Sharm El Sheikh

Few travel destinations can boast of having 350 days of sunshine each year. On the outermost point of the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, you’ll find the tourist resort that has grown from a fishing village to what is often described as the Las Vegas of the Middle East – Sharm el-Sheikh. Casinos, luxury hotels, and entertainment attract tourists from all around the world. But Sharm el-Sheikh is most famous for being the gateway to one of the world’s most beautiful underwater worlds. This magical world is the one that has mostly contributed to make Sharm el-Sheikh what it is today, with diving enthusiasts making pilgrimages here for deep dives into the big blue. Today Sharm el-Sheikh, alongside with Hurghada, is Egypt’s most popular beach resort.

The most popular spot for diving is perhaps the Ras Mohammed National Park that has over a thousand species of fish and coral reefs in fantastic colours and shapes – you’ll never want to leave the park. There are also interesting shipwrecks to explore if you’re more experienced. Sharm el-Sheikh is also a starting point for excursions to some of Egypt’s most interesting sights, like Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, and Cairo, the capital of Egypt. All you need is time.

Naama Bay is the heart of this diving mecca. It has a lovely boardwalk with restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. The Sharm el-Maya district is where you’ll find the Egyptian everyday life, the port, and The old market where you go when you want to shop at a market and to learn the ancient art of haggling.It’s easy and cheap to travel on a minibus or a taxi between the different parts of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Sharm el-Sheikh is surrounded by a golden desert that has a lot to offer. If you want adventure, you can drive around in ATVs, and if you’d rather take it easy, you can sway up and down on a camel’s back over the sandy dunes, or maybe enjoy a dinner at a Bedouin camp, look at the stars and enjoy the silence.

Distances:

Sharm el-Sheikh Airport–Sharm el Sheikh – 23 km

Sharm el-Sheikh–Naama Bay – 9 km

Sharm el-Sheikh–Luxor – 385 km (via the Red Sea)

Sharm el-Sheikh–Cairo – 465 km

General Facts

• Never drink tap water that hasn’t been boiled. If you’re sensitive, use bottled water even when you are brushing your teeth.
• Using a taxi is a great way to get around. We recommend that you come to an agreement with the driver about the price before you get into the taxi. Never pay before you’ve arrived at your destination, and pay attention to the denomination of the bills when you pay. And it’s not a bad idea to use hand sanitizer after handling bills. There are also many round-the-clock minibuses travelling between the different parts of the city. This public transport is also the cheapest way of transportation. If you want to hop on a minibus, just stand by the side of the road and wave (and make sure to have the exact change).
• A visa is required to travel to Egypt. For more information, contact the Egyptian embassy.
• To avoid any unpleasant surprises during your trip, we recommend that you read more about your destination on the Egyptian embassy’s website and that you read the information from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs about travelling abroad.