Description

Cuddled up on a peninsula with an elite beachfront presenting an extravagant view of the Red Sea, the resort offers the idyllic surroundings for a wonderful stay. The tranquil atmosphere pooled with extensive facilities welcomes you to enjoy your vacation at El Gouna. It is exclusive vacation destination attributable to its concord and completeness as a town. Cautious planning, splendid architecture, and proficient management have guarantees that the resort’s various attractions are enclosed in a striking, spotless and aesthetically fused setting. The resort’s award winning architecture fetches a mix of conventional and modern elements and is the work of a remarkable list of esteemed architects including Italian Alfredo Freda and American Michael Graves. Here, an artistic and diverse hamlet of entrepreneurs, artists, ecologists, and sports buffs make their home and give the town an assorted and refined international flavour.
With miles of seashores, dozens of desolated islands, entertainment options in abundance and the swanky hotel and dining services, El Gouna is undoubtedly a honeymooner’s paradise. This town is popular with sports lovers, families and children. Couples can have a leisure holiday in an authentic Egyptian atmosphere.

Shopping

El Gouna is sprinkled with numerous shops ranging from souvenirs, handmade crafts, arts to elite boutiques. This is the ultimate shopper’s paradise. El Khayameya, Down Town and El Gouna Art village are popular among visitors.

Restaurants

Blemish yourself with a range of gastronomic delights: extravagant buffets at Palavrion Restaurant, or oriental and seafood specialities at El Sayadin Restaurant, on the beach. Alternatively, enjoy a fine dining experience at Il Limone Mediterranean Restaurant or try bizarre dishes at the Bua Khao Thai Restaurant.

Night Life

There are lots of interesting places where one can hangout, like the Piano bars, pubs, clubs, bars, cocktail joints, discos and nightclubs. DuPort, Clubhouse, Sandbar,
Moods & Chiringito, Mangroovy and Marina and Downtown festivals are the places that can really make you rock.

Activities

This magnificent island is an ideal place for a wide variety of outdoor activities, from surfing, fishing, windsurfing and scuba diving to hill walking, fishing, swimming, sea kayaking, canoeing, golf, Angsana Spa outlets, diving, kite surfing, Tennis, squash, Horse stables, go-karts, and paintball, Football team and sporting club and many more. Tourists must hire water sports equipments like surf boards, boogie boards, canoes and sea kayaks to enjoy the activities. Harbours at the beach offer a variety of boating activities. Visitors can charter a motor or sailing yacht. Whatever your interests, you’ll find an activity just right for you. This is one of the reasons why travellers from across the world choose to holiday in El Gouna.

Communications

The international access code for Egypt is +20. The outgoing code is 00 followed but the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). The city code for Cairo is (0)2. There are high surcharges on international calls from hotels; it is cheaper to phone long-distance from the 24-hour Post, Telephone and Telegraph (PTT) offices that are available in the major cities. For international directory phone enquiries dial 120. The local mobile phone operators use GSM 900 networks and have roaming agreements with all major operators. Internet cafes are available in the main tourist areas.

Contacts

Egyptian Tourist Authority, Cairo: +20 (0)2 285 4509 or www.egypt.travel
Egyptian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 895 5400.
Egyptian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7499 3304.
Egyptian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 234 4931.
Egyptian Embassy, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6273 4437.
Egyptian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 343 1590.
Egyptian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 660 6566.
United States Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2797 3300.
British Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2794 0852.
Canadian Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2791 8700.
Australian Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2575 0444.
South African Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2359 4365.
Irish Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2735 8264.
New Zealand Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 2461 6000.
Emergencies: 122 (Police); 123 (Ambulance).

Currency

EGP

Attractions

The main tourists attractions of El Gouna are Luxor - the largest outdoor museum of monuments from the ancient world, Cairo is popular among visitors. Cultural attractions include the famous pyramids of Gizeh, the Egyptian Museum and the oriental Bazaar Khan el Khalili is worth a visit.

Language

Arabic

Language Description

Arabic is the official language although English and French are widely spoken, especially in the tourist areas.

Tipping

Tipping is known as 'baksheesh' and some small change is expected for most services, though small change can be hard to come by. 'Baksheesh' can be a useful practice in order to gain entry to seemingly inaccessible places, or for extra services- a small tip can open doors, literally. A service charge is added to most restaurant and hotel bills but a 5% tip is normally given directly to the waiter. Taxi drivers are tipped about 10%.