Car & Van Hire - Hurghada

The Red Sea is a playground for divers, and Hurghada offers some of the best places to discover this magical underwater world. With water that's warm all year round, the Red Sea is ideal for scuba diving or snorkelling. Dolphins, turtles, sharks and manta rays live here, along with countless species of fish. You'll be entranced as you explore the brilliantly coloured coral reefs, teeming with underwater life.

That's just the start of the watersports on offer in Hurghada. While you're here, you can try kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing, windsurfing, banana boat rides and more. If you can't get enough of the sea life, this is the destination for you. There's also Makadi Water World and Jungle Aqua Park, two of the largest water parks in the Middle East. The former has over 50 rides to try out, including a jaw-dropping freefall water slide, as well as wave pools and a lazy river. The latter is all about water slides, with 21 for adults and 14 for kids. Of course, for those days when you don't feel like getting your feet wet, you can just chill out by the pool or on the beach.

There's more to this resort city than seaside fun, as you'll quickly learn with car hire in Hurghada. One of the top attractions is Mini Egypt, a fascinating open-air museum that has miniature versions of the country's most famous sights. You may be on the other side of the country, but here you can see the pyramids, the Sphinx, the temples of Luxor and more. It's a fascinating journey through Egyptian history.

For a taste of more modern Egyptian culture, try visiting the El Mina Mosque. This waterfront mosque is the most beautiful in the city and is made of brilliant white marble. The interior has the sumptuous decor that you'll usually find in a grand mosque. It is open to visitors when prayers are not in session, but you will need to dress respectfully: shorts and bare shoulders are forbidden for all people, and women must keep their hair covered. You will need to take off your shoes inside to walk on the carpets.

Use a car or van hire in Hurghada to embark on a road trip. It will take you about four hours to reach Luxor, so you'll probably want to make this a multi-day adventure. This is your gateway to the mystical world of the ancient Egyptians. Marvel at the mighty River Nile and allow yourself to be spellbound by the stunning temples.

Driving in Egypt can be an adventure, even in popular tourist spots like Hurghada. Avoid the roads during rush hour, as gridlock is a major problem. Don't freak out if other drivers are honking their horns at you - it's extremely normal on Egyptian roads. Take care around buses. Egyptian bus drivers often act like they rule the road and drive far more recklessly than their counterparts in other countries.

Parking can be something of a free for all. Your hotel may offer specific parking spaces, which can make life easier. Otherwise, you'll have a hard time finding an officially designated spot to leave your car. Local etiquette sees many drivers parking their cars wherever they like on flat ground, leaving the handbrake off. Anyone who finds the parked vehicle to be an inconvenience is welcome to come along and push it out of the way. Don't feel like you need to join in with this odd manner of parking. An alternative will quickly present itself: as you are looking for a spot, locals will often approach your car, offering to help you in exchange for a modest tip.

There are some limitations you'll discover when driving in Egypt. For example, if you decide to take a road trip to Luxor, you'll find that tourists are only allowed on the main Luxor-Aswan road from 06:00 to 18:00. There are police and military checkpoints along the way, so be prepared to show your documentation. Don't panic if the authorities pull you over. Regular checkpoints are a common sight here. The police take a keen interest in tourists and may ask detailed questions about your travel plans. This is nothing to worry about. Egypt is a country that depends heavily on tourism, and keeping foreign visitors safe is a major priority.

Roads in Egypt are often in bad condition. Be prepared for potholes, unexpected and unmarked speed bumps and poor lighting. You should also be on the lookout for animals, including camels, donkeys, goats and stray dogs, that may wander into the road. Do not risk driving at night. Stick to daylight hours, and ensure you have a paper copy of the necessary maps, as you may lose your phone signal when far from a city.