Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt: travel guide
Sinai resort town with some of the Red Sea's finest coral walls
The Red Sea's most internationally famous resort — a polished, purpose-built dive and leisure destination at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Gulf of Suez.
About Sharm El-Sheikh
Sharm El-Sheikh occupies the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where desert mountains drop straight to the Red Sea. It is a purpose-built resort town, and its main appeal is the extraordinary reef life just offshore.
Diving and snorkelling are the main reasons to come, with trips to Ras Mohammed National Park and to well-known reefs in the Straits of Tiran. Back on land, Naama Bay is the social hub, with restaurants, cafes and promenades, and desert excursions are easy to arrange, including an overnight trip towards Mount Sinai.
Sharm suits divers, beach holidaymakers and anyone wanting warm water in winter. Summers are very hot, so autumn through spring is the usual best time to visit Sharm El-Sheikh.
- Country
- Egypt
- Currency
- EGP
- Time zone
- Africa/Cairo
- Nearest airport
- SSH
- Typical trip
- 3-4 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Sharm El-Sheikh
Naama Bay Reef & Dive Sites
coral reef dive site · 4.7 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
World-class reefs directly fronting Naama Bay — Near Garden, Middle Garden and Far Garden with extraordinary coral gardens from shore level. Tower drift dive, Japanese Gardens. PADI courses and day/night dives with Emperor Divers, Camel…
Mount Sinai & St Catherine's Monastery
mountain pilgrimage and monastery · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa, 2,285 m) — where Moses received the Ten Commandments according to Abrahamic tradition. Pre-dawn hike (2.5 hrs via the Steps of Repentance) leads to one of the world's most atmospheric sunrises over the Sinai…
Naama Bay Beach
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
Sharm's most famous beach strip — a 1km crescent of sandy waterfront lined with dive shops, beach bars, water sport centres and resort hotels. The safest and most accessible swimming in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Ras Mohammed National Park
marine national park · 4.8 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
Egypt's first marine national park at the southern tip of Sinai where the Red Sea's two gulfs meet. The Shark and Jolanda Reefs — coral walls plunging 70 m — are legendary diving sites with whitetip and hammerhead sharks, napoleon wrasse…
Soho Square Sharm
Nightlife · 4.2 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The main entertainment complex in Naama Bay — outdoor restaurants, live music, ice rink, cinema and family amusements. The social hub of Sharm's evening scene for all ages.
Sharm El-Sheikh Promenade (Naama Bay Boardwalk)
Activity · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The pedestrian boardwalk running the length of Naama Bay — the most pleasant evening stroll in Sharm. Street performers, souvenir stalls, ice cream and shisha cafés overlooking the illuminated bay.
Old Market (Sharm El-Sheikh Old Town)
Market · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Sharm's original neighbourhood with a traditional Egyptian market atmosphere — local restaurants, souvenir shops and the weekly farmers' market. The most authentic non-resort part of Sharm, 5 minutes from Naama Bay.
Sharks Bay Beach
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Quieter, upscale beach north of Naama Bay with a coral reef directly off the shore — snorkel from the beach with no boat needed. Crystal clear water, family-friendly, and significantly less crowded than Naama Bay.
Sharm El-Sheikh Marina
Nature · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The modern marina in Naama Bay with berths for private yachts and glass-bottom dive boats. The waterfront promenade has restaurants, ice cream shops and a lively pedestrian scene. Departure point for all boat trips.
Hard Rock Café Sharm El-Sheikh
Nightlife · 4.1 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The iconic American restaurant-bar-entertainment venue in the heart of Naama Bay. Good burgers, cocktails and live music. The best guaranteed dinner-with-entertainment option in Sharm for international tourists.
St Catherine's Monastery Only Visit
monastery · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the world's oldest continuously inhabited Christian monasteries (330 AD) at the foot of Mount Sinai. Houses priceless Byzantine mosaics, the Burning Bush and a library of irreplaceable illuminated manuscripts — Egypt's most sacred…
Coloured Canyon (Sinai Desert)
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A 700m slot canyon in the Sinai desert, 60km from Sharm, with walls of multi-coloured sandstone striped in red, yellow, purple and white. One of Sinai's most photographed natural wonders. Reached by 4WD + short hike.
Things to do
- Ras Mohammed National Park Snorkel Trip Water Sports · 6 h · from EGP 1,500 per person
- Mount Sinai Sunrise Hike & St Catherine's Monastery Adventure · 12 h · from EGP 1,900 per person
- Tiran Island Snorkeling Boat Trip Nature · 7 h · from USD 45 per person
- Blue Hole Dahab Day Trip from Sharm Nature · 8 h · from USD 50 per person
- White Island & Ras Mohammed Desert-Sea Safari Nature · 7 h · from USD 55 per person
Day trips and tours
- Ras Mohammed & White Island Snorkel Day 8 h · from EGP 1,900
- Mount Sinai Overnight Hike & St Catherine's Monastery 12 h · from EGP 2,500
Where to stay in Sharm El-Sheikh
- Naama Bay about EGP 5,000 per night
The lively tourist hub of Sharm. All-inclusive resorts, restaurants, dive centres and Naama Bay beach. Best for first-time visitors and those who want everything in walking distance.
- Sharks Bay about EGP 9,000 per night
Quieter upscale enclave north of Naama Bay. Exclusive resorts with private beaches. Less noise, more family-friendly. Coral reef directly from the beach.
Hotels
- Ritz-Carlton Sharm El Sheikh 5-star · EGP 8,000 to EGP 28,000 per night
- Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh 5-star · EGP 6,500 to EGP 22,000 per night
- Sharks Bay Oasis Hotel 3-star · EGP 800 to EGP 1,800 per night
- Baron Resort Sharm El Sheikh
- Rixos Sharm El Sheikh
- Renaissance Sharm El Sheikh Golden View
Where to eat
- Fares Restaurant Egyptian, Middle Eastern · about EGP 150 per person
- Rangoli Indian Restaurant Indian · about EGP 350 per person
- Pomodoro Restaurant Naama Bay Italian · about EGP 235 per person
- La Rustica Sharm Italian · about EGP 235 per person
- Il Mercato Italian · about EGP 235 per person
Getting to Sharm El-Sheikh
Airport: Sharm El-Sheikh (SSH)
How visitors arrive in Sharm El-Sheikh
- Fly into Sharm el-Sheikh airport By air from Europe · common
The Sinai's largest airport receives many charter tourist flights in the high season. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus from Cairo By road from Cairo · possible
Buses run from Cairo via the western coast road, passing checkpoints. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus from Eilat By road from Eilat · possible
Buses run from Eilat in Israel down the eastern coast via Nuweiba and Dahab. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Airport taxi
The guide says you will need a cab to reach Na'ama Bay and fares can be hard to settle; agree the fare first. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Hotel pick-up
Check whether your hotel offers an airport pick-up before you arrive. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Taxi useful for some trips
Sharm's resort areas, including Nabq, Na'ama Bay and the Old Market, are spread out, so taxis are commonly used between them, with the fare agreed beforehand.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Taxi Airport Price Gouging
Sharm El-Sheikh Airport
Unlicensed taxis at arrivals charge EGP 500–1000 for trips that should cost EGP 80–150. They target tourists with heavy luggage.
How to avoid it: Use pre-booked hotel transfer or official airport taxi desk (fixed price board displayed). Download Uber before landing.
Dive Shop Certificate Scam
Naama Bay dive shops
Some shops sell PADI "certificates" after a 1-day course with minimal instruction. These are not valid PADI certifications.
How to avoid it: Use only PADI-certified dive centres with visible instructor credentials. Verify the shop on padi.com/find-courses.
Best time to visit Sharm El-Sheikh
- Jan 22°C
- Feb 22°C
- Mar 25°C
- Apr 30°C
- May 34°C
- Jun 37°C
- Jul 38°C
- Aug 38°C
- Sep 35°C
- Oct 32°C
- Nov 27°C
- Dec 23°C
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Frequently asked questions about Sharm El-Sheikh
- How many days do you need in Sharm El-Sheikh?
- A typical trip to Sharm El-Sheikh is 3-4 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Sharm El-Sheikh?
- The highest-rated places in our Sharm El-Sheikh guide are Mount Sinai & St Catherine's Monastery, Ras Mohammed National Park, St Catherine's Monastery Only Visit, Naama Bay Reef & Dive Sites, Coloured Canyon (Sinai Desert).
- Where should I stay in Sharm El-Sheikh?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Sharm El-Sheikh: Naama Bay, Sharks Bay.
- How do I get around Sharm El-Sheikh?
- Ways to get around Sharm El-Sheikh covered in our guide: Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Sharm El-Sheikh?
- Scams reported to us for Sharm El-Sheikh include Taxi Airport Price Gouging; Dive Shop Certificate Scam. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Sharm El-Sheikh?
- Average daytime highs in Sharm El-Sheikh run from 22°C in Jan to 38°C in Jul.
- Which airport is nearest to Sharm El-Sheikh?
- The nearest airport to Sharm El-Sheikh has the code SSH.