El Gouna marina town with lagoon and palm trees

Hurghada

El Gouna

Unsplash / Unsplash

Good

A purpose-built lagoon-resort town 25km north — self-contained, upmarket, the Egyptian Riviera idea taken seriously.

A 1990s-built private resort town developed by Orascom across 18 sq km of lagoons north of Hurghada airport. Genuinely town-like with marina, downtown, schools, hospital and golf course. Hosts the El Gouna Film Festival (October) and SailGP regattas. Mövenpick, Sheraton Miramar and Steigenberger all here; quieter and more polished than central Hurghada.

Scores

9/10

Walkability

7/10

Transit

3/10

Price

5/10

Local feel

8/10

Nightlife

10/10

Family-friendly

5/10

Centrality

What you gain

  • Self-contained walkable town with marina, restaurants and shops
  • El Gouna Film Festival and SailGP events on the doorstep
  • Best kitesurf school cluster on the Red Sea

What you sacrifice

  • 30-min taxi to Hurghada airport
  • Most expensive area for non-all-inclusive eating

Best for

familieskitesurfersreturning visitors

Avoid if

budget travellersauthentic-Egypt seekers

Know where to stay — now find when to go.

Best time to visit Hurghada