Why El Gouna? Discovering Egypt’s Red Sea Resort

Located around 30 minutes from Hurghada Airport on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, El Gouna is a purpose-built resort spread across a series of interconnected islands and lagoons, with sandy beaches, marinas, restaurants and hotels all woven into the landscape.

What surprised me most was just how much there is here.

A resort that feels like a destination in its own right

El Gouna has 18 hotels, more than 120 bars and restaurants and four marinas, so this isn't a resort where you are limited to staying within your hotel for the duration of your holiday.

There are several distinct areas to explore, each with its own feel.

Abu Tig Marina is probably the best known, with restaurants, bars and cafés lining the marina and plenty of places to sit and watch the world go by. It has a lively holiday atmosphere without feeling overly commercial, and there are plenty of options for an evening out.

Downtown has a more relaxed, local feel, with restaurants, cafés and shops clustered around the central area. It's a great place to wander after dinner, and there is a good choice of restaurants here too.

Then there is Fanadir Marina, which is a little quieter and more relaxed. We had dinner here at Signor Sassi during our stay, and the setting overlooking the marina was lovely.

One of the best ways to appreciate just how El Gouna fits together is from the water. We took a lagoon tour during our stay, which gave us a completely different perspective of the resort and helped us understand where all the different hotels and areas are located.

Getting around

Getting around El Gouna couldn't be easier.

Tuk Tuks are the main mode of transport around El Gouna and, at 50 Egyptian pounds per journey, they are an inexpensive and fun way to get around. We used them several times to go from our hotel to restaurants and the different marina areas.

There is something rather enjoyable about hopping into a Tuk Tuk in the evening and heading off for dinner rather than getting into a traditional taxi.

So what is there to do?

Quite a lot, actually.

If lying by the pool for a week isn't your idea of a holiday, El Gouna has plenty to keep you occupied.

There are two golf courses, along with opportunities for kiteboarding, diving and snorkelling, as well as boat trips and excursions out onto the Red Sea. Horse riding, tennis and padel are also available.

And it isn't just about watersports and golf. There is Sliders Cable Park, Go Karting, a trampoline park and The Farm, so there are plenty of options for families and anyone looking for something a little more energetic.

For me, though, one of the biggest attractions is that you don't have to do any of it.

El Gouna works equally well if what you really want is a comfortable sun lounger, a good book and a few days of doing very little.

Where should you stay?

There is a surprisingly wide choice of hotels, and this is where I think having some advice can really help.

Some properties are particularly well suited to families, while others are more geared towards couples or adults. There are options for golfers, active travellers, groups of friends and those simply looking for a relaxing winter-sun escape.

During our stay, I was lucky enough to visit several of the hotels, including The Chedi El Gouna, Casa Cook, La Maison Bleue and the Sheraton, as well as staying at the Steigenberger Golf Resort.

They are very different properties, which is why I wouldn't recommend choosing a hotel simply because it has good reviews or looks attractive online. The right hotel will depend very much on what you want from your holiday.

And the food?

With more than 120 restaurants and bars across El Gouna, there is certainly no shortage of choice.

We had dinner in three very different locations during our four nights, from Signor Sassi overlooking Fanadir Marina, to the African-inspired Bongoyo in Downtown and Maritim overlooking Abu Tig Marina.

That variety was one of the things I particularly enjoyed. You can make an evening of going out for dinner, have a drink overlooking the marina, wander around the shops afterwards or simply head back to your hotel.

Who would I recommend El Gouna to?

Having now experienced it for myself, I can see why it appeals to such a broad range of travellers.

I'd recommend it for couples looking for some winter sun, groups of friends, families, golfers and more active travellers, as well as anyone who simply wants somewhere warm and easy for a few days of relaxation.

It's also a destination I think could work particularly well for clients who have perhaps done Egypt before and are looking for something different, or for those who don't necessarily want to combine their holiday with a sightseeing itinerary.

We went to El Gouna for four nights of R&R and, honestly, that was exactly what we needed.

But the beauty of it is that had we wanted to fill every day with activities, we could have done that too.

We'd definitely return.