Sharm El Sheikh, the city of peace, is your ticket to a world of unlimited rewards. It has what satisfies all tastes and inclinations. If you are a nature lover, relaxation seeker, or an adventure enthusiast, then Sharm El Sheikh is your ideal holiday destination.
Sharm El Sheikh is a memorable retreat at the Red Sea, standing as one of the world’s premier destinations. It enjoys year around sunshine and boasts an array of attractions catering to different travelers.
The area consists of downtown Sharm El Maya, Naama Bay and Sharks Bay further up the coast, the holiday destination that will leave you with breathtaking memories is the most popular destination in South Sinai. It is also a perfect base from which to explore the region’s stunning coastline and rugged interior. You can dive, snorkel or simply paddle in the waters of the Red Sea at Ras Um El Sid, You can also visit the amazing national park of Ras Mohamed
General Information
The area consists of downtown Sharm El Maya, Naama Bay and Sharks Bay further up the coast, the holiday destination that will leave you with breathtaking memories is the most popular destination in South Sinai. It is also a perfect base from which to explore the region’s stunning coastline and rugged interior. You can dive, snorkel or simply paddle in the waters of the Red Sea at Ras Um El Sid, You can also visit the amazing national park of Ras Mohamed.
The city is renowned for housing one of the world’s best diving sites. The dazzling diversity of corals and aquatic species offer a picturesque adventure over the surface and through the depths of the Red Sea. For those who enjoy watching the splendid marine life of the Red Sea without being involved in any diving or snorkeling activities, there are scheduled submarine or glass boat trips that could be arranged. For the more adventurous travelers, mountain climbing is an intriguing experience in Sharm El Sheikh, given its mountain landscape.
Apart from aquatic activities, you can take a camel safari into the desert to visit Bedouin villages, mystical oases, or the mangrove forests of Nabq. Or you can stay in town, and enjoy the most exotic culinary experience at one of its world class international restaurants.
If you are looking for a luxurious lifestyle, then Sharm El Sheikh is the place to be as the city boasts an extensive collection of the world’s high-end hotels & resorts. At night, the city thrives on the variety of nightlife and entertainment choices; there are plenty of bars, discotheques, and clubs
Ras Mohammed National Park
Ras Mohammed National Park is what put Sharm el-Sheikh on the tourist map. Surrounded by some of the world's most incredible dive sites, this peninsula is home to glorious beaches with excellent snorkeling just offshore, the world's second most northerly mangrove forest, and a saltwater lake. A trip here is a must do for anyone staying in Sharm el-Sheikh. The best beaches are Old Quay Beach (with its top-notch coral reef easily reached from the shore) and Aqaba Beach.
Naama Bay
Fringed by a white-sand beach and swaying palm trees, Naama Bay is the epicenter of Sharm El-Sheikh's resort life. There are plentiful restaurants, cafés, and souvenir stores if you get bored of the sand, but Naama Bay is really all about the beach. A pedestrian only promenade rims the entire beach area, backed by a cluster of luxury resorts. For those looking for a holiday full of sloth like sunbathing, Naama Bay is one of Egypt's top choices. The entire beach area has excellent facilities, including ample sun-shades and loungers, and the beachside cafés mean you don't even have to move from your patch of sandy bliss all day.
Ras Um Sid Beach
One of Sharm el-Sheikh's best beaches is Ras Um Sid, right at the southern tail of the town, near the lighthouse. Here, people slouch on the beach between snorkeling trips into the water where an excellent coral reef is just offshore. Farther away from the sand, Ras Um Sid Reef is perfect for first-time forays into diving and is used as a try-dive site by many local dive operators. Even if you're just snorkeling, there is plenty of fish life to see.
Old Market
Sharm Old Market (also known as Sharm al-Maya) is the town's souq (bazaar) area, where twinkling Arabic lamps, traditional shisha pipes, and finely engraved woodwork can be found in abundance. It's best to come at sunset or later, when the worst heat of the day has dissipated, and you can shop and browse in comfort. The area is full of cheap and cheerful restaurants and cafés as well, so it's a good place to spend the entire evening. There's a distinctly different feel here than the rest of Sharm el-Sheikh — the market is imbued with a much more higgledy-piggledy local atmosphere than the rest of the city.
On the edge of the market area is the new Al-Sahaba Mosque with an imposing facade that cherry-picks influences from Fatimid, Mamluk, and Ottoman mosque styles.
After your trip to Sharm El Sheikh comes to an end, stop at its various shopping outlets to bring a souvenir for your loved ones. Shops offer beautiful handicrafts and other magnificent options to choose form
Shopping and Leisure in Sharm El Sheikh
For those who love to shop, Sharm El-Sheikh provides ample opportunities to indulge in retail therapy. Sharm El Sheikh is famous for producing jewellery, leather goods and rugs. Expect to haggle when shopping in Sharm El Sheikh! It is all part of the experience and the shop owners will be shocked if you don’t try to negotiate! The majority of shops and shopping centers are based in Naama Bay but Sharm Old Market is great for hunting out bargains. If you want real value for money you should go south-west to Dahab which is less busy and less commercialized than Sharm.
There is more to Sharm El-Sheikh than beaches, sea and shopping of course. It’s a well-developed area that feels “European” with refined hotels, facilities and amenities. Sharm el Sheikh has a fantastic range of restaurants, bars and cafes to visit as well as the hotels own all inclusive menus. The market area in Old Sharm is popular for its abundance of seafood restaurants and cheap prices.
The Il Mercato promenade, often called “Les Champs Elysee” of Sinai offers a varied selection of excellent cafes and restaurants
Sharm El Sheikh Nightlife