Visit Sharm el-Sheikh
Fly into Egypt’s prime holiday destination for thrilling coral reef diving and beaches galore.
Sharm el-Sheikh is located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, and with a dedicated airport, this is the perfect place to kick back by the pool, visit historical sites, practise your haggling skills and even learn how to scuba dive.
Na’ama Bay is at the heart of Sharm elSheikh’s beach life. Take a stroll to the hot, white sands and dip your feet in the warm waters for complete relaxation. The midday heat, however, can become intense with temperatures reaching 30 to 40 degrees Celsius (86 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit) in the summer months of July and August, so visiting the beach early morning is recommended. Reaching out directly from a strip of luxury hotels and resorts, Na’ama Bay is renowned for its range of cafes and shops, with many sellers attempting to draw you in to peruse the goods. Na’ama Bay is also a great spot for snorkelling, with coral reefs lining the waters this makes for an ideal introduction to snorkelling before heading out further afield.
A holiday to Sharm el-Sheikh should not go without a trip to the Ras Muhammad National Park, just 38 kilometres (23 miles) further south along the peninsula. This area of natural beauty features a selection of impressive dive sites that makes snorkelling and scuba diving a top attraction for visitors.
Head to the Shark Observatory, close to Main Beach, for incredible views over the surrounding area (the chances of spotting sharks, however, are very slim). Another great spot for snorkelling is Marsa Bareika Beach, with its calm waters and sandy beaches making it ideal for beginners and also perfect for families and young children. Go to Salt Lake for a spot of swimming, and then head to Old Quay Beach or Jolanda Bay for some excellent coral reef diving. On your way out, drive by the Mangroves and see how the vegetation sprawls out into the crystalclear waters of the Red Sea.
For one of the best beach experiences Sharm el-Sheikh has to offer, and a much quieter location compared to that of the busier Na’ama Bay, head to Ras Um Sid just five kilometres (three miles) to the south of the main town. This spot is the perfect snorkelling location for those looking for a more casual coral reef experience, with some amazing sea life and rare fish species waiting to be seen. Don’t miss out on the most exciting diving experience on the Sinai Peninsula: the Thistlegorm wreck.
This is the site of a British army freighter that sank during World War II. It has been well preserved in the salt water of the Red Sea. Ideal for more experienced divers, the Thistlegorm site is located 33 metres (108 feet) down on the seabed, featuring motorbikes, cars, trucks and many more items within the ship’s holds. Towards the stern of the ship, get up close to the turrets and machine guns as well as the ship’s large propeller at the rear. Book yourself on a full-day boat trip with prices starting at around £70 ($91), or a two-day trip with a night’s stay on a boat (the latter includes a night dive of the wreck). This is truly a wondrous site to behold and is the perfect opportunity for those looking to experience a bit more than just sea life.
Once you’ve got a taste for dive sites, chances are you’ll want to head over to Tiran Island, accessible by boat just six kilometres (four miles) off the coast of Sharm el-Sheikh. Although the island belongs to Saudi Arabia, it is actually part of the Ras Muhammad National Park. Visitors are invited to dive and snorkel around the island to experience the array of amazing coral reefs, clear waters and another impressive shipwreck.
If you’re planning to spend more of your time in Sharm el-Sheikh on dry land, there’s a plethora of locations to visit further inland. Book a trip further afield to Colored Canyon, situated northward up the Sinai Peninsula coastline. Walk through the 800-metre (2,600-foot) canyon around glowing orange pinnacles and amazing boulders. This place offers itself as an ideal photography location for stunning sunrise and sunset shots, capturing the dramatic landscape and colours from the rock surfaces.
Saint Catherine’s Monastery, located more centrally on the Sinai Peninsula, is considered to be one of the oldest working monasteries in the world. Located 210 kilometres (130 miles) from Sharm el-Sheikh, a day’s tour can be organised from most resorts. Tour prices start at £33 ($43), with optional extras that include hikes to the summit of Mount Sinai at sunrise for some incredible panoramic views. Remember when visiting the site that appropriate dress codes must be considered, including no shorts or exposed skin over shoulders. The monastery houses some of the most renowned religious icons in the world, attracting both tourists and pilgrims from all over the world who come and pay their respects.
Camel riding is a favourite among visitors to Sharm el-Sheikh, with tour operators offering camel safaris across the Sinai Desert. Usually lasting for an hour, expect to pay from £40 ($52) per person. After experiencing the slow and bumpy ride, most tour operators offer the Make sure you experience a camel ride into the desert while in Egypt chance for you to sample authentic local tea and food with Bedouin people as part of the tour. This is a great opportunity to get a better sense of what desert life is like for the local people.
Take a day to explore the local bazaars and markets of Sharm el-Sheikh and pick up a souvenir or two at the Old Market; or pay a visit to Soho Square (opened in 2018) for award-winning entertainment and a plethora of restaurants. When you’re not dining out, Soho Square features an ice rink, bowling alley and tennis courts to keep kids and adults entertained throughout the day.
There’s truly something for everyone in Sharm el-Sheikh, no matter what your budget may be. Whether you’re after a relaxing time away from home chilling on the beach, or a more adventurous trip in which you can push your scuba-diving skills, or explore some natural wonders, there’s so much to do that you’ll want to book a flight straight back there.
Sharm el-Sheikh makes for the perfect base for exploring, with fantastic beaches, shopping and entertainment available within close range. But it’s also possible to take a trip out to the country’s capital of Cairo, where you can marvel at major sites including one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza, and then take a walk across to the incredible Sphinx. Don’t miss out on a visit to the city’s impressive Egyptian Museum to learn about Ancient Egypt it’s here where you can view the largest collection of artefacts in the world. Depending on your budget, Cairo can be reached either by a direct flight from Sharm el-Sheikh that will take just one hour, or by a bus transfer that will take five to six hours either way, winding through the Sinai Peninsula.