Sharm El Sheikh, a hidden paradise in Egypt

Egypt is one of the countries that attract more tourists every year. Drawn to the Valley of the Kings, the beauty of the River Nile, the turquoise coasts of Alexandria, the Giza Pyramids and the bustling city of Cairo, tourists find Egypt very appealing. Nevertheless, there are so many things to do in Egypt, like the hidden gem of the coastal city of Sharm El Sheikh.

Here we explain all the information about visas, transport, accommodation, beaches and sites to explore and security that you need to plan and map out your perfect stay in this Egyptian city.

Map of Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt

In Egypt Sharm el Sheikh is located in the southernmost part of the Sinai Peninsula (South Sinai Governorate). It is known for being a paradise for adventure and water sports lovers. Its diverse underwater fauna and crystal clear waters make Sharm El Sheikh a wonderful destination to practice scuba diving and snorkelling.

Do I need a visa to go to Sharm El Sheikh? 

Generally speaking, you won’t need a visa if you're travelling to Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba resorts for up to 15 days. If you don't leave the resorts and stay for less than 15 days, you won't need a visa. You will receive a free entry permission stamp upon arrival.

Nevertheless, if you want to carry out any activity outside these resorts, you plan on staying longer in Egypt or you want to travel to other cities, you must have a visa.

We recommend all travellers to get the Egypt Visa. This is a simple procedure that can be done online with Visagov.com. You will fill in an application form, upload a photograph of your passport and wait for a few days to get the visa in your email. We will handle all the process,  so you don’t have to worry about anything. Please print out a copy of your electronic visa to show it together with your passport.

With us, you can choose from two types of visas. The tourist visa for 30 days and single entry to the country and the tourist visa with multiple entries (also 30 days as a maximum per stay).

In order for us to process your application and give you the eVisa, you will need to have:

• Passport with a minimum of 6 months' validity from your arrival date to Egypt.
• Email to get your visa.
• Credit or debit card to pay the fees.

If you want more information on required documents and other essential information to travel to Egypt, you can check out our Egypt entry requirements guide. Do not be surprised if the Egyptian authorities ask for your travel itinerary, hotel reservations and a letter of invitation to the country from a relative, friend, acquaintance, etc.

How do I get from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh?

There are four ways to get from the Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh:

• The best option is to take metro line 3 and fly from Cairo (CAI) to Sharm El Sheikh (SSH). This route can cost you between €42-119 euros and it would take you 3h 34 minutes.
• The second option is to take the bus for around €8-10, which is the cheapest option, but with which it takes 7 hours and 7 minutes.
• You can take a taxi, but it can cost as much as €188.
• Similar to taxis, there are vans. These can be shared and pricewise are more affordable than taxis.
• Finally, you can drive from Cairo to Sharm el Sheik in your car. You will have to travel about 490 km and you can spend between €23-35.

What are Sharm El Sheikh’s airports? 

The city of Sharm El Sheikh has an international airport: Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport (SSH). This international airport offers one-way or round-trip flights to some of the most famous cities in the world such as Cairo, Venice, Milan, Rome, Berlin, Barcelona, London, among others.

Where is the best spot to book my hotel?

The parts of the city that are better known to attract more tourists are four:

• Naama Bay: it is the most touristic part of Sharm El Sheikh and it offers different options of accommodation. There are the best hotels, nightlife venues, and restaurants.
• Ras Um Sid: it is the area for snorkelling, but with few accommodation options other than resorts.
• Shark Bay: it is next to the airport and is one of the quietest areas. There you will also have some of the best views of Tiran Island.
• Sharm El Maya  (Old Town): it is the downtown district where you'll find the marina, the port, and the Old Market.

You will see that there are plenty of hotels, resorts and other types of accommodation in Sharm El Sheikh. We recommend you to stay somewhere along the coast and facing the Red Sea to get the best views of this Egyptian city.

What activities are a must in Sharm El Sheikh? 

Go to different beaches

One of the most attractive pastimes to enjoy in the city is going to the beach. Sharm El Sheikh is a city known for its pristine and crystal clear beaches where to sunbathe, play in the sand or explore the underwater fauna and flora snorkelling. Some of the best beaches you should see are:

Ras Um Sid Beach

If you want to see fantastic coral reefs in an ideal sunbathing and snorkelling spot, this is the beach for you. It is located south of Sharm El Sheikh, in the bay of Ras Um Sid and you will find its golden and shiny sand, cliffs and turquoise blue sea a perfect relaxing paradise.

El Fanar Beach

This is not a typical beach, it is best described as a small cliff from which a wooden walkway leads directly to the start of the coral reef.

To be able to access this beach you will have to pay around 100 EGP (more or less 3 pounds), but it is worth it because you will see one of the best coral reefs in the world. This little fee will give you a sun lounger, umbrella and small water bottle.

Naama Bay

If your favourite thing about going to the beach is a busy scene and enjoying good food, this is the one for you. The beach is surrounded by restaurants, cafes and shops. It is not a calm and quiet spot.

Go diving

One of the best activities, and for what is known as Sharm El Sheikh, is the wonderful possibilities it gives to those who like to snorkel, scuba dive and diving in general. Thanks to being next to the Red Sea, Sharm El Sheikh has some of the most spectacular sea beds on the entire planet and with excellent visibility that allows you to observe thousands of colourful fish and coral reefs.

There are multiple companies and agencies that offer you deals to go and practice diving in Sharm el-Sheikh. For example, Reef Oasis Dive Club Sharm El Sheikh offer different plans depending on how many dives you want to do. These range from €77 for one dive to €329 for 10 dives.

Camel Trekking

Book a guided trek and discover the magical Sinai desert by camel. Both day and night excursions are available and most include a traditional Bedouin meal cooked over an open fire or the chance to climb Mount Matamir or trek to the ancient Nawamis tombs.

Visit Al Sahaba Mosque

It is one of the most original and beautiful mosques in Egypt. It was completed in 2008 and has two majestic minarets with a height of 72 meters and a gigantic dome in the center. Surrounding this mosque, you will find the Old Market with many restaurants and little shops that sell souvenirs and other products for travelers.

Blue Hole and Dahab

Dahab is a Bedouin village where you can immerse yourself in the Bedouin culture. About 80 km north of Sharm El Sheikh is Dahab, where you can find important snorkelling and diving spots such as Three Pools, Abu Galum and Blue Hole, the most important of all.

Ras Mohammed National Park

Visiting this National Park at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula is mandatory. It is only 15 km south of the city and can be visited on both a land tour and a boat tour if you want to snorkel along the way in the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez.

In this national park you can enjoy trekking and having a picnic in the mountains, lakes with crystal clear waters surrounded by dunes, rocks of thousands of shades, channels full of mangroves and cracks created by earthquakes.

The Ala gate at the entrance of this national park is one of the most recognizable sites in Sham el Sheikh.

St. Catherine's Monastery and Mount Sinai

It is believed to be the oldest monastery in Christianity and notable biblical events are believed to have taken place on the peninsula. It is also known as the Sacred Monastery of the God-Trodden Mount Sinai, this holy location was built beside the peak where Moses reputedly received the Ten Commandments from God.

There are some agencies that organize tours that take you to discover its history and show you its mountains, the city and the monastery and its landscapes. It is worth mentioning that it is a beautiful activity, but can be somewhat difficult to carry out due to the ups and downs that there are until you reach the monastery.

Best season to visit Sharm El Sheikh? 

You can visit Sharm El Sheikh at any given time during the year, but if you are looking for the most perfect time to go it will be between April and October.

You should consider that Egypt is a vast country that features diverse climates, there's not one perfect time in Egypt for traveling. The coastline near Alexandria boasts a Mediterranean climate, while the Cairo region is semi-arid. What’s more, the deep south is characterized by an arid climate. With such diverse climates, Egypt has something to offer visitors all year round!

Is it safe to visit Sharm El Sheikh?

Is Egypt safe to visit? As a whole, and specifically Sharm El Sheikh, it's safe to visit because, as a highly known tourist country and area, there are a lot of security measures. However, we offer you some basic tips in order to avoid any problems:

• Strictly follow the indications of the local authorities and do not leave the tourist routes. There are areas agreed by the Government that provide greater security for foreigners who are visiting.
• Avoid crowded demonstrations and events.
• Keep an eye on your belongings and do not carry a lot of money with you.
• Do not display affection in public.
• Women should travel, if possible, with their shoulders and knees covered.
• Before you start off your taxi journey, agree the price with the driver in order to avoid surprises at the end of the trip.

What is best to visit Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada?

Both cities have their own charm and are magnificent places to enjoy the Red Sea, the Egyptian culture and way of living and the beaches.

If you travel to Hurghada, you will be able to enjoy a city that will allow you to get quicker to the main attractions of Egypt since it is closer to them. Nevertheless, you won’t find as good spots to dive and snorkel as in Sharm El Sheikh. In Sharm El Sheikh, coral reefs and marvelous fishes can be found very easily.

You must decide where to go depending on what you prefer most and your travel itinerary and time in Egypt.

You can also ask yourself how you can travel between those two cities. There are two alternatives:

• By car, although it is a long way. You will spend around 9 hours and half and drive 780km approximately. You can expect to spend about 35-55€.
• By plane. In our opinion, this is the best way to travel between both cities because you will only spend about an hour and a half and spend 15-31€.