El Gouna Day Trip from Hurghada

Our El Gouna day trip from Hurghada is a private day out to the lagoon town just north of Hurghada. A driver picks you up at your hotel at the time you agree, and the day is yours.

El Gouna feels very different from Hurghada. It was founded in 1990 and built across a chain of islands and lagoons, with low, earth-coloured buildings inspired by traditional village and Nubian architecture. You start with the lagoon views, then spend time at Abu Tig Marina, with its yachts and waterfront cafés, and continue to Downtown El Gouna for shops, coffee and lunch.

Because the trip is private, the price of €200 covers the whole trip, not each person. That makes it very good value for families and groups of friends. The itinerary can be customised, and optional extras such as a lagoon boat tour can be arranged at additional cost.

Meals, entrance fees and extra activities are paid separately.

What is El Gouna? A quick introduction

El Gouna is a resort town on the Red Sea coast roughly 20–25 km north of Hurghada, about 30 minutes by car. It was founded in 1990 by Egyptian businessman Samih Sawiris through Orascom Development, and it was planned from scratch rather than growing from an old village.

The town covers around 10 km of coastline and is built across about 20 islands surrounded by lagoons, so water is never far from view. The architecture is a big part of its charm: European and American architects, including Michael Graves, designed buildings inspired by rural Egyptian and Nubian villages, with domes, arches and warm earth colours.

Life centres on two hubs. Abu Tig Marina is the yacht harbour, lined with cafés and restaurants. Downtown, also called Kafr El Gouna, is the older centre with shops, cafés and small squares. Most of the rest of the town is residential neighbourhoods and hotels around the lagoons.

El Gouna is also known for events: the El Gouna Film Festival, founded in 2017, brings film stars to town each year, which is when the town is at its busiest.

How to spend a day in El Gouna

A private trip means you decide the order, but this is the rhythm most of our guests enjoy:

• Late morning at Abu Tig Marina. Walk the waterfront, look at the yachts and have a coffee by the water. It is the most photogenic part of town.
• Lunch. Choose between the marina and Downtown; both have plenty of independent restaurants. Lunch is not included, so eat wherever you like.
• Afternoon in Downtown. Browse the shops, look at the architecture around the squares and stop for something cold.
• Optional extras. A lagoon boat tour or water activity can be added, depending on availability, at extra cost. Tell us in advance if you are interested.

Bring comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and some cash or a card. If you are travelling with children, a slower day with a long lunch and an ice cream at the marina works well.

Want to combine El Gouna with something more active on another day? Look at our desert safaris or a private speedboat trip.

Why choose a private trip instead of a group tour?

Most El Gouna excursions sold online are shared tours priced per person, with fixed stops and a fixed return time. Ours is different: the €200 covers the whole private trip.

• Better value for groups. A family of four or a group of friends pays one price, not four tickets.
• Your timing. Pickup is at the time you agree, and you return when your day is done.
• Customisable. The itinerary can be adjusted for private groups, for example more time at the marina and less shopping.
• No waiting for others. No collecting guests from other hotels on the way.

What it is not: a guided history tour. You get a driver and the freedom to explore. If you would like a guide or extra activities, ask us when booking and we will check availability and cost.

Because the price is fixed per trip, the more of you there are, the better the value. Tell us how many people are travelling and their ages when you book, and we will confirm the arrangements.