Randa Achmawi*
Cairo – The city of Hurghada is one of the best know coastal cities in Egypt. Mainly if the intention is to do leisure activities in the water. Located in the southeast of the country, on the shore of the Red Sea, there are over 20 kilometres of beaches there. The different tones of blue of the sea, which range from dark to turquoise, attract the attention of visitors.
The city of Hurghada was established in 1950, a time in which it was no more than home to a few fishermen. Starting in 1980, however, the city started attracting the attention of large investors in the tourism sector and they transformed it into one of the most beautiful coastal cities on the Red Sea. Situated 385 kilometres south of Suez Canal, the city of Hurghada is the centre of a whole tourist region.
"A series of leisure activities are proposed to local visitors. The main one is diving", explained Aziza Osman, of the Tourism Office at the city. This sport is not, however, the only sea activity practiced in Hurghada. The city is renowned worldwide for other sports like windsurf, sailing and deep-sea fishing.
"In truth, the fact that the water on the coast of Hurghada is naturally warm causes the sea to be ideal for the breeding of rare fish and for the growth of coral reefs of incomparable beauty," stated Hanz Weber, a German tourist who has been visiting Hurghada regularly for almost 15 years.
According to him, the authorization of an excessive number of tourist complexes has affected the reefs, but the government of Egypt, according to Weber, has become aware of the matter in recent years, considering the effects that disorganized urbanization can have on nature.
The climate in Hurghada is very dry. The temperature reaches over 35 degrees Celsius in the summer. In winter, the temperatures range from between 12 and 15 degrees. Autumn and winter, however, are the favourite seasons for visitors to Hurghada.
Hurghada is divided into three main regions: Al Dahar, is the older area where the city centre is located. In the region there are bazaars, bus station and the post office. Sekkala is the second region, much more modern than the first, where there are hotels, but not the best. The third part of the city is the most modern, where Al–Korra Avenue is located, and where the most sophisticated hotels may be found.
On visiting Hurghada, tourists may visit sites like the neighbouring Charm Al Naga, 40 kilometres away, where the most beautiful coral reefs in the region may be found. And just 25 kilometres away from Hurghada may be found the famous tourist redoubt of Al-Gouna, with its 14 international hotels and its two ports with capacities to receive yachts from the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean.
In the Al Mahmya region, 45 minutes away from Hurghada by boat, on the island of Giftune, visitors may see untouched coral reefs through crystal clear seawater.
Assets
But the city of Hurghada does not only offer tourists the possibility of nautical activities. The riches of the historical assets of the area also attract great interest. There are from ancient monasteries of Saint Anthony to Saint Paul to monuments of the Greco-Roman period, on the top of Gabal Al Dokhan Mountain, which means "Mountain of Smoke".
Finally, for those who enjoy nightlife, the city of Hurghada also offers options. Visitors may have fun at discos and clubs, watch Arab folkloric dance festivals and also Nubian groups, from southern Egypt.
To reach Hurghada it is necessary to drive for six hours or fly 40 minutes, leaving from Cairo airport. The city has an international airport where flights from many European airports arrive.
*Translated by Mark Ament
