Where to stay in Hurghada: the area guide
Hurghada runs for dozens of kilometres along the Red Sea. In the north, El Dahar, the old town; in the middle, Sakkala and the Marina, the handiest areas for a first stay; in the south, Sheraton Road, Village Road and El Mamsha. Further on come the bays of Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay and Soma Bay, and to the north, El Gouna, the lagoon town.
Hurghada areas at a glance
| Area | Feel | Best for | Airport (by road) |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Dahar | old town, souk, fish market | small budgets, curious minds | about 13 km |
| Sakkala | lively centre, restaurants, shops | a first stay, no car | about 12 km |
| Marina | quays, terraces, boats heading out | nights out, sea trips | about 10 km |
| Sheraton Road, Village Road, El Mamsha | southern avenues, promenade, bars | beach holidays | under 10 km |
| Sahl Hasheesh | quiet bay, reefs | couples, calm | about 25 km |
| Makadi Bay | resort bay, house reefs | families, snorkelling | about 31 km |
| Soma Bay | peninsula, wind, kitesurfing | kitesurfers, rest | about 52 km |
| El Gouna | lagoons, marina, car-free centre | anyone after a polished little town | about 40 km |
road distances from the airport, OSRM reading of 23/09/2026.
El Dahar, the old town
El Dahar, in the north, is the Hurghada locals live in: the souk, the fish market, El Mina mosque, bakeries and small restaurants at local prices; you stay here for the atmosphere and the budget, less for the beach.
Beaches are few and mostly urban, so for swimming you go by boat or to a beach club. In return you live at the town's rhythm, and dinner can be a fish picked from the stall for the price of a drink at the Marina.
Sakkala and the Marina
The centre of gravity of Hurghada: Sakkala packs in shops, cafés and restaurants, and the Marina next door lines up quays, terraces and excursion boats, which makes it the best base for a first stay without a car, with everything on foot or ten minutes away by app.
Another very practical plus: many sea trips leave from this area, so morning pick-ups are quick. The flip side? At night it's lively, and lively until late. Pick a street set back a little if you value your sleep. Bonus of the Marina: its private rooftop, open on request through us.
Sheraton Road, Village Road and El Mamsha
South of the centre, these long avenues follow the sea with plenty of hotels and residences, shops and, on El Mamsha, a long pedestrian promenade of restaurants and bars: a good balance between beach and neighbourhood life.
Many beach clubs and equipped beaches are here. For the old town or the Marina, it's a short ride by app.
Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi Bay
Two bays south of Hurghada, calmer, with reefs that sometimes reach right up to the beach: you stay for peace and snorkelling from the shore, with Sahl Hasheesh about thirty minutes from the airport and Makadi Bay about 35.
The trade-off: you live more in the resort than in town. For evenings at the Marina, plan a driver or an app, and keep the return time in mind. Makadi Bay also has Dolphin World on its doorstep.
Soma Bay
A peninsula about 50 minutes south of the airport, known for steady wind, kitesurfing spots and quiet: you go there to unwind, not for nightlife.
Hurghada or El Gouna?
Hurghada for town life, nights out and the excursion harbours close by; El Gouna for a polished setting, lagoons and calm, about half an hour north of the centre and 40 km from the airport.
Plenty of travellers stay in one and visit the other: a base in Hurghada and an evening in El Gouna, or the other way round. Half an hour of road links the two.
How to choose for your trip
Four profiles, four answers.
- First stay, no car, keen to go out: Sakkala or the Marina.
- Tight budget, into town life: El Dahar.
- Family, snorkelling, calm: Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh.
- Couple, polished town, kitesurfing: El Gouna or Soma Bay.
Wherever you pick, the airport is close (under an hour everywhere except Marsa Alam). Book the transfer before you land.