Welcome to Sharm El Sheikh — Here's What to Expect
Sharm El Sheikh receives over 1.5 million international visitors annually, yet first-timers consistently arrive unprepared for what the city actually is. It's not a typical Egyptian city — it has almost no history predating the 1980s, no traffic chaos, and no hassle on the level of Cairo. It is a purpose-built resort town on the Sinai Peninsula designed almost entirely around international tourism, with world-class diving, year-round sun, and a growing roster of activities that stretch far beyond the beach.
This guide covers everything you need to know before you arrive, told straight — no marketing fluff.
Best Areas to Stay: Naama Bay vs the Old Market
Naama Bay
Naama Bay is the original tourist hub and remains the most popular area for first-timers, and with good reason. The bay itself is a protected, calm cove with excellent snorkeling directly from the beach. The promenade is lined with restaurants, cafes, dive centres, and shops — all walkable in the evenings without needing a taxi. Most of Sharm's mid-range and upmarket hotels are within a short distance of the bay, and the concentration of tour operators makes booking excursions straightforward.
Best for: First-timers, couples, families, divers. Walk to the beach, restaurants, and most tour operators.
The Old Market (Sharm el-Sheikh el-Balad)
The Old Market area, about 8km south of Naama Bay, is Sharm's original settlement. The market street itself is worth an evening visit for local atmosphere — small shops, gold jewellery, cheap restaurants serving kofta and falafel, and slightly less tourist-inflated prices. However, staying in this area means you'll need taxis or your hotel shuttle to reach the beach and Naama Bay's amenities. Several older and more traditional hotels are based here at lower price points.
Best for: Budget travellers happy to use taxis, those wanting a more local feel, repeat visitors who know what they're doing.
Sharks Bay and the New Developments
Sharks Bay, north of Naama Bay, and the newer resort clusters around Soho Square offer larger resort complexes, often all-inclusive, with more space and quieter environments. If your priority is resort relaxation over evening strolls, this area suits you. Soho Square itself has concentrated entertainment — an outdoor shopping centre with restaurants, bars, and family activities including an ice rink and bowling.
What to Pack
- Sun protection: SPF 50+ sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, and UV-protection sunglasses. The Egyptian sun at the Red Sea is intense year-round and brutal in summer.
- Conservative clothing for outside the resort: Light trousers or long skirts and tops that cover the shoulders for visiting markets, restaurants outside your hotel, and any excursions. A scarf for women is useful. Inside your resort pool area, normal swimwear is completely fine.
- Comfortable walking shoes: You'll walk more than you expect, especially on desert excursions where sandals are inadequate.
- Snorkel mask: If you're particular about fit and hygiene, bring your own. Rental masks are available everywhere but quality varies. Fins and a snorkel vest are not worth bringing — rentals are cheap and plentiful.
- Light waterproof layer: November through February evenings can be cool (15–18°C). A light jacket or hoodie is enough.
- Power adapter: Egypt uses the European two-pin round plug (Type C/F), the same as most of Europe.
Money: Currency, Cards, and Practical Reality
The official currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). However, Sharm El Sheikh operates as a largely dollarised tourist economy, and US dollars and euros are accepted almost everywhere — hotels, tour operators, dive centres, taxis, and many restaurants quote prices in USD or EUR. You won't be at a disadvantage if you arrive with dollars or euros and spend them directly.
That said, Egyptian pounds give you the best rates at local restaurants and the Old Market. ATMs dispensing EGP are available throughout Naama Bay and at the airport. Credit cards are accepted at all hotels, most tour operators, and large restaurants, though smaller vendors are cash-only.
Tipping culture: Tipping is deeply embedded in Egyptian service culture. Budget approximately $1–2 per day for housekeeping, $2–5 per transfer for drivers, and $5–10 per day for guides. It matters to the people who receive it and costs very little.
Safety in Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm El Sheikh is considered one of the safest tourist destinations in the Middle East and North Africa. Street crime targeting tourists is rare. The resort areas are well-policed, and the concentration of tourism infrastructure means there's always help available if something goes wrong. Travel advisories from most European governments rate Sharm as safe for tourism, while advising against independent overland travel on the Sinai peninsula outside of organised tours.
The sea itself deserves more caution than the streets. Strong currents exist at some beach entry points; always ask your hotel or a local dive centre about conditions before snorkeling at unfamiliar spots. Stay within marked swimming areas. Jellyfish are occasional seasonal visitors (mainly summer) — ask locally.
Best Activities for First-Timers
- Snorkeling at Ras Mohammed National Park: The single best snorkeling and diving in the Red Sea, 20km south of Sharm. Even non-divers can see extraordinary reef life while snorkeling in the national park's protected waters.
- Glass-bottom boat trip: The gentlest introduction to Sharm's underwater world. A relaxed 2-hour boat ride over reefs with a clear-bottom viewing section. Perfect for non-swimmers and young children.
- Quad biking or jeep safari in the Sinai desert: The desert landscape behind Sharm is spectacular and underrated. A half-day quad bike or jeep tour through sandstone canyons and Bedouin terrain is an exhilarating contrast to beach days.
- Mount Sinai sunrise hike: A challenging but unforgettable overnight excursion. You depart around midnight, climb 2,285 metres by starlight, and reach the summit for one of the world's great sunrises. The mountain where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments.
- Intro diving (Discover Scuba): No certification needed. A 30-minute briefing, then a supervised shallow dive with an instructor. If you've never been underwater with a tank, this is how you start.
Booking Tours: Direct vs OTA — Why It Matters
Most first-timers book excursions through their hotel desk or via global OTA platforms (GetYourGuide, Viator, Booking.com experiences). This is convenient but expensive — OTAs typically take a 20–30% commission, and hotel desks mark up tours significantly as a revenue stream.
Booking directly through a local operator like EgyptVia cuts out the middlemen and puts that margin back in your pocket or upgrades your experience. The same Ras Mohammed snorkeling trip sold through a hotel desk at $85 per person is available on EgyptVia for $55–65, with identical (or better) transport and guides. Over a week-long stay with multiple excursions, the savings are substantial.
Additionally, direct booking lets you communicate specific requirements — group size, dietary needs, pace preferences — before you pay, rather than discovering incompatibilities on the day.
Language Tips
Arabic is the official language, but in Sharm El Sheikh's tourist areas you will rarely need it. English is widely spoken at hotels, tour operators, restaurants, and dive centres. Russian is equally common, reflecting the historically large Russian tourist market. German and Italian are understood in many hotels catering to European package tourists.
A few Arabic phrases will earn you genuine warmth from locals: Shukran (thank you), Ahlan wa sahlan (hello/welcome), and Bikam? (how much?) in the market will all generate smiles. Egyptians consistently rank among the most hospitable people in the world — a small effort with language is noticed and appreciated.
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