El Gouna

الجونة

Charming upscale beachfront village designed as a planned resort community with Venetian-style lagoons, boutique hotels, and excellent diving. Known for a more sophisticated and relaxed atmosphere than Hurghada with beautiful sandy beaches.

Things to do

• Diving at Giftun Islands — Explore vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life at nearby Giftun Islands, one of the Red Sea's premier dive sites accessible by boat from El Gouna.
• Stroll the Venetian-style Lagoons — Walk along the planned waterways and charming bridges that characterize El Gouna's unique architecture, lined with boutique shops and cafés.
• Windsurfing at Kitesurfing Beach — Take advantage of consistent Red Sea winds at designated watersports areas where rentals and lessons are available for all skill levels.
• Visit Abu Tig Marina — Browse the upscale marina district filled with international restaurants, galleries, and shops while observing luxury yachts and diving boats.
• Snorkeling at House Reef — Access excellent house reef snorkeling directly from El Gouna's beaches to see colorful fish and coral formations without boat trips.
• Desert Safari Excursion — Book a guided quad bike or jeep tour into the Eastern Desert for sunset drives, Bedouin village visits, and stargazing experiences.

Food to try

• Fresh Grilled Hammour — Sample locally-caught grouper prepared simply grilled with lemon and herbs at beachfront restaurants, a Red Sea specialty.
• Koshari — Try this beloved Egyptian street food combining lentils, rice, pasta, and spiced tomato sauce topped with crispy fried onions.
• Mezze Platters — Order traditional Middle Eastern appetizer spreads featuring hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, and fresh pita bread at local restaurants.
• Fresh Seafood at Abu Tig — Dine at the marina's seafood restaurants where daily catches including sea bream, mullet, and prawns are prepared à la carte.
• Ful Medames — Eat this traditional Egyptian fava bean stew for breakfast, seasoned with garlic, cumin, and olive oil, served with fresh bread.

Local customs & good to know

• Dress Code for Conservative Areas — While El Gouna is cosmopolitan, wear modest clothing away from beaches and resort areas, especially when visiting local neighborhoods or shops.
• Greet with Arabic Phrases — Learning basic Arabic greetings like 'Assalamu alaikum' (hello) and 'Shukran' (thank you) is appreciated by local staff and residents.
• Ramadan Considerations — During Ramadan, restaurants may have limited daytime hours and eating in public during fasting hours is considered disrespectful; evening dining is festive.
• Haggling is Customary — Negotiate prices at local markets and shops outside resort areas, as haggling is a normal part of Egyptian commerce and cultural interaction.