What Are the Best Things to Do in Sharm El Sheikh?
Snorkelling or diving Ras Mohammed National Park, a Sinai desert safari, the overnight Mount Sinai climb and relaxing in Naama Bay are the essentials. Sharm El Sheikh is Egypt's Red Sea playground — world-class coral reefs, warm water almost year-round and a dramatic desert-and-mountain backdrop, rather than pharaonic temples. The best sights split between sea, desert and mountain, so a few well-planned days (or a week to dive properly) covers them, and guided tours are the easiest way to link them up — including fly-in day trips to Cairo and Luxor.
TOP SIGHT: Ras Mohammed reefs & Naama Bay
BEST DAY TOUR: Ras Mohammed snorkelling boat or Sinai desert safari
TIME NEEDED: 3–4 days (a week to dive & explore)
DON'T MISS: Snorkelling or diving the Red Sea reefs
Sharm El Sheikh is where Egypt trades pharaohs for coral reefs, and after years of running trips out of this Red Sea resort we still think it has the best snorkelling and diving in the country. Sitting on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Sharm pairs warm, glass-clear water and famous reefs with a dramatic desert-and-mountain backdrop just inland. You can dive Ras Mohammed in the morning, quad across the desert at sunset, and climb Mount Sinai before dawn — all from the same hotel. It's the easiest place in Egypt to mix real adventure with genuine downtime, and a short flight puts Cairo and Luxor within day-trip reach too.
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Top Things to Do in Sharm El Sheikh
1. Ras Mohammed National Park
Egypt's first national park sits at the very tip of the Sinai, where the Red Sea meets the Gulf of Aqaba over some of the healthiest coral walls on the planet. It's the region's premier diving and snorkelling site — think sheer reef drop-offs, mangroves and the famous Shark Observatory viewpoint. We run boat trips out here weekly, and going by boat is the way to reach the best reefs. Ras Mohammed National ParkSnorkeling by boat to Ras Mohamed
2. Scuba Diving at Shark & Yolanda Reef
Sharm is a bucket-list diving destination, and the Shark and Yolanda reefs inside Ras Mohammed are the jewel — a wall of soft coral, schooling barracuda and the scattered cargo of the wrecked Yolanda ship. Beginners can try a discovery dive on the calm house reefs, while certified divers chase the drop-offs. Book a guided dive day and all the gear is sorted for you. Scuba diving Sharm El Sheikh
3. Naama Bay
Naama Bay is the beating heart of Sharm — a curving promenade of beaches, dive centres, restaurants and buzzing nightlife wrapped around a sandy bay. By day it's easy swimming and sun-loungers; by night the boardwalk fills with cafés, shisha and street performers. It's the most walkable part of town and the classic first-timer base. Local tip: the calm bay is perfect for a first snorkel. Naama Bay
4. Tiran Island
This uninhabited island in the strait between Sinai and Saudi Arabia is ringed by four spectacular reefs and some of the bluest water you will ever see. Most visitors come on a full-day boat trip, snorkelling or diving several sites with lunch served on board. The sandbars and coral gardens here are stunning and noticeably less crowded than the reefs closer to shore. Tiran Island
5. St Catherine's Monastery & Mount Sinai
Inland lies one of the world's oldest working monasteries, home to the Burning Bush and a priceless library, sitting at the foot of Mount Sinai where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments. The classic trip climbs the mountain overnight to catch sunrise from the summit, then visits the monastery below. It's a long but genuinely unforgettable day from Sharm. Mount SinaiSaint Catherine's MonasterySt Catherine day tour from Sharm
6. Colored Canyon
Near Nuweiba, a couple of hours up the coast, this narrow desert gorge glows in bands of red, gold and purple sandstone sculpted by ancient water. You walk through towering, twisting rock corridors barely wider than your shoulders — an easy, jaw-dropping hike usually combined with a Bedouin lunch and a desert safari. Bring water and a hat; there's no shade inside. Colored Canyon
7. Quad Biking & Desert Safari
For a change from the water, head into the Sinai desert by quad bike or 4x4 for sunset. You'll bounce across open plains with the mountains turning pink, stop at a Bedouin camp for tea, dinner and stargazing, and often get a camel ride thrown in. It's one of the most popular half-day trips and easy to book from any Sharm hotel. Sinai safari trip from Sharm
8. Soho Square
This modern entertainment complex is Sharm's polished evening playground — a pedestrian square of fountains, an ice bar, bowling, restaurants, live shows and a dancing-water spectacle. It's family-friendly, partly air-conditioned and a relaxed alternative to Naama Bay's nightlife. Come after dark, when the lights and the musical fountain show are at their best.
9. Glass-Bottom Boat & Snorkelling Trips
Not a swimmer? A glass-bottom boat lets you see Sharm's coral and reef fish without getting wet — perfect for kids and grandparents. Snorkelling day-trips push further out to reefs like the Near and Middle Garden, with gear and guides included. Either way, the underwater world here is the real headline attraction, so don't leave without seeing it up close.
10. The Old Market (Old Town)
Away from the resorts, Sharm's Old Market (Sha'by) is where you'll find the most authentic local buzz — spice stalls, souvenir shops, ahwas (coffee houses) and cheap, excellent Egyptian food. Haggling is expected and part of the fun. It's the best place to pick up gifts and eat like a local, especially in the cooler evening hours.
11. Day Trip to Cairo or Luxor by Air
One of Sharm's underrated perks is how easily it connects to Egypt's greatest sights. A short domestic flight puts the Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum, or Luxor's Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple, within a single long day. We arrange these as fully guided fly-in day tours, so you can add ancient Egypt to a beach holiday without ever changing hotels. Day tour to Luxor from Sharm by airDay trip to Cairo from Sharm by air
Planning your dates? We'll match them to the best experience.
Tell us when you can travel and we'll suggest the ideal route and season — usually within the hour.
With so much spread between reef, desert and mountain, a guided day tour is the simplest way to see the best of Sharm without hiring cars or haggling with boat captains. Our local team handles the permits, transfers and timing, whether you want to dive Ras Mohammed, climb Mount Sinai or safari into the desert. Browse the full range on our Sharm El Sheikh day tours page. Sharm El Sheikh day tours
The most popular choices are the Ras Mohammed snorkelling boat, a Sinai desert safari by quad, and the overnight St Catherine and Mount Sinai trip — each run by guides who know these sites inside out. Mixing one sea day with one desert or mountain day gives most visitors the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.
★ Ready to explore Sharm the easy way? Our Sharm El Sheikh day tours cover the reefs, the desert and the mountains with local guides, hotel pickup and all the logistics handled — just show up and enjoy. See our Sharm El Sheikh day tours Sharm El Sheikh day tours
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How Many Days Do You Need in Sharm El Sheikh?
Give Sharm at least three to four days — enough for a reef day at Ras Mohammed or Tiran, a desert safari, and either a lazy beach day or the overnight Mount Sinai climb. A week lets you dive properly, add a Colored Canyon trip and still fly out to Cairo or Luxor for a day. If you're touring more of the country, Sharm pairs naturally with Dahab up the coast or Hurghada across the water, and slots easily into a longer package. Things to do in DahabThings to do in HurghadaBest Egypt tour packages
Not sure which month suits you? Ask a local.
We'll tell you honestly what the weather and crowds are really like for your travel dates.
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport takes direct flights from across Europe and daily domestic hops from Cairo (about an hour), so most visitors fly straight in. From the airport it's a 10–20 minute taxi to the main hotel areas of Naama Bay, Hadaba and Nabq. Once you're here, hotels, Naama Bay and Soho Square are walkable, while taxis and organised tours cover everything further afield.
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Where to Stay in Sharm El Sheikh
First-timers do well in Naama Bay, walkable to beaches, restaurants and nightlife, while Hadaba (Umm El Sid) and Nabq offer quieter all-inclusive resorts with house reefs right off the beach. Sharks Bay is the pick for serious divers. Whatever your style, most hotels have their own stretch of coral. Our full where-to-stay guide breaks down every area. Where to stay in Sharm El Sheikh
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Best Time to Visit Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm is a year-round sun destination. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are ideal, with warm air and sea temperatures perfect for diving. Summer is hot but the sea is bath-warm and resorts are built for it, while winter stays mild and sunny by day — the best-value season, though you'll want a wetsuit in the water. See our seasonal guide to time it right. Best time to visit Egypt
★ Want Sharm as part of a bigger Egypt trip? Tell us your dates and we'll build a private, tailor-made itinerary — reefs and desert in Sharm plus the Pyramids and the Nile, all with your own guide and driver. Plan a tailor-made Egypt tour Tailor-made Egypt tour
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The highlights are snorkelling or diving Ras Mohammed National Park, the reefs around Tiran Island, a Sinai desert safari by quad, the overnight climb of Mount Sinai with St Catherine's Monastery, and relaxing in Naama Bay. Most are easy to book as guided day trips straight from your hotel.
Yes. Sharm offers some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world, warm water almost year-round, dramatic desert scenery and reliable sunshine, all in a well-equipped resort town. It's ideal for both adventure and relaxation, and short flights make Cairo and Luxor easy add-ons.
Sharm El Sheikh is famous for its Red Sea coral reefs and world-class scuba diving, especially at Ras Mohammed National Park and Tiran Island. It's also known for the lively Naama Bay, Sinai desert safaris, and as the launch point for the Mount Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery pilgrimage.
Three to four days covers a reef trip, a desert safari and either a beach day or the Mount Sinai climb. A full week lets you dive properly, add the Colored Canyon and even fly out to Cairo or Luxor for a day. It works as a standalone break or part of a wider Egypt trip.
Yes — short domestic flights make both possible as guided day trips. You can see the Pyramids and Egyptian Museum in Cairo, or the Valley of the Kings and Karnak in Luxor, and be back at your Sharm hotel the same evening. It's the easiest way to combine a beach holiday with ancient Egypt.
Very. Calm, shallow bays make easy swimming and snorkelling, glass-bottom boats let non-swimmers see the reef, and Soho Square offers family entertainment after dark. Gentle desert safaris and camel rides suit all ages. For a relaxed sun-and-sea break, our Red Sea travel packages bundle it all together. Red Sea travel packages
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