January 25th, 2012
A Quick Guide to El Gouna
One of the top tourist destinations in the world is El Gouna. This is a self contained, small town located in Egypt on the western coast of the Red Sea. Construction of this town started about 20 years ago and it is owned and developed by the renowned Orascom Hotels & Development Company. It spreads across lagoons and islands and this is how it got its name which in Arabic means lagoon.
El Gouna has excellent services and superb infrastructure which includes a nearby airport. It has natural sandy beaches, ideal temperatures and sunshine all year round. The management has ensured that its attractions are contained in an immaculate, unified and beautiful setting. It is no wonder tourists visit this area all year round.
The area offers a range of facilities and activities to suit visitors of all ages. Such activities include water sports like snorkeling, para-sailing, water-skiing, kite surfing and windsurfing. There are also go-kart tracks, golf courses, tennis courts, horse stables, football arenas and paintball arenas. There is a fully equipped hospital, an aquarium, shopping malls, entertainment joints and restaurants. A small museum where visitors can see Egyptian paintings and statue replicas is also available.
Visitors are usually spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation in this area. There are over a dozen hotels which are linked by an intricate system of channels and lagoons. The hotels range from 1 star to 5 star and there is a 6 star hotel opening soon. Visitors can also seek accommodation in the numerous villas and apartments in the area.
These hotels offer a wide range of facilities to suit the tastes and budgets of different customers. There are standard rooms, budget rooms, honeymoon suites and luxurious suites. Some of the rooms have balconies, terraces and a panoramic view of the Red Sea. Many of them offer baby sitting services and have kids clubs to ensure that children are well taken care of.
From this area, visitors are able to explore the rich cultural, archeological and historical treasures that Egypt is famous for. There are a number of marinas where tourists can hire boats and yachts to tour the area. There are also guided bicycle tours and organised, daily sightseeing boat trips. These enable visitors to learn the history of the resort and take wonderful pictures.
In this town, there are many events that tourists can take part in. These include the oriental show every Thursday and Sunday evening at Tamr Henna Square. There is also the entertainment and live music event held every Tuesday and Saturday evening downtown at El Kafr. On Monday and Friday nights, there is the Marina Street Festival at Abu Tag Marina. This event includes live band entertainment, explosive shows, drinks and delicious food.
El Gouna lagoon gives visitors a home-away-from-home feeling because of it great location and facilities. It is a paradise in the desert due to its uninhibited islands, high class hotels, natural sandy beaches, entertainment and world class cuisine. It is an ideal holiday destination for families, lovers and honeymooners.






