Sharm el-Sheikh

Egypt

Sharm el-Sheikh (Arabic: شرم الشيخ, also transliterated as Sharm ash Shaykh and popularly known simply as "Sharm") is a well-known port and resort town at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, popular with package holiday makers and divers.

Sharm el-Sheikh is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Arab world. But there are also some very good reasons to visit it if you are not the common tourist, who likes to lie on the beach all day. It is one of the finest diving spots in the world and a trip into the desert is an unforgettable adventure.

The Sinai Peninsula is a remote desert mountain range. The rocky mountains are parted from the deep-blue sea by a flat desert strip. This combination of desert and sea is an incredible sight and makes you believe you are on a different planet.

Sharm el-Sheikh used to be nothing but a small fishing village with about 100 Bedouin citizens. When Sinai was occupied by Israel in 1967, Sharm el-Sheikh started to develop as a tourist destination (like the rest of the peninsula). The Israelis evacuated Sinai between 1979 and 1982 following the signing of a peace agreement between the two countries. Since the 1980s, the Egyptians have been continuing the development of Sharm where the Israelis left off. Sharm's 100 grew into a bustling 10,000 population. There is now a nice promenade, a Hard Rock Cafe, one of the most modern hospitals in Egypt and so on.

See also: Egypt#Climate

The climate is very dry. Rainfall is very rare. The weather is very hot in summer days and moderately hot at summer nights. In winter, it is warm at days and has one of the warmest night temperatures in Egypt.

The most comfortable time to visit Sharm El-Sheikh are late summer and beginning of the fall. For example in September the air temperature is about 34 °C and water is about 29 °C.

The Na'ama Bay part of the city is the center of nightlife and dining: most of Sharm's clubs, cafes, restaurants and shops are here. Na'ama Bay lies midway between Sharm Airport and Old City, nearly 10 minutes driving from each.

Microbuses can take you from downtown, but to reach Na’ama Bay from the airport, you will have to take a cab.

Sharm el Sheikh has grown into three distinct areas now, Nabq is a new area to the north of Na'ama, Old Market and Hadaba to the south of Na'amaa Bay.

Old Russian shipwreck in Na'ama Bay Dolphins in Na'ama Bay

Sightseeing and excursions in/from Sharm El Sheikh

  • Sharm Old Town Hail a taxi or local bus to take you to the Sharm Old Town, ask the driver for the old market. This is a much different experience for tourists staying in the Na'ama Bay area. Most of Sharm was built after the Israeli invasion, so don't expect a Morrocan-style 'souk' experience! Ignoring the touts outside each shop make a better experience, unless you are serious about buying. Stay strong in you determination of what to pay.
  • Na'ama Bay is the tourist center of Sharm el-Sheikh, an unusual sight and a bit exotic for a westerner are huge fans pumping fresh air and water to street cafes and terraces near hotels. Na’ama Bay is basically a formation of a large number of hotels and spas, sharing the same beach line.
  • Al-Mostafa Mosque, Al Rewaysat Rd. The largest mosque in Sharm el-Sheikh. Has a small shop with Islamic books, tours are offered from time to time.
  • Al Sahaba Mosque. After years of construction, this large mosque in old market has been completed. Built in an Ottoman architectural style, it could easily be mistaken for having been there for hundreds of years.
  • El-Samaeyeen Cathedral. A Coptic church beautifully decorated with frescoes depicting bible verses. Most often, there will be a guide that can offer a tour.
  • A visit to the desert is highly recommended. Various trips to the Bedouins, the beautiful Colored Canyon, White Canyon, quad bike and buggy safari tours.

The more adventurous should try to find a private guide, who takes them for a few days into the mountain desert with a camel. You will walk through hidden valleys, rest at secret oasis and during the night you sleep under a breathtaking firmament.

  • Boat and snorkeling trips to the beautiful snorkeling sites in Ras Mohammed National Park and Tiran Island. For non-swimmers, the submarine or glass-bottom boat is an ideal alternative to discover the underwater world of the Red Sea.
  • Cultural excursions in Sinai like Saint Catherine's Monastery and Mount Sinai, where, according to tradition, the God spoke to the prophet Moses. Excursions from Sharm el-Sheikh to Cairo, where the famous three pyramids, the Sphinx and the Egyptian National Museum, or to Luxor, the famous capital of ancient Egypt. Other sightseeing excursions include those to neighboring countries to visit sites such as Petra or Jerusalem.
  • Day visit to Dahab Lovely relaxing trip - a totally different vibe to Sharm. One hour away through a mountainous road, best not attempted at night. Taxis should be LE150 each way or LE20 each way from the bus station then a Dahab 'taxi' (pick-up) for LE5-10 into town. Take the number of your driver if you want to leave at a different time. The bridge is in the centre of town with a promenade in each direction.
  • Enjoy the sight and sound experience and the live show at Alf Lela w Lela (A Thousand and One Nights) everyday. the live show is amazing, with different shows featuring other belly dancers. Also some Egyptians weddings, tanourra dance and shows. A bit down at heel but worth a look around.
  • Short trips to Aqua Park, the largest water park in Sharm el-Sheikh, Dolphinella where dolphin shows and dolphin swim takes place and crocodile show.

Sharm Old Town Hail a taxi or local bus to take you to the Sharm Old Town, ask the driver for the old market. This is a much different experience for tourists staying in the Na'ama Bay area. Most of Sharm was built after the Israeli invasion, so don't expect a Morrocan-style 'souk' experience! Ignoring the touts outside each shop make a better experience, unless you are serious about buying. Stay strong in you determination of what to pay.

Na'ama Bay is the tourist center of Sharm el-Sheikh, an unusual sight and a bit exotic for a westerner are huge fans pumping fresh air and water to street cafes and terraces near hotels. Na’ama Bay is basically a formation of a large number of hotels and spas, sharing the same beach line.

Al-Mostafa Mosque, Al Rewaysat Rd. The largest mosque in Sharm el-Sheikh. Has a small shop with Islamic books, tours are offered from time to time.

Al Sahaba Mosque. After years of construction, this large mosque in old market has been completed. Built in an Ottoman architectural style, it could easily be mistaken for having been there for hundreds of years.

El-Samaeyeen Cathedral. A Coptic church beautifully decorated with frescoes depicting bible verses. Most often, there will be a guide that can offer a tour.

A visit to the desert is highly recommended. Various trips to the Bedouins, the beautiful Colored Canyon, White Canyon, quad bike and buggy safari tours.

Boat and snorkeling trips to the beautiful snorkeling sites in Ras Mohammed National Park and Tiran Island. For non-swimmers, the submarine or glass-bottom boat is an ideal alternative to discover the underwater world of the Red Sea.

Cultural excursions in Sinai like Saint Catherine's Monastery and Mount Sinai, where, according to tradition, the God spoke to the prophet Moses. Excursions from Sharm el-Sheikh to Cairo, where the famous three pyramids, the Sphinx and the Egyptian National Museum, or to Luxor, the famous capital of ancient Egypt. Other sightseeing excursions include those to neighboring countries to visit sites such as Petra or Jerusalem.

Day visit to Dahab Lovely relaxing trip - a totally different vibe to Sharm. One hour away through a mountainous road, best not attempted at night. Taxis should be LE150 each way or LE20 each way from the bus station then a Dahab 'taxi' (pick-up) for LE5-10 into town. Take the number of your driver if you want to leave at a different time. The bridge is in the centre of town with a promenade in each direction.

Enjoy the sight and sound experience and the live show at Alf Lela w Lela (A Thousand and One Nights) everyday. the live show is amazing, with different shows featuring other belly dancers. Also some Egyptians weddings, tanourra dance and shows. A bit down at heel but worth a look around.

Short trips to Aqua Park, the largest water park in Sharm el-Sheikh, Dolphinella where dolphin shows and dolphin swim takes place and crocodile show.

The Strait of Tiran and Tiran Island Diving is the main activity in Sharm el-Sheikh. When you dive into the warm water of the Red Sea and leave the remote desert behind, you will enter a world full of life and colours. Divers, especially photographers, should be confident with their buoyancy to avoid damaging the fragile coral reef system. Some hotels in Na'ama Bay have cleared the coral reef from their section of beach for tourists to use the water.

  • The reefs of Tiran and Ras Mohammed are known as two of the best diving spots in the world. They can be reached by boat from Sharm within two hours. Ras Mohammed is the southern most point of the Sinai peninsula. There, the current of the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Gulf of Suez. Due to the increase of plankton in the water the amount of fish is incredible. Huge schools of barracudas, sharks and murrays can be seen there every day.
    The disadvantage of its popularity is that you may find up to 20 boats at the same reef. If you take a daily boat you may enjoy your dive in the company of fifty other dive guides and about 10 divers in each group.
  • The wreck of the SS Thistlegorm is generally regarded as one of the finest wreck dives in the world. However, it can also become very crowded with divers and definitely is an advanced dive due to strong currents and part of the dive is usually in an overhead environment.
  • Smarter divers book a diving safari. This way you avoid the crowds at the popular spots and have the possibility to dive beautiful reefs way beyond the reach of any daytripping boats. The overall costs of a diving safari does not exceed daily diving and it saves you a lot of stress. Check out your chosen boat online and make sure the photos are current!

Operators include

The reefs of Tiran and Ras Mohammed are known as two of the best diving spots in the world. They can be reached by boat from Sharm within two hours. Ras Mohammed is the southern most point of the Sinai peninsula. There, the current of the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Gulf of Suez. Due to the increase of plankton in the water the amount of fish is incredible. Huge schools of barracudas, sharks and murrays can be seen there every day.

The disadvantage of its popularity is that you may find up to 20 boats at the same reef. If you take a daily boat you may enjoy your dive in the company of fifty other dive guides and about 10 divers in each group.

Smarter divers book a diving safari. This way you avoid the crowds at the popular spots and have the possibility to dive beautiful reefs way beyond the reach of any daytripping boats. The overall costs of a diving safari does not exceed daily diving and it saves you a lot of stress. Check out your chosen boat online and make sure the photos are current!

Oonas Dive Center. A small, friendly dive centre at the quieter end of Na'ama Bay offering daily diving and all PADI courses - discounts for internet bookings.

Sinai Divers Naama Bay.

Camel Dive Club.

Colona Divers.

Emperor Divers.

Enigma Charters.

Ocean College.

RedSea Diving College.

Diving Ocean.

Ultimate Diving Holidays.

Sharks Bay Umbi Diving Village.

Dolphin Diving Center.

Divers International, Sofitel Hotel (North end of Na'ama Bay, +20 106770462. 9AM-6PM. PADI five star diving centres offering daily diving trips, PADI courses, and liveaboard safaris.

  • Stables at Sofitel Hotel. Helpful personnel. Require helmets (provided); several pairs of riding boots available. After the ride, offer you to give showers to your horse. Bambi and Kelly are declared as the fastest horses. Too far from the desert: in a 2-hour route, only 40 minutes is actual ride in desert, the remaining time is spent to get there and to return back. For 2 hours, it is better to choose stables at the edge of desert. (2 hr).

Stables at Sofitel Hotel. Helpful personnel. Require helmets (provided); several pairs of riding boots available. After the ride, offer you to give showers to your horse. Bambi and Kelly are declared as the fastest horses. Too far from the desert: in a 2-hour route, only 40 minutes is actual ride in desert, the remaining time is spent to get there and to return back. For 2 hours, it is better to choose stables at the edge of desert. (2 hr).

There are dozens of operators who seem to use just the same route, length and sequence of stops: when you drive, you meet many groups who follow just the same route as yours. There are several really shaky pieces of the route, very much like a washboard.

Wear a long-sleeved shirt; shoes are safer than sandals. Always wear a helmet and make sure your travel insurance covers this activity. Expect all your wear (and skin) to be covered with gray dust.

2 hours of riding is just enough for a non-professional rider; expect several stops along the way. It's ideal to start your ride at 4PM or later--to catch a sunset and ride back when air is not that hot.

At departure point, choose a bike in the beginning of the motorcade: being one of the first allows to drive faster, and results in less dust.

  • Tiba Safari/Tiba Trip. Sold by many agencies. Groups are 10-15 bikes; two persons per bike is allowed (although bikes were designed for a single person). Tasting Berber tea is very risky for your stomach--proven several times. Group is accompanied by a car with camcorder--video is not worth buying, and the car generates much extra dust (you can't do much about it unless your whole group ask in advance to not make video at all). US$20 single person per bike for 2 hr; $25 for two people sharing the same bike for 2 hr.

Make sure you stay on the path and follow your guide, as Egypt has one quarter of the world's landmines buried in its deserts, some of them surprisingly close to Sharm el-Sheikh.

Tiba Safari/Tiba Trip. Sold by many agencies. Groups are 10-15 bikes; two persons per bike is allowed (although bikes were designed for a single person). Tasting Berber tea is very risky for your stomach--proven several times. Group is accompanied by a car with camcorder--video is not worth buying, and the car generates much extra dust (you can't do much about it unless your whole group ask in advance to not make video at all). US$20 single person per bike for 2 hr; $25 for two people sharing the same bike for 2 hr.

Para sailing is very enjoyable. But, for a ride that is less than 5 minutes, they charge LE260 for 2 persons and LE220 for one person.

The best place to do this is in the Sinai desert on a tour on camels. After this you can look up at the desert stars at midnight after having a homemade meal cooked by the Sinai people.

Water in shops cost around LE3-5. Bring your sunscreen, because they cost LE80-200 anywhere in town, if you are without tan, shopkeeper will sell you one at very bad price - welcome to Egypt.

Na'ama Bay has very forceful sellers and caution should taken by the naive tourist who accepts a "free gift" (nothing in Egypt is free) or falls for the "come and sign my guest book" in a shop, only to be locked in. When shopping, it is best not to speak to any sellers who engage you unless you are sure that you are going to buy something. This allows you some degree of hassle-free walking (as they do not know what language you speak).

Opening hours are variable, but most shops are open in the early to late afternoon and in the evening. If you are looking for a reprieve from the hassle and haggling, there's a Carrefour Express supermarket with fixed prices. Coming from the bay, it's hidden behind one of the Malls, at Golden Pyramid Mall – on Peace Road. The selection is limited, but all the staples are available without hassle. You just have to make it through the crowds of vendor touts to get there.

  • Carrefour Express, Marina, one street west of 'main disco street' (one street off from the main shopping/nagging street in Marina part. One of the classic European shops with price tags, option to pay with credit card without disadvantages, exchange machine and ATM inside. They do have a lot of local spices and even some souvenir items, like small papyrus just for LE2.

Carrefour Express, Marina, one street west of 'main disco street' (one street off from the main shopping/nagging street in Marina part. One of the classic European shops with price tags, option to pay with credit card without disadvantages, exchange machine and ATM inside. They do have a lot of local spices and even some souvenir items, like small papyrus just for LE2.

If you need a break from resort food try one of the local places below. If you're looking for a taste of home, Il Mercato houses a McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Costa and a Starbucks. Manchow Wok has nice Chinese food and is opposite Stella, the only place to drink in El Mercato.

Na'ama Bay is amusing, especially at night, where lights of Bedouin-style and modern restaurants, café shops, and other 'bazaars' are glittering. Pork is not sold, even when it is advertised on a menu (it is actually a salted beef). A 10-15% service charge will be added to any bill.

  • El Masrien, Old Market (next to the market exit, +20 (69) 366 2904. Noon–4AM. Offering Egyptian barbeque cuisine including Kabab, Kofta, Reyash, Nefa, Tarab & liver, all types of oriental dishes including veal shank, stuffed pigeon & stuffed duck, all types of pasta & rice & different types of stuffed vegetables. Alcohol free. Enjoy all types of grills. Also worth is GAD a few more doors down, look for the big red sign. Both are full of locals.

El Masrien, Old Market (next to the market exit, +20 (69) 366 2904. Noon–4AM. Offering Egyptian barbeque cuisine including Kabab, Kofta, Reyash, Nefa, Tarab & liver, all types of oriental dishes including veal shank, stuffed pigeon & stuffed duck, all types of pasta & rice & different types of stuffed vegetables. Alcohol free. Enjoy all types of grills. Also worth is GAD a few more doors down, look for the big red sign. Both are full of locals.

  • Fares Seafood, +20 115 933 3735. All kinds of seafood fresh from the Red Sea.
  • Fawanes Cafe, Naama Bay. Lebanese cuisine. Good place for waterpipes; order a smaller one (Fawanes); apple one is ideal.
  • Onions. Fusion food, good services and reasonable prices.
  • Safsafa, Naama Bay, +20 69 3660474. Probably one of the best fish cafes in the town. A rare place where grilled calmaras are really good. However, the lobster included in the mixed seafood plate is dry.
  • Tempo Cafe. Features some percentage of locals. Waiters are uniformed in distinctive orange-and-green. Waterpipe is good, but when served for several people (with many hoses), the menu price may be multiplied by number of people--ask in advance; maybe it's just a scam.
  • Indian restaurants. There are 3 Indian restaurants in Sharm. One is Maharaja, on the beach pathway. Other two are India House Restaurants, of Thai Chain hotels. One is the old market and another one, opposite little Buddha, on the road near the taxi stand. Can get Indian menus.

Fares Seafood, +20 115 933 3735. All kinds of seafood fresh from the Red Sea.

Fawanes Cafe, Naama Bay. Lebanese cuisine. Good place for waterpipes; order a smaller one (Fawanes); apple one is ideal.

Onions. Fusion food, good services and reasonable prices.

Safsafa, Naama Bay, +20 69 3660474. Probably one of the best fish cafes in the town. A rare place where grilled calmaras are really good. However, the lobster included in the mixed seafood plate is dry.

Tempo Cafe. Features some percentage of locals. Waiters are uniformed in distinctive orange-and-green. Waterpipe is good, but when served for several people (with many hoses), the menu price may be multiplied by number of people--ask in advance; maybe it's just a scam.

Indian restaurants. There are 3 Indian restaurants in Sharm. One is Maharaja, on the beach pathway. Other two are India House Restaurants, of Thai Chain hotels. One is the old market and another one, opposite little Buddha, on the road near the taxi stand. Can get Indian menus.

For nightlife, Na'ama Bay offers several clubs: The Pacha, Little Buddha and Hard Rock Cafe. (Yes, the latter is one of the chain.) There are countless bars and the pedestrian walkways offer many coffee houses where you may also enjoy a shisha along with some people watching.

Alcohol (including beer) is available in restaurants and street cafes. Travellers must be aware that taxes are now levied on alcoholic drinks that are purchased in cafes or bars that are not associated with the hotels. Please also be aware of drink prices in general as they can be relatively expensive, compared to other European destinations. Always ask to see a drinks menu before ordering a drink. Check in the Naama Bay cafes that you will not be charged 'entrance' and to watch the 'floor show' (bad dancing). Tea and coffee is around LE15-25, make sure you are paying sensible prices.

Fresh Guava juice is a must-try, excellent in any cafe, along with Bedouin or Mint tea.

  • Black House. Second famous venue after Pacha club. Presumably owned by Russians and avoided by everyone.
  • Bus Stop, Nabq Bay.
  • Hard Rock Cafe, El Soultan Qabous St., Nabq. Daily noon-4AM.
  • Little Buddha, Naama Bay Hotel, +20 69 350 1030. Good music and cocktails. Not the cheapest place in town.
  • Ministry of Sound Red Sea, Pacha/Sanafir hotel, +20 31624930603. 11PM-3:45AM.
  • Pacha club, Sanafir hotel, Naama Bay, +20 69 360-0197-8. One of the most famous dancing clubs.
  • TGI Fridays, Naama Bay.
  • Space Sharm, +20 69 3603883. An affiliate of the Ibiza nightclub with the same name.

Black House. Second famous venue after Pacha club. Presumably owned by Russians and avoided by everyone.

Bus Stop, Nabq Bay.

Hard Rock Cafe, El Soultan Qabous St., Nabq. Daily noon-4AM.

Little Buddha, Naama Bay Hotel, +20 69 350 1030. Good music and cocktails. Not the cheapest place in town.

Ministry of Sound Red Sea, Pacha/Sanafir hotel, +20 31624930603. 11PM-3:45AM.

Pacha club, Sanafir hotel, Naama Bay, +20 69 360-0197-8. One of the most famous dancing clubs.

TGI Fridays, Naama Bay.

Space Sharm, +20 69 3603883. An affiliate of the [[Ibiza]] nightclub with the same name.

  • Mount Sinai — a holy mountain known for the ancient Monastery of St. Catherine, and thought to be the mountain where Moses received the 10 commandments. A taxi for the days that waits for you can be found if you want to go during the day. If you want to go for the sunset or sunrise you can book a trip through one of the local operators. Mark that the cafeteria in the Monastery does not always have food, but rather chips and snacks. It can be wise to bring some food if it is not set up for you as part of your trip.
  • Dahab — a small and relaxing resort town 90 km north from Sharm El Sheikh, just over one hour away, offers a wide range of wind water sports as well as the famous Blue Hole.
  • Taba Heights — a purpose built resort town 225 km north, just over 2 hours' drive, which offers a wide range of wind water sports as well as the opportunity to see frog fish and sea horses.

[[Mount Sinai]] — a holy mountain known for the ancient Monastery of St. Catherine, and thought to be the mountain where Moses received the 10 commandments. A taxi for the days that waits for you can be found if you want to go during the day. If you want to go for the sunset or sunrise you can book a trip through one of the local operators. Mark that the cafeteria in the Monastery does not always have food, but rather chips and snacks. It can be wise to bring some food if it is not set up for you as part of your trip.

[[Dahab]] — a small and relaxing resort town 90 km north from Sharm El Sheikh, just over one hour away, offers a wide range of wind water sports as well as the famous Blue Hole.