access to very sandy beaches, with that classic crystal sea, and are great for families with young children.

If you’re more keen on the water-based activities, especially snorkeling, head south to Sharm El Naga, recommended as one of the best places for snorkeling and diving in Hurghada. Sahl Hasheesh has more sandy beaches within easy reach of central Hurghada, with access to the Hurghada Aquarium and Museum. Do your research and there’s bound to be a hotel along the coast just for you!

For the best nighttime atmosphere head to the New Marina in central Hurghada’s Sekalla district. There are lots of bars and restaurants along the waterfront where you can gaze longingly at the mega-yachts that sit snugly in the Marina. The Hurghada Marine Boulevard boasts over eighty shops and over a dozen restaurants and bars, catering to all kinds of tastes.

Head up the coast to El Gouna, which has its fair share of hang-outs, too. Most of the hotels and resorts have their own discos and nightly entertainment schedules, you can find one that best suits you and your party wants and needs. Nights in Hurghada can be shaped around whatever your holiday dreams are; relaxing, dancing or just enjoying the buzzing atmosphere.

Seek out an adult’s only hotel for a week of pure relaxation. The sun, the white, pristine sands and the blue seas are the perfect backdrop for your romantic getaway. Dine in style along the New Marina, explore the wilds of the Giftun Islands and dive beneath the waves together and play spot the most beautiful fish. There’s something in Hurghada for your style, whether you want a day lounging by the pool, an afternoon chasing each other around the desert in 4x4s or exploring underwater cities of corals and colours in Makadi Bay, get packing now. For a day of exotic treats head out into the desert on a guided tour and dine with the local Bedouin and see the rolling dunes from the back of a camel. Forget the office forever, it’s you, your partner, and the rolling sands.

Most of the ancient fishing harbor of Hurghada has vanished. The history remains in the oldest district in town, El Dahar. Here you can experience authentic cuisines and see the locals living like they have done for hundreds of years. The architecture is exotic and different, providing just the right change in perspective for your Hurghada holiday. In such a great location on the Red Sea, day-trips are available to both Cairo and Luxor, which provide a wealth of historic sites. When we say “day-trips” we do mean “day-trips”, the bus to Cairo is 18 hours!

The journey there is part of the adventure, through deserts and unspoiled Egyptian wildlands. You’ll be able to see ancient monuments, visit the pyramids and visit bustling Cairo old town. For a great balance between a beach holiday and an experience of beautiful ancient culture, Hurghada is the spot to settle down for a 2018 holiday.