For those who love the sea and sun, Sharm El Sheikh’s main attractions are the marvellous turquoise blue sea, tranquil enough for the whole family to enjoy, or why not kick back and relax on the many sunny beaches available, which are dotted with umbrellas and sun loungers!
Sharm El Sheikh is one of the most popular tourist destinations for Brits and Europeans outside of the EU zone, with its value for money all inclusive hotel complexes, world class diving, history and culture, and endless activities.
Hotels offer the highest standards, equipped with all the comforts and requirements needed to offer the visitor a long, pleasant stay and the town that was once a small fishing village has become a luxury holiday resort, a paradise for those who seek the sun and sea. Without doubt, the city has a unique charm of its own, with the rocky range of the Sinai behind, and the incredible blue of the Red Sea in front. All around the town you will find sandy dunes, rare oases, camels and traditional Bedouin villages, which can all be visited by daily excursions on quad bikes or camels.
The main attraction of Sharm El Sheikh however, is the diving and snorkelling, which can be enjoyed by both beginner and the advanced. But there is still plenty to see out of the water, with horse and camel desert rides, excursions through the rocky Sinai desert, beautiful sandy beaches, or a trip back in time with daily excursions to Luxor or Cairo.
Evenings in Sharm El Sheikh are magical, the lights come on, the streets are crowded with people, and the tables outside bars fill up. One can smoke a Shisha pipe, drink Arabian coffee, eat ‘Italian’ ice-cream and the night clubs begin to vibrate with music.
The name ‘Red Sea’ – is said to come from the reddish colour produced by certain algae, in contrast to the wonderful deep blue colour of the water that tourists keep coming back for each year. It is estimated that more than a fifth of the marine life in the Red Sea, is unique to this area, thanks to the specific characteristics, including little rainfall, the absence of rivers, and the warm sea temperatures.
In Arabic, the word ‘Sharm’ means ‘a bay’, so the name of the town is ‘the bay of the sheik’. The coast line of Sharm El Sheikh consists of a series of wonderfully unique bays, where you will find anything from 3 star hotels, to 5 star all inclusive complexes, both offering modern architecture and host of water sports.
To the east is Sharm el Maya, the main port and marina of the Sinai, with numerous yachts, private boats, and daily snorkelling transfers. El Hadaba, situated in Ras Um Sid, offers some of the best luxury hotels along the coast, with magnificent views of the seas.
Approximately 15 minutes from Ras Um Sid you will find the famous; Naama Bay, with its bright lights, bustling shopping centres, nightclubs, and bars. This is definitely not a place you can miss!
The neighbouring Coral Bay, has rapidly become the most popular tourist area in all of Sharm El Sheikh, and is next to the famous little Sharks Bay which, contrary to the fearsome and dangerous-sounding name is a haven of peace and tranquil beauty, with excellent, safe, diving and snorkelling.