Your travel guide to Sharm El-Sheikh The best things and tours that you can do in Sharm El-Sheikh,

A Comprehensive Guide to Sharm El Sheikh: Top Activities and Must-Visit Attractions

Sharm Excursions – Sharm El Sheikh, the jewel of Egypt’s eastern coast, is a world-class destination known for its vibrant marine life, pristine beaches, and breathtaking desert landscapes. Located in the Sinai Peninsula, Sharm El Sheikh transformed from a small fishing village into a global resort hub in 1968, when the Egyptian government realized its potential as a tourist paradise. With luxurious resorts, crystal-clear waters, and endless activities, Sharm El Sheikh attracts visitors from around the world, offering something for every type of traveler.

Why Visit Sharm El Sheikh?

• World-Class Diving Sites: Among the top three global diving destinations.
• Exquisite Resorts: Luxurious stays in Naama Bay and Shark’s Bay.
• Rich Marine Life: Vibrant coral reefs and exotic fish species.
• Desert Adventures: Unique experiences such as quad biking, hiking, and Bedouin camping.
• Cultural Heritage: Historical landmarks like St. Catherine’s Monastery and Mount Sinai.

Top Things to Do in Sharm El Sheikh -Sharm Excursions

1. Ras Mohammed National Park

🌿 A Natural Treasure of the Red Sea

• Spanning 480 square kilometers, this park offers a mix of desert beauty and marine wonders.
• Activities:
  • Snorkeling and diving to discover coral reefs and over 1,000 species of fish.
  • Spot turtles and crustaceans in their natural habitat.
  • Explore the desert’s unique flora and fauna.

2. Naama Bay

🌴 The Heart of Sharm’s Action

• Known for its palm-lined beaches and lively atmosphere.
• Highlights:
  • Relax under the sun and enjoy luxury beach resorts.
  • Stroll through shops, restaurants, and vibrant cafes.
  • Indulge in water sports like snorkeling and jet skiing.

3. Shark’s Bay

🏖️ A Luxurious Escape

• Located north of Naama Bay, Shark’s Bay is a quieter alternative for relaxation.
• Features:
  • Five-star resorts and upscale dining at Soho Square.
  • Perfect for a serene beach vacation with top-notch services.

4. Unforgettable Diving Sites

🤿 Dive into the Depths of the Red Sea

Sharm El Sheikh is a diver’s dream, offering sites ranked among the best worldwide:

• Thistlegorm Wreck:
  • A World War II British cargo shipwreck located in the Gubal Strait.
  • Home to vibrant coral reefs and marine life within the ship’s hull.
• Thomas Reef (Tiran Strait):
  • Exotic coral gardens and colorful fish species.
• Gardens Dive Site:
  • Divided into Near, Middle, and Far Gardens, catering to both snorkelers and advanced divers.
• Dunraven Dive Site:
  • Features the wreck of the Dunraven ship, surrounded by cardinalfish, moray eels, and scorpionfish.

5. Mount Sinai and St. Catherine’s Monastery

⛰️ A Journey Through History and Spirituality

• Mount Sinai:
  • Known as Gabal Musa, it’s a significant religious site mentioned in the Bible and Quran.
  • Activities:
    • Hike up the Steps of Repentance or Camel Trail.
    • Witness breathtaking sunrises from the summit.
• St. Catherine’s Monastery:
  • A UNESCO World Heritage Site at the foot of Mount Sinai.
  • Features rare manuscripts and religious artifacts.

6. Nabq Protectorate

🌳 A Haven of Untouched Nature

• Located north of Sharm El Sheikh, this 600-square-kilometer reserve is Egypt’s largest nature conservation area.
• What to Explore:
  • Mangrove forests that support fish, birds, and crustaceans.
  • Diverse bird species, including migratory and native birds.
  • Snorkeling and quad biking for a mix of wildlife discovery and adventure.

7. Old Market and Al Sahaba Mosque

🛍️ A Blend of Tradition and Culture

• Old Market:
  • A vibrant area filled with shops selling spices, woodwork, and traditional souvenirs.
  • Relax in local cafes and try authentic Egyptian dishes.
• Al Sahaba Mosque:
  • A stunning architectural masterpiece inspired by Mamluk and Fatimid designs.

Why Choose Sharm El Sheikh?

• Diverse Activities: From diving and snorkeling to hiking and cultural exploration.
• Accessibility: Easily reachable by international flights and close to other attractions in Sinai.
• Year-Round Destination: Warm weather and sunny skies every season.
• Accommodations for All Budgets: From luxury resorts to affordable hotels.

Tips for the Perfect Trip

1. Plan Your Itinerary: Include a mix of beach relaxation, diving, and desert adventures.
2. Book Diving Excursions in Advance: Popular sites like the Thistlegorm can fill up quickly.
3. Stay Hydrated and Sun-Protected: Especially during outdoor activities.
4. Respect Local Culture: Dress modestly when visiting cultural and religious sites.

 

 

Some of the best diving sites include:

Yolanda and Shark Reef (Ras Mohammed Marine Reserve) – Best site for large pelagics, fish education, and sharks
Strait of Tiran – Four locations including Gordon, Thomas, Woodhouse and Jackson Reefs. Great for healthy reefs, large schools, sharks and manta rays.
Temple – A local dive site with a great summit with lots of coral and marine life.
Ras Nasrani – A local diving site with an amazing coral garden.
Not to mention that Sharm also has some of the best diving spots in the world, including SS. Thistlegorm wreck and the Dunraven wreck 1876.

After dozens of recommendations / best diving center:, I chose to spend a week diving with Kamal Dive Club in Naama Bay. It is well regarded as the best diving resort in Sharm El Sheikh and it was immediately clear to me too! Highly recommended Hurghada Excursion.

Ras Mohammed is the first diving site for marine life in Egypt in the Red Sea. It is a 480 square kilometers (185 square miles) nature reserve and exclusion zone that includes some of the richest biodiversity in the Red Sea.

For divers, I highly recommend trying Shark Reef and Yolanda on the southern edge of Ras Mohammed. This is the best diving site and the meeting point of the waters of the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez.
Travelers who visit Sharm El Sheikh have the option of visiting this underwater paradise on a snorkeling trip or a snorkeling boat trip. If time permits, I also recommend visiting the Shark Observatory cliff top, which offers excellent views of both sides of the Red Sea.

Book: Boat trip to Ras Mohammed (diving or snorkeling) padi diving sharm el sheikh

Tip: Due to the distance and exposed nature of this cape, most tour boats will not visit this park in bad weather. If you have a short time, try booking a boat trip to Tiran Island or the reefs along the shores of Sharm El Sheikh instead.

Sunrise trip to Mount Sinai (Jabal Musa or Jabal Musa)
Deep in the South Sinai desert is the famous Mount Sinai (also Jabal Musa or Jabal Musa). This is the biblical Mount Sinai, where God in the Old Testament delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses.
Even if you are not religious, the best thing to do in Sharm El Sheikh is to climb Mount Sinai for a sunrise picnic! This was one of my favorite travel experiences in Sinai, and I highly recommend it to anyone!
As you might expect, this is a very sacred mountain and important to all Abrahamic religions including Islam, Judaism and Christianity.
Book: Sunrise Journey to Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine’s Monastery (from Sharm) sharm el sheikh dive sites map

  3 –Saint Catherine’s Monastery

 

Located at the foot of Mount Sinai, one of the oldest working monasteries in the world is Saint Catherine’s Monastery.

Fortunately, visitors usually tour St. Catherine’s Monastery after sunrise on Mount Sinai (link above). As a result, you can get rid of two attractions in Sharm El Sheikh with one stone!

It is a beautiful religious site and definitely one of the best places to visit from Sharm El Sheikh. Not only is the monastery itself impressive, but the treasures inside are also worth seeing.

Examples include pages from Sinaitic and Syriac manuscripts, some of the oldest texts of the Bible, as well as a large collection of Christian symbols. In addition, many claim that a direct descendant of burnt bush grows in the yard.

 4- Tiran Island / white island sharm el sheikh

The locals called this reef the stretch of the Straits of Tiran. This is another great place to spend a day exploring the beautiful underwater world of the Red Sea, either by snorkeling or diving.

On a clear day, you are likely to spot the mountainous island northeast of Sharm El Sheikh. This is Tiran Island, and although you can’t actually visit (it belongs to Saudi Arabia), it does have some of the best coral reefs in Egypt and many species of fish.
Book: Tiran Island Boat Trip (Diving or Snorkeling)

 5 -A day trip to Cairo and the great pyramids of Giza from Sharm El Sheikh 

How long does it take to get to the pyramids from Sharm el Sheikh?Can you get to the pyramids from Sharm el Sheikh? How far is Giza from Sharm?

One of the most popular day trips from Sharm El Sheikh is to book an extended day trip to Cairo. This is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to enjoy as many attractions as possible without wasting your time at the sea.
If you are planning your trip to the Red Sea region but still keen to see some of Egypt’s most important landmarks, you are in luck!
Below I’ve linked to two different options. Both include major archaeological sites including the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx and a tour of the Egyptian Museum.

Both options are very cost effective, include all transportation and fees, and take all the hassle out of trying to plan your own trip.

Dive into SS THISTLEGORM
While many attractions have included scuba diving so far (don’t worry, there are plenty of surface activities too), I wasn’t able to craft a list of things to do in Sharm El Sheikh without including the SS. Thistlegorm diving.

Inside the ship, divers can see well-preserved military cargo including light weapons, anti-aircraft guns, locomotives, vehicles and motorcycles.
Divers know this huge wreck for being one of the best diving sites in the world. The reason for this is that this massive 125 m (145 ft) WWII steamer rests almost perfectly preserved at a comfortable recreational depth of about 30 metres.

Diver tip: If you plan to dive, I highly recommend letting your dive shop know as soon as you arrive, as not many shops dive into this wreck every day and there is often a wait /

6. SINAI DESERT DUNE BUGGY SAFARI Quad biking or camel riding /Camel riding in Egypt

things to do in Sharm El Sheikh for families  /quad bikingSharm El Sheikh / quad safari

The trip to the Red Sea is not only around the underwater world! One of the best things to see in this unique part of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt is the desert region, known as the South Sinai Desert. Sharm desert Safari

If you wander the resort-lined streets of Naama Bay or Sharm El Maya, you will undoubtedly get your hands on desert excursions. These usually include either a camel ride, a quad bike or a buggy safari over the dunes.

Below, I have linked a very popular and affordable tour guide site to a local Bedouin village. This also includes a quad bike adventure and camel riding.

Book: ATV, Camel Ride & Bedouin Adventure

Sharm Excursions

7. things to do in sharm el sheikh / Eat at the Egyptian Restaurant in Sharm El Sheikh

top restaurants in sharm el sheikh /best seafood restaurant in sharm el sheikh /luxury restaurants in sharm el sheikh

fast food restaurants in sharm el sheikh

 

 

Well, this is not a food blog. But, after traveling around Egypt, I have yet to taste authentic Egyptian food that even comes close to the meals served in Egyptians. As a result, a meal at this restaurant is one of the best things to do in Sharm El Sheikh and no one should miss it!

Believe me, if you are craving for a hearty, delicious and affordable meal, make sure to visit the Egyptians at the Old Market! After first discovering this restaurant, we ended up going back almost every night.

Prices here are very cheap, and the waiters will serve you a huge feast of salads, dips, fresh bread and traditional Egyptian main dishes. We usually order more than we can eat and don’t pay more than 100 Egyptian pounds per person.

This restaurant has been pinned to Google as “The Egyptian Restaurant” and it is within walking distance of the Sahaba Mosque.

Waiters at the Egyptian restaurant in Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm Excursions

8-  things to do in sharm el sheikh   /The old market (the old city of Sharm El-Sheikh).

If you are spending a couple of days on the Red Sea, I highly recommend stopping by the Old City of Sharm El Sheikh, also known as the Old Market.

This is the original coastal town of Sharm and it retains much of its original charm.

Roam the streets, browse the market goods, and sample some delicious street foods like falafel and koshary.

It’s easy to get to the old market via a short taxi ride on the main highway. The journey takes less than ten minutes from Naama Bay and costs around 70-80 EGP only.

Budget Travel Tip: Backpackers and budget travelers can also get to the Old Market and other popular places in Sharm El Sheikh via shared taxis (white bus also known as minibus). These are similar to colectivos in Latin America and only cost 5 Egyptian pounds per person.

The old market at night in Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm Excursions

9. what to do in sharm el sheikh / Al-Sahaba Mosque and Al-Mustafa Mosque in Sharm El Sheikh

Al-Mustafa Mosque is one of the most impressive buildings in the Red Sea. This is a relatively new mosque, completed in 2008, featuring two towering minarets each over 70 meters high!

The central dome is also huge and the entire memorial is beautiful when lit up at night.

Also, when visiting the old market, it is impossible to miss the Sahaba Mosque. It is a relatively new mosque with beautiful Ottoman architecture and great light show.

Al-Sahaba Mosque in the southern Red Sea, Egypt

10. Day Trip to Luxor  from Sharm El Sheikh

While Cairo has the pyramids, some of Egypt’s most important archaeological wonders are located in Upper Egypt (south).

Many of these sites are located in Luxor, including the Colossi of Memnon, the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the Karnak Temple, and, of course, the Valley of the Kings.

For those visiting Sharm El Sheikh, you can easily book a day trip to Luxor by plane. This is going to be a long day of exploring, but it is a convenient option for those who want to make the most out of their trip to Egypt.

Luxor Temple at night
Luxor temple
Related Topics: Hot Air Ballooning In Luxor (10 Things To Know)

hot air balloon during sunrise

Sharm Excursions

11. Water sports: rafting, banana boat and tubing

Not all water activities in Sharm El Sheikh are below the surface, there is plenty to do at the top too!

In fact, Sharm is famous for its fun activities like parasailing, banana boat trips, and tubing! Most tour operators can organize this for you in popular tourist centers such as Naama Bay.

Alternatively, if you want to try a few different water sports, you can book an adventure package and save some money.

Book: Watersports Package (parasailing, banana boat, tubing)

Tip: For kids, there is also an ancient Egyptian-style water park called Cleo Park, located just outside Naama Bay. Here you will find more than 22 water slides and fun rides.

Sailing in the Red Sea near Sharm El Sheikh

12. Farsha Cafe

If you ask any local in Sharm El Sheikh for the coolest bar/cafe, they will all tell you that it is Farsha, located in the Hadaba area, just 10 minutes from the old market (50-70 EGP in a taxi).

Honestly, this is one of the most unique establishments I have ever visited. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Red Sea, its many balconies are decorated in a chaotic but symbiotic manner.

You’ll find walls adorned with antiquities, traditional red carpets covered in small nooks, and an array of neon lights and traditional lanterns hanging from sloping ceilings.
Farsha is not just an ordinary place to have a coffee or a drink – it is an experience. Not to be missed when visiting Sharm El Sheikh!

Try to visit a little before sunrise to secure an area, it is one of the busiest places in Sharm El Sheikh!

Farsha Café decorated with neon lights and antiques

Sharm Excursions

13. Stargazing in the Sinai desert

Did you know that the Sinai desert is one of the best places on earth for stargazing? This is because apart from the relatively small resort towns on the coast, this desert region receives very little light pollution.

One of the best ways to enjoy this experience is to hike at sunrise to Mount Sinai. However, if hiking isn’t your thing, there is also a quad bike safari tour for stargazing which includes a traditional Bedouin dinner.

Tents on Mount Sinai at night
Night view from the top of Mount Sinai
More Frequently Asked Questions and Important Things to Know About Sharm El Sheikh
Is Sharm El Sheikh safe?
Although the Sinai Peninsula has a bit of shaky history, the Egyptian government does a lot to keep South Sinai very safe for tourists. There have not been any major incidents involving tourists in many years.

14. Romantic Dinner Cruise

Do you visit the Red Sea for honeymoon? What better way to enjoy this unique place than a romantic dinner cruise?

Many resorts can organize this for you but you also have the option to book a Fantastic Dinner Cruise online. This dinner buffet excursion is a popular choice with travelers in Sharm El Sheikh because it includes live shows such as music, magic show and belly dancing.

Fantastic dinner boat for cruises in the Red Sea

Is Sharm El Sheikh the best diving site in the Red Sea?

Due to its abundance of marine life, healthy and protected coral ecosystems, and well-preserved wrecks, Sharm El Sheikh is widely considered the best diving destination in Egypt.
Sharm is generally considered a better diving destination than other tourist cities in the Gulf of Aqaba such as Marsa Alam and Dahab. Hurghada or Plate Living in the south of the Red Sea are also good options.

When is the best time to Sharm Excursions?

This resort town is a great place to visit throughout the year, with sunny days expected throughout the year. However, most recommend visiting in spring or fall (March to May and October to November).
Diving is best viewed in summer but be prepared for very hot weather.

How much time should I spend here?
Most people spend at least a week in Sharm El Sheikh to enjoy all the fun activities and things they can do here like diving, snorkeling, hiking and water sports.