Sahl Hasheesh Old Town and Arrival Piazza

Sahl Hasheesh Old Town and its Arrival Piazza form the pedestrian heart of the Sahl Hasheesh resort bay, about 18 km south of Hurghada Airport on Egypt's Red Sea coast. The development was planned as a resort town in the style of a traditional Mediterranean or Arabic old town, with stone-fronted buildings, arches, courtyards, fountains and lantern-lit walkways leading toward the sea. It feels quite different from the busier Hurghada city centre, and is calmer, tidier and designed for walking.

Visitors can stroll the piazza and the Old Town lanes, browse small boutiques, art and souvenir shops, and eat at restaurants and cafes ranging from Egyptian and Lebanese to Italian and international menus. The promenade runs along the bay beside the beach, giving views over turquoise water and the resort hotels spread around the curve. Evenings bring lit fountains, live music at some venues and a relaxed crowd of resort guests. A visit takes about two hours, and shops are open roughly 10:00 to 23:00, though hours vary by business.

Entry is free, with the cost made up of meals and shopping, and the area is generally classed as mid-priced. A taxi from Hurghada Airport costs about EGP 400 to 600 (about $8 to 12), and from Sakkala about EGP 500 to 700 (about $10 to 14), so most visitors combine it with a hotel stay or an evening trip from Hurghada. Agree the fare or use a ride-hailing app for the return, as late-night taxis may be scarcer.

The best time is evening, when the fountains and lanterns are lit and temperatures drop. The Arrival Piazza and the arches near the water provide the best photographs. Daytime is quieter and hotter, with many shops opening later. Weekends and high season, from October to April, are busiest. Dress is casual but modest outside the beach.