Sharm el-Sheikh

Desert landscapes and Red Sea reefs

Last reviewed: 3 September 2026

Recommended stay: 2–4 days
Best time to visit: October to April
Airports: SSH

Photo by Unsplash photographer · Unsplash

Sharm el-Sheikh at a glance

Sharm el-Sheikh is a Sinai resort between desert hills and Red Sea reefs. Naama Bay, the Old Market, SOHO Square, Ras Mohammed, Nabq, Shark’s Bay, the Farsha Café area, White Island, the reefs and Al Sahaba Mosque sit in areas reached by taxi or boat, with day trips to Dahab, the Blue Hole, Mount Sinai and desert safari.

Quick information

Recommended stay2–4 days

Best time to visitOctober to April

AirportsSSH

Budget travelResort stays and boat or Sinai days drive costs most strongly. Check prices shortly before your trip instead of relying on a fixed estimate.

Cooler months suit Naama Bay walks and boat days. Summer heat is intense; reefs still work with strong sun protection. Ras Mohammed and Sinai climbs need an early start.

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Authorised airport taxi

Road journey to the resort area; time depends on traffic

Fixed airport fare where applicableTransport

Must-see sights

Naama Bay

Old Market

SOHO Square

Sights

One-day itinerary

Morning: Naama Bay promenade and a house reef snorkel if conditions allow.
Lunch: Naama Bay café or restaurant.
Afternoon: Old Market or SOHO Square.
Evening: Naama Bay waterfront or Farsha Café area at sunset.

Itineraries

Best areas to stay

Naama Bay
The most walkable resort strip, with buses and taxis to other bays.
Best for
First visits, promenade and evening walks
Shark’s Bay / Hadaba
Sharks Bay
House reefs and a short ride to Naama Bay.
Best for
A reef-edge stay
Nabq
Needs a taxi for almost every Naama Bay evening.
Best for
A quieter north-bay stay
SOHO Square / Um El Sid
SOHO Square
Useful for families who want a square without the busiest Naama Bay night.
Best for
A newer entertainment area

Approximate budget

Budget
Varies
per day, per person
Simple rooms, Old Market meals and walking in Naama Bay; excludes travel to Sharm.
Mid-range
Varies
per day, per person
Resort room, hotel meals, one boat and taxis.
Comfort
Varies
per day, per person
Higher-end resorts, frequent dining, private transfers and reserved park or Sinai days.

Places to visit near Sharm el-Sheikh

Travel times are approximate and depend on traffic and timetables.

Nature
Ras Mohammed
Distance
South of Sharm at the Sinai tip
Travel time
A practical half- or full-day organised or car trip
Best transport
Organised trip or car
Confirm official park access. Follow snorkel rules and recheck the last return.
A national park of reefs, desert headlands and a sandbar.
The signature marine-park day
Half or full day
- Reefs
- Headlands
Beach
White Island
Distance
Offshore near Ras Mohammed
Travel time
A practical boat add-on or half-day trip
Best transport
Boat
Only in suitable seas. Carry water and sun protection.
A pale sandbar visited on many Ras Mohammed boat circuits.
A sandbar swim
Half day
- Sandbar
- Clear water
Beach
Dahab
Distance
North along the Gulf of Aqaba
Travel time
A practical full-day taxi or organised trip
Best transport
Taxi or organised trip
The waterfront and one snorkel stop are enough. Check the last return service before setting out.
A slower Bedouin-influenced town of a promenade and reefs.
A quieter Sinai town
Full day
- Promenade
- Reefs
Nature
Blue Hole
Distance
North of Dahab on the coast
Travel time
A practical full-day trip usually combined with Dahab
Best transport
Organised trip
This is an advanced dive site. Snorkellers should stay on the shelf and follow a recognised briefing; it is not a first family swim stop.
A deep coastal sinkhole known to divers, with a shallow snorkel shelf.
Experienced divers or cautious snorkellers
Full day
- Shelf
- Coast
Culture
Mount Sinai and St Catherine’s Monastery
Mount Sinai / St Catherine
Distance
Inland in South Sinai
Travel time
A long full-day or overnight organised trip
Best transport
Organised trip
The climb is demanding and often starts before dawn. Dress modestly at the monastery. Recheck access and the last return.
A sacred mountain and a historic monastery in the Sinai interior.
A prepared Sinai outing
Full day
- Monastery
- Mountain path
Nature
Desert safari
Distance
Inland from the Sharm coast
Travel time
A practical half- or full-day organised trip
Best transport
Organised trip
Use sun protection. Confirm what the outing includes. Do not combine it with Mount Sinai the same day.
Short inland circuits of desert tracks near Sharm.
A land contrast
Half or full day
- Desert tracks
- Hills

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