Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada — two top resorts in Egypt. In fact, every tourist who travels to Egypt in winter, spring, summer or autumn asks himself the same question: which is better than Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh? collected for you verified facts and up-to-date information, on the basis of which you can understand what is the difference between Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, which resort is more suitable for you.
Water and air temperature
There is a widespread opinion that Sharm el-Sheikh is warmer in winter than Hurghada, and that in the cold season you need to go there. Some argue that the temperature in winter in Sharm reaches +30 °C, while in Hurghada it barely reaches +20 °C.
In fact, this is far from the case. Between Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada — only 115 kilometers. Moreover, in terms of geography, Hurghada is even south of Sharm. It is worth opening a weather diary on some meteorological site and comparing temperatures at two resorts, for example, in December, and you will see that the air temperature in Sharm and Hurghada is almost the same.
But the temperature of the water in the sea in winter in Hurghada usually 0.5 °C higher. However, half a degree of temperature in the sea does not affect the overall feeling of temperature in the resort. Therefore, it is impossible to say unequivocally where is better Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh.
Wind, relief and coastline
Why is there a strong belief that it is warmer in Sharm in winter than in Hurghada? It's about three factors — wind, topography and coastline direction. Imagine a sunny January day and you are on the beach by the sea, which is warmed up to +22 °C. At the same time, the air temperature is within +23…25°C. You swim and come out of the water, and on the shore a wind blows from the north, significantly reducing the air temperature and creating a chilly feeling.
The coastline of Hurghada stretches from north to south. The north wind does not meet any obstacles on its way here. For this reason, many beaches in Hurghada are equipped with wicker windscreens.
Looking at the map of Sharm el-Sheikh, you can see that the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula — from the bay of Sharm El Maya, which is considered the most protected from the wind, to the airport itself, not far from Sharks Bay, — protected by the Siamese mountains, which hold back the north wind and provide a more comfortable stay in the resorts & nbsp; Sharm el-Sheikh during the winter months.
If we talk about the rest of Sharm el-Sheikh, which is located north of the airport, namely — In the Nabq region, where many first-class hotels have been built in recent years, the climatic conditions here are almost identical to those of Hurghada.
Beaches, entry into the water and bottom structure
When choosing where it is better to relax in Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh, it is worth considering such an important point, & nbsp; like the view of the beach and the features of entering the water. In general, it is worth remembering that Egyptian beaches are quite atypical compared to Mediterranean, Black Sea or Asian beaches. Under water near the coast in Egypt, petrified coral reefs and large shallows are often found. Also, the tides are strongly pronounced here, which occur 2 times a day. The difference between the maximum and minimum water levels can reach 1 meter.
An important difference between Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh lies in the beaches. The advantage of Hurghada is the sandy type of beaches and shallows, which are formed during low tides. In Sharm — the beaches are mostly pebbly, and petrified corals and the sea urchins living in them are found in abundance on the shallows. Resting in Hurghada with a child, you may well let the baby flounder in shallow water on his own. But on the beaches of Sharm el-Sheikh, adults will most likely have to accompany children while swimming. The exceptions are the sandy beaches in the bays of Naama Bay and Sharm El Maya.
In Sharm El Sheikh, shallows near the coast usually end with a sharp increase in depth. Not far from the coast, colorful, lively and very beautiful corals grow, among which exotic fish swim. It is the picturesque coral reefs that many consider the main attraction of Egypt. If you want to see the rich underwater world of the Red Sea with your own eyes, then Sharm el-Sheikh is ideal for this.
When choosing a hotel in Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh, you should definitely check the intensity of the ebb and flow in the area of the hotel, as well as the availability pontoon on the beach.