Overview
Sharm el Sheikh is a world-famous tourist destination. It lies on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. A major port city in Egypt with a long coastal strip along the Red Sea, Sharm el Sheikh attracts tourists for its diving spots, which are considered among the finest in the world. The city has beaches, mountains, and desert strips to entice tourists who are more inclined towards water sports and adventure sports.
Sharm el Sheikh is also known as the “City of Peace†as it has hosted numerous international peace conferences. Several years ago, it existed as a small fishing village with a Bedouin community consisting of just a few hundreds of citizens. The strategic location of the place helped it grow as a naval base for the Egyptian Navy. Subsequently, it has grown to become a major port and a popular tourist destination in the Arab World.
The climate is usually hot in summer, but the winter months are milder. The average temperatures during winter, which stretches from November to March, range from 15 to 35 degree Celsius. This is the best time to visit Sharm el Sheikh, though the beaches and the availability of water-related activities attract holidaymakers all round the year.
Tourism is indeed the biggest industry here. It is what drives the economy of Sharm el Sheikh. Alongside tourism, the city has also seen the growth of hotels, resorts, restaurants, shopping centers and more. It is an ideal city for adventure tourism as it offers plenty of opportunities for water sports like scuba-diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kitesurfing, boating, para-sailing, and canoeing.
Distance Airport
Sharm el-Sheikh Airport (SSH) is located at a distance of 11 km from Na’ama Bay, a central area where most hotels and resorts are located.
Transport Airport
Public minibuses are the cheapest and most convenient means to travel from the Airport to the central part of the city. The journey usually takes 20 minutes and the buses run at regular intervals.
Flying Time from UK
Approx. travel time from:
London 4Hrs 51Min
Manchester 5Hrs 07Min
Edinburgh 5Hrs 21Min
Glasgow 5Hrs 25Min
Birmingham 5Hrs 01Min
Attractions
Ras Mohammed
It is the national park as well as the famous dive site in Sharm el Sheikh. Located on the tip of the Sinai Peninsula, in the Red Sea, Ras Mohammed is rich in corals, reefs, and marine biodiversity. It is where the current of the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Gulf of Suez. Fish, sharks, plankton and Murrays can be seen here in abundance. It is a popular diving spot and is also characterized with one of the finest wreck dives in the world.
Na’ama Bay
It is the sandy bay area where plenty of beaches and other attractions are found. It is the most popular place in Sharm el Sheikh with a large number of people visiting here every day. Situated close to the Airport, Naama Bay is home to numerous hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, and entertainment centers.
Tiran Island
It is an island located in the Strait of Tiran. It is visible from the north of Na’ama Bay. Tiran Island is among the best diving sites of the world. Some of the popular diving spots here include Jackson Reef, Woodhouse Reef, Thomas Reef, Gordon Reef, and South Lagoon. The island is also famous for some of the most spectacular views of corals and marine life.
Mount Sinai
It is located in the middle of the Sinai Peninsula and has a height of 2,285 meters above sea level. Revered as a sacred place where Moses received the Ten Commandments from the God, it is still a popular pilgrimage site. The mountain is also home to the Monastery of St. Catherine, an ancient monastery running till date. From Sharm el Sheikh, it takes 3 hours to reach here. Tourists generally come here before the dawn in order to watch the spectacular view of sunrise from the top of the mountain.
Shopping
Shopping is a delightful experience in Sharm el Sheikh. There are many shops selling a variety of goods and articles at reasonable rates. However, bargaining becomes necessary sometimes, especially when you are at Old Sharm. Shopkeepers tend to quote extremely high prices and you need to be strong and smart to get a fair deal. Some notable shopping areas in the city include the following:
Na’ama Center
Located at a prime location in Na’ama Bay, it offers upmarket shopping experience with a large variety of foreign and local products. The goods available here are a bit expensive from those found in any other markets in Sharm el Sheikh or elsewhere in Egypt. The availability of a wide spectrum of products that include jewelry, clothes, gift items, arts & crafts, and diving accessories, etc is what drives people to this marketplace.
Old Sharm
The shops here sell a variety of items including jewelry, leather goods, pottery, clothing and books. Old Sharm is generally considered as a cheaper option than Na’ama Bay. Haggling over a price is a common scene here. Nevertheless the place offers a great shopping experience.
Nabq
It is an upcoming shopping area that intends to offer a more modern outlook and amenities. Some shopping centers that have succeeded in attracting the attention of buyers include the names of Jasmine, Al Khan & La Strada. Besides shopping complexes, the place also has entertainment facilities, activity centers and a golf course.
Fun & Family
Sharm el Sheikh offers plenty of opportunities for sports and recreational activities. While water sports are the core of all fun and adventurous activities, the city has to offer much more than these. Camel trekking, horse riding, quad biking, ice skating, bungee jumping, go-karting, bowling, golf, tennis, and desert safari – all are possible here. Moreover, Sharm el Sheikh is a perfect place for a family visit as most sports and recreational facilities here tend to be family-oriented.
Sharm el Sheikh is a heaven for water sport lovers. Almost all forms of water sports can be seen here – diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kite surfing, para sailing, canoeing, water skiing, and what not. Diving and snorkeling are by far the most popular sports activities here.
Some of best diving sites of the world can be found here. Chief among these are Ras Mohammed and Tiran Island. Ras Mohamed also has the world’s finest wreck diving spot. The city also has a number of diving centers that conduct diving classes and offer specialized training to locals as well as visitors. Na’ama Bay is home to such training centers and their classes.
Sightseeing, people watching, sunbathing, and fishing are some other leisure activities here. Sharm el Sheikh has indeed a lot to offer. It is an ideal city for family also. These are some unique aspects of tourism in Sharm el Sheikh, which are what driving tourists here from across the globe. The city is popular among European visitors, especially those coming from the UK.
Night Life
The night life in Sharm el Sheikh can be enjoyed in any of the casinos, pubs, clubs or bars that stay open until dawn. These are great places to relax and unwind after a long day of diving and other adventurous activities that the city has to offer. Some night clubs also offer live shows with plenty of dancing opportunities. Most night clubs and bars are concentrated in Na’ama Bay. Some are also found in locations like Ras um Sidd.
Hard Rock
Located at the southern end of Na’ama Bay, The Hard Rock Café is known to the locals as well as to the visiting tourists. It is a restaurant that turns into a night club in the evening. Good food and a selection of drinks are served in a pleasant atmosphere. Rock videos are the highlight of this club.
Little Buddha
It is a famous nightclub located at Na’ama Bay. It stays open until the early hours. At night, it transforms into a typical bar where drinks are served and dancing sessions are organized. The huge statue of Buddha adds to the ambiance of the place.
Pirates Bar
Located within the Hilton Farouz Hotel at Na’ama Bay, it is a popular bar and known for its collection of high quality beers. The bar also offers a selection of imported beers and certain food items. Regular theme parties are the chief attraction of this bar.