Sharm El Sheikh Travel Guide: What to See & How to Plan

Sharm El Sheikh is a Red Sea resort city at the southern tip of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, built for beach vacations and well-known reefs. Plan four to seven nights: base yourself in a resort, spend days on the reefs of Ras Mohammed and Tiran, and add Dahab or a night climb of Mount Sinai for variety.

Sharm El Sheikh grew from a small fishing settlement into one of Egypt's main resort destinations because of what lies offshore. The meeting of the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez creates coral reefs that draw snorkelers and divers from around the world, and the desert mountains behind the coast give the city a dramatic backdrop. Most visitors come for sun, sea, and a comfortable resort, and the city does that well.

What makes Sharm more than a beach stop is its reach. Within a day's drive you can snorkel in a national park, float above a wall of coral dropping into deep blue water, ride into the desert at sunset, or stand at the summit of Mount Sinai at dawn. This guide helps you decide where to stay, which trips to prioritize and how to balance them with time to relax.

Getting there and getting around

Sharm El Sheikh International Airport has flights from Cairo and, depending on the season, direct services from Europe and the Middle East. The airport is close to the main resort areas, so transfers are usually short.

Road links run north to Dahab and Saint Catherine and around the peninsula toward Cairo. Driving from Cairo takes many hours, so most international travelers fly. Within Sharm, taxis and hotel transfers are the usual ways to get around; distances between bays are too long to walk comfortably.

Entry rules depend on your passport and can change, so please check the official source before you travel.

Where to stay: the main areas

Sharm stretches along many kilometers of coast, and each area has a different feel.

• Naama Bay is the most established visitor district, with a sandy bay, a pedestrian promenade, restaurants, and nightlife. It suits travelers who want to walk out of the hotel and find places to eat.
• Sharks Bay and Nabq lie to the north toward the airport, with large resorts, house reefs and quieter beaches. Nabq is close to the Nabq Protected Area.
• Ras Um Sid and Hadaba are south of Naama, near the Old Market, with clifftop hotels and some fine reefs reached by steps or jetties.
• Old Sharm is the original town and marina area, home to the Old Market.

Many beaches in Sharm are fringed by reef rather than open sand. If you want to swim easily or have young children, ask about the hotel's beach entry and whether there is a pontoon over the reef or a sandy lagoon.

The reefs: Ras Mohammed, Tiran, and beyond

Ras Mohammed National Park

At the southern tip of Sinai, Ras Mohammed was Egypt's first national park. Its reefs, including famous sites such as Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef, are known for steep coral walls and abundant fish. You can visit by boat from the marina for snorkeling and diving, or by road, which also lets you see the mangroves and coastal desert. Park fees and permitted activities are set by the protected-area authorities; your operator should include current details.

The Strait of Tiran

Northeast of Sharm, the Strait of Tiran has four well-known reefs named after British cartographers: Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, and Gordon. Boat trips here are popular with snorkelers and divers, and currents can be strong, so this is a trip for confident swimmers or for those willing to stay close to the guide.

Wrecks and dive sites

Sharm is a base for one of the Red Sea's best-known wreck dives, the SS Thistlegorm, a British supply ship sunk during the Second World War. It lies in the Strait of Gubal and is usually visited on long day boats or liveaboards for certified divers with suitable experience.

Choosing a good operator

Look for licensed boats with clear safety briefings, life jackets and guides in the water. Ask which reef the boat is going to, what level of swimming is expected, and what happens if wind changes the plan. Never touch or stand on coral, and use reef-safe sunscreen if you can.

Life on land: markets, mosques, and evenings

The Old Market in Old Sharm is a good place for spices, perfume, lanterns, and souvenirs, with cafés where you can sit with mint tea. The large Al Sahaba Mosque stands nearby, and the city's Coptic Heavenly Cathedral in Hay El Nour has richly painted interiors and welcomes respectful visitors.

SOHO Square, near Sharks Bay, is an entertainment complex with restaurants, an ice rink, and an evening fountain show, popular with families. Naama Bay stays lively late into the evening.

Desert trips are another option. Quad biking, jeep tours to Bedouin camps, camel rides and stargazing evenings are widely offered. Choose operators who keep group sizes reasonable and respect the desert.

Day trips and onward routes

Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine's Monastery

Saint Catherine, in the high mountains of South Sinai, is about three hours by road. A classic trip leaves Sharm late at night, climbs Mount Sinai in the dark to watch sunrise from the summit, and visits Saint Catherine's Monastery afterward, subject to its visiting hours. The climb takes two to three hours on foot, the summit is cold before dawn even in summer, and good shoes and a warm layer are essential.

Dahab

Dahab, about 90 minutes north, is a relaxed town with a seafront promenade and well-known sites such as the Blue Hole. It suits travelers who want a less resort-focused atmosphere for a day or a few nights.

Cairo and the Nile Valley

Short domestic flights connect Sharm with Cairo, which makes it easy to combine the Red Sea with the pyramids or a Nile cruise. Many travelers place the beach at the end of a longer trip so they finish with rest.

When to go and how long to stay

Sharm is warm for much of the year. Spring and fall, roughly March to May and October to November, offer warm sea and comfortable air temperatures. Summer is very hot on land, though the sea stays inviting. Winter days are pleasant and sunny, but evenings are cooler and the water is chillier, so some swimmers prefer a shortie wetsuit for snorkeling.

Wind is a factor many visitors overlook. Afternoons are often breezier than mornings, which can make boat crossings choppier and snorkeling on exposed reefs harder, so morning departures tend to offer calmer water. Spacing your boat days with a rest day between them also leaves a spare day in case an outing is postponed for weather. Egyptian and European school holidays, as well as the winter festive season, are the busiest periods for resorts and boats, so book early if you plan to travel then.

Four nights gives you two boat days and time to relax. A week lets you add Mount Sinai or Dahab without rushing.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sharm El Sheikh good for snorkeling if I cannot dive?

Yes. Many house reefs and boat trips are designed for snorkelers. Tell the operator your swimming ability so they choose a suitable site and provide a guide.

Which is better, Ras Mohammed or Tiran?

Both are excellent and different. Ras Mohammed offers national park scenery and walls of coral, while Tiran is known for its four reefs in the strait. If you have time, do both.

Is Sharm El Sheikh suitable for families?

Yes. Choose a resort with easy beach entry or a sandy lagoon, and look for calm-water snorkeling. SOHO Square and glass-bottom boat trips are popular with children.

Can I visit Mount Sinai from Sharm El Sheikh?

Yes. It is a long overnight trip, about three hours each way, with a climb to watch sunrise. Bring warm clothes and good shoes.

How do I get from Sharm El Sheikh to Cairo or Luxor?

Domestic flights are the fastest option. Driving to Cairo takes many hours, so most travelers fly and continue to the Nile Valley from there.

Plan it with Nourbelle

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