El Gouna, Egypt - tips on hotels, beaches and excursions

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated August 2026 | El Gouna is an Egyptian holiday resort that is perfect for those who want to enjoy the sun and swimming in a relaxed and beautiful environment. We offer tips on hotels, beaches, activities and excursions for your holiday.

El Gouna in Egypt

El Gouna is a tourist resort on the Red Sea in Egypt, about 27 kilometres north of Hurghada. When you arrive from the airport in Hurghada, you drive through a desolate desert landscape, where the only thing you see are half-finished houses. We almost wondered where we had ended up, but when we arrived, we were greeted by something completely different: a green and lush little town surrounded by canals and lagoons.

Artificial holiday resort with lagoons

Construction of El Gouna began in 1989 and the resort opened in 1997. The resort is owned by Samih Onsi Sawiris, a wealthy Egyptian, and now Montenegrin, businessman. However, Mr Sawiris seems to have built the resort not only to make money, but also because he obviously enjoys it himself. He has his own island where he lives.

What makes El Gouna so special is all the man-made lagoons and canals, which means that the water is always close at hand almost no matter where you live. When you walk, it's over one bridge after another. It may seem less "authentic" than other Egyptian holiday resorts, but if you're looking for peace and relaxation in a beautiful setting, this is the place to be.

Tamr Henna Square, Downtown

The centre of El Gouna is located around Tamr Henna Square. This is a fairly quiet centre where there are plenty of restaurants and outdoor cafes, but also some shops for shopping.

READ MORE: Red Sea shopping in Egypt

El Gouna Marina

Another area not to be missed is the marina. This is a modern and luxurious area with long rows of large luxury yachts, restaurants and shops. It's cosy to stroll around here, but be prepared for the prices to be a bit higher.

One afternoon we had a beer and some snacks at the Maritim restaurant in the marina, and when we looked up, a bird of prey was peering down at us through the tent roof.

The marina is also very charming in the evening, when all the lights are switched on. If you live a bit away from the marina, you can easily get here by tuktuk, which doesn't cost much.

Beaches in El Gouna

We sunbathed, swam and snorkeled on Zeytouna Beach Island. This lovely beach island has sun loungers, a long pier for snorkeling, a restaurant, snorkeling equipment rentals, small shops and a small spa with massages and other treatments. You can easily get here by shuttle boat from several of the hotels nearby. Here are some more beaches in El Gouna:

• Buzzha Beach
• Smokery Beach
• Bellevue Beach Hotel
• Marina Hotels Beach Club

Snorkelling

One of the must-do activities during a holiday in Egypt is snorkelling in the Red Sea. The water is crystal clear and along the coral reefs you can see fish in every colour of the rainbow. You can snorkel directly from the beaches, or join a snorkelling excursion by boat. Of course, scuba diving is also available for those who want to.

READ MORE: Snorkelling in the Red Sea - snorkelling tour in El Gouna

More water sports

If you get tired of snorkelling and scuba diving, there are also many other water sports to enjoy, such as:

• Kitesurfing
• Windsurfing
• Water skiing/wakeboarding
• Canoe
• Tramp boat

Golf and other land-based sports

Of course, you can also enjoy various sports on land. There are several golf courses and golf resorts, including the Steigenberger Golf Resort and the Ancient Sands Golf Resort. Here are some examples of sports you can do:

• Golf
• Cycling
• Horse riding
• Tennis
• Beach volleyball
• Go-karting
• Minigolf

Excursions for adventure lovers

There are many different excursions available for those who like a bit of adventure, such as:

• Desert safari by quad bike or jeep
• Sailing by catamaran
• Fishing trip
• Glass bottom boat tour

Excursions for history lovers

If you like history and sights, there are also several excursions to choose from. Here are some suggestions. Approximate driving time from El Gouna is given in brackets.

• Monasteries of St Paul and St Anthony (3 hrs)
• Luxor (4 h)
• Cairo (4.5 hours)
• Aswan and Abu Simbel (7 hrs)

Excursion to Hurghada

If you're staying in El Gouna, be sure to check out Hurghada, which offers a more 'authentic' Egyptian feel. Here you can experience the bustling El Dahar market and see the grand Al Mina mosque. You can book a guided tour, or explore Hurghada on your own by bus or taxi.

READ MORE: What to do in Hurghada - 17 tips for activities and excursions

More things to do in El Gouna

One of the first offers we got when we stepped outside the door of the hotel on the first day was a spa or massage. There are plenty of spas and if you want to, you can take the opportunity to try out a Turkish bathing ritual. El Gouna also has a large cinema, with a capacity of 649 people, called Sea Cinema.

El gouna for children

We saw very few children in El Gouna at all, in fact so few that we reflected on it. This is not at all because children are not welcome, but perhaps because many of the hotels that market themselves hardest with children's activities and playgrounds are located elsewhere around Hurghada. Perhaps the tranquil El Gouna is more appealing to couples without children. Activities for children include:

• Diving and golf courses for children
• Go-karting and mini-golf
• Pony riding
• El Gouna Aquarium
• Children's clubs in the hotels
• Cheeky Monkeys play centre in the marina

Restaurants in El Gouna

There are indeed lots of restaurants in El Gouna. We visited, among others Hydra Seafood Restaurant, which is located in the centre and which we can highly recommend. Several of the restaurants in the marina also have a good reputation, although you should be prepared to pay a little more there.

Hotels in El Gouna

During our holiday in El Gouna we stayed at the 4-star Sultan Bey hotel. This is a slightly smaller and very cozy hotel by the water, with a pool and shuttle boat to Zeytouna Beach Island.

There are also many other hotels, such as Mövenpick Resort, Sheraton Miramar, Rihana Resort, Casa Cook, Bellevue Beach and Cook's Club.

FAQ – frequently asked questions about El Gouna

Where is El Gouna located?

El Gouna is located on the Red Sea coast of Egypt, about 25 kilometers north of Hurghada. The modern resort is built around lagoons, canals and small islands.

What is El Gouna famous for?

Known for its exclusive hotels, beautiful lagoons and relaxed atmosphere, El Gouna is sometimes called the ”Venice of Egypt” due to its many canals and bridges.

How to get to El Gouna?

The nearest airport is in Hurghada, from where it takes approximately 30 minutes by taxi or shuttle to El Gouna.

How many days do you need in El Gouna?

Three to seven days is suitable for most visitors. Many choose to stay for a week to combine relaxation with swimming, snorkeling and various excursions.

What is there to do in El Gouna?

You can swim, snorkel, dive, play golf, try kitesurfing or go on boat trips in the Red Sea. There are also restaurants, small shops, a marina and several pleasant walking trails.

Is El Gouna a good destination for snorkeling and diving?

Yes, El Gouna is an excellent base for snorkeling and diving. Several coral reefs are located close to the coast, and there are plenty of dive centers offering both beginner courses and excursions.

Is El Gouna child friendly?

Yes, El Gouna is great for families with children. Many hotels have children's pools and family activities, and the calm lagoons make it easy to swim even with younger children.

When is the best time to visit El Gouna?

Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and are suitable for most travelers. Winter is warm and sunny compared to northern Europe, while summer can be very hot.

What should not be missed in El Gouna?

Don't miss a boat trip on the lagoons, snorkeling at the coral reefs and a visit to the Abu Tig Marina. If you want to see more of Egypt, a day trip to Hurghada or Luxor is also a popular option.

Can you combine El Gouna with other destinations in Egypt?

Yes, El Gouna is often combined with Hurghada, Luxor and Cairo. Many also choose to visit other resorts along the Red Sea, such as Makadi Bay, Soma Bay or Marsa Alam.