El Gouna is well worth a closer look.

In June 2026 I joined a work fam trip to El Gouna on Egypt’s Red Sea coast and it completely changed how I feel about Egypt as a holiday destination. I had visited before and, if I am honest, it was never my favourite place, but this time I was genuinely surprised by how stylish, relaxed and welcoming El Gouna felt. Around half an hour’s drive from Hurghada, it is very easy to reach from the UK, yet once you arrive it feels a world away from the usual resort strip. The town is spread across a series of beautiful lagoons, often compared in size to Manchester, with bridges, islands, beaches and waterfront walkways, and everywhere you look you are reminded you are right on the stunning Red Sea. There are a couple of attractive marinas and a central town area where you can wander between bars, cafés, boutiques and restaurants. In the evenings it feels relaxed and cosmopolitan rather than rowdy, with live entertainment, chilled bars and beautiful yachts lined up in the harbour. At times it felt almost as if a chic European marina had been gently picked up and placed in the middle of Egypt, and I felt very comfortable walking around at night.

One of the things I loved was how easy and affordable it is to get around. The best way to travel between different parts of El Gouna is by tuk tuk, with a simple fixed fare of roughly 80 pence per journey, no matter how far you go. The drivers all know the set price and it applies whether your ride is five minutes or fifteen, which makes budgeting straightforward and removes any awkwardness about haggling. It is a fun, stress‑free way to hop between your hotel, the marinas, town and beaches, and a real selling point if you like to explore.

I stayed in a beautiful five‑star beachfront hotel on a half‑board basis with lagoon and sea views, soft sandy beach and those endless Red Sea blues. The buffet restaurant, à la carte options, pools and gardens all felt very much in line with a true five‑star experience, and the food was a real highlight with plenty of variety and quality. I enjoyed it so much that I have already rebooked to return to the same hotel. As part of the trip we also visited other properties, including the chic and contemporary Chedi, the bohemian‑style Casa Cook and some excellent family‑friendly resorts with waterparks, so there really is something for couples, friends and families.

A big plus for me was the dine‑around concept. Many half‑board hotels in El Gouna allow you to use your evening meal in other participating hotels or in selected restaurants around the marinas and town. There may be a small supplement in some places, but it is generally very reasonable and gives you the freedom to try different menus and atmospheres without losing the value of half board. We enjoyed everything from Greek to Indian cuisine and relaxed waterfront dinners, which, combined with the easy tuk tuk access, made exploring the food scene incredibly simple.

I would now happily recommend El Gouna to couples looking for winter sun and relaxed marina evenings, to friends wanting chilled beach days and sociable nights, and to families who like the idea of a safe, self‑contained resort with great hotels and activities. It is also excellent for golfers and a dream for divers and snorkellers, thanks to the clear Red Sea waters. I travelled out slightly sceptical and came back genuinely impressed by the standard of the hotels, the flexible dining, the easy transport and the overall atmosphere. I am already going back, which I think says it all, and if you are considering a Red Sea escape with a more upmarket, cosmopolitan feel than the traditional resort strip, El Gouna is well worth a closer look.