Sharm El Sheikh

On any given day, around 9,000 British visitors visit Sharm. Until the Arab Spring and the resulting instability and fighting in Sinai and the rest of Egypt, numbers had doubled in the past three years and were poised to continue rising despite the global economic condition.

Sharm El Sheikh is one of the Arab world’s most famous tourist attractions. However, if you are not a typical tourist who spends their days lying on the beach, there are some compelling reasons to come. It is one of the world’s best diving places, and a trek into the desert is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Sinai Peninsula is a desert mountain range in the middle of nothing. A flat desert strip separates the jagged mountains from the vast blue sea. This magnificent vista of desert and sea makes you feel as if you’ve arrived on another planet.

Sharm El Sheikh was a modest fishing community with roughly 100 Bedouin residents about 40 years ago. When Israel annexed Sinai in 1967, Sharm el-Sheikh began to grow as a tourist destination (like the rest of the peninsula). Following the conclusion of a peace deal between the two nations, Israelis withdrew Sinai between 1979 and 1982. The Egyptians have been continuing the construction of Sharm where the Israelis left off since the 1980s. Sharm’s population expanded from 100 to 10,000 people. There is currently a pleasant promenade, a Hard Rock Cafe, and one of Egypt’s most advanced hospitals, among other things.

Arid subtropical climate prevails in the city. In January, temperatures vary from 18 to 23 °C (64 to 73 °F), whereas in August, temperatures range from 33 to 37 °C (91 to 99 °F). The Red Sea temperature in this location varies from 21 to 28 °C (70 to 82 °F) throughout the year.

The towns and resorts of Marsa Alam, Kosseir, and Sharm el-Sheikh have the hottest winter night temperatures in Egypt.

The highest temperature ever recorded was 46 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit) on June 2, 2013, while the lowest temperature ever recorded was 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit) on February 23, 2000.

Sharm El Sheikh used to be a port, but due to tough environmental restrictions enacted in the 1990s, commercial shipping has declined dramatically. Until 1982, Sharm El Sheikh, on the northern tip of Marsa Bareka, had just a military port. The Sharem-al-Maya Bay became the city’s principal yacht and service port in the mid-1980s, kicking off the civilian port development.

Due to its stunning environment, year-round dry climate with lengthy hot summers and pleasant winters, and vast lengths of natural beaches, Sharm el-main Sheikh’s economy is international and local tourism. For the majority of the year, its waters are clean and tranquil, making it ideal for a variety of activities, including recreational scuba diving and snorkeling. With 250 distinct coral reefs and 1000 different fish species, there is plenty of opportunity for scientific tourism.

These natural riches, along with the region’s closeness to European tourist markets, have fueled the region’s present strong tourism expansion. From three resorts in 1982 to ninety-one in 2000, the overall number of resorts has expanded dramatically. During that time, the number of guest nights climbed from sixteen thousand to 5.1 million. Hyatt Regency, Accor, Marriott, Le Méridien, Four Seasons, and Ritz-Carlton are among the three to five star hotels that have been enticed to invest in this city. The first aqua park hotel resort opened in the neighborhood in 2007. With a total area of 133,905 square meters, the four-star Aqua Blu Sharm Resort was erected on the Ras Om El Seid (1,441,340 sq ft).

Many international political and economic gatherings, including peace conferences, ministerial meetings, World Bank meetings, and Arab League meetings, have been hosted in Sharm, which is situated along Peace Road. The Maritim Sharm el-Sheikh International Congress Centre can accommodate up to 4,700 people for events and congresses.

Sharm El-nightlife Sheikh’s is sophisticated and established. A favorite sight is the colorful handcraft stalls of the native Bedouin culture. Ras Mohammed, on the peninsula’s southernmost point, has been classified as a national park, with the goal of protecting the area’s animals, natural terrain, beach, and coral reef. A number of international hotels and well-known restaurants are located around Naama Bay, the city’s heart, with golf courses and other recreational opportunities farther up the coast.

Mangroves, coral reefs, rich dunes, birds, and animals make up the 600-square-kilometer (230-square-mile) Nabq Managed Resource Protected Area.

Travel to Sharm El Sheikh from the EU and the US does not need a visa if the stay is for fewer than fourteen days, while individuals traveling beyond the Sinai region may require a visa, which may be purchased for a modest cost on arrival.

Visitors should be informed that when they arrive at the airport after landing, they will almost certainly be sent to a line to purchase a visa.

On October 31, 2015, Metrojet Flight 9268 crashed while travelling from Sharm El Sheikh to Saint Petersburg. From November 5, 2015, British and Russian visitors were forced to return home.

BY PLAIN

Sharm El Sheikh Airport is the biggest in Sinai, and during the winter peak season, it gets planeloads of charter visitors everyday. EgyptAir is the sole airline that operates domestic flights. While your travel agent may have difficulty arranging flights with them, they are also available via certain internet booking engines. There are two Terminals next to one another. Terminal 1 is a brand-new facility that houses Egypt Air and Easy Jet. A visa is required only if you want to go beyond the Sharm region (for example, by bus or boat to Ras Mohammed, Cairo, or St Cathrines) and may be purchased upon arrival (price seems to fluctuate daily; bring 15 pounds, dollars, or euros with you).

For departures, the schedule only indicates the next 1-2 hours, requiring you to scan the row of check-in counters for your flight number.

AIRPORT CAFES

After security, the following cafes are available: Sbarro (overcrowded), Cafe Europa’ (in the rear of the lounge, less crowded): sandwiches, coffee, and Egyptian sweets; an outlet of the worldwide brand Caffè Ritazza will open shortly (also in Athens, Budapest, Madrid, Milan, London, Paris, New York, Stockholm, Zurich, Vienna).

SHOPS IN THE AIRPORT

Following the security check, the Patisserie serves lucums, khalva, and other Egyptian confections.

BY BOAT

Ferry services between Hurghada and Sharm on the mainland Red Sea Coast were discontinued in 2012 owing to a shortage of visitors.

BY ROAD

Sharm El Sheikh is accessible by the eastern coast, via Nuweiba and Dahab, or via the western shore, via Cairo. Both routes are served by daily buses. East Delta buses take roughly 8 hours (80 LE) from Cairo, whereas Superjet buses take approximately 6 hours. Keep your bus ticket and passport accessible while traveling by bus from Cairo, since you will pass through a number of checkpoints that demand passengers to provide identity and their ticket. The journey is exciting, with breathtaking views along the way.

The bus terminal in Sharm el-Sheikh is around a kilometer from the Peace road. If you arrive in the evening, your only alternative may be to hire a cab, since microbus service is often infrequent. Because Sharm’s economy is based on tourism, you should be prepared to haggle. If you are a hiker, the main road is around twenty minutes away. Simply ask someone for directions to Peace Road. Once on Peace Road, there should be no difficulty hailing a micro-bus.

When taking a microbus to the bus station, it’s worth noting that, as of February 2009, there were no direct services along Peace Road to the bus station. To get to the station, you must signal that you are heading to the bus stop and would want to be dropped off at the gas station. This may require some effort, considering the drivers’ low English abilities. Once you get at the petrol station, look for microbuses that will transport you on the last stretch. Bear in mind that no transfers are provided; you will be required to pay an additional cost for the last leg.

Concerning microbus fares If your excursion is less than a kilometer or two in length, the cost should be about (LE 3 to 5 LE). If your destination is farther away or you are driving late at night, be prepared for a demand for more money; in extreme situations, drivers may demand up to (LE 10 or LE 20). Demands for increased costs may also occur if the driver believes you have money! As a result, be prepared to bargain. If the driver’s fare is excessive, just exit; this can often reduce the cost. Finally, about fees, upon arrival, inquire with a local about the cost of the bus before hailing one down. The information supplied will provide you with a starting point for bargaining.

BY BUS

Additionally, there is a fleet of blue and white tuk-tuks, which are essentially miniature buses with varied degrees of roadworthiness that are used to carry inhabitants about Sharm el Sheikh. These are the most cost-effective mode of travel in comparison to taxis, which are rather pricey. They operate on a set route from north to south, including a detour to Hadaba’s expat/locals neighborhood. To hail a tuk-tuk, just wait beside the main street and wave your hand as one approaches. When you board the bus, enter the vehicle, pick a seat, and simply hand your money to the driver (with the help of other passengers if you sit in the back). Never should the fare exceed 3LE. If you begin negotiating the price, the driver may very possibly attempt to charge you far more than necessary. Make no attempt to make payment in foreign currencies. When you reach your location, utter the phrase ‘hinna quiis’ (here is good). Take note that Naama Bay is referred to as Marina (despite the fact that there is no marina!).

Assemble a collection of little coins and notes to pay your journey.

BY TAXI

Taxis in Sharm are often new cars from Hyundai or Chevrolet. Avoid using the taxi meter; it is likely that it is no longer functional; they quickly break down due to the dust and would cost more than the “set” costs. Always keep a record of the driver’s identification number. The tourist police are really useful if you get into trouble or suddenly realize you’ve left anything inside, but they just have the cab number. Assume they do not have meters. Locals assert that they do not. Assure that you have transportation ready for you, since Sharm el Sheikh airport is the most difficult section of Egypt to get an affordable cab. They will want between 150 and 400 LE for the ten-minute journey to Nabq. It’s simple to reach the main road, call a taxi, and pay between 50 and 100le. Otherwise, you will feel violated as a result of the event. Consult your hotel to see if they provide a pick-up service. Ascertain that you have modest notes available to cover the fee and never pay before reaching your location, ensuring that you pay just the pre-arranged amount. Ascertain that the driver understands that you are paying in Egyptian pounds, not in British pounds. Taxis dislike accepting currency.

The city’s entertainment and eating scene is concentrated around the Na’ama Bay area, which contains the majority of Sharm’s clubs, cafés, restaurants, and boutiques. Na’ama Bay is located around halfway between Sharm Airport and the Old City, about a ten-minute drive from either. While microbuses are available from downtown, you will need to hire a taxi to reach Na’ama Bay from the airport.

Sharm el Sheikh has developed into three separate sections; Nabq is a new suburb north of Na’ama, Old Market is to the south of Na’ama Bay, and Hadaba is to the west.

MARKET / SUPERMARKET

RESTAURANTS

ENTERTAINMENT

PERSONAL CARE

CLOTHES / SHOES

TRANSPORTATION

Sharm el-Shiekh is known for its year-round sunshine and ideal scuba diving seas, which are visited by diving enthusiasts from all over the globe. The region’s beaches are throbbing tourist hotspots, crowded with both young partygoers and families. The astoundingly gorgeous setting, which overlooks the Tiran Strait, is surrounded by huge desert plains and auburn mountains. The region’s sun-kissed beaches have captivated a large number of revelers, who flock here to see the stunning sunset against the background of a tangerine sky. Additionally, the region’s beaches are home to an amazing array of coral reefs and a diverse marine natural history. Apart from scuba diving, additional water sports such as windsurfing, canoeing, and parasailing are available. The waters here are always crystal clear and deliciously warm. Additionally, visitors may go boating on the region’s beautiful waterways.

The Red Sea Beach Resort

Apart from providing a variety of possibilities for family picnics, the Red Sea Beach Resort is an excellent place for a variety of recreational activities including as scuba diving, snorkeling, and windsurfing. The resort is reputed to offer the world’s greatest diving facilities. Red Sea Beach Resort is surrounded by a beautiful desert scenery and is home to some of the city’s greatest hotels and restaurants.

Namma Bay

Namma Bay is a stunning length of coastline and one of the region’s busiest nightclubs for some heavy-duty loud celebration. Numerous glamorous restaurants and cafés line the seafront, making for an action-packed night out. There are some upscale beach resorts, such as the Hilton Sharks Bay Resort, which is home to one of the region’s most recognized diving clubs, the Sinai Dive Club.

Terrazzina Beach

Terrazzina Beach is the ideal location for a peaceful vacation. Spread out on the beach’s warm, sunlit sands and bask in the sun’s soft light for an undisturbed holiday. The beach includes peaceful music and, on sometimes, sports such as parasailing.

Sharm el-Shiekh has abundant natural coastline splendor and crystal-clear blue seas ideal for diving and other water sports.

Excursions & Sightseeing in/from Sharm El Sheikh:

• Sharm Old Town – Take a cab or local bus to the Sharm Ancient Town and ask the driver to take you to the old market. For visitors vacationing in the Na’ama Bay region, this is a very different experience. The majority of Sharm is less than 25 years old, so don’t expect to witness a Moroccan-style ‘Souk’! Ignore the touts outside each business unless you are serious about purchasing. Remain adamant in your choice of how much to pay.
• Na’ama Bay is Sharm El Sheikh’s tourism hub; an interesting and rather strange sight for a westerner are the massive fans blasting fresh air and water to street cafés and terraces near hotels. Na’ama Bay is essentially a collection of hotels and spas that share the same beach line.
• A visit to the desert is strongly advised. Numerous excursions to the Bedouins, the magnificent Coloured Canyon, and White Canyon, as well as quad bike and buggy safari expeditions.

The more courageous should seek out a private guide who will accompany them on a camel trek over the highland desert. You’ll trek through hidden valleys, stop at secret oasis, and spend the night under a magnificent firmament.

• Trips by boat and snorkeling to the stunning snorkeling locations in Ras Mohammed National Park and Tiran Island. For non-swimmers, a submarine or glass bottom boat is an excellent way to experience the Red Sea’s underwater ecosystem.
• Cultural excursions in Sinai include Saint Catherine’s Monastery and Mount Sinai, where the prophet Moses is said to have seen God. Excursions from Sharm El Sheikh to Cairo, home to the world-famous three pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Egyptian National Museum, or to Luxor, ancient Egypt’s legendary city. Additionally, tours to adjacent countries like as Petra or Jerusalem are available.
• A day trip to Dahab It’s a wonderful relaxed vacation with a completely different atmosphere than Sharm. One hour distant over a hilly route that is best avoided at night. Taxis should cost 150le or 20le each way from the bus station, followed by a 5-10le ‘taxi’ (pick-up) into town. Take your driver’s phone number if you choose to go at a different time. The bridge is located in the heart of Toun, with a promenade on each side.
• Every day, enjoy the sight and sound experience, as well as the live entertainment, at Alf Lela w Lela (A Thousand and One Nights). The live performance is incredible, with many presentations showcasing a renowned male belly dancer known as Mero, as well as other belly dancers. There were also several Egyptian weddings, tanourra dances, and performances. It’s a little down at heel, but it’s worth a look around.
• Short travels to Aqua Park, Sharm El Sheikh’s biggest water park, Dolphinella, where dolphin performances and dolphin swims take place, and a crocodile display.

Sharm el Sheikh is steeped with history and culture, yet there are surprisingly few museums and galleries across the city. If you are seeking for a museum/gallery trip, Cairo is more likely to accommodate you. Here are some museum and gallery recommendations in Sharm el Sheikh:

El-Arish/Sinai Heritage Museum

This museum is considered to be one of the most important Bedouin handicrafts institutes on the Sinai Peninsula. The museum is dedicated to the Bedouins and displays a wide range of handicrafts, artifacts, and textiles that represent their culture. On Saturdays and Thursdays, the museum is open from 9:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

St. Catherine Monastery

This monastery is a must-see for anybody visiting Sharm el Sheikh. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the location where Moses is said to have seen the burning bush. The Monastery is home to numerous unique pieces of art, some of which date back to the 5th and 6th centuries, including intriguing mosaics, chalices, and church structures. The monastery situated in Saint Katherine City, at the foot of Mount Sinai (where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments from God). This is a must-see location.

Diving

The major attraction of Sharm el-Sheikh is diving. When you step into the warm waters of the Red Sea and leave the desolate desert behind, you will encounter a world teeming with life and color. Divers, particularly photographers, must be buoyant to prevent injuring the delicate coral reef system. It should be noted that several hotels in Na’ama Bay have removed the coral reef from their stretch of beach so that visitors may utilize it.

• Tiran and Ras Mohammed reefs are two of the top diving locations in the world. They may be accessible by boat in two hours from Sharm. Ras Mohammed is the name of the Sinai peninsula’s southernmost point. The Gulf of Aqaba current joins the Gulf of Suez current there. The number of fish has increased dramatically as a result of the rise in plankton in the water. Every day, huge schools of Barracudas, Sharks, and Murrays may be spotted.

The drawback of its popularity is that up to 20 boats might be seen at the same reef. If you board a daily boat, you may enjoy your dive with fifty other dive guides and around ten divers in each group.

• The SS Thistlegorm wreck is widely recognized as one of the best wreck dives in the world. However, owing to strong currents and a portion of the dive being in an above environment, it may get quite congested with divers and is certainly an expert dive.
• Divers that are more savvy will go on a diving adventure. You escape the crowds at major diving sites and have the opportunity to explore stunning reefs well beyond the reach of any daytripping boats. A diving safari does not cost more than everyday diving and saves you a lot of worry. Check out your preferred yacht online and make sure the photographs are up to date!

Horseback riding

Stables at Sofitel Hotel. Personnel who really are helpful. Helmets are required (and supplied); many pairs of riding boots are available. Offer to give your horse a shower after the ride. Bambi and Kelly have been named the quickest horses. Too far from the desert: on a 2-hour trip, only 40 minutes are spent riding in the desert; the rest of the time is spent getting there and returning. For 2 hours, select stables on the outskirts of the desert. EUR45 for two hours.

Quad bikes

There are dozens of operators who seem to take the same route, duration, and sequence of stops: as you travel, you will encounter several groups that go the same path as you. The course has numerous incredibly wobbly sections that seem like they’re on a washboard.

Wear a long-sleeved shirt and shoes instead of sandals. Wear a helmet at all times, and ensure sure your travel insurance covers this activity. Expect grey dust to coat your clothing (and skin).

A non-professional cyclist will be satisfied with 2 hours of riding; anticipate frequent pauses along the route. It’s best to start your ride after 4 p.m. or later to catch a sunset and return while the air isn’t too heated.

Choose a bike towards the front of the motorcade at the start: being one of the first helps you to travel quicker and creates less dust.

• Tiba Safari / Tiba Trip. Many agencies sell it. Groups of 10-15 motorcycles are permitted; two people per bike are permitted (although bikes are originally designed for a single person). Berber tea is very dangerous to your stomach, as has been shown several times. The group is escorted by a vehicle equipped with a camcorder—video is not worth purchasing, and the car causes a lot of additional dust (you can’t do much about it unless your whole party requests in advance that no video be made at all). $20 for a single bike for two hours; $25 for two persons using the same bike for two hours.

Stay on the road and listen to your guide, since Egypt has one-quarter of the world’s landmines hidden in its deserts, some of which are unexpectedly near to Sharm el-Sheikh.

Para sailing

Sailboating is a lot of fun. However, for a trip of less than 5 minutes, they charge 260 pounds for two people and 220 pounds for one person.

Camel trekking

The ideal spot to accomplish this is in the Sinai desert on a camel excursion with the Sinai’s. After that, you may gaze up at the desert stars at midnight after a home-cooked feast prepared by the Sinais themselves.

If you want to get away from the resort meals, consider one of the local establishments listed below. If you’re missing home, Il Mercato has a McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Costa, and a Starbucks. Manchow Wok serves delicious Chinese cuisine and is located just across the street from Stella, the only place to drink in El Mercato.

Na’ama Bay is entertaining, particularly at night, when the lights of Bedouin-style and contemporary restaurants, café Shops, and various ‘Bazaars’ twinkle. Be careful that even if pork is listed on a menu, it is not sold (it is actually a salted beef). Any bill will be subject to a 10-15% service fee.

Budget

• El Masrien, Old Market (next to the market exit),   +20 (69) 366 2904. 12:00 – 4:00 am. Offering the greatest Egyptian barbecue cuisine such as kabab, kofta, reyash, nefa, tarab, and liver, as well as all sorts of oriental delicacies such as veal shank, stuffed pigeon, and stuffed duck, as well as many varieties of pasta and rice and stuffed vegetables. There is no alcohol. Grills of all kinds are welcome. GAD, a few doors away, is also worth a visit; check for the huge red sign. Both are teeming with residents.

Mid-range

• Fares Seafood, Horus Mall and Old Market. Fresh Red Sea seafood of every type.
• Fawanes Cafe, Naama Bay. Lebanese food. Excellent location for waterpipes; get a smaller one (Fawanes); an apple one is good.
• Onions, Il Mercato. Fusion cuisine, excellent service, and moderate costs.
• Safsafa, Naama Bay. One of the greatest seafood restaurants in town. It’s a rare find that serves excellent grilled calmaras. The lobster on the mixed seafood platter, on the other hand, is dry.
• Tempo Cafe. There is a small proportion of locals. Waiters wear distinguishing orange-and-green uniforms. Waterpipe is excellent, however when served for a large group (with many hoses), the menu price may be doubled by the amount of people—ask ahead of time; maybe it’s simply a fraud.
• Indian Restaurants. Sharm has three Indian eateries. One is Maharaja, who may be found on the beach walkway. The other two are India House Restaurants, which are part of a Thai hotel chain. One is the ancient market, while the other is on the road near the Taxi stop, opposite Little Buddha. Indian meals are available.

Water at stores costs about 3-5 LE. Bring sunscreen since it costs 80-200 LE wherever in town, and if you don’t have one, shopkeepers will sell you one at a very low price – welcome to Egypt.

Na’ama Bay has highly pushy salesmen, and the gullible visitor who takes a “free present” (nothing in Egypt is free) or falls for the “come and sign my guest book” at a store, only to be locked in, should proceed with care. When shopping, it is recommended not to interact with any merchants until you are certain that you are going to purchase anything. This permits you to stroll without having to worry about anything (as they do not know what language you speak).

The hours of operation vary, although most stores are open in the early to late afternoon and evening. If you want to avoid the trouble of bargaining, there is a Carrefour Express supermarket with set rates. Coming from the bay, it’s buried behind one of the malls, Golden Pyramid Mall, on Peace Road. The range is limited, but all of the essentials are readily accessible. All you have to do is make your way past the hordes of vendor touts to get there.

Na’ama Bay has a number of nightclubs. The Pacha, Little Buddha, and Hard Rock Cafe are all excellent choices. (Yes, it’s one of those chain ones.) There are several pubs and coffee shops along the pedestrian walkways where you may have a shisha while people watching.

Restaurants and street cafés sell alcohol (including beer). Tourists should be advised that taxes are now paid on alcoholic beverages bought in cafes or bars that are not affiliated with hotels. Please be aware that drink costs in general might be quite high when compared to other European locations. Before ordering a drink, always get a drink menu. Check with the Naama Bay cafés to ensure that you will not be charged for ‘admission’ or the ‘floor show’ (bad dancing). Tea and coffee cost between 15 and 25 le, so make sure you’re paying reasonable pricing.

Fresh guava juice is a must-try in every café, especially when paired with Bedouin or Mint tea.

January Festivals

Coptic Christmas is a religious celebration that takes place around the beginning of January. During the festival, there will be colorful parades, music concerts, and theatrical performances centered on religious themes. The Islamic New Year, which falls in January, commemorates Mohammed’s journey from Mecca to Medina.

February Festivals

Union Day is observed as a public holiday in February. Coptic Easter is celebrated in March and is the most significant feast on the Coptic calendar. Christians pay visits to relatives to observe memorial feasts. The Abu Simbel Festival commemorates the most beautiful vistas in the world at the Abu Simbel Temple. The inner chamber is illuminated to commemorate his ascension to the throne. This event occurs towards the end of February.

Camel Races and More

Sinai Liberation Day, observed in April, commemorates the departure of Israeli forces from the Sinai Peninsula after the 1979 peace accord between Israel and Egypt. Shem al Nessim is the holiday that heralds the arrival of spring. The holiday is observed across the country on the Monday after Coptic Easter. International Camel Competitions involve a race amongst the region’s top camels. This is really exciting to watch as the riders race these camels to see who can go the quickest. Labor Day is celebrated in May and includes several festivities and parties. The National Fishing Competition attracts a large audience and has become a local institution.

Remembrance Festivals and Art

The Leylet en-Nuktah celebration is celebrated in June to commemorate the ascent of the Nile, also known as the drop. Evacuation Day commemorations are also conducted in honor of the evacuation of foreign troops in 1956. The Revolution Day festivities take place in July, as the area commemorates the collapse of the Egyptian regal government and the establishment of the Republic in 1952. An August art festival is recognized to be one of the most outstanding events in the Arab world. The celebration lasts all week, with colorful traditional art from Africa, Europe, and Asia on display.