Things to do in El Gouna
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Top 10 attractions in El Gouna
El Gouna
El Gouna is a purpose-built resort town on Egypt's Red Sea coast, located north of Hurghada. The entire town is spread across islands and lagoons connected by bridges, with turquoise waterways winding through. White walls, arcades, and colorful Nubian-style buildings line the water, and with boats and stone bridges everywhere, it is often called the "Venice of the Red Sea" by tourists. Water-based activities are the focus here: kitesurfing is the town's signature activity. Mangroovy Beach offers steady sea breezes and calm lagoon waters, where enthusiasts from beginner to advanced levels can find suitable areas. You can take a boat out to visit the "Dolphin House" reef, famous for its dolphins, where you have the chance to swim with pods of bottlenose dolphins, while the nearby Abu Nuhas shipwreck cluster is a classic Red Sea wreck diving spot. If you don't want to learn to surf, you can also take a lagoon cruise through the waterways or spend half a day at the cable wake park. The land-based side is also worth exploring at a leisurely pace: Abu Tig Marina is lined with rows of yachts, and the cafes and restaurants along the water are perfect for watching the sunset. The area around Tamr Henna Square in the town center is filled with markets and small shops, making it the main place for dining and strolling. Most tourists arrange their itinerary for half a day on the water and half a day on land, ending the evening with a walk along the canal. The pace is relaxed, making it perfect for a laid-back vacation.Egypt · El Gouna
Giftun Islands
Giftun Islandsare located in the Red Sea in Egypt, across the water from Hurghada. They mainly consist of Big Giftun Island, Small Giftun Island, and several surrounding reefs. It takes about 1 hour to reach them by boat from the Hurghada marina. The entire archipelago is designated as a marine protected area. There are no permanent residents on the islands, and visitors are not allowed to stay overnight. Therefore, tours are mostly conducted as day trips, departing by boat in the early morning and returning in the evening. Fine white sandy beaches and coral reefs right next to the shore are the core highlights of this archipelago: over 200 species of coral and thousands of fish species make their home here. When snorkeling, you can see staghorn coral and table coral stretching out in patches. Butterflyfish and parrotfish swim by in schools, and if you are lucky, you might encounter sea turtles and moray eels. During the boat trip, you also have a chance to see wild dolphins appearing near the boat. Visitors who cannot swim or do not want to go into the water can take a glass-bottom boat to view the coral through the bottom of the boat, or simply lie on the beach to sunbathe. The beaches of the archipelago each have their own characteristics. Among them, Orange Bay is popular for photo opportunities, thanks to the hammocks set up in the shallows and the swings on the water. There are also lagoon areas with shallow, calm water that are suitable for children to play in. For diving enthusiasts, there are multiple dive sites distributed around the archipelago. Local dive centers in Hurghada provide equipment rental and instructor guidance year-round and can arrange boat diving itineraries. As it is a protected area, please follow the rules when visiting the islands; do not touch or step on the coral. The Red Sea has intense sunlight, so it is recommended to prepare high-SPF sunscreen, sun hats, and plenty of drinking water in advance. If you want to avoid the crowds, you can choose to travel on days other than local weekends and holidays.Hurghada · 32.1 km from El Gouna
Colossi of Memnon
Colossi of Memnon are two massive quartzite statues standing on the plain on the west bank of the Nile. They were commissioned by Pharaoh Amenhotep III of the Eighteenth Dynasty during the New Kingdom period and originally served as the entrance guardians for the first pylon of his mortuary temple. Including their bases, the two statues are approx. 18m tall, stand approx. 15m apart, and face east toward the Nile. Smaller figures of Queen Tiye and the pharaoh's mother, Mutemwiya, are carved on the thrones beside the statues' legs. The sides of the bases feature reliefs of the Nile god Hapi, who holds lotus and papyrus plants to symbolize the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. Both statues are heavily weathered, making their faces and upper bodies difficult to identify. The southern statue is carved from a single block of quartzite. The northern statue was severely damaged in an earthquake in 27 BC and was later repaired by the Romans using sandstone; its upper section is built from five layers of stone, which makes it look noticeably different from the southern statue. After the northern statue was damaged, a phenomenon occurred where the colossus would emit a sound resembling string music or whistling at dawn. Ancient Greek and Roman tourists flocked to listen and carved inscriptions on the base. Many of these inscriptions mentioned the Greek mythological hero Memnon, which is how the colossi got their name. Roman Emperor Septimius Severus later repaired the upper part of the statue, and the sound ceased to occur after that. Today, visitors can still see those Greek and Latin inscriptions from the Roman era on the base and experience the traces left by travelers from two thousand years ago.Egypt · Al Bairat
Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis
Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis was the capital of ancient Egypt during the Middle and New Kingdoms, spanning the east and west banks of the Nile. The east bank features two religious complexes,Karnak and Luxor Temple, while the west bank is home to pharaonic tomb areas such as the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, as well as several mortuary temples, together forming a vast complex of ancient ruins. Karnak, located on the east bank of the Nile, is the core complex of the site. The Great Hypostyle Hall features densely packed giant stone columns covered in reliefs and hieroglyphic inscriptions. The temple also preserves towering obelisks and a sacred lake. An avenue lined with ram-headed sphinxes once connected it toLuxor Templein the south. On the west bank, the Valley of the Kings is hidden within barren hills and canyons, where pharaohs of the New Kingdom carved their tombs into the mountains, with walls adorned in vibrant religious murals and depictions of the afterlife. TheMortuary Temple of Hatshepsutwas built against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari, with three terraced levels rising in succession, blending into the steep rock face behind it and presenting a rare terraced layout in ancient Egyptian architecture. When visiting, you can arrange your itinerary by the east and west banks separately; the east bank is primarily for temple complexes, while the west bank focuses on tombs and mortuary temples.Egypt · Al Bairat
Eastern Desert
Eastern Desert is a vast desert region stretching between the Nile Valley and the Red Sea in Egypt, formerly known as the "Arabian Desert," covering an area of approx. 220,000 km². Unlike the vast sand seas of Egypt's Western Desert, this area is primarily a mountainous desert: the Red Sea Mountains run parallel to the coastline, with many peaks exceeding 1,500 m in elevation, and 2,000 m-class peaks concentrated in the south; ochre-red mountains, gravelly desert, and dry riverbeds crisscross each other, creating a rugged and open landscape. This desert is not lacking in traces of human activity. The Wadi Hammamat area contains rock carvings dating from the Pharaonic era to the Roman period; the Romans once ventured deep into the hinterland to mine granite and purple porphyry, and at the Mons Claudianus quarry, one can still see giant stone columns that were never transported away. Nomadic Bedouins still graze and camp here, and itineraries that venture deep into the hinterland usually include a stop at a Bedouin village to drink a cup of piping hot black tea and see the daily life in the desert. Departing from Hurghada on the Red Sea coast, half-day to full-day desert itineraries are common: ride an ATV or take an off-road vehicle to bump and bash through the sandy and rocky terrain, ride a camel slowly at sunset to watch the sun go down, and after nightfall, far from city lights, the starry sky overhead is exceptionally clear. The desert has a large temperature difference between day and night; protect yourself from the sun and bring plenty of water during the day, and remember to add a jacket after sunset; in spring, there are occasional hot, dusty winds from the south, so it's worth checking the weather before you go. If you have enough time, hiking along dry riverbeds or arranging a multi-day off-road trip deep into the mountains will allow you to see an Egypt that is completely different from the Red Sea coast.Egypt · Hurghada
Nabq Bay
Nabq Bay is a local stretch of beach hotel to the north of Naamabay. The beach here is very comfortable, with clear water and soft sand, which is a good place for vacation. This is also one of the most beautiful bays in the area. Tourists can choose from many hotels here, and the dining options here are richer.Egypt · Sharm El Sheikh
Blue Hole Dahab
The Blue Hole is located on the surface of the Red Sea on the north side of Dahab. It is said to be 300 meters deep. A deep blue circular deep pool is formed here on the sea surface. It is not only rich in marine resources, but also of very high scientific value. Very good place for diving. It's really beautiful, clear water, and you can see a lot of fish with the naked eye. If you come to Dahaba without snorkeling in the Blue Hole, you will be in vain. Even if you can't swim, you can snorkel here. There are all kinds of fish underwater. One side is the coral mountain, and the other side is bottomless. blue hole.Egypt · Qesm Saint Katrin
Avenue of the Rams
The Avenue of the Sphinx is an important ancient road connecting the Luxor Temple and the Karnak Temple, located in Luxor, Egypt. The avenue is about 3 kilometers long, with hundreds of sphinxes lined on both sides, symbolizing the power and mystery of ancient Egypt. The Avenue of the Sphinx was the main route for ancient festival parades and has important historical and cultural value. Tourists can start their tour from either end of the Luxor Temple or the Karnak Temple. Walking is the recommended way to experience this ancient road. Along the way, you can admire well-preserved statues and ancient architectural remains, and feel the glorious history of ancient Egypt. There are many restaurants and cafes near the Avenue of the Sphinx, where tourists can enjoy local cuisine after the tour. The Avenue of the Sphinx is not only a paradise for archaeology enthusiasts, but also an ideal place to learn about ancient Egyptian civilization. Visitors can explore ancient culture in depth while enjoying the unique charm of Luxor.Egypt · Luxor
Abu Haggag Mosque
This temple was built when the Arabs occupied Luxor in the 13th century. At that time, the Luxor Temple was buried by the silt of the Nile River. In the 19th century, when the temple was excavated, people discovered that the temple was built on the ruins of the temple courtyard. The temple itself is beautiful, but the style is incompatible with the temple. For various reasons, the temple was preserved and now has become a scenic spot in front of the Luxor Temple.Egypt · Luxor
Saint Catherine's Monastery
St. Catherine's Monastery is located at the foot of Moses Mountain on the Sinai Peninsula on the east-west traffic route, that is, at the foot of Mount Moses. It was built by monks who took refuge in Sinai from the 4th to the 6th century to commemorate the girl Catherine who devoted herself to the faith. The Sinai Peninsula has always been a battleground for military strategists. Since the 6th century AD, Sinai has suffered several wars, but St. Catherine's Monastery has remained intact. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, Napoleon's invasion, and even the Israeli occupation, the monastery was not damaged and became one of the most prestigious monasteries in the area. The size of the monastery is very large, and it looks like an ancient city from the outside. The main church of the monastery is a rectangular limestone building. The wooden door at the entrance of the church is made of Lebanese cedar. There are reliefs of animals, flowers and leaves on the door, which is a masterpiece of a Byzantine artist. In addition to the main church, the monastery also preserves many precious cultural relics, such as a collection of 2,000 holy paintings, including nearly 3,000 manuscripts in 12 languages including Greek, Turkish, Persian, Latin, Armenian, and Coptic. Among them, there are rare and ancient translations of the "Bible" - the "Torah" in ancient Syriac in the 5th century AD, the edicts and decrees issued by the ancient caliphs and sultans to the monasteries.Egypt · Qesm Saint Katrin
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1-day tour in Hurghada with meals, snorkeling equipment, transfer, dolphin chasing and Orange Island
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![Sharm El Sheikh White Island [transfer included + boat trip + diving + lunch]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0353l12000oyi0sjx0374_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
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Free things to do in El Gouna
El Gouna
Egypt · El GounaGiftun Islands
Hurghada · 32.1 km from El GounaColossi of Memnon
Egypt · Al BairatAncient Thebes with its Necropolis
Egypt · Al BairatEastern Desert
Egypt · HurghadaNabq Bay
Egypt · Sharm El SheikhBlue Hole Dahab
Egypt · Qesm Saint KatrinAvenue of the Rams
Egypt · LuxorAbu Haggag Mosque
Egypt · LuxorSaint Catherine's Monastery
Egypt · Qesm Saint Katrin
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What travellers say about El Gouna
juki235February 9, 2020
5.0
Gouna Island is a very beautiful island in Hurghada. There are many star-rated hotels on the island. The environment is really super good. The sea water here is blue and clear, and there are coconut trees swaying in the wind. It is obviously a beautiful island resort. It is really comfortable and cozy.
El Gouna
努力的三号November 3, 2019
4.0
The scenery of the island is quite good. There are some resorts on it. You can see the vast Red Sea from here. It is also a relatively interesting place. Not many people come here, so the tranquility is guaranteed here.
Giftun Islands
fooler0809October 20, 2020
4.0
There are several statues of kings, all sitting, with their bodies made of huge stones. Their faces are broken and even a little sunken, which makes them look a bit funny. They are quietly placed on the lawn and are free to visit.
Colossi of Memnon
还不曾去过倒悬山！October 5, 2020
4.0
The epitaphs on the tombstones of the ancient tombs here generally have a sentence, which translates into Chinese as "The cattle, sheep and crops that the Pharaoh entrusted us to manage are all growing well, and we have not deducted the slightest bit from the tributes we paid to the Pharaoh." Historians believe that it is this description of "there is no silver here" that reflects the Pharaoh's lack of control over the local area at that time.
Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis
趴在墙头January 6, 2020
3.0
This was my first time going deep into the desert, and I felt quite scared. Although I was led by someone and met many nomadic people, I felt that their lives were really peculiar. I saw a lot of new things, and it was very worthwhile.
Eastern Desert
ПутешественникиDecember 2, 2023
5.0
could be very windy in winter. check weather before coming over. however watching beautiful waves could be a great way to relax
Nabq Bay
M32***51February 1, 2020
5.0
Dahab is located on the Gulf of Aqaba, across the sea from Saudi Arabia.
Blue Hole Dahab
gbvikingFebruary 26, 2022
5.0
Walking on this dirt road is like walking in the shadow of ancient Egypt...
Avenue of the Rams
YoYo_0T9A3B0LJuly 3, 2025
5.0
Hajjaq Mosque does have impressive architectural beauty and a peaceful atmosphere, but it did not bring me the spiritual cleansing experience I expected. Although its exterior is magnificent and the interior decoration is meticulous, overall, I did not get the impression I imagined, perhaps due to different personal expectations. During the visit, the tranquility around made people temporarily forget the hustle and bustle of the city, but this feeling did not go deep into my heart. In short, Hajjaq Mosque is a place worth seeing, but for my personal spiritual experience, it did not achieve the expected effect.
Abu Haggag Mosque
乐天的静August 7, 2019
5.0
The monastery is home to "descendants of the burning bush that was said to have descended from God on Mount Sinai." Regardless, this is one of the most important monasteries in Egypt. It is built in the Orthodox style of the Ottoman period and has many ancient icons.
Saint Catherine's Monastery