Sharm el Sheikh
Sharm El Sheikh at a Glance
Costs: $60-160 / day - wide range: budget guesthouses to luxury resorts and high-end diving trips.
Safety: Tourist areas secure, exercise caution elsewhere - resort zones are tightly secured; avoid isolated desert travel without a guide.
Best Time: October-April - pleasant temperatures and calm Red Sea conditions for diving.
Egypt’s Red Sea resort capital - a purpose-built diving-and-beach destination on the Sinai coast, famed for world-class coral reefs, turquoise water and year-round sun.
Why go / don’t miss: world-class diving and snorkeling at Ras Mohammed National Park and the Straits of Tiran, the beaches and dive resorts, Naama Bay’s nightlife, glass-bottom boats, and desert quad-biking and the Coloured Canyon.
Neighborhoods: Naama Bay for nightlife and hotels; Sharks Bay / Nabq for resorts and reefs.
Getting around: taxis and hotel shuttles; boats for diving.
When to go: Oct - May is ideal (a warm winter escape); summers are very hot.
Where to stay: a Naama Bay or reef-front resort.
Dining: resort and Egyptian fare - seafood and international buffets.
Local tips: it’s a diving-and-beach resort (Ras Mohammed is world-class), check current advisories for the Sinai interior, and it’s a warm winter sun spot.
Why Visit Sharm el Sheikh?
Red Sea diving and desert adventure are core reasons people visit Sharm el Sheikh, from snorkeling pristine reefs in Ras Mohammed National Park to night dives off Naama Bay. Bedouin desert safaris and camel treks offer contrast to coral-focused days, and seafood grills paired with Egyptian staples such as koshari show how coastal cuisine blends with national flavors. The town’s marina, dive centres and easy access to St. Catherine’s Monastery make it a versatile base for Sinai exploration.
Best Things to Do in Sharm el Sheikh
Sharm el Sheikh Bucket List
Don't Miss
Ras Mohammed National Park - Marine reserve with dramatic reefs, coral dives, and short coastal hikes.
Naama Bay promenade - Seafront strip of hotels, restaurants, and nightlife centered around a sandy crescent.
Old Market (Sharm el-Maya) - Traditional souk with spices, handicrafts, and eateries in narrow atmospheric lanes.
Hidden Gems
Nabq Protected Area - Coastal mangroves and desert habitats offering birdwatching and quiet snorkeling locales.
Ras Umm Sid snorkeling spot - Less crowded reef access with coral gardens reachable directly from shore.
Local Bedouin evening trips - Short excursions offering desert tea, storytelling, and simple night-sky viewing experiences.
Day Trips
Mount Sinai and St. Catherine’s Monastery - Early morning hike and monastery visit offering desert landscapes and monastic history.
Dahab and Blue Hole - Snorkeling and diving day trip to legendary sites on the Gulf of Aqaba.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Sharm el Sheikh
Sharm el Sheikh is best in the cooler months (November-February) for diving and comfortable beach weather. Summers are intensely hot; spring and autumn are warm and breezy with fewer tourists.
Winter
Sunny, mild days and warm Red Sea waters - perfect for diving and relaxed beach time without extreme heat or humidity.
Summer
Baking, dry heat makes daytime sightseeing uncomfortable; evenings remain pleasant for dining, but always protect against strong UV radiation and sunburn.
Spring/Autumn
Warm, breezy shoulder months ideal for diving and hikes - fewer crowds than summer and comfortably warm water temperatures too.
Sharm el Sheikh's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with very hot summers (peaking in August) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 13°C to 38°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 13° - 22° | 18° | 0 mm | mostly sunny | 49% | 3.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 10.5h |
| February | Ideal | 14° - 24° | 19° | 1 mm | mostly sunny | 46% | 3.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.1h |
| March | Ideal | 16° - 26° | 21° | 1 mm | clear | 43% | 3.8 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Ideal | 20° - 30° | 25° | 0 mm | mostly sunny | 38% | 3.9 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.7h |
| May | Ideal | 23° - 34° | 29° | 0 mm | mostly sunny | 35% | 3.9 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.4h |
| June | Ideal | 26° - 37° | 31° | 0 mm | clear | 33% | 4.3 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.7h |
| July | Ideal | 27° - 37° | 32° | 0 mm | clear | 35% | 3.6 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.6h |
| August | Ideal | 28° - 38° | 33° | 0 mm | clear | 37% | 3.8 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.0h |
| September | Ideal | 26° - 36° | 31° | 0 mm | clear | 40% | 3.6 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 22° - 31° | 27° | 1 mm | clear | 44% | 3.5 m/s | 1.5 high | 11.4h |
| November | Ideal | 18° - 27° | 23° | 0 mm | clear | 46% | 3.4 m/s | 1.0 high | 10.7h |
| December | Ideal | 15° - 24° | 19° | 1 mm | clear | 49% | 3.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.3h |
How to Get to Sharm el Sheikh
Sharm el-Sheikh is served directly by Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport (SSH), making arrival straightforward. Once on the ground most visitors use hotel transfers or taxis to reach Naama Bay and other resort areas; local minibuses and taxis cover intra-city travel.
Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport (SSH): The city’s airport sits just north of the main resort areas. Taxis and hotel transfers are the most common ways into Naama Bay and other resort districts; journey times are short (typically 10-25 minutes) depending on your hotel and traffic, and hotel transfers or taxis are the usual options - confirm fares with your hotel or the taxi driver before boarding.
Other options: Private pre-booked transfers and shuttle services are widely offered by hotels and tour operators; those are recommended for safe, direct transfers, especially after late flights.
Train: There is no passenger rail service to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Bus / Coach: Intercity coaches and private bus companies connect Sharm with other Egyptian destinations (for example, services to Cairo or Hurghada are available but can be long journeys). Local minibuses and taxis are used for getting around within the Sharm area; for most visitors short taxi rides or hotel shuttles are the most practical local options.
How to Get Around Sharm el Sheikh
For visitors, arranged transfers or taxis from SSH are the simplest way into Sharm el-Sheikh; local taxis and minibuses cover short hops, and walking is ideal within compact resort zones.
- Airport taxi / hotel transfer (Varies (confirm in advance)) - Taxis and hotel-arranged transfers are the primary arrival options; taxis at SSH offer quick transfers to the main resort districts. Many travellers prefer booked hotel transfers for clarity on price and a direct drop-off.
- Local taxis (Short trips: modest (local currency)) - Local taxis are plentiful for short trips within Sharm - agree a fare before you get in if the meter isn’t used. They are convenient for moving between Naama Bay, Old Market and nearby beaches.
- Shared minibuses / microbuses (Low (variable)) - Shared minibuses run between resort areas and to longer-distance coach services; they are cheaper than private taxis but can be crowded. Good option if you’re on a budget and traveling to common routes.
- Intercity coach (Varies by route) - For travel to other Egyptian cities (Cairo, Hurghada) use established coach operators; journeys can be long and schedules vary. Book with a reputable company or ask your hotel for recommended operators.
- Walking - Resort areas like Naama Bay are compact and easy to explore on foot for evenings, markets and beachfront promenades. Walking is the most pleasant way to experience the local promenade and restaurants.
Where to Stay in Sharm el Sheikh
Budget
Naama Bay / Soho Square - $20-90/night
Sharm el Sheikh has many budget guesthouses and dive hostels near Naama Bay and the Old Market. Good for divers and beachgoers on a budget.
Camel Dive Club & Hotel - Diving-focused, value rooms
Local guesthouses and small hotels - Many affordable beachfront options
Mid-Range
Naama Bay / Nabq - $70-200/night
Mid-range hotels cluster along Naama Bay and Nabq, offering pools, dive centers, and easy access to boat trips and local markets.
Stella Di Mare Beach Hotel & Spa - Comfortable beachfront resort
Mid-range resorts around Nabq - Good snorkeling access
Luxury
Nabq / Sharks Bay - $180-600/night
Luxury resorts in Sharm offer private beaches, dive centers, and full-service spas. Expect higher prices but easy access to Red Sea reefs and excursions.
Rixos Premium Seagate Sharm - Full-service luxury resort
Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh - High-end private-beach resort
Where to Eat in Sharm el Sheikh
Seafood & boardwalk grills
Sharm’s coastal restaurants focus on freshly grilled fish, mezze and family-run seafood grills along the marina and promenades.
- Fares Seafood - Longtime local seafood favorite
- Sharm sea grills (search) - Fresh catch at multiple beach-front spots
- Il Porto (seafood & Italian) - Italian-style seafood by the marina
Cafés, rooftop bars & local cuisine
Beyond seafood, find rooftop lounges, clifftop cafés and Egyptian mezze-good for relaxed meals after diving or sightseeing.
- Farsha Café - Clifftop café with sea views
- Camel Bar & Roof - Popular rooftop bar and lounge
- Local Egyptian restaurants (search) - Home-style dishes and mezze
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Sharm el Sheikh’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Sharm el Sheikh
Naama Bay and SOHO Square are Sharm’s main evening hubs, offering a mix of beachfront bars, pubs, clubs and live music venues. Resort hotels also host nightly entertainment and themed dinners. Outside these zones, nightlife is much quieter - expect a resort-orientated evening rather than an all-night city club scene.
Shopping in Sharm el Sheikh
Shopping is concentrated around Naama Bay and the Old Market. Stalls and small shops sell souvenirs, textiles, spices and jewellery, while the marina area has higher-end boutiques and galleries. Haggling is common in markets; for fixed-price stores check credit-card acceptance and VAT refund possibilities at larger outlets.