Sharm El Sheikh Holidays

Sharm El Sheikh sits at the southern tip of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, where the desert meets the clear waters of the Red Sea. It is one of Egypt’s best-known holiday regions, especially for travellers looking for reliable sunshine, resort hotels, snorkelling and diving. The coastline is the main draw, with sheltered bays, coral reefs close to shore and views across to the rugged Sinai mountains.

The area is made up of several popular resort districts, each with a slightly different feel. Naama Bay is the long-established centre, with a promenade, restaurants, cafés and easy access to organised excursions. Sharks Bay is quieter and popular for sea-view hotels and reef access, while Nabq Bay offers larger resort-style hotels and wide coastal scenery. Ras Um Sid and Hadaba are good choices for clifftop views, reef snorkelling and a more laid-back atmosphere. Many hotels are all-inclusive, but there are also plenty of places to eat out, from Egyptian grills and seafood restaurants to international menus aimed at holidaymakers.

Sharm El Sheikh is particularly well known for the Red Sea. Snorkelling is possible in many hotel areas, though reef access is often from jetties rather than gently shelving sand. Divers come for colourful coral, clear water and sites around Ras Mohammed National Park and the Straits of Tiran. Boat trips are a popular way to see more of the coastline, with stops for swimming, snorkelling or diving depending on the excursion.

Away from the water, the desert landscape gives the region a very different character from many beach destinations. Visitors can take guided trips into the Sinai for quad biking, camel rides, Bedouin-style dinners or stargazing. In town, the Old Market area is useful for souvenirs and local atmosphere, while SOHO Square and Naama Bay offer a more resort-focused mix of restaurants, shops and evening entertainment.

For UK holidaymakers, Sharm El Sheikh works well as a winter-sun break, a diving holiday or a relaxed hotel-based escape. It is warm for much of the year, with very hot summers, so the best time to visit often depends on how much heat you enjoy and how active you plan to be.