Hurghada runs along Egypt's Red Sea coast, between Ras Gharib to the north and Safaga to the south, with the Red Sea Mountains behind it. On Imonga, the city's listings are apartments for sale plus new developments from Egyptian developers, spread across several city districts and the resort areas to the south such as Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi. This page explains how the city is laid out, what Egyptian law allows a foreign buyer to do and what to check before signing a lease or a sale contract.
How the city is laid out
Hurghada is a long, narrow city between the Red Sea to the east and the Red Sea Mountains to the west, 455 km from Cairo and linked to the capital by the Hurghada, Sokhna, Cairo road (Wikipedia, Hurghada article). The same page names three main districts: El Dahar, home to the traditional bazaar and the long-distance bus stations, El Saqqala (Sakkala), the oldest part of town, and El Ahyaa. Most of the large hotels sit between El Mamsha and Sahl Hasheesh. The resort areas are separate places: Sahl Hasheesh about 18 km south, Makadi Bay about 30 km south, El Gouna about 25 km north.
In practice, a listing "in Hurghada" can mean a flat in town or a unit in a resort far from the centre. Check the exact address and access to shops and healthcare before comparing two properties.
What Imonga lists here
In October 2026, when this page was written, Imonga had 2 property listings in Hurghada, excluding new developments: both are apartments for sale. The site also lists new developments, either selling or under construction:
- Al Hambra Waterfalls and West El Balad (AKA Group), Al Hambra area; Princess Resort (AKA Group), Al Mamsha;
- Atlantis (Castello Development), downtown Hurghada;
- Upper Nubia (Queen T Investment), Al-Ahyaa District;
- Mark Resort (Al Arabia Development), Al-Kawther;
- Azzurra (Gibal, Red Sea Coast Properties), Sahl Hasheesh;
- Brook and Aden Parks (Orascom Development sales office, Makadi Heights), Makadi;
- Marassi Red Sea, Horizon III Villas and Island Villas (Emaar Misr).
The status shown on each project page does not replace checking with the developer. In a compound, ask for the building rules and the service charge amount in writing.
Buying as a non-Egyptian
Foreign ownership of real estate falls under Law No. 230 of 1996. According to the summary published by Andersen in Egypt, a non-Egyptian may own no more than two properties nationwide, for the private residence of the owner and immediate family, each no larger than 4,000 m². The property cannot be disposed of for five years, and on vacant land construction must start within five years (Andersen, Law No. 230 of 1996). The same firm says property near international borders, military zones and antiquities sites is closed to foreign ownership (Andersen, July 2025). Going above the cap requires express approval from the Council of Ministers (Mondaq, September 2025). Have an Egyptian lawyer confirm your case before paying anything.
Registering ownership
In Egypt, registration at the real estate registry is what transfers ownership. Law No. 9 of 2022 simplified the process: according to Andersen, the processing time for a request fell from two years to 37 days, and the file rests on the parties' identity and capacity plus an official digital map of the unit (Andersen, July 2022). For an off-plan unit, ask in writing when and how the property will be registered in your name, and who pays the costs. Confirm current fees with your lawyer.
Renting in Hurghada
Recent leases fall under the Egyptian Civil Code, through Law No. 4 of 1996. Law No. 165 of 2025, which amends it, requires the tenant to hand the property back when the lease ends; if the tenant refuses, the owner can ask the summary judge for an eviction order. Old frozen-rent contracts end after a seven-year transition for residential units (Daily News Egypt, 4 August 2025). For a recent lease, everything therefore depends on the contract: term, rent, deposit, notice, service charges. These are negotiated; insist on a written contract and a signed inventory of the unit's condition.
Other cities in Egypt
FAQ: real estate in Hurghada
Can a foreigner buy an apartment in Hurghada?
Yes, within the limits of Law No. 230 of 1996, which caps how many properties a non-Egyptian may hold, their size, their residential use and the period before resale. Some zones near borders, military sites or antiquities are closed to foreigners. Have an Egyptian lawyer who is independent of the seller check the property and your situation before you sign or pay.
Is the contract signed with the developer enough to become the owner?
No. Under Egyptian law, registration at the real estate registry is what transfers ownership, a process simplified by Law No. 9 of 2022. Ask the developer in writing whether the project land is registered, when your unit will be registered in your name and who pays the costs. A lawyer can check these points with the registry.
Where are the Hurghada new developments shown on Imonga?
The project pages place them in several areas: Al Hambra, Al Mamsha, Al-Kawther, Al-Ahyaa District and downtown within the city, then Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi to the south, plus Marassi Red Sea for the Emaar Misr projects. Developers listed include AKA Group, Castello Development, Al Arabia Development, Orascom Development and Emaar Misr.
Which rules apply to renting in Hurghada?
Recent leases fall under the Egyptian Civil Code, through Law No. 4 of 1996 as amended by Law No. 165 of 2025. The contract sets the term, rent, deposit and notice freely. When the lease ends, the tenant must hand the property back, otherwise the owner can go to the summary judge. Insist on a written lease and a signed inventory of the unit.
Can a property bought in Hurghada be resold quickly?
Not if the buyer is a foreigner: Law No. 230 of 1996 bars a non-Egyptian from disposing of the property before a minimum period after acquisition, unless an exemption applies. If resale is a possibility, have an Egyptian lawyer confirm that period and its exceptions before buying, and check what the developer contract says about transferring a unit not yet delivered.