Hurghada Through Local Eyes: A Walking Tour with Andria, Your German-Speaking Guide

Hurghada Through Local Eyes: A Walking Tour with Andria "A harmonious family and good health — those are my priorities in life." — Andria, tour guide at Happy Be Tours, Hurghada

When you travel to Hurghada, you don't just want beaches and resorts. You want to understand the city — its streets, its people, its stories. That's exactly what Andria offers every guest he guides. Andria was born in El Taiba in Upper Egypt and has lived in Hurghada for years. He studied German Language and Literature at university and is fluent in German — making him the ideal guide for visitors from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. At Happy Be Tours, he specializes in showing German-speaking travelers the real Hurghada, beyond the hotel zone.

Hurghada: More Than a Beach Destination Hurghada — known in Arabic as El-Gardaka, named after a plant native to the region — sits on the western shore of the Red Sea in eastern Egypt. Once a quiet fishing village, it has grown into one of the world's top coastal resort cities, now home to around 400,000 residents. Tourists come for the sun, the sea, and the extraordinary underwater world of the Red Sea. Hurghada is especially popular with divers and snorkelers, who come to explore coral reefs that are among the most biodiverse in the world.

The Marina: Andria's Favorite Spot One of Andria's first stops on any city tour is Hurghada Marina — a picturesque harbor district that opened in 2008 on the site of a former fishing dock. "This is one of my favorite places. It's beautiful here. White yachts are moored in the harbor and you can sit at a small restaurant enjoying the view of the sea." The Marina is the perfect blend of relaxed atmosphere, fresh sea air, and authentic Egyptian hospitality. It's a great starting point for any visit to Hurghada.

Faith and Culture: A City of Harmony Hurghada reflects Egypt's rich religious diversity. Around 85% of the population is Muslim, and the city's landmark El-Mina Mosque, located near the Marina, is a beautiful example of Islamic architecture. Andria himself belongs to the Coptic Orthodox Christian community — approximately 15% of Egypt's population. The Coptic Church in Hurghada is an active center of community life, celebrating Christmas, Easter, baptisms, and weddings throughout the year. "As a sign of our Orthodox faith, we wear a cross on our wrist." This diversity — Muslims and Christians living side by side — is part of what makes Hurghada such a warm and welcoming destination.

El Dahar: The Soul of Hurghada No visit to Hurghada is complete without exploring El Dahar, the original old town district where the city began. While the resort strips cater to tourists, El Dahar is where locals actually live, shop, and gather. Here, Andria introduced us to his Uncle Samir — a proud family man, father of six, and grandfather of seventeen. Samir runs a small shop where he makes and sells fresh fruit juices, homemade jams, and local honey. He welcomed us with a glass of fresh mango juice. When asked what visitors should bring home from Egypt, Samir didn't hesitate: "Spices, dried fruits, nuts, souvenirs, Egyptian textiles, oriental sweets — and of course cosmetics and perfume."

Egyptian Cuisine: What to Eat in Hurghada One of the highlights of any trip to Hurghada is the food. Traditional Egyptian dishes you'll find on local tables include:

• Molokhia — a rich herb-based soup cooked in meat broth
• Hummus, Falafel, Shawarma — everyday staples
• Kefta and Kebab — grilled meats seasoned with local spices
• Baklava, Basbousa, Knafeh, Kataef — beloved Egyptian desserts

Book a Tour with Andria Andria is available for private city tours, cultural excursions, and custom trips across Hurghada and the surrounding region — all in fluent German. 📲 Contact Andria via Happy Be Tours: https://wa.me/201055856005 Mae Elslama — All the best, until next time!