El gouna. Guide to El Gouna City of El Gouna

El Gouna is a city that was built in 1991 as a beach resort. The unusual thing about El Gouna is that it all consists of islands, between which there are channels with sea water. The resort is private and owned by Egyptian millionaire Samikh Sawiris. Naturally, the idea was inspired by Venice. Sawiris really liked this European city, and he decided to act in the best traditions of the eastern rich - to create a fairy tale in his homeland. Thus was born El Gouna, the "Egyptian Venice". Now romantic couples, artists and musicians relax here. This is an amazing place, unlike other resorts.

Geography and infrastructure

The resort is located 20 km north of Hurghada on the Red Sea coast. The distance to Luxor is 300 km, to Cairo - 430 km. Air travel is via Hurghada, but El Gouna also has its own airport that accepts local flights. In particular, by air you can go on an excursion to Cairo or Luxor.

El Gouna is built on the principle of a small state, isolated from the outside world. This was done specifically so that tourists coming here could forget about everything and just relax. It has two marinas, its own newspaper, radio, hospital, brewery and transport. Moreover, all this is built in such a way as to cause minimal harm to the environment. Therefore, El Gouna received the status of the most environmentally friendly resort in Egypt.

Hotel guests in El Gouna are provided with free travel on minibuses and boats connecting hotels scattered across the islands with the center - the Kafr area. Minibuses run every half hour and end at 23.30, and boats run every hour and only during the day. After 23.30 you can use the shuttle service, which will take you to the hotel for a fee. But you can also walk around El Gouna, especially if your hotel is located near the center.

Kafr is the heart of El Gouna. There are cafes, restaurants, pubs, shops and other infrastructure, and discos are held in the evenings. But, compared to the noisy Hurghada, located next door, it is quieter and calmer here. In Kafra you can visit the historical museum with an observatory or the Club House health center.

El Gouna is considered a resort that is suitable for couples, creative and romantic people. Artists and photographers often relax here, for whom a separate complex has been built. At the same time, the resort has many conference rooms for business negotiations.

El Gouna Islands

The hotels and beaches of El Gouna are located here on many small islands, between which boats constantly travel. And the islands themselves are connected by elegant bridges along which free minibuses run. Only two hotels have direct access to the sea; from the rest you need to go to the sea beach by boat.

Zeytuna

The main beach island of the resort. There is a boat that runs here and takes hotel residents to the swimming area for free. There are restaurants and bars on the shore. The beach is sandy, the descent into the water is clean and gentle - the bottom slowly drops over 400 m, then the coral reef begins. On the beach there are sun loungers and umbrellas, free towels, showers and changing rooms, bars, beach volleyball, football, snorkeling, dance lessons.

Mangroovy Beach

Sandy beach located near the marina Abu Tig Marina. The beach is world famous as the best place for kite surfing. On site: sun loungers, umbrellas, free towels, showers, changing rooms, restaurant, bar (with delivery of orders to your holiday destination), camping, windsurfing, beach volleyball, snorkeling, football. Outdoor parties and barbecues are constantly held here.

Tawila Island

A small secluded island an hour's journey from El Gouna. The beaches are sandy, but not equipped. Those who seek silence and unity with nature come here. Dolphins often swim to the beach. Food and drinks are delivered to the island via charter boats.

Global Island

Quite a large island two hours away from El Gouna. The beaches are sandy, not equipped and almost deserted. This is an ideal place for snorkeling.

Mahmeya Island

The only island remote from the resort that has a comfortable beach. On site: sun loungers and umbrellas, restaurant, bar. The island is located an hour's journey from El Gouna.

Hotels

El Gouna was created according to a single architectural plan. There are no tall buildings, most hotels are one to three stories high and are painted in warm sandy tones ranging from cream to terracotta. The architects combined two styles in the ensemble - Arabic and Mediterranean. The Sheraton Miramar Resort hotel in El Gouna is interesting - it was created by the architect Michael Graves, who previously built hotels in the American Disneyland park.

Most hotels in El Gouna are 4* and 5*, but there are also a few 3*. In addition, there are many private villas. Mostly Germans and Dutch vacation in El Gouna, appreciating regularity and high class service.

The hotels of this resort have a common infrastructure, so while relaxing, you will not be isolated within the walls of your hotel. In addition, there is a special system whereby you can exchange dinner at your hotel for dinner at some other hotel.

Beaches and sports

When viewed from above, El Gouna resembles an intricate yellow and blue pattern nestled between yellow desert sand and blue water: irregularly shaped islands separated by channels. On the open sea are the Movenpick Resort and Spa, The Three Corners Ocean View, Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna, Paradiso and Club Med hotels. All other hotels have their own lagoons, the water in which is clean and deep close to the shore. It’s nice to swim in them, but it’s still not quite the sea. If you reach the real shore, you will see a sandy beach with a shallow, gentle entry into the water, well suited for children.

For scuba diving enthusiasts, there are schools that teach scuba diving. Near El Gouna, there are many sunken ships on the seabed, next to which you can also dive.

For lovers of a solid holiday there is a golf club and a tennis court.

Best time to travel

El Gouna is a year-round resort. In summer, the air temperature is +30-33°C, and the water temperature is +27-30°C. In winter, the air temperature is +23-28°C, the water temperature is +21-22°C.

Location of El Gouna resort
30 km north of Hurghada on the Red Sea coast is the town of El Gouna, which is unlike other resorts in Egypt.

The resort of El Gouna is often called "Venice on the Red Sea" because most of the hotels in El Gouna are built on small islands connected by bridges and canals. Small boats ply along the canals between the islands, which give El Gouna a resemblance to Venice.

RECOMMENDED 3,4,5 STAR HOTELS IN EL GOUNA RETURN TO EGYPT HOME PAGE

Getting around El Gouna resort
Guests of El Gouna use free minibuses and boats to travel around the resort.

There are no high-rise hotels in El Gouna; instead there are oriental-style houses. The most comfortable hotels in Egypt are in El Gouna. Restaurants, cafes, a cinema, discos, a health complex, an information and business center, a hospital, an aquarium, karting and even an airport are available to guests.

El Gouna offers guests:

secluded beaches and cozy hotels in El Gouna, striking in their sophistication

desert safari

an extraordinary underwater world for those who crave adventure

entertainment programs for the whole family and vibrant nightlife for the young and energetic.

Interesting finds await scuba diving enthusiasts in El Gouna - the largest shipwrecks in the Red Sea.

El Gouna has been chosen by artists and photographers from all over the world. A special complex was even built for them, which became their home and workplace.

El Gouna is also a huge success among wealthy Egyptians: their luxurious villas fit seamlessly into the unified architectural plan of the city.

The heart of El Gouna- Kaffir, built in the style of traditional Egyptian architecture.

El Gouna's special pride is its fashionable golf club, considered one of the best in the Middle East.

El Gouna is a chic and unique resort in Egypt, located 30 km north of Hurghada.

The resort of El Gouna is often called the “Egyptian Venice” for the special location of the tourist infrastructure on artificial islands surrounded by lagoons and canals. Previously, on the territory of the modern resort of El Gouna there were only sand dunes, but in the early 90s, the director of the Egyptian construction company Orascom decided to build an amazing corner of Venice on the Red Sea coast. The grandiose project was carried out by Michael Graves, the creator of Disneyland.

Now small boats ply along the canals of El Gouna, delivering tourists to their hotels, the center of the resort town and the main sea beach. In El Gouna, vacationers can enjoy luxury villas, modern hotels of various levels and hotel complexes, built taking into account the traditions of oriental architecture and maintaining a sense of fabulousness and unreality of what is happening.

All El Gouna hotels have a common infrastructure, so resort guests can use minibuses and boats to get around the resort. A special service at the resort is the so-called Dinner Round - the ability to replace dinner at your hotel with dinner at any other hotel in El Gouna with a small surcharge or, on the contrary, a gift, depending on the category of the hotel where you are going to have dinner and the hotel in which you are staying.

The resort has restaurants, bars, shops and discos, information and business centers, a hospital, an aquarium, karting and an airport for private planes and helicopters. The heart of El Gouna is the village of Kafr, built in the style of a national Egyptian village with an oriental bazaar and a shopping arcade. The pride of El Gouna is a fashionable golf club, considered one of the best in the Middle East.

Each island of El Gouna has one hotel and its own beach with coral reefs. All resort beaches are sandy with a gentle entrance to the water, which is especially suitable for children. In addition, the resort has other entertainment for children: numerous water parks, water slides and attractions. Animators with various show programs will maintain a festive atmosphere for children of any age.

El Gouna is a true paradise for water sports. The underwater world of the Red Sea with exotic coral reefs, marine fish and sunken historical ships attracts many lovers of the exquisite beauty of the underwater depths.

In the evening, El Gouna takes on a completely different look. The bright lights of night discos and clubs, cozy bars and restaurants always welcome their guests. Summer disco El Arena in Kafr El Gouna is the most popular nightclub on the Red Sea and the largest outdoor disco in Egypt.

Holidays in El Gouna mean sun, sea and vivid impressions of the fabulous East.

The New Year was already around the corner, but there wasn’t a single thought in my head about how and where to celebrate it. Literally a week before the holiday, a friend called me and offered to fly to Egypt, knowing that I was easy-going. Since she said to take a ticket to Hurghada, I thought that that’s where we would be vacationing. I have already been to this resort several times. In principle, a good option to escape from the Moscow winter for a while. She also chose the hotel in advance and booked it herself. Only on the plane did I find out that we would be vacationing in El Gouna.

To be honest, I didn’t even know about the existence of this resort. It has already become much more interesting for me. There was something new ahead that I had never seen before. Knowing my passion for traveling to interesting places, my friend did not disappoint me by choosing El Gouna. So, first things first.

El Gouna is a piece of artificial paradise, created by the efforts of architects and builders right in the desert on the shores of the Red Sea. The city is located 25 kilometers north of Hurghada.

Local millionaire Samih Sawiris has realized his dream: he has realized the Venice project in Egypt. It would seem absolutely incredible. But today everyone can see it with their own eyes.

El Gouna consists of more than 20 islands. In addition, there are many more private islands with villas. Almost all of them are connected to land by bridges. Some can only be reached by boats or boats. During the construction of the resort, kilometers of canals were dug through which sea water flows.

El Gouna welcomed its first guests in 1991. It must be said that the territory is reliably guarded by the police. There is a checkpoint at the entrance to the city. Each car is checked and asked where you are going and whether you are a guest of the resort. A security guard comes into regular buses and checks tickets, as well as documents. Tourists are rarely asked for a passport, but it is better to have at least a copy of it with you. If you are taking a taxi, just tell us which hotel you are going to; to be sure, you can show your room reservation. All these measures are taken for your own safety.

The construction of hotels is still ongoing. Those that are already open are mostly expensive five-star hotels belonging to chains of the best hotels around the world. But there are simpler options - several three-star hotels.

In general, El Gouna is a holiday destination for wealthy travelers, pop stars and simply rich people. Most tourists are Europeans. I only met a couple of Russian people. Our compatriots stay mainly in Hurghada. Many people don't know about this place at all.

The city is built in a single architectural style - Mediterranean with oriental motifs. Even the color scheme of the buildings here is designed in sand and mustard tones.

How to get there

The closest airport to El Gouna is located in Hurghada. Airplanes regularly fly there from Moscow and St. Petersburg. I will write in detail about airlines and flights in the section below.

If you are in Cairo or Alexandria, you can also get there by bus.

By plane

From Moscow to Hurghada

There are several airlines that operate flights with transfers (unfortunately, there are no direct flights):

• Turkish Airlines (transfer in Istanbul 2–3 hours). The cost of a round-trip ticket is about 20,000 RUB.
• Swiss (transfer in Zurich). A round-trip ticket will cost an average of 23,000 RUB.

• Pegasus (transfer in Istanbul). Tickets cost about 27,000 RUB.

• Chech Airlines (connection in Prague about 22 hours). The cost of the flight is 29,000 RUB. In this case, you will have the opportunity to spend the whole day in Prague. Be sure to book a hotel as the flight includes an overnight stay in the city.

From St. Petersburg to Hurghada

Several airlines operate connecting flights:

• Turkish Airlines (transfer in Istanbul) - 26,000 RUB.

• Chech Airlines together with Turkish Airlines (transfers in Istanbul and Prague) - 37,500 RUB. A transfer in Prague will allow you to walk around the city, since the connection lasts 12 hours during the day.

Lifehack.If you buy tickets 4-6 months before your trip, the price will be much lower. I advise you to plan your vacation in advance! This is especially true for travelers planning a trip tosummer months.

You can view current prices and compare options.

From Cairo to Hurghada

If you are in Cairo, then use the services of a local airline.

EgyptAir operates direct flights lasting only 1 hour. A one-way ticket costs an average of 90 EUR.

From Hurghada Airport to El Gouna

Taxi

There are taxis waiting for passengers at the exit from the international terminal, where you will arrive. All companies are official, most cars are two-tone: black and orange.

The trip will cost about 25 EUR. Travel time is no more than 25 minutes. It's best to avoid private drivers, although I didn't see them there.

Bus

The public transport stop is in the same place as the taxi stop: at the exit from the terminal. There are usually a lot of buses there. Even though there is a sign with the final destination on the windshield, it is better to ask drivers if they are going to El Gugu. Transportation is carried out by private enterprises, so they do not have a schedule. When the minibus is full, the driver gets behind the wheel and the car starts moving. The fare is about 3 EUR, payment to the driver.

This minibus will take you to the El Gouna bus station. Essentially, this is the city center. Next, you can get into a tuk-tuk and show the driver the name of your hotel. For 0.30 EUR he will take you to your vacation spot.

Transfer

You can order a transfer from the hotel. The price will be about the same as if you took a taxi. To do this, you need to write to the hotel in advance that you need a car and indicate your flight. The driver will meet you at the airport exit with a sign with your name written on it. Overall, it's convenient. But personally, I’m not a fan of correspondence with hotel staff, so I usually use local taxis.

By bus

Buses depart regularly from Cairo and Alexandria to Hurghada. From Hurghada you need to take a bus to El Gouna.

Cairo - Hurghada

Several times a day, Super Jet buses transport travelers to Hurghada. Travel time is about 7 hours. The fare is 7 EUR. On the way, the driver stops at a cafe where he can have a snack.

Alexandria - Hurghada

Buses leave for Hurghada twice a day. The ticket will cost 6 EUR. The most convenient flight is the one that leaves in the evening (20:00–7:00).

The next morning you are already in Hurghada. The only thing left to do is take another bus to El Gouna.

Hurghada - El Gouna

The cost of a ticket from Hurghada to El Gouna is approximately 1 EUR. The bus leaves from a station near El Dahar Square.

Travel time is about 50–60 minutes. The final stop is El Gouna bus station. Since you will be located almost in the center, I recommend exploring the city on foot.

By car

It’s unlikely that anyone will travel by car to Egypt, but just for reference, I’ll tell you how long it takes to get to El Gouna. The distance from Moscow is more than 4,000 kilometers. From St. Petersburg - more than 5,000 kilometers.

The path involves crossing the borders of many states. Accordingly, for some you need to have an open visa. This is another good reason to abandon such an idea.

By ferry

You can also get to Egypt by ferry. I’ll tell you about all the nuances below.

So, the starting point is Jordan. I drew red arrows all the way to El Gouna.

Aqaba - Nuweiba

In Aqaba we take the ferry to Nuweiba (this is Egypt). Remember that time is worthless in the East. For locals, a flight delay of 2–3 hours is a common occurrence. But everything would be fine if Nuweiba was your final destination; from Nuweiba there is a further journey. More on this later.

The ferry runs six days a week. You can find out whether there is a flight today only in the morning of the same day at the ticket office. They will also tell you the approximate departure time. To it, as I already said, you can safely add 2 hours. The ferry will definitely not sail earlier.

It must be said that due to the aggravated situation between Arab countries and Israel (and crossing its border with Egypt is not possible for citizens of many Arab states), the Arab Bridge ferry company raises ticket prices every year. This happens because for these people the only way to get to Egypt is by water, by ferry. So you have to pay several times more. In 2016, the price was 80 EUR in economy class along with port tax in Jordan. Travel time - 3 hours.

Nuweiba - Sharm el-Sheikh

In Nuweiba you need to go through the security checkpoint and take the bus to Sharm el-Sheikh. The distance is about 150 kilometers, the drive takes a little over 2 hours.

Sharm el-Sheikh - Hurghada

The next step is a ferry from Sharm El Sheikh to Hurghada. The ships sail three times a week. Swim for 2.5 hours.

Hurghada - El Gouna

From Hurghada you will need to take a taxi to El Gouna. This is already the most enjoyable part of the trip.

Clue:

El Gouna - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season? When is the best time to go

If your goal is to explore ancient sights, then I would advise going in winter. At this time there is no scorching sun, so walking is very pleasant. If you want to swim and sunbathe, then plan your trip in autumn or spring.

In summer the air is too hot. If you do not tolerate high temperatures very well, it is better to choose a different time.

Season for divers

The colorful coral reef and sunken ships attract scuba diving enthusiasts here. The best time for diving is considered to be from April to September.

El Gouna in summer

Oddly enough, summer in El Gouna is considered the low season. From June to August the air warms up to +33 °C. Of course, it’s hard to bear such heat. But if this doesn’t scare you, then you can save on accommodation. Hotels during this period reduce prices by 15–20%. The same goes for air tickets.

But I wouldn’t recommend going on excursions in the summer. If only trips on a yacht or boat with swimming in the open sea. It's really cool. Another option is an evening desert safari on ATVs. The air is gradually cooling and it is no longer as hot as during the day.

El Gouna in autumn

From September to November is high season. Many vacationers come to the resort, despite the increase in prices. It seems that Europeans are not at all afraid of this.

During this period, the ideal ratio of air temperature to water temperature in El Gouna is +26 °C and +24 °C, respectively. It's nice to swim, sunbathe and walk around the city.

El Gouna in spring

March to May is also high season at the resort. In March, the nights are still cool, but during the day the air temperature is about +20° C, and the water warms up to about the same level.

In April it gets warmer and the thermometer shows +23° C. This is a very pleasant time in El Gouna. By May, the water warms up to +25 °C, and the air - to +32 °C. It's getting really hot.

El Gouna in winter

From mid-December to mid-January, prices, despite the fact that this is the low season, are very high. The reason for this is New Year. Hotels can afford to set the most expensive rates in full confidence that the flow of vacationers will not decrease.

The average air temperature is about +23 °C. It is very comfortable to walk and go on excursions. However, you need to remember about the winds; take a jacket with sleeves. The water is quite cool: no higher than +20 °C. But it didn’t scare me, I swam with pleasure. It's just unpleasant to go into the water.

Since mid-January, prices have dropped sharply. If you don’t want to overpay, then plan your trip for February. There will be an opportunity to sunbathe and see the main attractions.

El Gouna - weather by month

Clue:

El Gouna - weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

Hotels in El Gouna are located in areas where there are canals. At least most of them. Guests are provided with special terraces with an entrance to the water for comfortable swimming.

I heard that some people consider the water in the canals to be unclean, supposedly it stagnates there. It is not true. Thanks to the competent work of architects and builders, the canals were dug in such a way that water constantly circulates in them. Essentially this is the same sea water. Actually, my point is that you can choose a hotel in any part of the city, the main thing is that it is located near the water.

It must be said that the hotels here are not cheap (more on prices below), and absolutely everything has been done in them for the comfort of vacationers. If you want to swim on the beach rather than in the canal, the hotels have free shuttles. They run all day to the beach and back. Travel time from anywhere in the city is no more than 15 minutes along a good road along well-kept areas.

On the map I will roughly indicate the areas to make it easier to navigate the city.

Unfortunately, in El Gouna there are no areas with cheap hotels and areas built only with expensive hotels. Therefore, I cannot recommend any specific place for budget tourists. Unfortunately, everything here is not cheap, from housing to entertainment and food.

Once you decide on the area where you would like to stay, look at what options are available for your travel dates (for example,). You can book your favorite one at. If you are traveling with a company and are considering an option such as renting a villa, good offers can be found on.

What are the prices for holidays?

Housing

Luxury hotels

Most hotels here are 5 stars. They belong to the world's largest hotel chains. Several have access to the open sea rather than to canals. There are not many of them, and they are all premium. I'll list the three best:

If tranquility is important to you and you are traveling without children, then there are several adults only hotels in El Gouna. This means that all guests here are over 18 years of age. Three Corners Ocean View- one of the best in this category. A night with breakfast will cost 160 EUR. You can also choose the all-inclusive option (200 EUR). It is always calm here, the whole atmosphere is conducive to a relaxed holiday.

Villas

Renting a villa is an excellent solution if you are going on vacation with a group of friends. There are not very many such proposals, but they exist. You can rent a spacious house for 900 EUR per week.

For this money you will have at your disposal:

• 3 bedrooms,

• 3 bathrooms,

• kitchen with dining area,

• courtyard with garden,

• open pool,

• outdoor gazebo,

• parking.

Budget accommodation

I will list several hotels that will be affordable even for those who do not have a very large vacation budget. The beaches here are located on the banks of the canals. The cost of a night in such a place with breakfast ranges from 50–70 EUR:

• Panorama Bungalos Resort El Gouna,

• Arena Inn Hotel,

• Davar El Omda.

Food

Cafes and restaurants in El Gouna provide travelers with European service, world cuisines, entertainment, belly dancing and musician performances. By Egyptian standards, food in El Gouna is expensive. On average 20–25% more expensive than in neighboring Hurghada. You need to expect at least 30 EUR for lunch or dinner for two.

But among all this there are also advantages. The restaurants are located on the embankments with stunning views, and there are terraces everywhere where it’s nice to watch the sunset. Hookah lovers choose soft poufs with low tables. Every day you can go to a new place and get acquainted with a new cuisine.

Taxi

Like everything else in a luxury resort, taxis here are somewhat more expensive than in other cities in Egypt. Here is a clear example: a trip from Hurghada to El Gouna will cost 10 EUR, and back 13 EUR. This is because taxi drivers are very cunning. If a person is vacationing at an elite resort, then more money can be taken from him.

In El Gouna you will only need a taxi at night. If you are returning from a club or bar to the hotel. At night, taxi drivers also like to inflate their prices, since you don’t have much choice. And there aren’t many taxi cars here either.

During the day, as a rule, a free shuttle runs from each hotel to the city center. They run several times an hour, which is very convenient for trips into the city.

There are also a lot of tuk-tuks in El Gouna. Just look how funny they are! Every driver considers it his duty to decorate his car in some special way. It is difficult to find two identical tuk-tuks.

This is a very common way of transportation. They drive around the city like crazy. Drivers will tell you their whole lives in an incomprehensible language, amuse you with incomprehensible jokes in English, and drive you to your destination as quickly as possible. Usually a trip around the city costs about 0.5 EUR.

Excursions

In El Gouna you can buy all the same excursions as in Hurghada. There is one thing: it will cost a little more.

Conclusion

As it becomes clear, you won’t be able to save money in El Gouna. Therefore, initially, when choosing this paradise for a trip, take into account the local prices. Yes, you overpay for everything, but this vacation is on a slightly different level than at other resorts in Egypt. Our compatriots are largely put off by the high cost of El Gouna. That's why there are very few Russians here.

Lifehack. There is one option to save a little on excursions. A little, but still.Take a bus to Hurghada (1 EUR) and buy tours there at the tourist offices.

Main attractions. What to see

El Gouna is an artificially created green oasis in the desert. It is not for nothing that it is called the Egyptian Venice. The entire city is pierced by canals.

I advise you to see El Gouna both from the water, that is, from a boat or a boat during a boat trip, or on foot. Although the city is small and you can walk around it all in about five hours, there is a lot to see here. You don't need a guide. Simply take the shuttle from your hotel to the city center.

Top 5

Among the variety of attractions, I will highlight the most interesting:

• View point

In the sections below I will tell you more about each place.

Beaches. Which ones are better

Each hotel has free cars that take tourists to the resort beaches. With the exception of those located on these very beaches. Therefore, if your hotel does not have access to the sea, this is not a problem at all. It takes about 10–15 minutes to drive from anywhere in the city. And it’s quite comfortable to swim in the canals.

On the map above I have marked the main beaches.

Zeytouna Beach

The most visited beach in El Gouna. Entrance costs about 2 EUR. It is located on an island with developed infrastructure. Restaurants, cafes, volleyball courts, souvenir shops - everything is at your service.

There is no need to pay for the use of sun loungers and umbrellas. The only thing is to take a towel with you. The entrance to the water is gentle, shallow near the shore. Ideal for children.

Mangroovy Beach

There is no need to pay to enter this beach. Here you can not only sunbathe (sun loungers and umbrellas are free), but also have a snack in bars or restaurants. The waiters deliver the dishes directly to the table next to your sun lounger.

In the evening, barbecues and parties with music and open-air performances are often held on the beach. Active recreation activities include beach volleyball and football, kitesurfing and windsurfing. There are a lot of surfers on this beach because the wind blows constantly here

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

El Gouna Mosque

Located next to the Steigenberger Golf Resort El Gouna. This is a very interesting building from an architectural point of view. It is an irregularly shaped quadrangle. According to tradition, the façade of the mosque faces Mecca.

Three semicircular niches in the wall serve as decoration. Interestingly, the prayer rooms are separated by arcades. They are supported by 378 columns brought from the ruins of Roman buildings. No savings were made on the construction of the mosque. From the outside, the building looks very elegant thanks to the elaborate carvings.

It is difficult to get inside, like all mosques. You need to have special clothing that covers all exposed areas of the body.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

Historical Museum

The historical museum, in my opinion, is a must-visit. Exact copies and originals of artifacts from the pharaonic period are kept here.

Muted national music plays in the building, and this allows you to feel the history of Egypt. Entrance costs only 0.5 EUR. Opening hours: daily from 9:00 to 17:00.

Parks

El Gouna itself is one big green park in the middle of the desert.

Walking around the city among flowering trees and palm trees will bring pleasure and create a special mood.

Tourist streets

The tourist center of El Gouna is the island of El Kafr. Tourists are brought here free of charge on boats from all over the city. Here you can spend the whole day walking along the narrow, colorful streets with arched vaults, taking endless photographs of the courtyards and neighboring islands.

Here you can visit the Historical Museum and Observatory. Dine at one of the fine restaurants, and then go to the Club House wellness center and choose a relaxing treatment.

What to see in 1 day

If you come to El Gouna for just one day, you can have time to briefly explore the city. I advise you to come here as early as possible, around 9 am. Below, as an example, I have made a plan on how you can organize your day.

The starting point is the bus station, where all tourists from neighboring cities are brought. There is a supermarket nearby where you can buy inexpensive water and essentials. So, the route:

This is where, unfortunately, the program ends. Don't miss the last bus leaving El Gouna Central Station at 18:00.

What to see in the area

There are many interesting places in Egypt that you need to see at least once in your life. I will offer a list of the most significant, in my opinion.

"Desert Breath"

This installation is located half an hour from El Gouna (10 kilometers). The spectacle is amazing; it’s unlikely that something like this can be seen anywhere else. Essentially these are two giant spirals consisting of 178 sand cones. The installation area is about 100 square meters. Here you can walk for a long time around the bizarre figures. You feel as if you are on the set of some science fiction film. Only there is not a soul around.

In general, in order to fully appreciate the scale of this structure, it is better to view it from the air. Travel agencies organize helicopter flights over the desert. You need to check with managers about the cost, since helicopters can accommodate different numbers of people. The fewer seats, the more expensive the flight will cost.

How to get there

This attraction is usually reached by taxi (about 15 EUR).

Monastery of St. Anthony and Monastery of St. Paul

These monasteries can be explored in one trip. They are located approximately 75 kilometers from El Gouna.

Interestingly, the monastery of St. Anthony, founded in 356, is still active. Today more than 70 monks live there.

Anyone can be on the premises, but avoid wearing too short skirts or shorts.

I already wrote above about how to get to Hurghada.

El Mina Masjid

The main mosque of Hurghada. It’s hard not to notice: two forty-meter minarets are visible from the city center.

Initially, the walls were snow-white. But the winds blowing from the desert turned them dirty brown in a short time. The government immediately decided to paint the walls beige to make the building look more impressive. The mosque looks especially beautiful in the light of evening lanterns.

Show "A Thousand and One Nights" in Hurghada

In the evening you can go to Hurghada for an enchanting show, which is held in a real palace. It is also a hotel. A ticket costs about 15 EUR.

Here you can rent a room, plunging briefly into an oriental fairy tale. A night at the Alf Leila Wa Leila Hotel will cost 100 EUR on an all-inclusive basis.

Pyramids

It is difficult to find a person who has visited Egypt and not seen the pyramids. They are one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The only one to survive to this day.

Don't forget to bring sunscreen and a hat as the desert sun is merciless. The wind also blows often, so sand can fly straight into your face. It is better to take a shawl or scarf with you so that when there is a gust of wind you can cover your eyes and face.

How to get there

To see the pyramids, you need to get to Cairo. The path is not close - 450 kilometers. You will say that it is far and it takes a long time to travel. That is why I advise you to take a direct flight -. An hour on the road plus 70 EUR for tickets, and you are in Cairo. From there the pyramids are just a stone's throw away.

Nearby Islands

There are a dozen small islands near the coast. Many boast white sand and clear water. Still, it seems to me that people go there to sunbathe and swim in solitude. There are much fewer people on the islands than on the beach near the hotel. Plus, this is an interesting mini-trip. I advise you to choose at least one and visit it.

You can arrange with the locals at the pier to take you to the island and pick you up at the appointed time. Or you can go on a large boat designed for 15–30 passengers by purchasing a ticket. It will be cheaper than hiring a small boat. But not all islands have such boats.

Giftun

Located very close to Hurghada. In fact, these are two islands - Big and Small Giftun. The first one is of more interest.

There is no vegetation here at all, but what species! Blue sea, yellow sand and azure sky. You also need to take a snorkeling mask with you. The coral reef with colorful fish is simply mesmerizing.

How to get there

If you don't want to depend on the boat's schedule, then hire a private small boat. Agree with the driver and he will pick you up whenever you want. On average it will cost 15–20 EUR. Travel time directly depends on the speed of the vehicle you choose. It can range from 40 minutes to an hour.

Tawila Island

An hour's ride by yacht or boat from El Gouna is the uninhabited island of Tawila. White sand, crystal water, a rich underwater world and, perhaps, not a soul around - this is how you will see this piece of paradise.

You need to take food and drinks with you, since you will not find any cafes on Tawil.

How to get there

Usually at the El Gouna pier you can find a free boat with a navigator and arrange a trip with him.

Food. What to try

Egyptian cuisine is very specific. To be honest, national dishes not only did not attract me, but rather repulsed me. As an example, I will give a few of the most popular ones.

Kushari

It is a mixture of pasta, spaghetti, rice, chickpeas and lentils in tomato sauce.

In my opinion, there are too many ingredients. And yet we are used to eating them separately.

Ful

This dish, just like kushari, does not look aesthetically pleasing at all. The beans are stewed in oil with lemon juice, and a lot of spices are added at the end.

Pigeon

Oh, these Egyptian delicacies... Another masterpiece of national cuisine is a pigeon carcass stuffed with rice. I don’t know about you, but I was just mentally not ready to eat pigeon. As I was told, these birds are bred on special farms. This didn't make me feel any better.

Conclusion

As you can see, Egyptian cuisine is not exactly what we are used to seeing on our tables. For this reason, the city has a large number of Italian, French and Chinese restaurants. This is where tourists gather.

As an exception, I recommend trying the Umm Ali dessert. Ground almonds, raisins, coconut, puff pastry, doused with milk and sugar. This whole mixture is baked in the oven, topped with whipped cream, sometimes sprinkled with nuts and served. This dessert is really delicious.

Every girl going on vacation always has an outfit for a special occasion in her suitcase. This could be a dinner at a fancy hotel restaurant.

Mövenpick Resort & SPA. I will write more about it in the section on expensive establishments. Fish dishes and seafood are a must try.

Budget

There are few cheap cafes in El Gouna, but they still exist. I would advise looking for establishments that offer guests lunch and dinner in a buffet format.

La Cantina

This is just an establishment where you can eat everything without restrictions for 13 EUR. The choice of dishes for this price is very diverse. First courses, meat, side dishes, sweets and fruits - it is simply unrealistic to leave hungry.

Zomba

Here you need to order dishes from the menu. A hearty lunch will cost 10 EUR. This cafe is very popular among kiters. By the way, there is an outlet at each table if you suddenly need to charge your gadget. And another nice bonus is free Wi-Fi.

Mid-level

The bill will depend on how much food you order. If two people choose one dish and one drink each, the bill will be no more than 30–35 EUR. It also plays a role whether you order alcohol or water/juice.

3rd Sokrat Restaurant

A wonderful cafe with a cozy atmosphere, friendly waiters and excellent pizza.

7th Star

The specialty of this restaurant is fondue.

They serve three types of this dish - cheese, meat and chocolate.

Le garage

Dedicated to all fast food lovers. Order juicy burgers, salads and cold soups.

Puddleduck Bar & Restaurant

Good place for lunch or dinner. The menu card includes dishes of Chinese, Indian and European cuisine.

Snack Shack

In the evenings, the restaurant features live music. They also brew delicious coffee here.

Expensive

There are plenty of decent restaurants in El Gouna, despite the fact that the city is small. Vacationers are offered haute cuisine from around the world. Here you can enjoy Italian, French, Persian and Mediterranean cuisine.

El Sayadin

Fish restaurant at the Mövenpick Resort & SPA. You need to visit this place at least once. All the fish presented on the menu is the morning catch. The freshest seafood and desserts deserve special attention.

An average bill for two with wine will cost from 80 EUR. Naturally, it all depends on your appetite. You can come to the restaurant for lunch from 12:30 to 15:30 or for dinner from 18:30 to 22:00.

Upstairs Restaurant

In addition to many haute cuisine dishes, guests especially note the excellent hookah. I don’t smoke it, but if you like to sit in a cozy atmosphere with a hookah and a pot of mint tea, then it’s worth a try.

The average bill is about 50 EUR for two.

Le Deauville

A restaurant serving French cuisine with subtle Egyptian influences. In many ways, food takes on a new flavor through certain spices and dried seasonings. Expect a bill of approximately 50 EUR.

Chez Chantal

Favorite restaurant for all meat eaters. The local chef prepares excellent steaks for guests. There is also seafood on the menu.

And it’s especially nice that the portions in the restaurant are quite large by Egyptian standards (in general, Egyptian restaurants serve small dishes, that is, you can finish the salad and meat with a side dish, and then think about dessert). A steak will cost 13–15 EUR.

La Rottesserie

This is the same restaurant in the observation tower that I already wrote about. The prices here are not very high, but the place is unusual. I recommend going here for lunch. The prices here are not particularly bad. For 30 EUR you can order two main courses and soft drinks.

Holidays

There are no special “local” holidays in El Gouna. Residents mostly celebrate religious Muslim dates. However, they are not spectacular. Religion for Muslims is sacred. They go to the mosque, where the main action takes place.

For you and me, tourists, the Egyptians organize the brightest holiday in honor of the New Year. The love of Russians for this date has been known to locals for a long time. That’s why they put up artificial fir trees for us, decorate palm trees, shop windows, and main streets.

Of course, every hotel strives to create a festive atmosphere in the halls and restaurants. In general, I liked the New Year in El Gouna. A decorated Christmas tree surrounded by palm trees looks very unusual. Restaurants, bars and clubs offer vacationers to spend New Year's Eve. Concerts, banquets, prize drawings and gifts are organized.

However, a small nuance: I didn’t notice much fun either in the restaurant or in the club. Mostly everyone eats and communicates with each other. I didn’t catch any festive atmosphere. Well, it wasn’t that important to me. The main thing is that the New Year has arrived, a warm wind is blowing outside, and the morning will begin with a lazy relaxation on the beach near the Red Sea with a fruit cocktail from a local bartender. What more could you ask for?

Safety. What to watch out for

I have already written that El Gouna is a closed resort. There is a checkpoint at the entrance to the city. Security guards open the barrier only for taxis, tourist and regular buses. Locals will be allowed to travel further only upon presentation of a hotel reservation. It's a different matter if you are a property owner in El Gouna. In this case, everyone has a special ID, which serves as a pass to the city.

All these measures may seem too strict, but this is done only for the safety and comfort of vacationers. Already in the first days of your stay in the city, it becomes obvious that the surrounding area is absolutely safe.

However, this does not mean that you can walk around with open bags and sparkle with expensive jewelry. The fact is that the majority of Egyptians are not very rich people. Therefore, you should not show all your jewelry. There is also no need to take expensive cameras, cameras and phones to the beach if there is no one to look after them.

Regarding shopping: never take out all the money in stores at the checkout. There is no need to show that your pockets are full of money. This will at least irritate the locals. It’s better to sort the bills right away, and then there will be no problems when paying.

It is also worth paying attention to the sun. Our skin is not used to this amount of ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, you should always have protective cream with you. This is especially true during the daytime, when the sun is most aggressive (from 11:00 to 14:00). It is better to buy cream before the trip, since in El Gouna the prices for sunscreen are too high (from 15 EUR). Moreover, most of them are from unknown companies.

If you go for a walk, take a cap or hat. It is very easy to get sunstroke here. Because of the wind, it seems that the sun does not heat as much, but this is a big misconception. And also, drink more water. Your body will thank you!

Things to do

El Gouna has a large selection of entertainment, ranging from extreme to romantic.

Golf

You don't have to be an avid player to hit the golf course. There are many instructors working here who will help you understand the intricacies of the game.

Unfortunately, I can’t give you an idea of ​​the prices, since I’m not a fan of this sport and haven’t played golf. On the website of the hotel on whose territory the course is located (Steigenberger Golf Resort), all prices are on request. Therefore, if you are interested, you should clarify everything on the spot.

Diving

The Red Sea is amazingly beautiful. Coral reefs, marine life of the most incredible colors - all this is worth seeing with your own eyes. There are several schools in El Gouna where you can get training and then dive to sunken ships.

If you have never dived, then you need to take a course for beginners. The prices are:

• courses (4 days) - 300 EUR,

• equipment (1 day) - 20 EUR,

• dive - 45 EUR.

Submarine

If diving is too expensive for you, then you can see the incredibly beautiful seabed from the window of a mini-submarine. It dives to a depth of 25 meters. This excursion can be purchased at travel agencies. Unfortunately, I cannot advise you on prices.

Yacht trip

This is a very enjoyable activity! Rush on a snow-white yacht or boat towards the waves along canals or on the open sea...

Typically these excursions include lunch on board and the opportunity to snorkel the coral reefs. The cost of such entertainment is about 50 EUR.

Cinema Renaissance Cinema Complex

You can have a wonderful evening at the cinema. Sessions start at 18:00, 21:00 and 00:00. All films are shown in English. The cinema has two halls, one of which is located in the open air.

The Alladin Casino

You can try your luck at the local casino. In addition to games, you can have a snack or a refreshing drink at the bar. There is no strict dress code, but it is better to avoid beachwear. Entry is open to everyone over 18 years of age. Of course, no one will ask you for a passport, but you definitely don’t need to take your children with you.

Library

Would you say it's boring? But no! The library in El Gouna looks completely different than you imagine. It’s nice to walk around the halls here, and if you want, you can sit in the reading room in the fresh air. There is a fountain in the courtyard. Films about the history of Egypt are shown in the library halls. If you're in no hurry, be sure to check it out. Entrance costs around 3 EUR.

Shopping and shops

For souvenirs, oriental spices, hibiscus tea, go to the gallery Souk El-Balad (Souk El Balad). It is pleasant to wander through the narrow streets under the arched vaults. The sellers are not particularly intrusive, but if you decide to buy something, then bargain. After shopping, sit in cafes, of which there are plenty.

Another shopping gallery is called El-Khayamiya(El-Khayamiya). In addition to the standard set of all kinds of souvenirs, you can buy clothes in oriental style at the market.

For paintings, figurines and other works of artists and sculptors, you should go to the area called Art Village (Art Village). In shops and studios you can choose a truly unique item that will refresh the interior of your apartment.

Bars. Where to go

El Gouna has a large selection of bars to suit every taste. Usually the fun starts right after sunset. The administration of each establishment develops an entertainment program, performances by musicians and DJs. There is a lot of competition, so all bars try to surprise visitors and leave a positive impression of the time spent.

I'll highlight a few of the city's most famous bars:

• Peanuts Bar. The “trick” of the bar is that no matter what you order, there will be a basket of peanuts on your table - a compliment from the establishment.
• The Bartender Bar. There is a large selection of imported and locally produced alcohol.
• Aurora. Famous bar at the marina. There are discos on weekends.
• Palm Cafe. Karaoke lovers will appreciate this bar. In the evenings, dancers entertain guests with oriental dances, and closer to night the DJ starts working.
• Sand Bar. There is live music on Saturdays and various shows on weekdays.

Clubs and nightlife

There are some really good clubs in the city.

As a rule, they work every day, but the best time to visit is Thursday, Friday and Saturday:

• Dupot. By day, it's a beach club with music by the pool, colorful cocktails at the bar and a relaxed crowd. After sunset, the light and music in the hall turns on, and the DJ starts spinning records.
• Arena. Club on site at the Arena Inn. Very popular among our compatriots. In summer, parties are held exclusively outdoors.
• Nicht Club Pharaon. Fresh European hits are always played here. Decent crowd and pretty good cocktails.
• Angels. Disco with good music.

Extreme Sports

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

Local alcohol

El Gouna produces wine and beer. Since dry law reigns in Egypt, alcohol cannot be found on the open market. If you want to try what the city's factories produce, order local wine or beer in a cafe or restaurant. It’s even better to ask to bring a closed bottle and bring it home as a gift or as a souvenir of a wonderful vacation at an unusual resort.

Spices

They can be bought on the market, they will have rich aromas and taste. You can save money by buying seasonings at the store. But, according to the sellers at the bazaar, these are completely different spices, and their quality leaves much to be desired. Every seller praises their product, and this is understandable. It's up to you to decide what to do. But saffron (for example) would be a great gift for your loved ones. And it won’t be superfluous in your own kitchen.

I won’t write in detail about endless keychains and magnets, hookahs and oils. All this can be bought at any store.

How to get around the city

Taxi. What features exist

There are many taxi drivers in El Gouna. You can catch a car right on the street. The cars themselves are painted black and orange. There are also cars of other colors or simply with “checkered” roofs. In principle, there are no private owners.

Each car has a meter. But not all taxi drivers turn it on. Often you tell the driver your address, and in response he immediately announces the cost of the trip. In this case, you need to know the approximate price in advance, because Egyptian taxi drivers have no sense of proportion. Believing that tourists have no idea how much the trip costs, they quote the amount three times as much. Even the several times inflated cost will seem very low to you, but keep in mind that they are simply making money off of you. Therefore, always ask to turn on the meter.

Approximate prices:

• boarding costs about 0.30 EUR;
• every kilometer - 0.10 EUR;
• travel from Hurghada airport to El Gouna from 23 EUR (depending on the class of car);
• from Hurghada to El Gouna - no more than 10 EUR;
• from El Gouna to Hurghada - 13 EUR.

I generally advocate independent travel with a rental car. But in the situation with Egypt, I cannot advise you to rent a car.

Let me clarify the situation a little. To understand why the roads are in complete chaos and no one even thinks about following traffic rules, you need to go back to 1967. At this time, Egypt is defeated in the war with Israel, and the entire Sinai Peninsula is filled with refugees.



Colossal unemployment begins. In order to somehow help eliminate this problem, the traffic police decide to issue driver's licenses to everyone. More precisely, to all those who have at least some idea of ​​how to drive a car.

These people learned to drive with a license in their pocket. Naturally, many people do not know such concepts as turning on a turn signal, the right of way, traffic signals, respect for other road users. What can we say, if the first traffic light in Hurghada appeared only in 2009. And pedestrians cross the road in any place they like, and some do it not alone, but with their camel, for example.

Now for some reason the government is not solving this problem. Perhaps he doesn’t see a way out of the current situation. If you take away the licenses of all violators, then there will be no one to drive. I don’t know for what reason, but in my opinion all parties are happy. It seems that everyone has already adapted to this chaos: drivers are accustomed to the fact that a person can step onto the road at any point, and pedestrians are accustomed to the fact that they need to quickly maneuver between cars.



I have visited many countries, especially in Asia, where the traffic on the roads leaves much to be desired. Where there are absolutely no conditions for pedestrians, where motorists honk at each other madly, brake sharply, shout at each other from the windows, and passengers jump into moving open mini-buses while moving. But the situation in Hurghada, El Gouna and the surrounding area was surprising to me.

In connection with all of the above, I can advise taking a car only to those who are no strangers to extreme driving, and to those who feel very confident on the roads. In any case, you need to understand what you are about to experience.

I saw several rental companies in El Gouna. To avoid searching on your own, you can ask the hotel reception to help you or order a car online and drive it straight from the airport.

Rent price

The rental price depends on several factors:

• Firstly, the longer the car rental period, the lower the price will be.
• Secondly, the cost depends on the class of car you choose. But mostly companies offer economy and middle class.
• Thirdly, the equipment of the car and the type of gearbox also affects the cost. Manual cars are cheaper.

Something for example:

• Kia Picanto will cost 40 EUR per day,
• Renault Logan - 40 EUR per day,
• Hyundai Elantra - 50 EUR per day.

Business class cars are mainly available upon request.

You can view options and prices on any other offer aggregator website.

Traffic in Egypt is on the right, which is familiar to us. No additional documents are needed except your driver's license and a copy of your passport. You are provided with a car with a full tank of fuel; you must return it with a full tank.

In November 2016, due to the depreciation of the pound, fuel prices in Egypt increased. However, compared to prices in Russia, and especially in Europe, Egyptian gasoline and diesel are cheap.

Eg:

• AI 92 - 0.2 EUR,
• diesel - 0.15 EUR.

But, despite all these advantages, objectively assess your skills and need for a car on vacation. If in doubt, it is better to use a taxi. This is also inexpensive, but there will be no nervous situations. Local drivers feel like fish in water in this traffic chaos.

Ski holiday

The Jabal Serbal resort under construction is a sensation. Since 2013, various media outlets have reported on the Egyptian government’s grandiose plans to open the country’s first ski resort.

A few years later, I again came across a small article about the construction of a complex on Mount Serbal. But there was no word on when the resort would open to its first guests. And only recently I came across material that since 2017 Jabal Serbal has begun to receive tourists.



The Egyptian government did not save on construction. The most modern equipment was purchased that produces artificial snow. Therefore, dense snow coverage is planned here almost all year round.

Flights- you can compare prices from all airlines and agencies!

Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !

Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!

Anything to add?

Zeituna Island is a tiny tourist island in the Red Sea, which is one large beach. The island is located near the resort town of El Gouna and is very popular among vacationers.

Zeytuna is a magnificent resort area that attracts many swimmers and sunbathers. You can get to this island by boat - it is completely free for hotel guests. The island itself is truly a paradise. There are sun loungers, parasols, and many bars and restaurants. All types of beach activities are also available, including diving.

A local attraction of the island is a magnificent aquarium, which presents almost all species of fish living in the Red Sea. There is no fee to enter the aquarium, which is good news. There are also many shops and souvenir shops on Zeitoun where you can buy some trinket as a souvenir of this magnificent place.

Beaches of El Gouna

El Gouna is a closed, expensive town with luxurious, clean, wide beaches and all sorts of other luxuries, such as: high-level hotels, an impressive golf course, countless kite, wind and surf schools, three yacht stations, a casino.

More details about the beaches:

Zeytouna beach. Living, capable of surprising and inspiring, surrounded by sea and lagoons, the 400-meter pier extends out into the sea, providing access to deeper waters and coral reefs for a fee. Oh, yes, complete comfort, sun and serenity.

Mangroovy beach. The best place on the Red Sea for kite surfing. If this doesn’t tell you anything, you can do more familiar things: lie on the beach, dissolving in the blue sky and bright sun, play volleyball or football, you can go windsurfing or diving, take unforgettable photographs, or do nothing at all.

This is not the entire list of relaxing places, but they are enough to understand the beauty of the beaches of El Gouna.

What sights of El Gouna did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.

El Gouna Historical Museum

The El Gouna Historical Museum is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the resort town of El Gouna. The museum displays a rich collection of various historical relics and exhibits.

The El Gouna Historical Museum was founded in 1996, and for more than fifteen years its exhibition has been introducing visitors to the fascinating history of Egypt, from ancient times to the present day. Excursions here are accompanied by music - most often classical music plays, as well as various ethnic melodies, which give the museum an additional flavor.

Also in the building of the Historical Museum there is an aquarium where you can get acquainted with many inhabitants of the Red Sea. Some aquariums use special lighting that allows you to see the corals flickering at night. There is an entrance fee to the museum, but the magnificent exhibits and wonderful aquarium are definitely worth seeing.

Kafr El Gouna is the central island of a small artificial archipelago that was created off the coast of the Red Sea. The archipelago is home to the town of El Gouna - one of the most elite and prestigious resorts in Egypt.

Kafr Island is the real heart of El Gouna, and in addition, it is the most beautiful and picturesque of all the islands of the archipelago. The island is built very thoughtfully, and its architecture is made in the traditional Egyptian style - with long straight alleys, domed vaults and courtyards at each building. There are no high-rise buildings on the island, and the walls of the houses are painted in soft pastel colors.

Also, all the day and night life of the resort is concentrated on the island; this place never sleeps. During the day there are shops and shopping centers, restaurants and cinemas, various museums and exhibitions. Well, at night numerous nightclubs, bars and open-air discos open their doors.

El Gouna Aquarium

The Egyptian resort of El Gouna is one of the places on the Red Sea coast where there is an aquarium. It is small in size. But the local collection reliably and in detail introduces the underwater inhabitants of the local waters. And there is something to see.

The fauna of the Red Sea is incredibly diverse and picturesque. Of course, seahorses, angelfish or roosterfish placed in an aquarium do not produce quite the same impression as when you observe them in the open sea. But overall, the aquarium will satisfy curiosity and research interest.

In addition to fish, there are crocodiles, turtles and corals. And the local guide can tell you in Russian a lot of interesting things about the life of marine inhabitants.

Bridge of wish fulfillment

El Gouna is a beautiful tourist resort on the Red Sea coast, the construction of which began only in 1991, when the first villas were built. Soon they developed a plan for the development of the town. A cozy resort has emerged on the site of the former desert. In this wonderful place everyone can find something they like.

It is here that a unique structure of its kind is located - the Bridge of Wish Fulfillment. The two huge arches of the structure are actively used for the passage of tourist boats, so swimming in this place is prohibited.

In the evening, the attraction, like a magnet, attracts many loving couples, as well as just people who believe in miracles. After all, the Bridge of Desires is a great place for daydreaming and confessing your feelings. In order for your most cherished desire to come true, you need to concentrate, imagine what you want, and then touch the bridge! Remember that miracles happen to those who believe in them!

El Gouna, a resort 22 kilometers from Hurghada International Airport, is called the “Pearl on the Red Sea” and the “Egyptian Venice”. The city, founded in 1990, was created in the likeness of Venice, covered with a network of artificially dug canals. All buildings in the city are located on islands and are made in traditional desert colors - white, beige, brown. You can get around the city by minibuses and boats. There are no noisy streets or annoying Arabs here, but there are golden beaches with emerald water and a gentle slope into the water, there is a wonderful golf club, the local port of Abu Tig Marina with luxury yachts and expensive restaurants, a free aquarium and a small historical museum. Not far from El Gouna there is a beautiful coral reserve - Mahmeya Island.

The city has long been favored by European tourists - Germans, Poles, Dutch. The local population here is represented exclusively by service personnel, which makes this city safe compared to Hurghada, located half an hour away.

The advantage (and disadvantage) of a holiday in El Gouna is the sea: all the corals off the coast were cut down during the construction of the city, so the beaches are simply ideal for families with small children, but snorkeling enthusiasts will have nothing special to profit from. For divers, there is the opportunity to dive among sunken ships, and corals further away from the coast have been preserved. The main disadvantage of El Gouna holidays is the high cost of hotels and restaurants compared to other Red Sea resorts.

Is the answer helpful?

Is the answer helpful?

Was this review helpful?

Was this review helpful?

Was this review helpful?

How much does a holiday in El Gouna cost? August 2015.

tour cost

We flew for 2 weeks. To a 4* hotel for all inclusive, the ticket cost about 50,000 rubles per person. The price included a sightseeing boat tour along the canals of Egyptian Venice.

We booked an excursion to Luxor, $45 per person. It’s not a long way from El Gouna to Luxor, so we also spent money on water and snacks and shopping. All together it came out to about $150 (including shopping)

Food and products

A bottle of water costs half a dollar. Beer from two to five dollars, local. Hibiscus was traded for 4.5 dollars per kilogram. The starting price is much higher. They invite buyers by offering a kilogram for a dollar, such an advertising ploy. Oils are 3-5 dollars per bottle.

Souvenirs and other goods

The total price for magnets is 1-2 dollars. Initial, around 4-5, you need to bargain. The papyrus is quite large (100*50 cm) and was sold for 12 dollars, the starting price was 20. Asbestos candlesticks are the cheapest at the airport for 3 dollars. Flowers are around $50 per bouquet.