Holiday in El Gouna

City in Egypt — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇪🇬

Country

Egypt

Type

City

Best time to travel

Year-round, October to April ideal (not too hot), kitesurfing April to October, diving year-round

Budget/day

90-160 € (4-star, excursions, kite courses)

Getting there from Germany

Flight to Hurghada about 4.5 hours, numerous direct flights, transfer to El Gouna only 30 minutes

What makes El Gouna special as a destination?

El Gouna is Egypt's answer to the Maldives – a luxurious lagoon resort town on the Red Sea, entirely designed from scratch, distinguished by its artificial islands, canals, and turquoise lagoons, setting it apart from anything else found in Egypt. Located about 22 kilometers north of Hurghada, El Gouna is a self-contained world: clean, safe, international, and with an infrastructure that meets European standards. For German travelers who want to enjoy Egypt's sun and underwater world without sacrificing comfort and style, El Gouna is the perfect destination. The architecture of El Gouna was developed by Egyptian billionaire Samih Sawiris, combining traditional Nubian construction with modern design. Hotels, villas, and apartments are grouped around lagoons and canals, connected by boat, tuk-tuk, or bicycle. There is no mass tourism or large hotel complexes – instead, boutique hotels, its own airport, a golf course, a marina, and even a branch of the Technical University of Berlin. El Gouna has established itself as an international kitesurfing mecca. The shallow lagoon with constant wind offers ideal conditions for beginners and professionals alike. At the same time, some of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the Red Sea are right at the doorstep – the offshore reefs can be reached in 15 minutes by boat and host a spectacular underwater world with coral gardens, turtles, and colorful fish schools. Hurghada Airport is only 30 minutes away, and there are direct flights from Germany year-round. The climate allows for beach holidays from January to December, with winter months pleasantly warm at 22-25 degrees.

Relaxation
85
Winter
85
Beach
80
Romance
80
Safety
80

What are the top highlights in El Gouna?

The top highlights in El Gouna include Lagoons & Canals, Kitesurfing in the Lagoon, Red Sea Diving, Marina & Downtown, El Gouna Golf Club.

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Lagoons & Canals

Artificially created turquoise lagoons between islands, connected by canals and bridges

2

Kitesurfing in the Lagoon

Flat, warm standing area with constant wind – one of the best kitesurfing spots in the world

3

Red Sea Diving

Spectacular coral reefs 15 minutes by boat with turtles, rays, and tropical fish

4

Marina & Downtown

Stylish marina with restaurants, bars, and boutiques, the social center of El Gouna

5

El Gouna Golf Club

18-hole golf course with views of the Red Sea, designed by Gene Bates and Fred Couples

6

Nubian Architecture

Unique construction with domes, earth tones, and traditional Egyptian elements in a modern context

Hotels in El Gouna

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Reise-SIM für El Gouna

Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

When is the best time to visit El Gouna?

The best time to visit El Gouna is Year-round, October to April ideal (not too hot), kitesurfing April to October, diving year-round. Very hot, 35-42°C, constant wind mitigates the heat, water 26-29°C In winter: Pleasantly warm, 20-26°C, sunny, water 21-23°C, perfect escape from the German winter

Recommended travel time

Year-round, October to April ideal (not too hot), kitesurfing April to October, diving year-round

Summer

Very hot, 35-42°C, constant wind mitigates the heat, water 26-29°C

Winter

Pleasantly warm, 20-26°C, sunny, water 21-23°C, perfect escape from the German winter

How much does a holiday in El Gouna cost?

Budget travellers: 50-80 € (3-star, half board)/day, mid-range: 90-160 € (4-star, excursions, kite courses)/day, luxury: 180-400 € (5-star boutique, golf, private diving)/day.

Average costs per person per day

Budget

50-80 € (3-star, half board)

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

Mid-range

90-160 € (4-star, excursions, kite courses)

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

Luxury

180-400 € (5-star boutique, golf, private diving)

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

How do I get from Germany to El Gouna?

Flight to Hurghada about 4.5 hours, numerous direct flights, transfer to El Gouna only 30 minutes

Book a package holiday to El Gouna

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What travel tips are there for El Gouna?

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

Visa for Egypt costs 25 USD and is purchased upon entry at the airport as a stamp – bring cash in US dollars or euros

El Gouna is significantly more expensive than Hurghada – but cleaner, safer, and more stylish, the upgrade is worth it

Book kitesurfing courses in the lagoon – the standing area is perfect for beginners, equipment is provided

Tipping (Bakshish) is mandatory in Egypt – plan for 10-15% in restaurants, 1-2 USD for small services

Do not drink tap water, also brush teeth with bottled water – in El Gouna, this is not a problem thanks to its own purification

What should you eat in El Gouna?

Typical specialities in El Gouna: Koshari – Egypt's national dish made of rice, lentils, pasta, and tomato sauce topped with crispy onions, Ful Medames – slowly cooked fava beans with olive oil, cumin, and lemon, the Egyptian breakfast, Fish from the Red Sea – freshly grilled grouper or snapper with tahini sauce and rice, Molokhia – green jute leaf stew with garlic, served with rice and chicken, typically Egyptian, Umm Ali – warm bread pudding with nuts, raisins, and milk, Egypt's most popular dessert.

These specialties you must try!

Koshari – Egypt's national dish made of rice, lentils, pasta, and tomato sauce topped with crispy onions
Ful Medames – slowly cooked fava beans with olive oil, cumin, and lemon, the Egyptian breakfast
Fish from the Red Sea – freshly grilled grouper or snapper with tahini sauce and rice
Molokhia – green jute leaf stew with garlic, served with rice and chicken, typically Egyptian
Umm Ali – warm bread pudding with nuts, raisins, and milk, Egypt's most popular dessert
Suitable for:LagoonKitesurfingRed SeaDivingLuxuryYear-roundGolfBoutique

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