In short
El Gouna is a privately developed resort town about 25 km north of Hurghada, built across a network of lagoons and islands linked by bridges. With little traffic, a lively marina, boutique hotels and some of Egypt's best kitesurfing, it is the Red Sea's most polished and walkable base.
El Gouna was begun around 1990 by the Egyptian developer Samih Sawiris on a stretch of empty coast, and it has grown into a self-contained town of more than a dozen lagoon-side hotels, villas, a hospital, a university campus and its own football club. Its architecture is deliberately low-rise, with domes, arches and ochre walls, and water is never far away: lagoons wind between the neighbourhoods, and boats and bridges link the islands.
It isn't strictly car-free, but traffic is light and most people get around on foot, by bicycle, on the town's shuttle buses or in tuk-tuks. That makes it very different from Hurghada's long resort strip. In the evening you can stroll from Downtown's squares to the restaurants and bars of Abu Tig Marina, and in the day the beaches on the outer edge catch the steady northerly wind that has made El Gouna a kitesurfing destination.
For travellers from Australia and New Zealand, El Gouna is the natural Red Sea finish for couples, honeymooners and families who want variety beyond one resort. It is about four hours from Luxor by road and 30 minutes from Hurghada airport. Our Red Sea coast guide compares it with the other resort areas.
Top things to see in El Gouna
Abu Tig Marina
El Gouna's social centre, a yacht marina ringed by restaurants, bars, boutiques and small hotels. It is busiest after dark, when couples and families come for dinner by the water, and it is also the departure point for many diving and sailing trips.
Downtown El Gouna
The original town centre around Tamr Henna Square has cafes, a small market, shops and the lagoon-side bars of the Kafr area. It is a good place to see the town's Nubian-inspired architecture of domes and courtyards.
Kitesurfing beaches
Several kite centres operate from the beaches on El Gouna's northern edge, with shallow, flat water inside the reef and steady side-onshore wind. Beginners can do a supervised course over three or four days, and experienced riders can rent equipment.
The lagoons
Hotels sit right on the lagoons, many with small private beaches and swimming platforms. Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding on the calm water are an easy way to explore the town's canals and islands.
Mangroovy Beach and Zeytouna Beach
Mangroovy Beach on the northern edge is popular with kitesurfers and has a relaxed beach club. Zeytouna Beach sits on a small island reached by a short boat ride, with sunbeds, a restaurant and calm water for swimming.
Golf
El Gouna has two 18-hole courses, the Steigenberger Golf Resort's course and the Ancient Sands course, which use lagoons and dunes as hazards. Early morning tee times avoid the worst of the heat.
Reefs and islands offshore
Boats from Abu Tig Marina reach the reefs of the Strait of Gubal, the Abu Nuhas wrecks and the Giftun Islands. There are fewer house reefs here than at Makadi or Sahl Hasheesh, so plan a boat trip for good snorkelling.
Unforgettable experiences
- A beginner's kitesurfing course on flat, shallow water with a qualified instructor
- Dinner at Abu Tig Marina, then a walk back along the lagoons
- Stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking through the canals at sunrise
- A boat day to the Giftun Islands or the Abu Nuhas wrecks
- Film screenings and red-carpet atmosphere during the El Gouna Film Festival
- A round of golf at dawn, followed by an afternoon at a beach club
When to visit El Gouna
El Gouna is warm and sunny year-round. Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) give the best balance of hot beach days, sea temperatures of about 24–28°C and comfortable evenings. Kitesurfers come for the wind, which blows on most days of the year and is generally strongest and most reliable from about April to October; winter is windier on some days and calmer on others, with cooler water around 22°C. The El Gouna Film Festival has usually been held in October, which fills the town and raises hotel prices; check the festival's dates for your year before booking. July and August are very hot on land.
How long to spend in El Gouna
Four to five nights suits most people, giving time for a boat trip, a lesson or two and lazy days by the lagoon. Kitesurfers often stay a week to ten days to complete a course and practise. Three nights is enough for a short wind-down after the Nile, but the transfer from Luxor takes most of a day, so a short stay feels rushed.
Getting there
Fly to Hurghada International Airport (HRG), about an hour from Cairo, then drive 25–30 minutes north. From Luxor, a private transfer across the Eastern Desert takes about four hours. Some hotels in El Gouna can arrange airport transfers, and the town has its own shuttle network once you arrive. To head home, fly from Hurghada to Cairo, or at the time of writing check whether a Gulf carrier's direct flight from Hurghada suits your connection.
Specialist tips
- Stay near Abu Tig Marina or Downtown if you want to walk to dinner; lagoon resorts further out rely on shuttles
- Book kitesurfing lessons with a centre that offers radio helmets and a rescue boat
- Plan at least one boat trip, because shore snorkelling is limited compared with Makadi or Sahl Hasheesh
- Book early for October if your dates overlap the film festival
- Bring a light jacket for winter evenings, which can be cool and breezy
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and a rash vest on the water
El Gouna: frequently asked questions
Is El Gouna better than Hurghada?
It depends on your style. El Gouna is smaller, quieter and more walkable, with better restaurants; Hurghada has more choice and better value. Read El Gouna vs Hurghada or see the Hurghada guide.
Is El Gouna good for kitesurfing?
Yes, it is one of Egypt's main kite centres, with flat, shallow water and steady wind for much of the year. Our kitesurfing in Egypt guide compares it with Soma Bay and Dahab.
When is the El Gouna Film Festival?
It has usually been held in October since it began in 2017, but dates vary by year, so check the festival's own announcements. Our Egypt in October guide covers what else is on that month.
Can I snorkel in El Gouna?
Mostly by boat. Day trips run to the Giftun Islands and nearby reefs; the lagoons themselves are for swimming and paddling rather than coral.
Do Noble Travel tours stay in El Gouna?
Yes. Our Egypt and Red Sea tour spends five nights in El Gouna after the Nile, and the Ultimate Egypt journey finishes there. Every trip is private and can be tailored.
