Sharm el Sheikh is a popular tourist destination in Egypt thanks to its beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters and rich marine life. While other cities in Egypt are famous for their temples and buildings of the past, Sharm el Sheikh is known for its national parks, such as Ras Mohammed National Park or Nabq National Park, and for the incredible islands in the Red Sea, the best place for scuba diving in Egypt. There are lots of things to do in Sharm el Sheikh!
In this post we will tell you everything you need to know before embarking on your trip to Sharm el Sheikh, the most beautiful coastal city in all of Egypt. At Passporter we have prepared a list with the must-sees in the city and the surrounding area, and we also want to share with you some travel tips that are sure to be of great help. In addition, we also provide recommendations on where to sleep, where to eat and how to get there.
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What are the best places to visit in Sharm el Sheikh?
1. Ras Muhammad National Park
Ras Mohammed National Park, located to the south of the Sinai Peninsula, is one of the main natural attractions of Sharm el Sheikh. There you can dive in its coral reefs teeming with tropical fish, rays, sharks, and relax on the beautiful beaches and bays such as Yolanda Beach, Old Quay Beach and Aqaba Bay.
Within the park, you’ll find a beautiful mangrove lagoon. This unique ecosystem is home to a variety of bird species that you can spot while touring the lagoon on foot or by kayak. And if you appreciate a good view, don’t miss the Shark’s Observatory viewpoint, which offers panoramic views of the Red Sea and surrounding reefs.
2. Naama Bay, the beach in Sharm el Sheikh
It is the tourist center of Sharm el Sheikh and has a wide range of restaurants, bars, stores and nightclubs. It is the perfect place to stroll along the promenade, relax on the beach and enjoy the lively nightlife.
This area is home to most of Sharm Sheikh’s luxury resorts and hotels, which have their own private beach. Luckily, there is also a public beach area. This area is undoubtedly the most touristy.
3. Old Market in Sharm el Sheikh
The “Old Market” of Sharm el Sheikh, also known as “Al-Mustafa Market” or “Old Market Square”, is the shopping center in town, a busy place to buy souvenirs, clothes, shishas and food. Remember that in Egypt you haggle, so arm yourself with patience to fight for a good price. The most curious stalls are the fresh fish and seafood stalls, which cook it on the spot.
4. Al Sahaba Mosque
It is a temple built in Ottoman style next to El Fanar Beach with an area of 3,000 square meters. It is famous for the two minarets of 76 meters that can be seen from all over the city. We recommend to visit the mosque at sunset, when the light illuminates it and colors to the whole temple.
5. Nabq National Park in Sharm el Sheikh
Nabq National Park is located approximately 35 kilometers north of Sharm, in the Sinai Peninsula. It is an extensive protected area with a rich biodiversity covering about 600 square kilometers. It is home to more than 150 species of resident and migratory birds. We also highlight the mangroves, a rarity in the desert that you can explore on foot or by boat.
The park offers a wide range of outdoor activities for visitors. You can go hiking, desert trekking, scuba diving, snorkeling and boat tours to explore the natural beauty of the area.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Things to do around Sharm el Sheikh
1. Tiran Island and its coral reefs
A perfect day trip to take from Sharm el Sheikh is Tiran Island, one of the most beautiful islands in the Gulf of Aqaba. On the island you can relax on the pristine beaches or dive at Jackson Reef. It’s a popular diving spot due to the vertical walls covered with coral and the possibility of spotting sharks and other marine species. And if you’re not into thrills, you can always snorkel at Laguna Reef, home to hundreds of marine species in calmer waters.
It is important to note that Tiran is a protected area and special permission is required to visit it. You can arrange a boat excursion from Sharm el Sheikh that includes visits to the best diving and snorkeling sites around the island.
2. Blue Hole Dahab
The Blue Hole is an iconic dive site known for its staggering depth of 130 meters and the intense blue color of the waters that attracts expert divers from around the world. Its natural formation, an underwater hole surrounded by impressive cliffs, creates a breathtaking landscape where you will have the opportunity to explore underwater caves and tunnels.
What to see in 1 day in Sharm el Sheikh
If you only have one day in Sharm el Sheikh we recommend that you hire a diving or snorkeling excursion and spend the day enjoying the marine life of its national parks. You can also sunbathe on the incredible sandy beaches and visit the Mezquita Al Sahaba or the market.
However, the area deserves at least 4 days to fully enjoy and explore the surrounding islands. Sharm el Sheikh is a dream destination for scuba divers, but if you are a lover of pristine beaches with crystal clear waters, you will also find excursions for you.
Where and what to eat in Sharm el-Sheikh?
In Sharm Sheikh you can eat anything from traditional Egyptian dishes such as mezze, shawarma or kebabs, to international food. In the area you can also enjoy fresh fish and seafood grills. These are some of the best restaurants in the area:
- El Masrien: if you want to try authentic Egyptian food, El Masrien is an excellent choice. It serves traditional Egyptian dishes, such as kebabs, shawarma, mezze and lamb dishes in a cozy atmosphere and with reasonable prices.
- Fares Seafood: Fares Seafood is known for its fresh and delicious seafood. It is located in Naama Bay and offers a wide selection of seafood dishes, such as prawns, lobsters, crabs and fresh fish prepared in different ways. Prices range from €5 to €37.
- Luxor: is a restaurant specializing in Egyptian and Middle Eastern cuisine. The atmosphere is unbeatable, the service very attentive and the prices do not exceed 30€.
Where to stay in Sharm el Sheikh
In Sharm el Sheikh you will find a wide variety of accommodation, from more affordable hotels to all-inclusive resorts. The most common areas to stay are:
- Naama Bay: is the most famous and lively area of Sharm el Sheikh. Naama Bay is close to the beach and offers an abundance of restaurants, stores and nightly entertainment.
- Ras Um Sid: Located on the southern coast of Sharm el Sheikh, Ras Um Sid is a quiet and picturesque area with panoramic views of the sea. Ras Um Sid beach is known for its natural beauty and is a popular snorkeling spot.
- Shark’s Bay: located north of Naama Bay, Shark’s Bay is a quiet and exclusive area. Here you will find luxury resorts and hotels with beautiful beaches and excellent facilities.
We have also prepared this list with some of our favorite accommodations in the city:
- Amphoras Blu: this hotel faces its own private beach, hosts a large outdoor pool with a sun terrace with loungers and offers modern rooms with views. It also has parking, a spa and gym. The price is around €70 a night.
- Xperience St. George Sharm El Sheikh:This 4-star resort located 2 km from the Red Sea has its own private beach and features an outdoor pool. It also has a spa, gym and restaurant. The price starts from €45 per night and breakfast is included.
- Sinai Old Spices B&B: this is a very cozy little hotel with garden and pool. It is a really nice place and more intimate than the resorts. The price of the room is around 50€ and includes breakfast.
How to get to Sharm el Sheikh
Sharm el Sherikh is not a regular destination on organized travel itineraries to Egypt, so if you want to see it, you’ll have to visit it on your own. This means that there are many alternatives for getting there from different parts of the country. Here are some of the options available.
- Airplane: the most common and convenient way to get to Sharm el Sheikh is to fly into Sharm el Sheikh International Airport (SSH), which receives domestic and international flights from several airlines. In Egypt the main flights depart from Cairo and Luxor. From the airport you can take a cab to get to the city.
- Bus: There are bus services connecting Sharm el Sheikh to other cities in Egypt, such as Cairo, Hurghada and Dahab. However, be aware that bus rides can be long and are not as comfortable as air travel.
- Organized excursions: in the main cities you can hire organized excursions that include transportation.
Once in the city the most common thing among tourists is to move by cab or group vans.
What should I consider before traveling to Sharm el Sheikh
- The official currency is the Egyptian pound
- It is advisable to bring mosquito repellent.
- It is common to bargain in Egypt.
- Many stores close on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Try to always drink bottled water and avoid ice.
- A visa is required to enter Egypt. The price is 25€ and it is valid for 90 days.
- Best to carry small bills as it is difficult to get change.
- The best time to travel to Egypt is mid-March to mid-May, and September to November. But if you’re going to Sharm Sheikh it’s best to go between April and October for better weather.
- It is best to avoid exchanging money at the airport, as their prices are high.
- Arabic is spoken in Egypt, but in the tourist areas you will be able to communicate in English.
- Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
How to organize what to see on your trip to Sharm el Sheikh
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers the things to do in Sharm el Sheikh.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Sharm el Sheikh
You can get to Sharm Sheikh by plane, bus or train from major cities in Egypt, or with an organized tour.
It is recommended to spend a minimum of 4 days in order to visit the surrounding natural parks and islands.
The best time is between April and October, when temperatures are warmer.
In Sharm Sheikh you will find everything from charming hotels to all-inclusive resorts at great prices. The best neighborhoods to stay are Naama Bay, Ras Um Sid and Shark’s Bay.
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