El Gouna Resort Guide — Your Complete Guide to the Venice of the Red Sea
El Gouna is unlike anywhere else in Egypt — or indeed in the world. A private lagoon city built on islands, connected by water taxis, with its own airport, international school, and a genuine community of permanent residents. This guide covers everything.
El Gouna — The Basics
El Gouna is located 22km north of Hurghada, built by the Orascom group on a series of Red Sea islands and lagoons. Construction began in 1990 and the resort has grown continuously since. It now functions as a complete self-sufficient town: its own power station, desalination plant, hospital, international school, golf course, marina, and airport.
Getting Around El Gouna
Water taxis (abra): the traditional way to cross the lagoons. Cheap, atmospheric, and genuinely useful. Tuk-tuk (golf buggies): the most common form of internal transport — available everywhere and inexpensive. Bicycle: El Gouna is flat and largely car-free in its residential areas — cycling is popular. Walking: the downtown area is walkable.
Downtown El Gouna
Downtown El Gouna surrounds the marina and lagoon — the commercial and social heart of the resort. El Gouna's restaurant scene is genuinely excellent for a resort destination: Pier 88, Harumaki (Japanese), Signor Sassi (Italian), Moods, and dozens of others. The food and beverage quality significantly exceeds typical Red Sea resort fare.
Activities in El Gouna
Kitesurfing: El Gouna is world-famous for kitesurfing — the lagoon conditions are ideal for beginners and experts. Diving: multiple PADI dive centres with house reef and boat trip access. Golf: Gene Bates-designed 18-hole course. Watersports: kayaking, paddleboarding, yacht rental. The El Gouna Film Festival (annual October) brings international cinema to the resort.
Property in El Gouna
El Gouna's property market is among the most established in Hurghada. Properties are bought and sold regularly with good price transparency. Studios from £50,000, villas from £200,000. The El Gouna lifestyle — water access, international community, excellent dining — commands a premium that is justified by the quality of the environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
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