Featured image via La Maison Bleue
With the iconic El Gouna Film Festival coming up, and as G-town is turning 30 this year, we thought of the reasons we love our vacations in El Gouna the most, and we came up with 30! To everyone who’s been missing out and never been to the ultimate beach town before, famed for its pristine lagoons and sandy beaches, here’s why should.
#1 El Gouna Film Festival (GFF)
Of course, this one goes without saying. Ever since the prestigious event was founded three years ago, El Gouna has become a hot spot for glitz and glam around that time of the year. We’d have to say, the festive vibes of GFF are crazy and we can’t wait for this year’s edition to start.
#2 It’s a state of mind
The famed statement is, in fact, true. It’s a state of mind where everyone is happily living together while being respectful of other’s privacy and personal freedom. So, when in G-town, don’t expect anyone to criticise you for wearing flip flops, for instance. It’s a free-spirited space where everyone gets to be whoever they choose to be.
#3 The weather
Winter or summer, El Gouna is a go-to with its warm weather and clear skies.
#4 The architecture
Via El Gouna Prime Living
Merging traditional and modern design elements, architects Michael Graves, Alfredo Freda, and Ramy El Dahan truly deserve a round of applause on their award-winning work of art.
#5 Tuk-tuk for transportation
Aside from the fact that riding a tuk-tuk is a fun experience, El Gouna’s colourful ones are just something else.
#6 Friendly locals
From restaurant owners to your tuk-tuk driver, every single Gounie, or G-native, as they call themselves, will welcome you with a smile.
#7 The Diversity
El Gouna is not just a vacation spot; it's an actual town with a stable population of more than 24,000 G-natives living there. And guess what! They're not all Egyptian; there are Germans, Italians, you name it. We're talking cultural exchange at its finest.
#8 The posh accommodation options
El Gouna hosts a variety of luxury hotels and golf resorts such as Ancient Sands and Steigenberger, as well as mesmerising boutique hotels like La Maison Bleue. Hotels there scream luxury, and you can’t resist falling in love with that.
#9 The Marina
Via Abu Tig Marina
Speaking of posh, have you seen the yachts in the marina? The Abu Tig Marina is definitely one of El Gouna’s landmarks with its impeccable view and variety of dining options. Speaking of which, El Gouna boasts a range of fine-dining options. From Charwoods to Seventh Star, you’ll never complain because it’s always good food on the table.
#10 Breakfast at Seventh Star
As you walk down the promenade, you might want to stop for breakfast with a million-dollar view at the iconic Seventh Star. It works pretty fine for lunch and dinner as well with that kind of menu, but wouldn’t we all like an outdoorsy setting for the most important meal of the day?
#11 Burger at Le Garage
Hands down the best burger on the marina. Those juicy, pure beef patties have grown to become one of El Gouna’s bucket list-worthy destinations.
#12 Shisha at Moods
Shisha by the beach? Anyone? Everyone’s favourite swimming and tanning spot serves food, drinks, and of course, shisha.
#13 The fancy-schmancy nightlife
Via The Bartender - El Gouna
Limited but lit, the nightlife options in El Gouna are out of this world. Aurora, Pier 88, The Bartender, Duport, and more.
#14 The swanky polo games
Total class isn't achieved without sports like polo. That's why El Gouna never disappoints with its Beach Brüggler Silver Cup.
#15 WiFi everywhere
Thank God for WiFi, and more importantly, thank God for WiFi in El Gouna. It’s strong and everywhere all over the beach town. So, don’t worry, you’re always connected in the G-town.
#16 Zero crowds
No matter how crowded it gets, it’s never crowded enough to smother you. So, whenever you feel like kissing Cairo’s irritating traffic bye-bye, head to El Gouna.
#17 El Gouna Squash Open
Via El Gouna Squash
Didn’t we say El Gouna has everything? Well, it even has a squash open of its own, and we have to say, it’s one of the most highly anticipated events of the year.
#18 The water sports
From kitesurfing and windsurfing to sailing courses and paddle up yoga. Check out Element Watersports or Sail La Vie Sailing and Beach Club for great options.
#19 Aerial tours
Via Sharm Air
Doesn’t an aerial tour, viewing the magically panoramic views of El Gouna, sound like fun? Well, Sharm Air offers just that; motor gliders flying you all around G-town.
#20 The Red Sea mountains
Does a sunset hike tickle your fancy? Adventure lovers have a place in El Gouna as well, as they can go on hiking trips with Gouna Mountain Goats.
#21 Shopping at Best Way
You know that town’s very own super small supermarket chain? Well, believe it or not, Best Way is where Gouna-goers have loads of memories, especially the late-night ones. You can find there everything from fresh fruits to kitchen utensils; it’s small but mighty!
#22 The Clubhouse
Night or day, this is the place to be. The Clubhouse is the G-town’s way of keeping you entertained all day long.
#23 Karaoke nights at Peanuts
Every Tuesday night, Gounies head to Peanuts bar for a shameless night of karaoke. The best thing about it is the bar’s main house rule; when you eat the peanuts, you MUST throw the shells on the floor!
#24 Sandbox
View this post on InstagramDay 2 - Sandbox Festival All wearing @kojakstudio #KojaksEntourage #SandboxFestival #Summer2019
Sandbox is hands down one of the most highly anticipated music festivals, not just in Egypt, but the entire region. Sick line-ups and striking fashion statements are surely worth flying in for.
#25 The catchy songs
Thanks to the film festival, El Gouna has its own songs; first Yousra and Abu’s 3 Daqat and then El A’alam Gouna. We bet one day El Gouna will have its very own playlist, a catchy one with every single song getting stuck on replay, driving us crazy. Speaking of which, we really can’t wait to see what GFF 3 has in store for us in terms of music.
#26 Everything’s available
Everything is at your fingertips. Restaurants, a cinema, a hospital, a co-working space, an airport, EVERYTHING! Even if you decide to move, there’s a school, a university, and a football team! What more could you wish for?
#27 Off-road motorbiking
Yes, desert nature makes room for that as well. Imagine going off the grid for a while as you rent a motorbike and delve into the desert. Sounds cool, right?
#28 El Gouna Half Marathon
Better start warming up for El Gouna’s upcoming half marathon. It’s taking place this October 11th.
#29 The street festival
Who said we have no holiday spirit in Egypt? Every year, around Christmas time, a family street festival takes place on Sundays, offering people live entertainment and shows.
#30 It’s pet-friendly
One of the things we worry about the most when travelling is where to leave our pets. Well, you can let your doggies hop on board if you’re heading to El Gouna because you can drop them off at Dubieland.
Truth is, you’ll never run out of reasons to love El Gouna! Drop a comment and let us know what’s your favourite thing about the G-town.
