Where to spend your evenings in Sharm El Sheikh, from Naama Bay's promenade to the Old Market and desert dinners, with tips on dress, alcohol and safety.
Plan your visit
Ask us which tours include this destination, or build a private trip around it.
Book a free 30-minute consultation with one of our Egypt specialists. We’ll talk through your ideas, answer your questions and help you plan the perfect trip.
Essential cookies keep the site working. With your OK, analytics cookies show us which pages help. Privacy Policy.
Sharm El Sheikh nightlife centers on Naama Bay, where the seafront promenade fills with restaurants, bars, live music and late clubs after dark. For a calmer night, go to Soho Square for fountains and family entertainment, or the Old Market for shisha cafés and street food. Desert dinners, cultural shows and sunset boat trips round out the options.
Evenings in Sharm are less about one big party street and more about choosing a mood. You can have a loud club night, a slow seafood dinner, a family stroll past fountains or a quiet evening under desert stars. Most visitors mix two or three of these over a week.
This guide explains each evening area, what a typical night looks like, how to get around safely, and which plan suits your group. It also covers the practical things guides tend to skip: dress, alcohol, timing and getting home.
Where the nightlife is in Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm's evening life gathers in three places. Each has a different crowd and a different pace.
Area
Atmosphere
Best for
Typical evening
Naama Bay
Lively, music, late venues
Couples, friends, first-timers
Dinner on the promenade, then bars or a club
Soho Square
Polished, open-air, family-friendly
Families, mixed groups
Fountain show, dinner, bowling or ice skating
Old Market (Sharm el-Maya)
Local feel, cafés and stalls
Culture, food, shopping
Shisha, fresh juice, street food and a stroll
Desert camps
Quiet, starry, organized
Couples, families, anyone wanting a change
Sunset ride, Bedouin dinner, stargazing
Outside these areas, many large resorts run their own evening program. That can mean live music, shows and a late bar inside the hotel.
Naama Bay: the main nightlife area
Naama Bay is the heart of Sharm's evening scene. A pedestrian promenade runs behind the beach, lined with restaurants, cafés, bars, shops and clubs. After sunset, the walkway fills with diners, families on a stroll and groups heading out.
A typical night starts with dinner at a terrace restaurant facing the bay. After that, many people move to a bar with live music or sports on screens. Clubs with DJs pick up later in the evening and can run late, though programs change by season and by night.
Naama Bay suits people who like choice. You can walk from place to place without planning ahead, and you can leave whenever you want. If you are staying in another area, plan your ride back before you go out.
Tips for a Naama Bay night out
Eat first, then decide. The promenade is easy to wander, so you do not need a fixed plan.
Check the cover and minimum spend. Some clubs and bars charge entry or set a minimum, so ask at the door.
Carry small notes. They help with tips, taxis and small purchases. Our tipping in Egypt guide explains who to tip and how much is normal.
Keep your phone charged. You will want it for maps, photos and calling your hotel for a ride.
Soho Square: the family-friendly option
Soho Square is an open-air entertainment complex in the north of Sharm, near Sharks Bay. It has illuminated fountains, restaurants, bars and shops. It also has a bowling alley and an ice rink, which surprises many visitors in a desert resort.
The tone is relaxed and family-friendly. Evening shows are aimed at a general audience, so children are welcome. It is a good choice for mixed groups, where some people want a drink and others want ice cream.
Soho Square is also a sensible option if you stay in Sharks Bay, Ras Nasrani or Nabq. It is closer than Naama Bay, so the ride home is shorter.
The Old Market: a local evening
The Old Market, also called Sharm el-Maya, is in the south of Sharm, near Hadaba. It is busiest after dark, when the cafés and stalls light up. Expect shisha, fresh juice, Egyptian street food and plenty of souvenir shops.
This is the place to slow down. Order a mint tea or a fruit juice, watch the street and browse the stalls. The Al Sahaba Mosque stands nearby and makes a striking view when lit up at night. If you visit the mosque area, dress modestly and follow any guidance on entry.
Shopkeepers will invite you in, and bargaining is normal. Smile, take your time and walk away politely if the price does not suit you. Our Egyptian etiquette and customs guide explains how bargaining usually works. For what to try at the stalls, see our Egypt street food guide.
Evening tours and quieter nights
Not every good night in Sharm happens in town. These options suit people who want an evening with a different shape.
Desert dinner and stargazing
Away from resort lights, the Sinai sky gets very dark. A camel ride with Bedouin dinner and stargazing combines a camel ride, a Bedouin dinner, a folklore show and time under the stars. Bring a light jacket, since desert evenings cool quickly, especially in winter.
Sunset quad biking
For something with more energy, a quad biking desert safari is a good way to see the desert. Ask us when you book whether a late-afternoon departure is available. Wear closed shoes and bring a scarf or buff for the dust. Our guide to desert safaris from Hurghada and Sharm compares the main styles.
Cultural shows
Some restaurants and resorts stage Arabic shows with tanoura, a whirling dance, and belly dancing. Programs vary by venue and season. Ask when you book dinner whether a show is scheduled that night, and follow any rules about photos.
Sunset boat trips
Sunset cruises are offered from the marina area. They suit couples and anyone who wants a calm end to the day. Confirm the departure point, length and what is included before you book.
A night climb of Mount Sinai
The Mount Sinai and St. Catherine's Monastery trip is not nightlife, but it does fill a night. Sunrise climbs of Mount Sinai usually start in the dark, so check the departure time on the tour page or ask us when you book. Plan a lazy day after an early start.
Which evening suits you
Couples
Start with a seaside dinner in Naama Bay, then a cocktail on the promenade. On another night, try the desert dinner and stargazing for a quieter, memorable contrast. Our guide to planning Egypt as a couple has ideas for the rest of the trip.
Families with children
Soho Square is the easiest win, with fountains, food and activities in one place. An early stroll on the Naama Bay promenade also works well. Keep evenings shorter with young children, and keep everyone together in busy areas.
Groups of friends
Naama Bay gives you the most choice and the easiest walk between venues. Staying nearby saves arranging late taxis for several people. Agree on a meeting point in case anyone gets separated.
Travelers who do not drink
You have plenty of options. The Old Market, Soho Square, cafés with shisha and fresh juice, and desert dinners all make full evenings without alcohol.
Solo travelers
Stick to the busier areas, such as the Naama Bay promenade and Soho Square. Use a hotel-booked car to get home late. Our solo travel in Egypt guide has more practical advice.
Alcohol, dress and local customs
Egypt is a Muslim-majority country, but Sharm is a resort town used to international visitors. Alcohol is served in licensed hotels, bars, clubs and many tourist restaurants. Drink only at licensed venues and avoid buying from unlicensed sellers.
Public drunkenness is frowned upon, and laws apply to visitors as well as residents. Keep public displays of affection low-key outside hotels and clubs. During Ramadan, the evening atmosphere changes, and some venues adjust their hours or service. Read our guide to traveling in Egypt during Ramadan if your dates overlap.
Dress is relaxed in Naama Bay and at resorts. Smart-casual clothes work for most restaurants and bars. For the Old Market and areas near mosques, cover your shoulders and knees. Our what to wear in Egypt guide has simple outfit ideas.
Getting home and staying safe
Most visitors enjoy Sharm's evenings without problems. Tourist areas are generally well patrolled, and the main promenades stay busy until late. Common sense covers most risks.
Plan your ride home. Ask your hotel for a taxi, or use a licensed taxi and agree on the fare before you leave.
Know your hotel's name and area. Keep it written on your phone or a hotel card.
Watch your drink. Order from the bar yourself and do not leave glasses unattended.
Carry a copy of your passport. Leave the original in your room safe unless your hotel or operator advises otherwise.
Stay hydrated. Evenings can still be warm, especially in summer, and alcohol dehydrates you faster in the heat. See our Egypt health guide for heat and stomach tips.
Before you travel, check your own government's current travel advice for Egypt. Our Egypt safety guide explains how to read the warnings.
Planning your evenings around your days
Your day plans shape your nights. Boat trips and the Ras Mohammed snorkeling day usually start early, so a late club night before is a poor idea. Plan big nights before beach or pool days instead.
A balanced week often looks like this: one Naama Bay night out, one Old Market evening, one desert dinner and a few quiet resort nights. If you are still choosing a base, our guide to where to stay in Sharm El Sheikh explains how each area affects your evenings. For daytime ideas, see day trips from Sharm El Sheikh or browse our Sharm El Sheikh day tours.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best nightlife in Sharm El Sheikh?
Naama Bay has the most restaurants, bars and clubs, all along a walkable promenade. Soho Square and the Old Market offer calmer evenings with a different feel.
Is Sharm El Sheikh nightlife good for families?
Yes, if you choose the right places. Soho Square, the Naama Bay promenade early in the evening and desert dinners all suit children.
Can you drink alcohol in Sharm El Sheikh?
Yes, at licensed hotels, bars, clubs and many tourist restaurants. Drink responsibly, avoid unlicensed sellers and remember that local laws apply to visitors.
What should I wear for a night out in Sharm El Sheikh?
Smart-casual clothes work in Naama Bay and resort venues. Cover shoulders and knees for the Old Market and areas near mosques.
What time does nightlife start in Sharm El Sheikh?
Dinner and promenade strolling begin after sunset. Bars get busier later in the evening, and clubs usually pick up late, though times vary by venue and season.
How do I get back to my hotel at night?
Ask your hotel to book a taxi or use a licensed taxi and agree on the fare first. Keep your hotel's name and area saved on your phone.
