El Gouna walking tour & city guide
A lagoon town on the Red Sea.
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El Gouna, north of Hurghada, is a modern resort town built on islands and lagoons on the Red Sea. With colorful Nubian-style buildings and canals, it is sometimes called the 'Venice of the Red Sea'.
The town
Abu Tig Marina has yachts, cafés and restaurants. Downtown has squares and shops in a Nubian and Moorish style, and boats connect the lagoons.
Sea and wind
Steady winds make El Gouna one of the best kitesurfing spots in the world. Diving trips visit Red Sea reefs and wrecks. The El Gouna Film Festival is held every autumn.
A day in El Gouna
El Gouna is a resort town built on lagoons and islands. Walk around the Abu Tig Marina and the downtown square.
Kitesurfing is excellent, thanks to steady winds. Boat trips go to nearby reefs.
Good to know
El Gouna is about 25 km north of Hurghada. It is clean, calm and easy to explore by tuk-tuk.
It hosts a film festival in autumn.
Why people love it
El Gouna was built from scratch in the 1990s, and it feels very different from the rest of Egypt: quiet streets, pastel buildings inspired by Nubian architecture, and canals linking hotels, restaurants and beaches. Many visitors get around by small boats or tuk-tuks. It is popular with families and with kitesurfers, who come for the reliable wind, and its lagoons are calm enough for beginners. In the evenings, the marina is lined with cafés where people watch the yachts and the sunset.
Top sights in El Gouna
- 1
Abu Tig Marina
Yachts and waterfront cafés.
- 2
Downtown El Gouna
Squares and shops.
- 3
Mangroovy Beach
A kitesurfing beach.
- 4
Lagoon boat rides
Boats between the islands.
- 5
Red Sea reefs
Diving and snorkeling.
Food markets & where to eat in El Gouna
Abu Tig Marina
Waterfront restaurants.
Downtown
Cafés and international food.
Beach clubs
Snacks and drinks.
Food to try in El Gouna
Grilled seafood
From the Red Sea.
Feteer
Egyptian layered pastry.
Fresh juices
Mango and sugarcane.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to El Gouna
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in El GounaCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in El Gouna.
- eSIM for EgyptStay online from the moment you land.
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