Travel Eye on El Gouna (Egypt)

Write a review or view peoples experiences in El Gouna.	Hotels in El Gouna	Flights	Car Hire/Rental

Overview:

El Gouna is a completely man-made resort of approximately 5½ mls by 3 mls, springing from flat marshy sand spits and lagoons, with a lush 18-hole golf course at its centre. It is all privately owned land and has security gates with a checkpoint. Tourists are free to come and go, but everyone else has identity cards. Properties are well spaced and in a variety of low-rise styles, creating an attractive "village" with downtown shops and bars, charming stone bridges, mature landscaping and a good, well-signposted road network. Central roads are cobbled, forcing what little traffic there is to maintain a very low speed. The outer roads are more like dirt tracks. Each property is more or less self-contained, but there remains a communal responsibility with regards to facilities and communications. The possibility of terrorist attacks on tourists in Egypt remains; Foreign Office advisory notices offer the latest official advice and should be consulted before booking.

Locality:

El Gouna is situated on the E coast of Egypt, between the desert and the Red Sea (19 mls N of Hurghada, 300 mls SE of Cairo, 170 mls NE of Luxor). It has a small local airport 2 mls from resort centre; Hurghada international airport is 22 mls away. It is positioned at the edge of a striking red-sand desert, with distant craggy mountains to the W. A host of islands lie just off the coast.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

El Gouna is most suited to guests who want a peaceful if somewhat standardised resort without too much local flavour (a sort of high-quality Egypt for beginners). Perhaps a place to relax and unwind after a hectic pyramids/cultural tour. Water-sports enthusiasts will also find plenty to keep them busy.

Accommodation is almost all hotels which have beachfront locations or access to a beach. High-quality, luxurious accommodation is the norm, although there are some more simple properties. Most offer water-sports activities and excursions. Several of the hotels are within walking distance of downtown, but most guests would have to take advantage of the efficient public transport system to get there.

Completely man-made beaches provide much of the daytime activity in El Gouna, some of which are accessed by boat. Not golden sand by any means, but pleasant enough for sunbathing.

Shopping is not a high priority here with only a few shops and bazaars downtown. There is more choice available in nearby Hurghada.

Entertainment here generally revolves around relaxing by the pool or sea and taking it easy; water sports; activity programmes and sports opportunities laid on by hotels include horse and camel riding are popular and a Go-cart track is also available. By night many hotels offer their own evening entertainment programmes, usually including belly-dancing shows; downtown boasts one disco as well as a number of popular bars.

Excursions from El Gouna consist of boat trips and water sports, trips to the desert, oasis and quad-bike safaris; Luxor or Cairo (early morning start and possibly overnight stay).