The areas of Hurghada differ greatly from one another. In one place you can walk along the promenade every evening and go to cafes on foot, while in another there will be only big hotels around and you will have to take a taxi to the city.
This map will help you compare the areas of Hurghada and understand where the tourist center, residential quarters, beach zones and separate resorts near the city are.
Important: the boundaries of Hurghada's areas are largely conventional. On maps, in rental ads and in tour operators' descriptions the same place may be called differently. Sheraton is a well-known street and the tourist part of Sakkala, while Mamsha and Village Road are sometimes combined into one long resort zone.
El Gouna and Sahl Hasheesh are not city quarters in the usual sense but separate resort territories near Hurghada. We included them in the review because tourists often compare them with the city's areas.
Map of Hurghada's areas from north to south
Hurghada stretches along the Red Sea. If you move along the coast from north to south, the main areas and resort zones are located roughly in this order:
Hurghada areas: detailed description
El Gouna
premium resortmarinas and lagoons
El Gouna is about 25 kilometers north of Hurghada. It is a planned resort with canals and lagoons, marinas, hotels, villas, restaurants and its own urban infrastructure. The resort's official website separately highlights Downtown and Abu Tig Marina.
Who it suits: those who value a well-kept environment, calm, restaurants and yachts and are ready to pay more for accommodation and transport.
El Ahyaa
budgetcalm
El Ahyaa is on the northern coast between old Hurghada and El Gouna. There are hotels, new residential complexes, inexpensive apartments and everyday shops. The coast is open in many places, the sea can be shallow, and in winter the wind is felt more strongly.
Who it suits: tourists and winter residents who value quiet and affordable rent. For frequent trips to the center a taxi or minibus is usually needed.
Dahar
old townlocal life
Dahar is the oldest part of Hurghada with markets, local shops, bakeries, government offices and bus stations. There is less resort gloss here, but it is easier to see the everyday life of the city and buy groceries at local prices.
Who it suits: independent travelers, lovers of city atmosphere and those choosing inexpensive long-term accommodation. For a classic beach holiday other areas are more convenient.
Arabia
hotels and housingcloser to the sea
Arabia is between the old part of the city and Sakkala. Hotel complexes, residential buildings, supermarkets and beaches stand side by side here. The area is calmer than Sheraton, but you can get to the center and the Marina fairly quickly by taxi.
Who it suits: those who want to live not far from the center but not in the noisiest tourist zone.
Sakkala and Sheraton Street
centercafes and shops
Sheraton Street runs through the central tourist part of Sakkala. There are many cafes, restaurants, pharmacies, telecom shops, stores, small hotels and city beaches here. Hurghada Marina and the El Mina Mosque are nearby.
Who it suits: those who want to walk, be in the center of things and not depend on taxis every evening. The downsides are traffic, noise and dense urban building.
Madares and Hadaba
residential quartersnear the center
Madares and Hadaba adjoin the central part of Hurghada. These are mainly residential areas with shops, services, schools and apartments for long-term rent. Russian-language educational and everyday services may change, so it is better to check their current status before moving.
Who it suits: those who come for a long time and want to stay near Sheraton and Kawther without overpaying for the first line.
El Mamsha
promenadetourist area
El Mamsha is a long walking zone with hotels, cafes, restaurants, shops and wide pavements. It is one of the most understandable areas for a first holiday: in the evening you can walk, and the airport and center are relatively near.
Who it suits: families, couples and tourists for whom developed infrastructure near the hotel matters.
El Kawther
for livingdeveloped infrastructure
Kawther is a popular residential area next to Mamsha. There are many supermarkets, cafes, clinics, salons, apartments and services for foreigners. You can reach the promenade on foot from some parts of the area, but free access to the sea is not available everywhere.
Who it suits: winter residents, remote workers and families for whom city infrastructure matters more than a hotel format.
InterContinental
quietsouth of the city
InterContinental is a calm residential zone south of Mamsha, near the airport and the road toward Magawish. There are shops and basic services here, but tourist life is noticeably calmer and the choice of accessible city beaches is limited.
Who it suits: those who rent accommodation long-term and prefer quiet.
Mubarak 6 and Magawish
villastransport needed
This part of southern Hurghada has many villas, private houses, small residential complexes and vacant plots. The area is chosen for a calm life and spacious housing. Russian-language schools and centers open and move periodically, so addresses should be checked directly before arrival.
Who it suits: families and long-term renters with their own transport or a readiness to use taxis. You often have to travel to beaches and lively streets.
Village Road
family hotelswater parks
Village Road is a southern hotel zone with large resort complexes, family hotels and water parks. Many hotels operate on an all-inclusive system and offer most of the entertainment within the grounds.
Who it suits: families with kids and tourists who plan to spend a lot of time at the hotel. You will have to travel for city atmosphere, markets and a variety of cafes.
Sahl Hasheesh
premium holidaybeaches and promenade
Sahl Hasheesh is a separate resort zone south of Hurghada with hotels, residential complexes, sandy beaches and a landscaped promenade. It is calm and beautiful here, but there are fewer city shops and entertainment than in the center of Hurghada.
Who it suits: couples, families and lovers of a relaxed beach holiday. When choosing excursions, check in advance for a possible extra charge for a remote transfer.
Comparison of Hurghada's areas
Below, the main areas of Hurghada are collected in one table to make it easier to compare atmosphere, infrastructure and possible inconveniences.
| Area | Main advantage | What to consider | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Gouna | A well-kept resort environment, marinas and lagoons | Remoteness and a higher budget | A premium calm holiday |
| El Ahyaa | Quiet and affordable housing | Wind, shallow water and the road to the center | Long stay, a budget holiday |
| Dahar | Markets, local prices and the atmosphere of the old town | Less resort infrastructure | Independent tourists and winter residents |
| Arabia | The sea and relative proximity to the center | The quality of the beach depends on the specific place | A calm holiday near Sakkala |
| Sheraton / Sakkala | Everything nearby, convenient to walk | Noise, traffic and dense building | Active tourists, a first visit |
| Kawther / Mamsha | The best balance of housing and infrastructure | Not every part has a convenient exit to the sea | Families, winter residents and independent tourists |
| InterContinental | Quiet and proximity to the airport | Few city beaches | Long-term rent |
| Magawish / Mubarak 6 | Villas and spacious housing | Inconvenient without a taxi | Families and long-term stays |
| Village Road | Large hotels and water parks | Little city life outside the grounds | All-inclusive holiday with kids |
| Sahl Hasheesh | Beaches, promenade and a calm atmosphere | Remoteness and possible extra charges for transfer | Couples and a relaxed beach holiday |
Which area of Hurghada to choose
When choosing among Hurghada's areas for a holiday or a long stay, start not with the price of housing but with your daily route: beach, shops, walks and trips to the center.
- For a first holiday: Mamsha or Sheraton — cafes, shops and walking places nearby.
- For a holiday with kids: Village Road with family hotels and water parks or calm Sahl Hasheesh.
- For wintering and long-term rent: Kawther, InterContinental, Madares or Magawish — the choice depends on your budget and whether you need to walk to the sea.
- For saving money: El Ahyaa and Dahar, but assess transport costs and beach access in advance.
- For a premium holiday: El Gouna or Sahl Hasheesh.
- For city life: Sakkala, Sheraton and Kawther.
If you choose a package tour, first decide on the desired area and then compare specific hotels. These articles will help: "Best hotels in Hurghada" and "How to choose a tour to Hurghada".
Beaches, transport and distances
Hurghada's areas stretch along the coast, so a short distance on the map does not always mean it is convenient to walk to the place you need.
First line does not mean city infrastructure will be nearby, and an apartment near the center does not guarantee a free beach. In Hurghada most of the convenient coast belongs to hotels and paid beaches. Before booking housing, check separately the access to the sea, the entrance fee and opening hours.
In the central areas minibuses and taxis operate. For El Gouna, El Ahyaa, Village Road and Sahl Hasheesh the time and price of a trip to the center will be higher. In a taxi app always check the pickup point, and with a regular taxi agree the price in advance. From the airport to the hotel you can book in advance a transfer with a known price.
Read about the coastline in detail in the article "Beaches of Hurghada", and ideas for an independent walk are collected in the article "What to see in Hurghada". Current information about El Gouna can be checked on the resort's official website.
Chosen an area? Compare hotels and tours
Once the area is decided, compare prices for the same dates.
Hotel only in Hurghada
Suitable if you have already bought tickets or are planning the trip yourself. Hurghada hotels can be filtered by price, area and reviews.
Tour with flight
The search shows offers from tour operators in Moscow: dates, meals and hotel are chosen in one place.
What to Check Before Booking
- The exact address of the hotel or apartment on the map, not only the name of the area.
- The real travel time to the beach, center and airport.
- Whether you can walk to shops and cafes.
- Whether there is an accessible beach and what the entry into the sea is like.
- The cost of the transfer to excursions from a remote area.
- Fresh reviews about construction, noise and the condition of neighboring streets.
Frequently asked questions
Which area of Hurghada is considered the center?
The main tourist center is usually called Sakkala and Sheraton Street. There are many shops, restaurants, city beaches and tourist services here. The old city center is in Dahar.
Where is it best to stay in Hurghada the first time?
For most tourists it is convenient to start with Mamsha or the Sheraton area: the infrastructure is clear, in the evening you can walk, and trips to popular places do not take long.
Which area is better for a holiday with kids?
For a hotel holiday people often choose Village Road with big family complexes and water parks. For a calm beach holiday Sahl Hasheesh is also considered. The specific hotel, beach and children's infrastructure are decisive.
Where is it most convenient to live in Hurghada for a long time?
Kawther is popular thanks to its shops, cafes, clinics and wide choice of apartments. InterContinental and Magawish are calmer, but transport is more often needed there. Dahar and El Ahyaa can be cheaper but do not suit everyone because of their location.
Do El Gouna and Sahl Hasheesh belong to Hurghada?
These are separate planned resort zones north and south of Hurghada. Tourists often perceive them as areas of Greater Hurghada, but in atmosphere, infrastructure and cost they differ noticeably from the city quarters.
In which area of Hurghada are the best beaches?
The quality of a beach is better compared by a specific hotel or beach club. Sandy areas and lagoons are found in different parts of the city, and beautiful beaches are also in Sahl Hasheesh and the resort bays south of Hurghada.
Chosen an area of Hurghada?
Now you can look at excursions, compare programs and check in advance the transfer conditions from your hotel.
