The story
About El Gouna
"El Gouna started as one man's search for the most beautiful spot by the sea to build a house and a small boat dock. Today, it is living proof that when vision meets passion, and when friends come together around a common dream, the most magical things can be created."
From Dream to Reality
In 1986, Egyptian entrepreneur Samih Sawiris stood on a pristine stretch of Red Sea coastline, about 20 kilometers north of Hurghada. Where most saw desolate desert and emptiness, he saw something else, he saw the potential to create a paradise.
It began as a simple dream to build a few beach houses with a small private marina for himself, his wife and a close circle of friends.
But as all great visions tend to do, the dream grew. It turned into something far greater, a whole new city would rise from the desert sands.
When friends build together
Samih Sawiris invited his closest friends and their families to join him on this exciting journey. Among them were my husband's parents, who were friends of Samih and his wife.
This wasn't just a business idea.
This was a vision of creating a society and a place where life could unfold as it was meant to be.
Samih gave those who believed in the vision housing, and together they began the work of realizing what would become El Gouna and life as it should be.
My husband's family was deeply involved in the birth and development of the city. They witnessed and were part of something unique.
How a city was created through vision, friendship and hard work.
What started with a small number of beach houses quickly transformed into an ambitious urban project.
Samih Sawiris and his company Orascom Development envisioned something no one had done before on the Red Sea: a complete, self-sufficient city built on principles of beauty, sustainability, and quality of life.
Harmonious architecture
Inspired by both modern design and traditional Nubian architecture from Southern Egypt and Northern Sudan, the buildings were painted in light, earthy tones that harmonize with the desert and the sea. No high-rise hotel blocks to mar the skyline – instead, buildings of just a few floors that respect the landscape.
A network of water
At the heart of El Gouna's design is the intricate system of man-made canals, lagoons and waterways. Over 20 islands were created, connected by bridges, creating a sense of living in a Mediterranean paradise – or as some say, "Egypt's own Venice".
This is not only aesthetically beautiful – it creates a completely unique atmosphere where water is a natural part of everyday life, where the soul can breathe freely and where every element invites tranquility.
El Gouna today
Today, almost 40 years after Samih's first vision, El Gouna is a thriving city with:
20,000-25,000 permanent residents from over 80 nations
18 hotels ranging from luxury to boutique
Four marinas – Abydos Marina, Abu Tig Marina with over 270 berths, New Marina and Fanadir Marina
Own hospital with decompression chamber for divers
International school and university
Own airport
Two 18-hole golf courses
All the activities you can imagine, tennis, horse riding, Go cart, diving, kiting to name a few
Own football team
Mosque and Coptic church which are symbols of religious tolerance
El Gouna Film Festival attracting international celebrities and filmmakers
Over a hundred restaurants, bars and cafes
A pioneer in sustainable tourism
From the beginning, El Gouna has worked towards sustainable development. Solar panels on buildings, water purification plants, waste management and a focus on renewable energy have earned the city international awards.
El Gouna was the first destination in the Middle East and Africa to receive the UN's prestigious Global Green Award.
"Life as it should be"
This is not just a slogan. It is the soul of El Gouna.
This is a city where:
The sun shines 360 days a year
The temperature is between 17°C and 33°C
The beaches have crystal clear waters perfect for diving and snorkeling
Kitesurfing, windsurfing and all water sports are available
Cultural events and festivals create vibrant life
People from all over the world meet and create community
Everything is designed for you to relax and focus on what really matters, love.
Visit El Gouna with Next Pure Journey
When you travel to El Gouna with us, you don't just experience a luxurious resort town.
You experience:
✨ A city with a soul built on values of community, beauty and sustainability
✨ Local insight through my family's deep connection to the place
✨ Authentic experiences that are only possible when you know the city from the inside
✨ Transforming environments where every element is designed for you to flourish
My connection to El Gouna
For me, El Gouna is not just a destination, it is much deeper than that. When I visit the city and walk along the canals, I feel pride in what my husband's family helped create.
Through my two sons, who carry both Norwegian and Egyptian heritage, this connection lives on.
They grow up with stories of how a city was born from a dream, how friends came together to create something meaningful, and how vision combined with hard work can transform desert sands into paradise.
It is this story of vision, friendship, community and transformation that makes El Gouna the perfect place for the Next Pure Journey.
Here, in the city that itself was born from a dream that life should unfold as it should be, we can create space for your own changes, we can learn what comes when you work from the inside out.
With love
Tina Johansen
Founder
