Hurghada Museum and the Grand Aquarium: Are They Worth It and What to See

The Hurghada Museum and the Grand Aquarium are where to go when the wind is up or you need a break from the beach. The museum shows genuine antiquities without a trip to Cairo, the aquarium shows the Red Sea’s underwater world without a mask and snorkel. Below: what to see in each, how much time you need and what else to do in Hurghada on a windy day.

The Hurghada Museum: genuine antiquities

Hurghada’s first antiquities museum opened in 2020 on Sheraton Road. It is small, modern and easy to explore: the halls follow the eras — the Old Kingdom, the New Kingdom pharaohs, the Greco-Roman period, Coptic and Islamic Egypt. There are statues, sarcophagi, jewellery, ancient cosmetics and everyday objects.

The museum is ideal for those not going to Cairo or Luxor who still want to see originals, and for those who want a warm-up before a big trip. Afterwards, much in the Grand Egyptian Museum will look familiar.

The Grand Aquarium in Hurghada

This huge aquarium in the south of Hurghada is one of the largest in Africa. The route leads through Red Sea zones — coral reefs, moray eels, rays and turtles — and then through a glass tunnel with sharks swimming overhead. Beyond the sea, there is a rainforest with reptiles and birds.

How to get there and ticket prices

The museum is central, on Sheraton Road — from hotels in Sekalla and on Sheraton Road you can walk or take a 10–15 minute taxi ride. The Grand Aquarium is in the south of the city: from the central districts a taxi or a tour transfer is more convenient. Ticket prices change; see the tour pages below for the current price including transfer.

How much time and which to choose

	Hurghada Museum	Grand Aquarium
What to see	Genuine antiquities from different eras	Red Sea marine life, shark tunnel
Time	1–1.5 hours	1.5–2 hours, up to 3 with feeding
Best for	History lovers, before a trip to Cairo or Luxor	Families with children, anyone on a windy day

What else to do in Hurghada on a windy day

• Dolphin World dolphinarium — a show and swimming with dolphins.
• Hammam — a Turkish bath with massage.
• Semi-submarine — reefs through glass without getting wet; it runs even in a light swell.
• El Dahar old town — the market and the mosque. About Hurghada’s markets.

More ideas in our article “Things to do in Hurghada”.