Sahl Hasheesh Travel Guide: Beaches, the Sunken City and Things to Do

Twenty minutes south of Hurghada Airport, Sahl Hasheesh is the calmer, more elegant face of the Hurghada coast. Instead of a busy town, you find a wide bay of around 12 km lined with resorts, a long seafront promenade, an Old Town of arcades and fountains, and water so clear you can see the reef from the jetty.

The name means "green plain", and the resort was planned from scratch, so it feels spacious and tidy. It suits couples, families and anyone who wants beach days with good snorkelling – with Hurghada's restaurants and shops close enough for an evening out. This guide covers what to do, the best beaches, where to stay, day trips and how to get there.

Sahl Hasheesh at a glance

Things to do in Sahl Hasheesh

Walk the promenade and the Old Town

The seafront promenade is one of the longest on the Red Sea, ideal for an evening walk, a run at sunrise or a bike ride. At its centre is the Old Town, a pedestrian square of arches, fountains and lantern-lit lanes with cafés, restaurants, a few shops and spas. It's at its best after sunset, when the heat fades and the lights come on.

Snorkel at the Sunken City

The Sunken City is an artificial reef just off the coast, built with columns, arches and statues in shallow water to resemble ancient ruins. Coral and fish have moved in, and it makes an unusual snorkelling or introductory dive site. Many hotels and dive centres in Sahl Hasheesh organise trips there; ask at your hotel's dive centre about current access.

Snorkel from your hotel jetty

Several hotels in Sahl Hasheesh have a long jetty leading out over the shallows to the reef edge, where the water drops off and the fish life begins: butterflyfish, parrotfish, lionfish and the occasional turtle or ray. Before you book, check whether your hotel has a jetty and a house reef – it makes a huge difference for snorkellers. Always use reef shoes and never stand on coral.

Take a boat trip to the islands

The best reefs around Hurghada lie offshore, around the Giftun Islands, Orange Bay and Mahmya. Boat trips include hotel pick-up in Sahl Hasheesh, two or three snorkelling stops and lunch on board. Read our guide to Hurghada's island trips to choose between them, or see the Dolphin House trip if you'd like to see wild dolphins.

Kitesurfing, golf and desert trips

Kitesurfers and golfers both head a short drive south to Soma Bay, which has reliable wind and an 18-hole championship course. Quad-bike and jeep safaris into the Eastern Desert start just inland – see our desert safari guide. All excursions include pick-up from Sahl Hasheesh hotels; you can compare tours on Hurghada Day Trips.

An evening in Hurghada

Sahl Hasheesh is quiet at night. For more choice, take a taxi to the Hurghada Marina for dinner on the water, or explore the markets of El Dahar, Hurghada's old town. The drive takes around 20–30 minutes.

Beaches in Sahl Hasheesh

Most beaches in Sahl Hasheesh belong to the hotels and are well kept, with sunbeds, umbrellas and towels for guests. The sand is fine and the water is shallow near the shore in many places, which suits children. Further out the reef starts, so the water changes from turquoise to deep blue.

There are a few public and beach-club options near the Old Town, but beach life here is mostly hotel-based. If a particular beach matters to you, look at recent guest photos of the hotel's beach and jetty before booking.

Where to stay in Sahl Hasheesh

Sahl Hasheesh is almost entirely made up of resorts, from large all-inclusive hotels to luxury properties such as The Oberoi Beach Resort and Baron Palace Sahl Hasheesh. Hotels near the Old Town and promenade let you walk to restaurants in the evening; those further along the bay are quieter and more self-contained.

When choosing, check three things: whether the hotel has a jetty and house reef, how far it is from the Old Town, and whether the beach is sandy enough for children. For a comparison with El Gouna, Makadi and Soma Bay, see where to stay in Hurghada.

Getting there

Sahl Hasheesh is about 20–25 km from Hurghada International Airport – a 20–30 minute drive. There's no public transport into the resort, so most visitors arrive with a hotel bus or a pre-booked transfer. A private transfer costs a fixed price per car, the driver waits outside the arrivals exit with your name and tracks your flight. Read our Hurghada Airport arrival guide to know what happens between landing and meeting your driver.

You can book a private transfer from Hurghada Airport to Sahl Hasheesh online at a fixed price.

Practical tips

• Pack reef shoes and a rash vest – the sun is strong even in winter.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen and never touch coral or feed fish.
• Taxis: agree the price before you set off; hotel receptions can call a trusted driver.
• Cash: carry small Egyptian pound notes for tips; cards work in hotels and most restaurants in the Old Town.
• Visa: get an e-Visa in advance or buy the visa stamp at the bank counters at the airport.

Looking for a quieter bay? Compare Sahl Hasheesh with Makadi Bay and El Gouna, or plan your whole trip with our Hurghada travel guide.