El Gouna attractions

El Gouna had its beginnings in one man’s search to find the most beautiful spot on the seaside to build a house and small boat jetty. Around two decades ago Samih Sawiris, chairman of Orascom Hotels & Development a subsidiary of Orascom Development , El Gouna’s parent company, found that beautiful spot, conveniently located just north of Hurghada on the west coast of the Red Sea. It wasn’t long before Sawiris’ friends, struck by the splendor of the azure waters and dramatic backdrop of mountains, asked to join him. In this way the town slowly blossomed into the vibrant community it is today, fulfilling Sawiris’ and OHD’s vision of “carving paradise out of the desert.”

Today’s El Gouna is home to 17 spectacular hotels built along 10 kilometers of beachfront and spreads across islands interlinked by lagoons. Neighborhoods of attractive villas and apartments bustle with the activity of entrepreneurs, artists, environmentalists, sports enthusiasts and other individuals and families from all over the world who have made El Gouna their permanent or vacation home.

The town is easily accessed from Europe via the nearby Hurghada International Airport and boasts a superb infrastructure and excellent services as well as natural beaches and year-round sunshine.El Gouna is immaculately maintained and has a wide variety of activities and entertainment options, world-class cuisine and an exciting nightlife.

It is also the perfect jumping-off point to experience the many historical, archeological and cultural treasures of Egypt. These aspects, as well as the stunning natural and architectural beauty of the resort, combine to make El Gouna the Red Sea’s premier leisure destination.

El Gouna, on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, is a holiday town with a taste for luxury. It’s made up of a cluster of beach-lined islands dotted around a lagoon – from the sky it looks like Dubai’s archipelagos. And on the ground it looks even better, with pastel-coloured buildings and stone bridges connecting the islands. Abu Tig Marina, filled with million-pound yachts, is at the north end of town. And right in the centre is the glitzy downtown area – the place to be seen at night.

You don’t need us to tell you that the underwater world of the Red Sea is spectacular with a capital S. The local waters provide the perfect conditions for a dazzling variety of coral beds, tropical fish and aquatic creatures to thrive and grow - making diving here an unmissable experience. And that’s where this dive discovery day comes in.

el gouna attractions

Discover Scuba Diving

Aimed at beginners, it’s a fantastic introduction to scuba diving that teaches you all the basics and starts you off with a proper dive - all in one day. You’ll head for a professional dive centre where you’ll spend time in the pool and the sea learning the essentials from an experienced instructor. Then, accompanied by your instructor, you’ll take a real undersea dive, getting your first thrilling glimpse of the stunning marine life. A brilliant taste of scuba diving that will get you set for a world of diving adventures in the future.

Go snorkelling on Zeytouna Beach

To get a glimpse of what lies beneath the Red Sea’s surface, walk to the end of the 400-metre jetty at Zeytouna beach and jump off the end. This is the start of a wide coral reef plateau that’s home to aquatic creatures of all shapes and sizes. Afterwards, you can sip a drink under a thatched parasol at the beach bars dotted along the beach.

Head downtown for a big night out

El Gouna’s nightlife is in a class of its own. Around Abu Tig Marina, there are chic cocktail bars and family-friendly restaurants with live entertainment. If you fancy something a little bit less subdued, head downtown. This district known as Kafr el Gouna is home to nightclubs like Palladium – an open-air venue playing R&B and house – as well as Aladdin's Casino, where high-rollers try their luck on the roulette tables.

Kitesurfing

With year round sunshine, perfect wind conditions, shallow waters and lagoons, and large beaches, El Gouna is rated as one of the most popular kitesurfing spots in the world. With 6 professional, multi-lingual kite centres you won’t be short of places to learn how to kitesurf

Mangroovy Kite Bar

By day, this spot on Mangroovy Beach is a popular hang-out for kite-surfers. From the comfort of the thatched bar area, you can watch the rainbow-coloured kites twist and turn in the sky. Come evening, though, it’s a bit more upbeat, especially on Wednesdays and Sundays when beach parties and top-notch DJs liven things up.

Golf

18 hole PGA championship Golf Course in El Gouna boasts beautiful green fairways, stunning views on the Red Sea and a dramatic backdrop of mountains. Designed by Gene Bates and Fred Couples, the Golf Course also offers rental equipment, an Aqua Driving range and a professional team of teachers to introduce you to golf (free introductory courses) or give you advanced training. A second golf course is planned to open in Ancients Sands Resort, part of El Gouna

Standup Paddling

Becoming increasingly popular, Stand Up Paddling is a fun way to enjoy the water without any stress or strain. This relaxed activity is a great way to keep you active, while enjoying great views of the Red Sea and El Gouna. El Gouna is a great place to try Stand Up Paddling, as this destination offers many interlocking lagoons and protected waters. Simply rent a SUP board and paddle your way through the lagoons – why not try racing your friends too? Available at Club Paradisio, the Club House and some kite stations in Mangroovy Beach

Catamaran Boat Trip

Oceana is a catamaran sailing boats offering sunset trips and snorkeling trips on the Red Sea. Sailing is the ideal activity to enjoy during your holiday on the Red Sea coast. Enjoy complete relaxation as the boat crew pull up the sails and feel the breeze on your skin as you sail towards one of the best snorkeling spots in the Red Sea. You will get a chance to swim and snorkel and you might even sail with dolphins on the way. This sail trip will be an experience you will not forget! Bookable only through Red Sea Cat.

Hydrofoil Fast Glass Botom Boat

Experience the amazing underwater world of the red sea with our hydrofoil fast glass bottom boat.Thanks to its speed and its hydrofoil body, this boat can explore reefs that are too far for all other underwater vision boats, in a very comfortable way.The glass of the Ocean Flyer is one of a kind, equipped with a magnifying glass that makes it possible to look horizontally, and increases the view by 40%.
The Ocean Flyer is very suitable for families with children seeking to explore the underwater wonders in the safest way possible, and can be booked through Red Sea Cat.

Parasailing

Fly high over El Gouna’s sparkling water while safely strapped to this colorful parachute, enjoy the view of the sea, the mountains and El Gouna from a view like you have never seen before.

Desert Safari

Discover the Red Sea’s mountains and desert, don’t miss out on this wonderful experience weather through quad bikes or Jeep cars.
Enjoy this memorable experience during sunrise or sunset trips, break out the normal tours and join a one of the most unforgettable moments under the Full Moon in a romantic full moon ride.

Sliders Cable Park

Searching for a fun watersports activity during your visit to El Gouna? Try Sliders Cable Park, a unique centre to sample wakeboarding and waterski, as it offers a controlled environment where you can try new moves and get used to the water in protected lagoons before plunging into the open sea. Cable rigs pull you along the water of a lagoon without the need of wind or boat, allowing you to get your beginner feelings of wakeboard or to test various jumps by using ramps placed in the water.

Lagoon Trip

A lagoon trip is another must do in El Gouna. Leave from your hotel or any departure spot and navigate through the lagoon to explore El Gouna resort. You will pass by all hotels, different areas of the town as well as the sea, so maybe take your camera along to get some unique shots. You’ll probably want to buy a house in El Gouna after this trip! Bookable at the El Gouna Info Center or through your hotel reception.

Sample Egyptian cuisine in Tamr Henna Square

This big square, full of pink domed roofs and curvy archways, is home to some of El Gouna’s best restaurants. They’re a big hit with the locals, not just because of the low prices, but also because of the freshness of the food. You can sample Egyptian specialities like stuffed pigeon, or order a plate of fresh fish. And if you want to see some live music and dancing, make sure you’re here on Thursdays and Sundays.

Hedra Sea Food Restaurant

Seafood comes straight from the skipper at this restaurant. Sit upstairs and you get a bird’s-eye view of the main square while you tuck in to your fish soup or lobster bisque. The baked sea bream is a house special, plus there are plenty of non-fish options for the kids, including things like steak and chips.