El Gouna Holidays

There are many things to do in El Gouna, especially if you’re a lover of sand and water. This resort town is one of the primary diving and snorkelling destinations in the whole of Egypt, boasting impressive shipwrecks, beautiful coral formations and colourful underwater life. The majority of El Gouna’s attractions can be found in and around the Red Sea, though there are plenty of places around the town where you’ll find the opportunity to relax and be pampered, with many great spas allowing you ample time to recharge your batteries. Aside from the water sports there are countless outdoor pursuits and attractions to keep you occupied during your visit to the town, families, couples and solo travellers will find themselves occupied for their entire trip. For a little more culture and history, consider taking a trip to the fascinating city of Aswan. Aswan is home to bustling souks and boasting countless ancient tombs so you can experience some ancient history as well as modern local life and the spectacular river Nile runs through the city.

No trip to El Gouna would be complete without taking advantage of the beautiful beaches and the stunning Red Sea around it. Taking at least a couple of days out from activities and exploration to chill and sunbathe in the sand is essential, and in El Gouna you’ll be in the best possible place to do just that. If you want to have some fun by the sea and get some exercise, you can try kitesurfing, which is a cross between paragliding and surfing. A little further out into the sea, you can try sailing and get some panoramic views of the beach, and further out still you can even swim with dolphins in their natural habitat. With its perfect clear waters, the El Gouna coast is the perfect place to go diving and snorkelling to see some of the world famous coral reefs with sealife.

There are more than 100 different restaurants around El Gouna, with everything from casual places for midday snacks and coffee as well as fine dining experiences for romantic evening meals to remember. You’ll find waterfront establishments with fancy frontage and less obvious hidden gems tucked away in more low key parts of town, all serving wonderful local food as well as international cuisine. To make sure you take advantage of all the dining options on offer in El Gouna, there’s a scheme called the Dine Around Program, which is available to guests at specific hotels. With the Dine Around Program, guests get vouchers of 50 LE per person to use in any of the participating restaurants, which they can use towards their final bill. This adds an extra incentive to dine out and take a chance exploring some of the recommended restaurants in the area.

Whatever you want from a night out when you’re on holiday, you’re certain to be able to find it in El Gouna. From small, relaxed bars to all-night dance clubs, it’s all here ready to explore after dark. One of the most popular places to go is an open air club, and there are also karaoke bars, beach bars, old fashioned pub-style bars, and fashionable cosmopolitan bars, as well as live music venues, barbecues and parties on the beach. There’s a casino in town where you can try and boost your holiday spending money if you’re feeling lucky. But if you’re looking for more of a traditional Bedouin night out, there are spots outside the resort where you’ll find more typical local entertainment. No matter what kind of evening entertainment you choose, you’ll be well served in El Gouna from the moment you go out until the early hours of the morning.

If you’re looking for a wonderful family holiday to El Gouna, there are so many attractions on offer around the resort that everyone will be spoiled for choice, no matter how old they are. The El Gouna Aquarium is close to the town, and it’s great for a day out with the kids, who can get an education about the inhabitants of the Red Sea as well as finding lots of weird and wonderful creatures to take pictures of. In the centre of El Gouna, kids can also learn how to play golf, go diving, and drive go-karts around the local go-kart track. Whether you play a few multi-generational games of mini-golf by the marina or ride friendly ponies at the riding centre, you’ll find lots of options for days out that will keep the whole family entertained.

El Gouna is a great place for couples to go on holiday, with enough natural beauty to get away from it all if you want some peace and quiet, but with lots of modern facilities for pampering if you want to make sure you’re well looked after. There’s nothing quite as romantic as sailing on the ocean with your significant other, and you can do that together in Red Sea just off the coast of El Gouna. That’s if kitesurfing is a bit too energetic for you, but if not then you can always try that too. Take a scenic horse ride for two around the stunning landscape, including a trek along the beach, and spend some time sunbathing on the sands during your stay. You can also spend some time in a luxurious spa getting some relaxing treatments through the afternoon before heading out to dinner in the evening feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Easily the biggest draw to El Gouna is the world beneath the surface of the Red Sea, and you’ll find some great snorkelling and diving opportunities in and around the island, as well as in the northern area of the Red Sea. There are many dive schools and operators in El Gouna, many of which are found in the hotels of the resort. If you haven’t experienced diving before, the schools around here will teach you all the necessary skills you need to take to the water, where you can explore shipwrecks, colourful coral and vibrant sea life, rivalling the diving scene of Sharm el Sheikh. Above sea level you can have a go at kitesurfing, windsurfing, parasailing and water skiing at El Gouna Beach, while away from the water you can gallop across the dunes on horseback, play a round of golf on an 18-hole course set against a stunning mountainous backdrop, or simply melt your stresses and strains away in a Turkish bath.

El Gouna isn’t just a beautiful location for a holiday, it’s also got a rich history and culture that you can experience during your visit if you know where to look. The many boat trips to the surrounding islands will give you the chance to look at the resort from a whole new angle, and see how the settlements first formed. A trek into the Eastern Desert to find a Bedouin village will open your eyes to local life, and a visit to one of the monasteries will give you an insight into the ancient spiritual history of the area. From El Gouna you can easily reach Luxor, Aswan and Cairo if you want to explore the historical sites there, and organised trips will give you the chance to go on desert safaris and boat trips as you go.