Sharm el-Sheikh

Areas and districts of Sharm el-Sheikh

• Old Town. This is the liveliest neighborhood in the city, where you can walk and experience the charm of local life, amid the smell of spices and the smoke of water pipes, witnessing a meeting of cultures between churches and mosques.
• Soho Plaza. A neighborhood headed by a modern square with shops and restaurants, an ice bar, a water fountain and street performers.
• Naama Bay. It is the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula and the main tourist area of Sharm el-Sheikh, with many bars, restaurants and stores. And most importantly: with a wide promenade for you to enjoy the beaches and you can hire all kinds of excursions at sea.

What to see in Sharm el-Sheikh

• Al Sahaba Mosque. One of the most beautiful mosques in Egypt, with an eclectic style and different from what is customary in this type of Muslim temples. An avant-garde architecture with very original chromatic tones.
• Old Market. Surrounding the Al Sahaba Mosque is Sharm el-Sheikh’s old market where you can find everything from souvenirs to groceries and where you can mingle with local life. And you can also eat fresh fish and seafood from the Sinai coasts in very good and affordable restaurants.
• El Fanar Beach (Ras Um Sid Natural Park). A strip of coastline that is home to a wonderful coral reef. The beach is located at the eastern end of the Sinai Peninsula and has many hotels and restaurants. For 100 EGP you will have access to one of the private beaches and will have access to an umbrella, sun lounger and a small bottle of water.
• Sunset on the coast. The sunsets of Sharm el-Sheikh are very famous from any point of the city, but especially in two: the hill where the Al Sahaba mosque is located and another is the terrace of the Farsha cafe.
• Ras Muhammad National Park. A national park located 15 km south of the city that you can visit in two ways: on a bus tour or on a boat tour with snorkeling stops. Depending on what you like, either option is recommended.
• Quad excursion in the desert. Being at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula, the city has sea but also desert. And one that is worth knowing in a 4×4 quad excursion to experience adventure tourism and a day with lots of fun and emotions. You can book the Old Town tour in different tourist offices.

Spas in Sharm el-Sheikh

If what you are looking for for your trip are good options of spas in Egypt, this city will be to your liking and will meet all your expectations. In addition, thanks to its extensive promenade you will enjoy great views and you will have multiple options to hire all kinds of excursions and activities at sea.

The main resorts in Sharm el-Sheikh are the following:

• El Fanar Beach (Ras Um Sid Natural Park). It is a beach located at the eastern end of the Sinai Peninsula, with many hotels and restaurants, so you can also stay there if you wish. Its most outstanding attraction is its extensive coral reef.
• Ras Muhammad National Park. A national park 15 km from the city that you can visit on a bus tour but we recommend you do it by boat, as you can experience the sea more closely and enjoy several stops for snorkeling.
• Naama Bay. The largest and busiest beach in Sharm el-Sheikh, with white sand and turquoise water. Ideal for renting equipment for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
• Ras Um Sid. A small beach resort to enjoy its coral reef diving and snorkeling.

Prices and other activities

The options for diving and snorkeling and other activities in Sharm el-Sheikh are very varied and depend on many factors: if you have hired a guide service that includes some of these activities, if the hotel where you are staying offers this service (they usually give discounts to their customers) or if you have excursions for your entire trip to Egypt contracted with the same agency or tour operator.

In order not to complicate things, we will give you the prices if you go on your own and with full day options. If you decide to go on your own, perfect. And if not, it will help you to compare with the price offered in the places where you hire your excursions and tours to Sharm el-Sheikh.

• Diving. Full day boat trip: between 72€ and 110€ per person.
• Snorkeling. Full day from the coast: between 34€ and 45€ per person.
• Quad routes. It is usually done in packages that include other activities. For example, quad and camel ride (22€ per person) or quad with bike and snorkel (55€ per person).

Where to stay in Sharm el-Sheikh

The cheapest hotels in the city are the best option for travelers who are going to practice water sports and who will be enjoying the outdoors all day long. The best options are in Old Town or Ciudad Vieja, with prices starting at 25€ per night for a double room.

If you want to upgrade to a four- or five-star hotel, the best hotel options are on the coastline or very close by, with balconies with views and quality service. Some have swimming pools.

The main resorts in Sharm el-Sheikh are the following:

• El Fanar Beach (Ras Um Sid Natural Park). It is a beach located at the eastern end of the Sinai Peninsula, with many hotels and restaurants, so you can also stay there if you wish. Its most outstanding attraction is its extensive coral reef.
• Ras Muhammad National Park. A national park 15 km from the city that you can visit on a bus tour but we recommend you do it by boat, as you can experience the sea more closely and enjoy several stops for snorkeling.
• Naama Bay. The largest and busiest beach in Sharm el-Sheikh, with white sand and turquoise water. Ideal for renting equipment for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
• Ras Um Sid. A small beach resort to enjoy its coral reef diving and snorkeling.

Getting around Sharm el-Sheikh

You can reach the city by direct flight from Cairo or Luxor (there is no direct flight from Aswan) and from these cities and many others, by train or bus.

To move around the city the best option are cabs, there are many and in all neighborhoods, although none of them have a taximeter and you will have to be firm to haggle over the price and agree in advance, because cab drivers in Sharm el-Sheikh usually charge quite high prices.

But if you prefer to walk, it is the best option to get to know the city and enjoy it thoroughly, since it is not too big and you can safely go through the different neighborhoods without any inconvenience. And end your walks on the coast with the stunning sunsets.

Some hotels located far from the center offer shuttle bus services that take you to and from the center on a set schedule. It is very convenient if you want to get around quickly and easily, although most of them have only one departure and one return schedule.