Hurghada Districts Explained: A Plain Guide to Every Area
Hurghada is the largest city on Egypt’s Red Sea coast and the capital of the Red Sea Governorate. It grew from a fishing settlement founded in 1905 into a long coastal city, and today it is a mix of an old town, tourist streets, newer resort districts and separate resort communities to the north and south. Knowing which area is which makes it much easier to choose where to stay, visit or buy.
The old city and the tourist centre
El Dahar is the old town. It is known for local markets, shops and the fish market, and in the evenings it is used mostly by Egyptian residents rather than visitors. Sakkala sits around the old port and is more tourist-oriented, with hotels, shops, shopping centres, cinemas and restaurants.
If you want to feel everyday Egyptian life, Dahar is the place. If you want cafés, restaurants and evening activity in walking distance, Sakkala is closer to that.
Newer coastal development
Newer development is concentrated along El Mamsha, and further north along the coast is Al Ahyaa, an area of resorts and compounds with fewer year-round residents. We have separate guides for El Mamsha and Al Ahyaa.
Resort communities outside the city
Beyond the city there are self-contained resort areas. El Gouna is about 25 km north of Hurghada. Sahl Hasheesh is about 18 km south, Makadi Bay is further south beyond it, and Soma Bay is roughly 45 km south. Each has its own character, so read the individual guides before comparing them.
Where Abtal builds
Abtal Hurghada Developer builds in central Hurghada. Grand Gate is on the Airport Road, Hegaz Gate is on Al Hegaz Street, and Jonas Suites and Besko are in the Intercontinental area. The El Kawther Gates are in El Kawther.
Common questions
Which part of Hurghada is best?
There is no single best area. It depends on whether you want a local neighbourhood, a tourist centre or a quiet resort setting, and on how much time you will spend there each year.
Is Hurghada one place or many?
It is a long coastal city, so distances between districts matter. Always check the drive time to the beach, the airport and daily services.
How to read the map of Hurghada
Think of Hurghada as a long strip along the sea. In the north are the old town of El Dahar and the tourist centre of Sakkala. Further along the coast, newer development lies along El Mamsha and towards Al Ahyaa. Beyond the city are separate resort communities to the north and south. Because the city is long, the most useful number for any address is not the district name but the drive time to the places you will use.
Questions to ask about any district
How long does it take to reach the beach, the airport, the nearest supermarket and a hospital? Is the street busy at night? Who manages the building? What is still being built nearby? Asking these five questions in each district gives you a fair comparison. Our area checklist puts them in order.
Our way of guiding you
Choosing where to buy or stay is easier with someone who knows the ground. As the developer, we build in Hurghada ourselves and sell directly to you. We give you the facts and the right information in plain language: distances, what each building offers, and what is available today. We also explain how to compare areas, so you can decide with confidence and at your own pace.
You can ask us anything before you buy, and after. Tell our team what matters to you on the contact page, and we will point you to the right person.
Talk to the people who build
We are a construction and development company, so you can ask us about our own projects directly. Tell us what matters to you, such as budget, the distance to the beach or airport, or whether you want to live there or visit, and we will point you to the right person. You can reach us from our contact page, or see all Abtal projects.
Also useful: our Hurghada area guide and more buyer guides.
