If you are asking where to stay in Hurghada, the short answer is: it depends on what you want from your holiday. Sekalla and Sheraton Road suit guests who want restaurants, shops and nightlife. El Gouna suits couples who like a polished, lagoon-style town. Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay and Soma Bay suit families and first-time visitors who want a calm resort stay with a beach right at the hotel.

The Red Sea coast around Hurghada stretches for many kilometres, so the area you choose changes your daily routine more than the hotel name does. In this guide we compare every popular area, show approximate airport transfer times, explain which area fits which traveller, and finish with a 7-day sample plan that combines beach days with snorkeling, desert safari, Luxor and Cairo. All excursion prices quoted below are the “from” prices on our own price list.

Quick answer: the best area to stay in Hurghada

There is no single “best” area. There is a best area for you. Use this table as a starting point, then read the area guides below.

How Hurghada is laid out

When people say “Hurghada” they usually mean the whole resort coast, not just the city. It helps to think of it in three parts.

The main trade-off is simple: the closer you stay to the city, the more you can do on foot in the evening. The further you go from the city, the quieter and more resort-focused your holiday becomes, and the more you rely on your hotel, taxis or a private driver.

The best areas to stay in Hurghada, explained

1. Sekalla and Sheraton Road: lively and central

Sekalla is the busiest part of Hurghada. You will find cafés, restaurants, shops, the old fish market area and a strong evening atmosphere. Sheraton Road runs along the coast and is known for hotels, bars and nightlife. This is the best choice if you want to walk out of your hotel for dinner, shopping or entertainment, and do not need a huge private beach.

Good to know: Hotel beaches in the city are often smaller than in the southern resorts, and the area can be noisy at night. Choose a hotel away from the main bars if you value sleep.

2. Dahar: the old town

Dahar is the original, more local part of the city with bazaars, small eateries and everyday Egyptian life. It is not a classic beach-resort base, but it is a rewarding place to visit. A private Hurghada city tour with a guide covers the Marina, a mosque, a Coptic church and the old town, from 12 € per person on our price list.

3. Hurghada Marina, Village Road and El Kawther: mid-range and convenient

These central areas sit between the busy centre and the quieter south. Hurghada Marina has a promenade with restaurants and boats, while Village Road and El Kawther offer a mix of mid-range hotels and local services. They suit guests who want a balance between city access and a normal hotel beach stay.

4. El Gouna: the polished, romantic choice

El Gouna is a planned resort town built around lagoons and islands, with a marina, a downtown area, restaurants, galleries and a relaxed, clean feel. It is a popular pick for couples and for travellers who want comfort and a more “designed” atmosphere. Water sports such as kitesurfing and windsurfing are part of the local identity.

Good to know: El Gouna is generally more expensive than the average Hurghada resort. We organise a private El Gouna city tour with lagoon trip from 22 € per person, plus day trips to Cairo and Luxor.

5. Sahl Hasheesh: calm, upscale and close to the airport

Sahl Hasheesh is a bay south of the city with a long sandy beach, a promenade and a quiet, resort-style feel. It is one of the closest resort areas to Hurghada Airport, which makes arrival and departure days easier, especially with children. It works well for families and couples who want a relaxed stay with some evening options nearby.

See our tours and excursions from Sahl Hasheesh.

6. Makadi Bay: the family and all-inclusive favourite

Makadi Bay is a purpose-built resort strip with large all-inclusive hotels, sandy beaches and, at many hotels, a house reef for easy snorkeling from the beach. There is no real town, so most guests spend their days at the hotel and book excursions for variety. This is a strong choice for families and first-time visitors who want a simple, worry-free holiday.

Good to know: Nightlife and independent restaurants are limited, so plan a few trips out. We offer a Makadi quad bike sea and desert tour from 65 € and day trips to Luxor, Cairo and Aswan.

7. Soma Bay: quiet, sporty and secluded

Soma Bay is a private-feeling peninsula with large resorts, golf courses, wellness facilities and strong wind conditions for kitesurfing. It is the quietest of the main areas and attracts guests who prefer to stay inside a high-quality resort. If you want to leave the resort often, remember that every trip starts with a longer drive.

See our tours and excursions from Soma Bay.

Couples, families or first-time visitors?

Where should couples stay?

Couples who want atmosphere and evening walks usually enjoy El Gouna. Those who prefer peace and a beautiful beach often choose Sahl Hasheesh or Soma Bay. If you also want to explore restaurants and the city, a hotel on or near Hurghada Marina keeps you close to the action. For a special day, book a private speedboat trip to Orange Bay, Paradise Island or the Dolphin House, from 36 € per person.

Where should families stay?

Families usually do best in Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh. Look for hotels with a gently sloping sandy beach, a kids’ club, shaded pools and all-inclusive meals. Check that the beach entrance suits your children’s age, and ask whether the house reef has a pontoon or a gradual entry. Family-friendly excursions include the Glass Bottom Boat trip (30 €), the Sindbad Submarine and relaxed boat days with lunch. Read our blog for kid-friendly tours in Hurghada for more ideas.

Where should first-time visitors stay?

If this is your first trip to Egypt, choose an area with an easy airport transfer and plenty of hotel facilities. Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay and central Hurghada are all straightforward. Book your airport pick-up in advance so a driver with a name sign meets you at arrival, and plan your first excursion for the second or third day, after you have recovered from travelling.

Hurghada area comparison table

Transfer times are approximate planning values from Hurghada Airport and depend on traffic and your exact hotel.

Airport transfer times and prices

A private airport transfer is the easiest way to start your holiday. Your driver waits at the exit with a sign showing your name, tracks your flight if it is delayed, and takes you directly to your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. Payment is made on pick-up. These are the “from” prices per vehicle (not per person) from Hurghada Airport:

Need a minivan for a larger group? See the full list on our Hurghada airport transfer page.

Excursions you can book from any area

All our excursions are private with an English-speaking guide, no shopping stops and hotel pick-up. These are the “from” prices per person on our current price list for departures from Hurghada (minimum 2 persons). Prices can vary by group size and pick-up location.

The full list is on our Hurghada excursions price list.

7-day sample plan for a Hurghada holiday

This sample mixes relaxing beach days with the excursions most guests ask us about. It works from any area, and we can adapt it to your dates, hotel and interests. Prices are “from” prices per person from our price list.

How to choose your hotel: practical tips

Frequently asked questions about where to stay in Hurghada

Related pages

Plan your trip with these pages: Hurghada tours and excursions, El Gouna tours, Sahl Hasheesh tours, Soma Bay tours, airport transfer, price list, Egypt round trips, guest book and our travel blog. For official travel information, see the UK government travel advice for Egypt.

Final thoughts: choose the area that matches your holiday

Choosing where to stay in Hurghada is really about choosing your rhythm. Pick Sekalla or Sheraton Road for energy, El Gouna for a polished romantic stay, Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi Bay for easy family holidays, and Soma Bay for peace and sport. Whatever you choose, the Red Sea, the desert and the temples of Luxor and Cairo are all within reach.

Once your hotel is booked, let us build the rest. Memnon Reisen offers private excursions, airport transfers and tailor-made programs with licensed Egyptologists, no shopping stops and WhatsApp support before, during and after your trip.