Shopping i El Gouna - vid Röda havet i Egypten

Yesterday we went shopping in El Gouna in Egypt. We decided to alternate swimming and snorkelling with a few hours in the shops. So, what do you find here? How are the prices? And what about the haggling?

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Holidays in El Gouna

We travel often, but we rarely think of our trips as "pure holidays". We run a travel blog and want to write good travel stories, so we usually try to experience a lot and gather a lot of information at the same time.

The same really applies to this trip, but for once we have booked a charter trip with accommodation in one place. We also don't really feel like booking the longest excursions (Cairo or Luxor) because they are such long bus journeys, and since we visited Luxor before.

Therefore, it will a little calmer. We make do with swimming and snorkelling at the Zeytouna beach island and some smaller (but interesting!) excursions in the neighbourhood. In other words, this trip feels almost like a holiday, and yesterday there was shopping in the centre of El Gouna.

Our hotel, Sultan Bey, in El Gouna, Egypt

READ MORE: El Gouna, Egypt - tips on hotels, beaches and excursions

Shopping in El Gouna city centre

The centre of El Gouna, or Downtown as the area is known, is within easy walking distance of our Sultan Bey hotel. It takes a maximum of 5 minutes to walk, so it's not exactly exhausting ...

The whole of El Gouna is built as a holiday resort, so the shops are largely aimed at tourists. Here you will find shops selling clothes, bags, jewellery and souvenirs. There is also a phone shop (Orange) where you can buy a local sim card if you wish, as well as a wide range of restaurants and cafés.

Was there any shopping in El Gouna for us?

So, was there any shopping in El Gouna and any shopping bargains for us? Yes! I (Helena) bought a bracelet and Peter a necklace. I also found a dress, and Peter got a scarf. Not a bad result!

READ MORE: Things to do in Hurghada - 17 tips for activities and excursions

What are the prices?

Prices in Egypt are generally good, and the country has a price index of 56 according to Forex (compared to 100 in Sweden). However, El Gouna is a slightly more luxurious tourist resort, so be prepared for higher prices.

Should you bargain?

We haven't seen a single fixed price in the shops in El Gouna, and since you only get the price when you ask, it's probably best to haggle. Our recommendation is to haggle until you get a price you think is reasonable for the product you want. Sometimes you need to haggle a little more, and sometimes a little less.

You have to respect the fact that the seller actually needs to make money (many make very little!) while at the same time being satisfied with your own purchase.

More shopping in El Gouna

If you want to do more shopping in El Gouna, you can go to the marina, where you will find several shops. You can get there by tuktuk for about 25 Egyptian pounds (15 kroner). You can of course also go to Hurghada, where there is a wider range of shops and markets. Hurghada is about 2.7 miles away and we've heard that it's easy to get there by Uber. Our plan is to get there one of the days.

8 Comments

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bmlarstravellingblog says:

It almost sounds like you're having a bit of a 'holiday' on this trip, quite a much-needed one at that.
We have used the concept of a charter trip a few times and then used local transport, car hire, vespa and the apostle horses to fill it with our own content. Often works really well, at a good price. Keep enjoying the sun and heat!

11 December 2019 - 6:30

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, this time it's a real holiday, not bad! 😉 And of course you can combine a charter trip with your own content. Sometimes you can get an affordable trip that way!
  
  11 December 2019 - 17:12
  
Snows says:

Of course you should haggle in Egypt and you usually get the price down considerably. I even managed to haggle inside the airport in Hurghada which I was happy with 😉 The sellers do not take offence but such are the rules of the game in Egypt. Especially in tourist shops, you get a lot of overpricing when you ask the first time.

11 December 2019 - 7:27

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, but it is absolutely true! I agree that you should haggle, and that it is "included". However, we do not always think it is necessary to push as far as possible. If I am only satisfied with what I paid for what I get, then I think it's ok. Good job haggling at the airport! 😉
  
  11 December 2019 - 17:14
  
Ama de casa says:

It's not bad to have a holiday from time to time too 🙂 .

I used to be a fan of haggling, but now I prefer fixed prices. When it comes to haggling, I often think of that lovely haggling scene in "Life of Brian". By the way, that film is part of our Christmas traditions so I think I'll have to watch it again soon 😀.

Continue to have a great time during your semester break 😀.

11 December 2019 - 10:05

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I'm not very good at haggling really, but when they say a price that I'm not willing to pay at all, then it's obvious to haggle ... I don't want to pay as much as possible for a simple bracelet, so to speak 😉 And thank you! 🙂
  
  11 December 2019 - 17:16
  
BP says:

I have to say that I like the wonderful flowers you photographed much more than the typical tourist shops. The flowers there are absolutely fantastic!
Like Ama, I was really good at haggling (even in Sweden) when I was younger. In many countries, it's a natural part of the transaction.
Even a blogger gets to take a holiday, or rather needs to rest sometimes. So enjoy the days that remain.

11 December 2019 - 20:17

Role o Carina says:

Of course you should haggle as much as possible, we had done too!

Take care and enjoy yourselves......

12 December 2019 - 7:45

Shopping in El Gouna - by the Red Sea in Egypt

Holidays in El Gouna

Shopping in El Gouna city centre

Was there any shopping in El Gouna for us?

What are the prices?

Should you bargain?

More shopping in El Gouna

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bmlarstravellingblog says:

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Snows says:

Helena says:

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