Hurghada is Egypt's other major Red Sea resort — on the western coast of the Red Sea rather than the Sinai, with a longer-established resort infrastructure and a more developed city character than Sharm El Sheikh. The reef diving, the beach clubs, the growing luxury resort development of the Sahl Hasheesh area south of the city, and the boat trips to the uninhabited offshore islands give Hurghada a specific wardrobe context that spans the resort and the Egyptian cultural city.

The Egyptian cultural context. Hurghada's city centre — the El Dahar old quarter, the mosques, the markets — requires covered and modest dress. A PP linen shirt fully buttoned with linen trousers. Within the resort hotel grounds and the beach clubs, the standard resort wardrobe is appropriate.

For the Sahl Hasheesh luxury resorts. The luxury resort enclave south of Hurghada — the Baron Palace, the Cleopatra Luxury Resort, the villa and private beach properties. White PP linen for the beach and pool; a navy PP linen shirt with linen trousers for the resort dinner.

For the diving and the offshore islands. The Giftun Islands, the Abu Nuhas shipwrecks — the boat excursions that define the diving experience at Hurghada. Natural swim shorts and a white PP linen shirt for the boat, leather deck shoes.

For El Gouna. The planned resort town north of Hurghada — the waterways, the luxury villas, the kite-surfing and watersports culture. A PP linen shirt in white or a warm natural with linen shorts and leather sandals. El Gouna's more European and international character rewards a slightly more relaxed resort wardrobe than central Hurghada.

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