by Elisa Gaudet
When most people think of Egypt, their minds go straight to the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and ancient history. But there’s a new chapter unfolding along the Red Sea—one that blends world-class golf, luxury hospitality, and seaside living into a destination that feels almost too good to be real. Welcome to El Gouna, a vibrant, master-planned town that has quietly become one of the most exciting golf and leisure hubs in the region and a great getaway destination.
More than 30 years ago, El Gouna began as a visionary concept—one man’s dream to create a contemporary community built around beauty, sustainability, and lifestyle. Today, that dream stretches across the Red Sea coastline, offering visitors and residents an impressive array of experiences:
• 18 hotels ranging from boutique hideaways to luxury resorts
• 100+ restaurants and bars featuring global cuisine
• Two professional golf courses with spectacular desert-meets-sea scenery
• Six miles of pristine beach
• A picture-perfect marina lined with yachts, cafés, shops, and nightlife
perfect weather all year long.
Just 30 minutes from Hurghada international airport El Gouna is easy to reach. I recently spent four days exploring the destinations amenities and it exceeded my expectations. I played two rounds of golf: the first at Ancient Sands, the newer course known for its rolling fairways and panoramic views; and the second at the iconic El Gouna Golf Club, the true centerpiece of the town’s golf scene. The course conditions were excellent, and the layout offered a fun blend of challenge and scenic beauty.
In between rounds, I took full advantage of the Red Sea’s magic. A serene boat ride through El Gouna’s network of turquoise waterways revealed just how thoughtfully designed and interconnected the town is—each hotel, neighborhood, and marina linked by canals reminiscent of a modern, sunlit Venice. I spent the remaining time exactly as one should here: relaxing on the beach, swimming in the crystal-clear water, and soaking in the laid-back, effortless charm of the destination.
El Gouna is not just a place you visit—it’s a place that makes you rethink what a golf and travel destination can be. Luxury, nature, sport, dining, art, and community all merge seamlessly, creating an atmosphere that feels both inviting and inspiring. And while there are several hotels and marinas it does not at all feel crowded. There is calm serenity everywhere you go.
Always looking for the next “it place” or a bucket-list escape this is a destination to fall in love with—El Gouna should be at the top of your list.
A Destination Built from Vision
El Gouna was created by Egyptian entrepreneur Samih Sawiris, who imagined a modern town that blended luxury, sustainability, and waterfront living. Over three decades, the idea grew into a thriving destination designed around lagoons, islands, marinas, and lush landscaping. Today, it feels like a Mediterranean village crossed with a Red Sea oasis—colorful architecture, sunlit walkways, palm trees swaying in warm breezes, and canals winding like turquoise ribbons between neighborhoods.
It’s a place where everything is connected, yet nothing feels crowded. Visitors move easily from hotel to hotel, beach to marina, golf course to dining district, often by boat along the peaceful waterways. It’s this blend of convenience, charm, and natural beauty that makes El Gouna feel both exclusive and incredibly welcoming.
Two professional-level courses that merge desert landscapes with sparkling lagoons and sea views.
El Gouna Golf Club
The original star of the scene, El Gouna Golf Club an 18-hole championship course, designed by Gene Bates in collaboration with Major champion Fred Couples, is a highlight of the Red Sea Riviera.
With wide fairways, stunning greens, strategically placed water hazards and lagoon-side holes that are Instagram worthy. The course is beautifully maintained with a layout that rewards thoughtful course management and delivers a fun, memorable round no matter what your level. During my visit, the conditions were immaculate—firm fairways, smooth greens, and picture-perfect backdrops from numerous places on the course.
Ancient Sands Golf Course
The newer of the two, Ancient Sands brings a modern twist with dramatic elevation changes, desert dunes, and sweeping views of the Red Sea in the distance. Designed by Karl Litten, this par-72 layout offers a distinct contrast to its sister course, making El Gouna perfect for a multi-day golf itinerary.
Life Along the Red Sea
Beyond the fairways, the Red Sea sets the stage for relaxation and adventure. El Gouna’s extensive canal system allows visitors to travel by boat—a beautiful way to absorb the town’s design and reach hidden corners. I enjoyed a spectacular ride weaving through the waterways, passing elegant hotels, waterfront villas, and cheerful clusters of restaurants that give each area a unique atmosphere.
The beaches here are pristine—soft sand, gentle waves, and water so blue it almost looks unreal. Whether swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, or simply reading in a beachside cabana, the seaside pace is soothing and indulgent.
The marina is another highlight: yachts, chic cafés, boutique shops, and a warm evening buzz. It’s the ideal spot for sunset cocktails or slow dinners overlooking the water.
The Perfect Escape—Or Your Next Home
What makes El Gouna truly unique is the way it blurs the line between vacation and lifestyle. Many visitors come for a week and start imagining life here. The town offers residential communities, private villas, international schools, a hospital, and year-round events, everything needed for an elevated yet relaxed way of living.
For short escapes, the convenience of Hurghada International Airport just 30 minutes away is unbeatable. With direct flights from Europe and easy connections worldwide. My own four-day getaway felt effortless—sun, golf, beaches, dining, and a sense of serenity that stayed with me long after I left.
If you are someone who loves exploring new corners of the world, El Gouna offers something remarkable. It is a location for golfers, adventure seekers, foodie, and travelers craving beauty with a sense of ease where modern design meets natural beauty in a way that feels both inspiring and restorative.
Resort Luxury with Unique Character
The Steigenberger Golf Resort El Gouna is an elegant and luxurious boutique hideaway hotel tucked within lush gardens and waterways. This stunning resort property is located between the fairways and red sea canals. The beaches are idyllic. As you look out from the sand the colors are like a vibrant oil painting with and the light blue water contrasting with vibrant green of the fairways.
Here, days can begin with a round of golf, drift into spa treatments or lazy afternoons by the water and end your day with candlelit dinners overlooking the marina. You’ll find attentive service, fine dining, and a relaxed but sophisticated vibe that makes every visit feel personalized and effortless.
Before or After – Cairo & the Grand Egyptian Museum
Either before or after the relaxing lagoons and fairways of El Gouna, Cairo, a short one hour flight, is a must stop with the opening of the new museum. www.gem.eg
The Grand Egyptian Museum — A Monument to Civilization
On the edge of the desert plateau near the pyramids stands the awe-inspiring Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the largest archaeological museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization. Even before you step inside, the architecture makes a statement: vast geometric lines of alabaster-toned stone frame sweeping views toward the nearby pyramids.
Inside, the experience is nothing short of cinematic. The colossal statue of Ramses II greets visitors in a light-filled atrium, setting the tone for galleries that trace over 5,000 years of ancient Egyptian history. The museum’s crowning glory is the complete collection of treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun—displayed together for the first time, from golden funerary mask to intricately crafted chariots and jewelry. Interactive exhibits and state-of-the-art presentations bring the ancient world vividly to life.
The Pyramids at Your Doorstep
Just minutes from the museum you find the legendary Great Pyramids of Giza—one of the last remaining Wonders of the Ancient World. Standing before the Great Pyramid of Khufu and you are in awe of the scale and human ingenuity. Nearby, the famous Great Sphinx of Giza keeps watch over the desert sands.
I highly recommend a guided tour at sunrise or sunset for a truly magical experience: golden light washes over the limestone blocks, camels trekking across the plateau, and Cairo’s city hum feels a world away.
The contrast of the city and the sea are what makes it magical. Cairo offers a cultural and historical experience of a lifetime with epic monuments, the GEM museum and a bustling urban life. In contrast El Gouna offers tranquil beaches and lagoons, championship golf and a casual luxury unique to itself.
Together, they create a perfectly balanced Egyptian escape—sun-drenched relaxation and exploring one of the world’s greatest civilizations.
Culture, Architecture & the Arts
VISIT: Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the largest archaeological museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization museum. www.gem.eg
BOOK: When Women Rules the World- Six Queens of Egypt by Kara Cooney
ART: TAM TAM.Gallery (The Arts-Mart Gallery) Gallery in Cairo and El Gouna. TAM has the best of Egyptian Contemporary art and boasts an inventory of over 9000 art pieces and a portfolio of over 500 contemporary Egyptian artists; TAM EL GOUNA gallery is inside the Abu Tig Marina.
RESTAURANT: Tandoor, in the Abu Big Marina, serves authentic Indian cuisine that delights and no wonder with its chef from Bangalore. This is also a great people-watching place in the heart of the marina surrounded by luxury boats and yachts.
SHOP: Find a local jeweler and create your name in a silver or gold cartouche using the hieroglyphic alphabet
Book Your Trip Here
https://www.golfbreaks.com/en-gb/holidays/hurghada/steigenberger-golf-resort-el-gouna
