
Zeytouna Beach
Golden sand, calm turquoise water, family fun on the Red Sea






About
Sharm El Zeytouna sits on an artificial peninsula jutting into Hurghada's marina zone, giving it something most Red Sea beaches can't offer: water that stays genuinely calm on all sides. The golden sand stretches roughly 400 metres, and the turquoise shallows are shallow enough for kids to wade without a second thought. It's a beach club setup — sunbeds, umbrellas, and infrastructure are all in place — so you're not roughing it. The central marina location means the city is right there, but the enclosed water keeps the energy relaxed and the swimming safe.
How to get there
From Hurghada city centre, drive in about 15 minutes or take a bus in around 30 minutes. Once at the mainland entrance, a shuttle boat ferries you across to the peninsula daily — street parking is available near that departure point. An entry fee applies and covers beach access, sunbeds, and umbrellas, with partial credit toward food and drinks; guests of affiliated resorts may have the fee waived. No entry fee, no beach — factor that into your day.
Who it's for
For couples
The calm, enclosed turquoise water and beach club setup make it an easy, low-effort day out — rent a sunbed, order drinks, and let the afternoon disappear. Evenings extend naturally into Hurghada Marina, just 0.5 kilometres away.
For families
Safe swimming, shallow turquoise water, and full beach club infrastructure — sunbeds, umbrellas, food and drink on site — mean parents can actually relax. The 400-metre stretch of golden sand gives kids plenty of room to run without wandering far.
Our take
Feet in the sand, eyes on the screen
Sharm El Zeytouna is a well-organised, family-oriented beach club that delivers exactly what it promises: calm turquoise water, golden sand, and a comfortable setup within easy reach of Hurghada's centre. It's not a wild or remote experience — this is a managed, paid-access beach with infrastructure, and that's precisely its strength for families and anyone who wants a fuss-free day on the water. The artificial peninsula is genuinely unusual and gives the beach a character that flat resort strips don't have. That said, be honest with yourself about timing: July and August combine extreme heat with very packed conditions, and that combination drains the fun fast. Come in June or September, arrive early, and you'll find the golden sand and turquoise shallows at their best. Skip in August.
What to do
Hurghada Marina is a five-minute walk away and rated 4.6 out of 5 — it's the natural next stop for an evening stroll, with restaurants, shops, and day-trip boat departures to places like Giftun Island National Park, a protected marine reserve about 15 kilometres offshore. If you want something cultural, Hurghada Museum opened in 2020 and displays ancient Egyptian artefacts just 2 kilometres away. Mosque El Mina El Kabeer, rated 4.7 out of 5, is under a kilometre from the beach and worth a look.
Stand at the tip of the artificial peninsula and shoot back along the golden sand with the turquoise water framing both sides — it's the most distinctive composition on this beach.
The marina-facing side at golden hour gives you warm light on the water with Hurghada's skyline softly behind. Early morning, before the sunbeds are occupied, the clean stretch of golden sand and glassy turquoise shallows photograph beautifully with minimal distractions.
Where to eat
Just outside the beach zone, Felucca is the closest option at 0.3 kilometres. Within 0.4 kilometres you'll find Olie's, Stone, Englishbar, and WokWok — enough variety that you won't eat the same meal twice in a long weekend. The beach club itself offers partial food and drink credit as part of the entry fee, so you're not forced to leave for lunch.
Where to stay
Golden Rose Hotel is the closest at 0.2 kilometres — convenient if you want to roll out of bed and onto the sand. The Boutique Hotel New Marina at 0.4 kilometres and Golf Hotel at 0.5 kilometres are solid mid-range options with easy access to both the beach and the marina strip. Biba Hotel and Seagull, both around 0.6 kilometres away, round out the choices if those are full.
Photography
The artificial peninsula gives you a rare angle — shoot back toward the Hurghada skyline with the turquoise enclosed water in the foreground for a shot that doesn't look like every other Red Sea beach photo. Early morning light on the golden sand before the sunbeds fill up is your best window; by midday the beach is busy and the harsh sun flattens everything.
Good to know
Modest swimwear is expected once you step out of the water, so pack a cover-up. The entry fee is non-negotiable for non-resort guests, so arrive with cash or card ready. Dogs are not permitted on the beach. Egyptian national holidays and summer weekends push visitor numbers to uncomfortable levels — if you're visiting in July or August, expect extreme heat on top of a very packed beach; September or June are noticeably more pleasant.
Map
Nearby places
Golden Rose Hotel
The Boutique Hotel New Marina
Golf Hotel
Biba Hotel
Seagull
Things to see around Hurghada
Hurghada Marina
Modern marina with restaurants, shops and day-trip boat departures.
Hurghada Museum
Museum opened 2020 displaying ancient Egyptian artefacts.
Giftun Island National Park
Protected marine national park accessible by day-trip boat.
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
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Photo credits
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