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Sharm El Sheikh Destination Guide
Find your package online or call our reservations team on 0845 880 0248 |
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Introduction |
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It would be impossible to imagine now that, fifteen years ago, Sharm el Sheikh was nothing more than a sleepy little village with little activity and no tourism. Sitting proudly at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, the landscape here seems almost lunar; its rocky mountain range only parted from the deep-blue sea by a flat desert strip. This creates a fascinating contrast of sea and desert and entices millions to its shores every year, all hoping to witness some of the charm of Sharm!
Now one of the largest tourist destinations in the Arabic world, this overwhelmingly popular resort satisfies so many more than the standard beach tourist, with some world-renowned dive sites, first-class snorkeling and exciting local excursions to ancient Pharaonic sites. Plus when the day's activities are over, the resort is home to some absurdly luxurious hotel resorts, helping to add some familiar tourist touches to the equation for the ancient history reveller or marine enthusiast, take the edge off the warm climate and, of course, provide some much needed creature comforts on holiday to complement the Bedouin way of life. |
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Transportation |
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Make sure you have £15 Sterling (or equivalent currency) in cash handy for your visa stamp (payable on arrival), also make sure your passport is current with at least one month left before expiry.
Once in Sharm, most hotel resorts not located in the centre offer a complimentary shuttle bus. Or if you prefer the luxury of private taxis to and from town, these will not set you back too much. Be sure to ask the going rate at the time, and be sure to haggle for the best prices. |
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Attractions |
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Colored Canyon . A worthwhile day trip to the middle of the desert takes one to these spectacular rock formations. Rivers from thousands of years ago gorged their way through the rock leaving different colorful layers. A full day hike for the fairly fit. Diving lessons and courses - there many diving centers in Sharm, located in Naama Bay. They teach beginners in their own training pool. You have a choice of wreck diving, or why not try an underwater safari taking in some of the best coral diving in Egypt. St Catherine.s Monastery . Also a day trip from Sharm, the monastery sits on the peak of Mount Sinai, arguably the biblical place where God spoke to Moses. It.s a climb for the fit (camels can also be hired for the lazy!) and worthwhile starting very early in the morning, reaching the summit for the sunrise. Be mindful of the fact that it still operates as a monastery and be sure not to miss the spooky room with the skulls of former residents! |
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Entertainment |
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Sharm has a buzzing nightlife with casinos, discos and nightclubs dotted around the resort to provide a hub of entertainment. You will even see some familiar western names, like Hard Rock Cafe and renowned Spanish club Pacha.
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Restaurants |
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| It;s not only the Sharm hotel resorts that host some of the finest cuisine in Egypt, the centre of Naama Bay also has an impressive selection of restaurants, designed to cater for a variety of tastes. Traditional Arabic and Egyptian cuisine fuses with international, Italian, Japanese, Chinese and Mediterranean to ensure you are never running out of options. |
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Shopping |
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Downtown Sharm has some tourist shopping centres along with lots of genuine Arab bazaars and local shops in the large market area which will fascinate those looking for some Egyptian and Arabic souvenirs to take home. Naama Bay's shops are more tourist orientated and Western focused, although with this comes a more expensive price tag.
The main shopping street is the pedestrianised El Sharm Mall which runs from opposite the Camel Hotel to the beach next to the Cataract Hotel. Other bazaars are found all over the central resort area at the South end of the beach, selling a variety of tourist souvenirs from gold, leather, carpets, glass, inlaid wood, brass to aromatic spices. Some of the more exclusive enclosed malls on the main road offer jewellery and clothes for those looking to splash out and return with some 'bling' factor!
The Souk at Hyatt . indulge all your senses in this atmospheric market outside the Hyatt hotel, featured by Dreamticket. Arabic music here is fused with shops selling local arts and crafts, clothes and jewellery. This is wonderful in the evening and you can grab a bite to eat 'al fresco' from one of the local food stalls. |
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Recreation |
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Ras Mohammed National Park provides a protected environment for flora and fauna, and diving enthusiasts have the opportunity to swim with dolphins and explore shipwrecks from past centuries. Its coral reef, with more than 1000 species of fish and 250 species of coral, is considered the most beautiful and varied on earth.
Excursions into the desert, leisure activities of all sorts, and exploration of historical sites dating back millennia also provide distraction from the beaches and entertainment.
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Activities |
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| Quite apart from its excellent diving and snorkelling, which are the main activities, there are plenty of watersports available if you fancy escaping the heat of the sun. Other activities include horse and camel riding, golf, desert safaris and health treatments in the extensive hotel spas. |
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