Hotels in El Gouna

El Gouna: Red Sea Lagoon Town 22 km North of Hurghada

El Gouna sits on the Red Sea coast of Egypt, 22 km north of Hurghada International Airport. Built from scratch in 1989 by developer Samih Sawiris, it occupies a network of artificial lagoons and coral-sand islands connected by bridges and water taxis. Unlike most Egyptian resort strips, the town operates as a self-contained community with a hospital, international school, and desalination plant. The Downtown El Gouna and Kafr El Gouna districts concentrate restaurants, bars, and dive centres around open-air squares.

Where to Stay

Hotels range from boutique lagoon-facing properties in Kafr to large all-inclusive resorts along Abu Tig Marina. Kite-surfers concentrate near Mangroovy Beach, where consistent northerly winds blow from April through October. Divers use El Gouna as a base for day trips to Giftun Island and deeper offshore sites along the Straits of Gubal.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Hurghada International Airport (HRG) handles direct flights from Europe; transfer to El Gouna takes roughly 25 minutes by taxi.
• Getting around: Tuk-tuks and water taxis connect districts; car hire is unnecessary within town limits.
• Currency: Egyptian pound (EGP); resort businesses widely accept euros and US dollars.
• Best months: October to April offer temperatures between 22 °C and 30 °C; July and August exceed 38 °C regularly.