Sharm el-Sheikh

The simplicity of sun, sea and sand. The luxury of five-star hotels, water sports, shopping and entertainment. This is Sharm el-Sheikh, one of the most accessible and developed tourist resort communities on the Sinai peninsula. All around are Bedouins, colorful tents, mountains and sea. There are small, intimate hotels with modern designs, as well as larger hotel complexes belonging to International chains, plus about all the amenities one could expect of a tourist center, including casinos, discos and nightclubs, golf courses and health facilities. In fact, with diving and snorkeling, windsurfing and other water sports, horses and camel riding, desert safaris, and great nearby antiquities attractions, it is almost impossible for a visitor to ever suffer from boredom. Four miles south the southern section of the town stands on a cliff overlooking the port. and is a great view. Na’ama Beach is one of the center of the tourist activities. Located just north of Sharm, this area is developing into a resort town of its own. Most hotels at Na’ama Bay have their own, private beaches with comfortable amenities such as chairs, shades and even bars. Shark’s Bay is also nearby, and again is a growing resort community with more and more to offer, along with several diving centers. The small harbor known as Sharm el-Moiya is located next to the civil harbor, has accommodations for boats, and includes a Yacht Club with rooms. For those who live to shop, the Sharm El-Sheikh mall provides shops with both foreign and local products, including jewelry, leather goods, clothing, pottery and books. It has been said that this is a must visit for all diving enthusiasts. There are many diving sites along the 10 mile beach between Sharm el-Sheikh and Ras Nusrani.

Sharm El Sheikh Google Map

Sharm El Sheikh Activities

Children’s Activities

Sharm el-Sheik does not offer much in the way of theme parks and exciting museums for children, but it does offer its greatest assets, which are its natural features and beauty. The city welcomes children, regardless of their age.

Beaches

Beaches are great fun for children, regardless of what age they are. Sham el-Sheikh’s beaches can provide hours of fun, with their golden sand and crystal clear water. Older children can snorkel in the sea, close to the shore, where numerous fish can be seen in all shapes, sizes and colours. For younger children, the sand is perfect for building giant castles.

Glass Bottomed Boat

This is a boat trip with a difference. It is great for all the family and a service leaves every day for a trip around the bay. The glass bottom allows people and young children who don’t snorkel the chance to see the huge array of tropical fish found in the waters surrounding the city. The entire trip lasts an hour, so it is short enough to keep the attention of young children.

Hotel Activities

Many of the hotels located within the city offer kids clubs and daily entertainment for children of all ages. These clubs are perfect, as you will be able to relax for an hour or two while your children are in safe hands, having the time of their life.

Mount Sinai

The vast wilderness of Mount Sinai is perfect for adventures. While you might not make the three hour climb to the summit, the lowlands are a great place to explore. Adults can educate their children about Moses and the 10 commandments while here and they are guaranteed to be impressed when they realise the importance of the mountain and its surroundings.

Cultural Activities

Sharm el-Sheikh has charm and mystical beauty and while it may not boast trendy skyscrapers, it does offer some religiously significant sights as well as the opportunity to take a trip to some of the most outstanding cultural sights in the world.

St Catherine’s Monastery

This famous monastery is located at the foot of Mount Sinai where God is believed to deliver the Ten Commandments. It is the oldest continually inhabited Christian monasteries and one of the most famous landmarks in the world. St Catherine’s dates back to Biblical times and received special protection from Prophet Mohammed in 625 AD. It is also home to the chapel of the burning bush, which houses St Catherine’s tomb. St Catherine was believed to have been carried away by angels and her body was found 500 years later at the top of the peak by the chapel. The monastery was named a UNESCO’s World Heritage site in 2002.

The Burning Bush

This is the Biblical bush that is said to have burned when God spoke to Moses for the first time. The bush was replanted in the 10th century, when the chapel was given a roof.

Cairo

It is possible to take a few days out of your holiday and visit Cairo, the cultural heart of Egypt. You can either take a bus or hire a car and drive yourself. Cairo is home to the only remaining attraction that is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Pyramids at Giza. You will also find the Egyptian Museum and many other fascinating museums here to explore. Cairo is home to numerous art galleries which display a wide range of works, ranging from traditional art to post-Modern and Modern.

Theatres

While theatre culture is not as prolific as it is in Cairo, Sharm still sees its fair share of plays and other performances. Many luxury hotels are home to spacious theatres. The Star Hotel houses the Grand Galaxy theatre, which hosts nightly entertainment as well as theatrical plays throughout the year. There is a large amphitheatre which can be found at the Grand Rotana hotel. This theatre hosts a number of dance, theatre and entertainment performances throughout the year.

Dining & Shopping

Sharm offers an enormous range of dining options. Whether you are willing to try something new, or are slightly more nervous about what you eat, you will enjoy the delights on offer here. Traditional Egyptian cuisine is a blend of Arabic, Middle Eastern and African recipes. Shish kebabs are incredibly popular with both locals and tourists. Grilled pigeon is a considered a delicacy throughout Egypt, but is not so popular among tourists. Meats, in particular chicken or lamb, are usually roasted or grilled. The safest offerings of food can be found at the international hotels. Here you will find standard European and American cuisine, often with a very subtle Middle Eastern twist. For more adventurous eaters, the night-time street vendors offer extremely tempting feasts of shish-kebabs and fresh bread, although you need to be aware that they can cause stomach upsets if you are not used to spicy foods. If you would like to explore the dining options in Sharm, one of the best ways to find a good restaurant is by simply walking around. The streets of the city offer numerous restaurants, although some are better than others. Seafront restaurants are also very popular and serve up a variety of delicious seafood dishes. The city centre of Sharm is a haven for those looking to shop for a bargain or two. You must however be aware that shop keepers and stall owners can be quite pushy and since they are accustomed to bargaining, initial quotes of prices will be incredibly high. You must be prepared to bargain and shy away from free drinks and food. In the larger cities such as Cairo, these offering do not bind the shopper to anything, but in Sharm, accepting a free drink almost contracts you to buy something. The Old Town is home to several shops which are owned by less aggressive shopkeepers who will sell visitors gifts at very reasonable prices, so not too much bartering is required here. There are numerous colourful bazaars located throughout the city, which come in a variety of sizes. Popular buys include spices, tea, carvings and T-shirts. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, the souks are great to wander around. They are an attack on your senses, with lots of colour, wonderful smells and a variety of noises. Sharm offers the most expensive souvenirs in the area, so if you really want value for money, you would be better off travelling to Dahab and spending a day browsing the shops there. Despite being 90kms from Sharm, travelling to Dahab and back is relatively inexpensive and it makes for an excellent daytrip. The tourist police strictly monitor all shopkeepers and stall holders to ensure illegal goods aren’t being sold and to make sure tourists aren’t being completely ripped off.

Outdoor Activities

Sharm el-Sheikh sees millions of tourists flock to the city every year. Because of this, the city has expanded its range of activities and facilities that are on offer. The city caters to many activities, from sports such as golf and tennis to go-carting, bungee jumping, horseback riding and safari trekking. Water sports such as scuba diving are immensely popular, with the Red Sea being one of the best spots in the world for this sport.

Horseback Riding

For lovers of nature, an afternoon of horseback riding through the surrounding countryside and desert will allow you to experience the Sinai region at its best. There are horses available for everyone, even if you have never ridden before. If you can last all afternoon, the sunsets on offer in the desert and countryside are inspiring.

Mountain Climbing

It is possible to climb up St Catherine Mountain, the highest peak in Egypt, rising at 2,624 metres above sea level. Only experienced climbers should attempt this climb, which offers breathtaking views across Sharm el-Sheikh and its surrounding area.

Scuba Diving

Keen divers visit Sharm el-Sheikh in droves to have a chance in the crystal clear waters of the Red Sea. There are wonderful sights to be seen and dives like nowhere else in the world are on offer here. Sharm offers well-established dive shops with highly experienced instructors as well as top of the range dive boats and equipment. Visit this website for further information about Sharm El Sheikh Dive Sites.

Trekking

Many visitors enjoy trekking adventures in the area’s numerous national parks. The most popular park is Ras Mohammed, which is located at the foot of Mount Sinai. Here, it is possible to trek through the wild mangroves and salt marshes as well as go trekking through deserts and mountainous regions.