Hurghada Marina, Grand Aquarium & Town: What to See
Hurghada is more than its beaches. The marina is the place to walk, eat and watch the boats come in, especially in the evening; the Grand Aquarium on Village Road is the town's big indoor sight, good with children and in the midday heat; and El Dahar, the old town, has the bazaar, the fish market and the mosques. All of them are a short taxi ride from most hotels.
Quick facts
- Where is Hurghada Marina?
- In the Sakkala district, about 5 km from El Dahar, the old town. It is a promenade along the yacht harbour, lined with restaurants, cafés and shops.
- Where is the Grand Aquarium?
- On Village Road, between the Mercure and Rixos hotels, about 15 minutes from Hurghada airport.
- When is the Grand Aquarium open?
- Every day from 9:00 to 20:00, with last entry at 18:00. A visit takes about 1 to 2 hours.
- Is Hurghada town worth visiting?
- Yes, for an evening at the marina and a morning in El Dahar's bazaar and fish market. A guided city tour covers the mosque, the marina, the fish market and the Coptic church in about 5 hours.
Hurghada Marina: the town's evening walk
Hurghada Marina is a long waterfront promenade around a harbour with room for about 200 yachts, from small dive boats to large private motor yachts. Restaurants, cafés, bars and shops face the water, and dive boats and day-trip boats tie up along the quays.
It is at its best in the late afternoon and evening, when the heat drops, the lights come on and families, holidaymakers and residents come out for dinner and a walk. Eating here usually costs more than in the old town, but the setting is the point: a table by the water at sunset.
Several boat trips leave from here. The Nefertari boat snorkelling trip departs from Hurghada Marina on a boat built as a floating replica of Queen Nefertari's tomb, with an underwater viewing deck, a snorkelling stop and a seafood or chicken lunch or dinner on board.
The Grand Aquarium
The Hurghada Grand Aquarium is on Village Road, the long hotel strip south of the centre, between the Mercure and Rixos hotels. It is open every day from 9:00 to 20:00, including public holidays, and the last tickets are sold at 18:00. Most visitors spend 1 to 2 hours, walking round at their own pace.
The main hall is a marine aquarium with an underwater tunnel and more than 1,200 animals. Around it are a rainforest area with tropical birds and reptiles, a mini zoo, and the Whales Valley, with a replica of a Basilosaurus, a prehistoric whale, and a sound and light show. Sharks are fed twice a day, at about 11:00 and 15:00, though the times can change.
Tickets can be paid in Egyptian pounds, US dollars, euros or pounds sterling, in cash or by card; check the aquarium's own website for today's prices. Phone photos are allowed, but not with the flash. There are cafés for drinks and snacks but no restaurant, so plan lunch before or after.
El Dahar: the old town, the bazaar and the fish market
El Dahar, in the north of Hurghada, is the oldest part of town and the most Egyptian in feel: narrow streets, local cafés, spice and souvenir shops, and the bazaar, where bargaining is expected. Go in the morning or after sunset, when it is cooler.
Near the port are the fish market, where local fishermen sell the day's catch, and the El Mina Mosque, one of the town's best-known landmarks. In the town centre stands the Saint Shenouda Coptic Orthodox Church. Visitors are welcome at the mosque and the church outside prayer times; dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
The easiest way to see all of this in one go is the private guided city tour with shopping. In about 5 hours, with hotel pickup, it visits the El Mina Mosque, the marina, the fish market and the Saint Shenouda church, with two stops at local bazaars.
Sand City
Sand City, on the Safaga road south of Hurghada, is an open-air museum of sand sculptures: more than 60 large figures, from ancient Egyptian gods and pharaohs to film and cartoon characters. It is about 20 minutes from central Hurghada by taxi. Go early or late in the day, as there is little shade.
More to do around town
If you would rather see the reef than an aquarium, the semi-submarine cruise takes you out to the coral in about 2 hours, with an air-conditioned viewing deck about 3 metres below the surface and a snorkelling stop. For a day on the water, the pirate sailing boat with an island visit and the private speedboat trip both include hotel transfers. Our Hurghada page lists every tour.
Getting around Hurghada
Hurghada stretches for many kilometres along the coast, from El Dahar in the north through Sakkala and the marina to the hotels of Village Road in the south, so you will need a taxi or a tour transfer between areas. Agree the fare before you get in if the taxi has no meter. All the tours above include pickup and drop-off at your hotel.
Questions people ask
Where is Hurghada Marina?
In Sakkala, the central district of Hurghada, about 5 km from El Dahar. It is a waterfront promenade around the yacht harbour, with restaurants, cafés and shops.
How long do you need for the Grand Aquarium?
About 1 to 2 hours. It is open every day from 9:00 to 20:00, with last entry at 18:00.
Is Hurghada town worth visiting?
Yes. Spend an evening at the marina and a morning or evening in El Dahar for the bazaar, the fish market and the El Mina Mosque.
Can you take photos in the Grand Aquarium?
Yes, with a phone, as long as the flash is off. Professional cameras need a flash diffuser and a paid permit.