Sharm El Sheikh
Overview
Long sandy beaches fringed by the rose-tinted mountains and winding canyons of the Sinai desert are the main draw in Sharm El Sheikh. Be captivated by the underwater natural treasures in Ras Mohamed National Park then dive the desolate cargo of Second World War wreck, the Thistlegorm.
Background
Sharm El Sheikh is the star of the Red Sea Riviera but until a few decades ago it was just a sleepy fishing village. Sharm sits on the southernmost point of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and spans the reefs of Ras Mohamed National Park along the coast to the Nabq Protected Area, home to the world’s northernmost mangrove forest. The resort hub is the central Na’ama Bay flanked by the Old Town of Sharm El Moya and the less developed Sharks Bay.
First-time visit
Beat the heat with a day trip to Tiran Island or Ras Mohamed National Park where the snorkelling is an underwater feast. Explore inside the fortress walls of the 6th-century St Catherine’s Monastery or brave the overnight climb for the spectacular sunrise from the top of Mount Sinai. A camel ride out to a Bedouin camp for dinner followed by unparalleled stargazing will thrill all the family.
Return visit
After a dip in the Red Sea, divers always want more so take a dive boat out to explore less visited reefs, home to hammerheads and whale sharks. If you prefer your adventure above water, try kite surfing in Nabq or take a bus trip to the twisting Coloured Canyon near Nuweiba. Hone your haggling skills in the Old Town souk or relax with a shisha pipe in a traditional café before catching a session from an international DJ in Na’ama Bay.
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