Essentials
- City
- El Gouna, Hurghada, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt
- Population
- Approximately 25,000 permanent residents; swells to 50,000+ during peak seasons
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-60 Mbps on VDSL; up to 100 Mbps in coworking spaces like G-Space
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 48 EGP, 1 EUR ≈ 52 EGP. ATMs are plentiful in Abu Tig Marina and Downtown
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water (approx. 15 EGP per 1.5L) or large 19L dispensers
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets (European standard)
- SIM Card
- Orange and Vodafone offer best coverage; 20GB data plan costs approx. 400 EGP
- Banking for Expats
- CIB, HSBC, and QNB are common; Revolut/Wise work for card payments but not for local bank accounts
- Accommodation
- Gouna Homes, Airbnb, and Airbnb-style rentals managed by Orascom (starting at $1,200/month)
- Cashless Friendly
- Generally yes in major restaurants and supermarkets; cash needed for Tuk-Tuks and small kiosks
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com; average $60 - $150 per night depending on lagoon view
- Budget Accommodation
- Cook's Club El Gouna (Adults only) or The Three Corners Ocean View (mid-range options around $80/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Abu Tig Marina (high-end dining, yachts) and Downtown (Kafr El Gouna) for local charm
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Ancient Sands or Upper Nubia for quiet environments, or New Marina for proximity to G-Space
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- G-Space (Downtown/Kafr El Gouna); Daily pass approx. 450 EGP ($10), includes high-speed fiber
- Best Cafe for Work
- Malu's Deli in Abu Tig Marina; great Wi-Fi, healthy food, and plenty of power outlets
- Networking Events
- Startup Haus events and 'Nomads of El Gouna' meetups held monthly at G-Space
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly 'Friday Brunch' at various hotels and the 'El Gouna Community' Facebook group events
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (operates from Hurghada to Gouna) and the ‘El Gouna Tuk-Tuk’ app (internal travel)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Fat Bike El Gouna or El Gouna Bike sharing; rentals start at 300 EGP per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Zeytouna Beach (accessible by boat) and Moods Beach Club (Abu Tig Marina)
- Top Regional Airline
- EgyptAir (frequent flights to Cairo from Hurghada Airport, HRG)
- Top International Airline
- Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and Pegasus fly into nearby Hurghada International Airport (25km away)
- Highway Access
- Hurghada-Ismailia Road (Suez Road) connects El Gouna to Cairo in about 5 hours
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Go Bus Station (Downtown) for luxury coach travel to Cairo and Luxor
- Public Transport Passes
- Tuk-Tuk flat rate is 50 EGP per ride within Gouna; weekly/monthly shuttle bus passes available
- Regional Travel
- Daily shuttles/taxis to Hurghada (30 mins); Go Bus to Cairo (750 EGP for Elite Class)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- El Gouna Hospital (comprehensive facility with hyperbaric chamber for divers)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Studio (The Turtle's Inn, Abu Tig Marina) offers sunrise sessions for 350 EGP
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- LAX Gym (New Marina); state-of-the-art equipment and CrossFit area
- Laundry Services
- The Laundry Shop (Downtown); wash and dry services approx. 250 EGP per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Otlob (Talabat) and El Gouna App (internal delivery for local restaurants)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Molokhia with shrimp or grilled Sea Bass at El Sayadin Restaurant
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Seventh Star (Abu Tig Marina) and Glutton (Downtown) for plant-based bowls
- Best Dessert Spots
- Le Pacha 1992 for French pastries and The Ice Cream Shop in Downtown
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Best Way Supermarket and Gourmet Egypt (for high-end imports)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.eg and Jumia (deliveries arrive at the Gouna checkpoint for pickup or home delivery)
- Grocery Delivery
- InstaShop (available for Best Way and local pharmacies)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Clubhouse (lagoon side) and Pier 88 (Abu Tig Marina) for upscale cocktails
- Local Brewery
- Sakara and Stella (Egyptian beers) served widely; no on-site brewery, but Heineken has local plants
- Wine Bars
- The Bartender (Abu Tig Marina) - famous for cocktails and Egyptian 'Omar Khayyam' wine
- Street Food Stalls
- Tamr Henna Square in Downtown for Koshary and Falafel sandwiches (approx. 40 EGP)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Chuchu's (Italian) and Saigon (Vietnamese) in the Marina
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Desert Breath (land art installation nearby) and the El Gouna Church
- Museums & Art Venues
- El Gouna Museum (small collection of Egyptian history replicas) in Downtown
- Historical Sites
- Day trips to Luxor (Valley of the Kings) are 4 hours away via private car
- Religious Sites
- St. Mary and the Archangels Church (iconic architecture)
- Annual Events
- El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) - typically October/November; world-class celebrity event
- Cultural Districts
- Kafr El Gouna (Downtown) features traditional Nubian-style architecture
- Theater Venues
- The Gouna Conference and Culture Center (GCCC) - home to the film festival
- Local Markets
- Downtown Bazaar for spices, textiles, and souvenirs
- Music Scene
- Weekly live bands at The Clubhouse and DJ sets at Elements Club
- Street Art
- Various murals located around the G-Space and New Marina walls
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at 'The Kitchen' (check Gouna community boards for schedules)
- Art Galleries
- Art Gallery at the Cultural Center (rotating local Egyptian artists)
- Historic Buildings
- Steigenberger Golf Resort (designed by Michael Graves, Post-Modern architecture)
- Local Heritage
- Strong Bedouin influence in desert safaris and local handicrafts
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Giftun Island (accessible by boat for snorkeling and diving)
- National Parks Nearby
- Wadi El Gamal National Park (approx. 4.5 hours south of Gouna)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 'Ring Road' surrounding El Gouna is popular for sunset cycling
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Golf Tower (Steigenberger) for panoramic views of the lagoons and Red Sea
- Birdwatching Locations
- The wetlands near the El Gouna Golf Course (Migratory birds in Spring/Autumn)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated desert safari spots (organized by Oasis Safari)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Aramex and DHL (located in the Downtown area)
- Tech Repair Services
- iFix (Hurghada - mobile pickup available) or small tech stalls in Downtown
- Table Tennis Spots
- The Clubhouse and some hotel recreation rooms
- Language Classes
- Private Arabic tutors available through G-Space bulletin boards
- Libraries & Study Spots
- TU Berlin Campus El Gouna Library (available for students and researchers)
- Community Centers
- The Clubhouse serves as the social heart of the town
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited; mostly VR experiences at the Marina during summer months
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None in El Gouna; nearest is in Hurghada (intermittently active, foreigners only)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 45 m² studio = $126,000 in Marina area)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,100 per m² (e.g., 45 m² studio = $94,500 in Cyan or Waterside)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,600 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = $182,000 in Abu Tig)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,950 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = $136,500 in West Golf)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 100 m² = $250,000 in Ancient Sands)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,850 per m² (e.g., 100 m² = $185,000 in Fanadir)
- Corporate Tax
- 22.5% standard rate in Egypt
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% (can be 5% if ownership > 25%)
- Tax System
- Residency-based; taxes on worldwide income for residents (>183 days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 27.5% for income over 1.2M EGP
- VAT
- 14% standard rate
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Egypt has basic CFC rules for foreign subsidiaries
- Property Tax
- Yes, real estate tax is approx. 10% of the annual rental value
- Property Transaction Tax
- 2.5% Real Estate Disposal Tax on the sale price
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; most nomads use renewable tourist visas (0% tax if income source is foreign and not remitted to local banks)