Located on the southern tip of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, Sharm El-Sheikh has grown from a quiet Bedouin fishing village into a well-known Red Sea hub. At the meeting point of the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba, Sharm El-Sheikh’s location has shaped its character for centuries. Here are some of the best things to do in Sharm El Sheik.
At the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Gulf of Suez meets the Gulf of Aqaba, Ras Mohammed is one of Egypt’s most well-known marine reserves. It’s easy to see why—over 1,000 species of fish swim through these reefs, including clownfish, rays, and sometimes sea turtles.
You don’t need to be a seasoned diver to enjoy it. The shallow coral gardens near shore are great for snorkeling, and if you’re certified, dive sites like Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef drop steeply—some walls plunge more than 2,600 feet (800 meters). Visibility is especially clear from July to October, often reaching over 130 feet (40 meters).
The surrounding landscape is worth a look too. Salt flats, mangroves, and fossilized coral. Coming here can easily fill an entire day.
If you’re curious about daily life beyond the resorts, head to the fish market early in the morning—anytime between 5 and 7 a.m. is ideal. This is when fishermen bring in their overnight catch: snapper, grouper, squid, and sometimes lobster.
It’s noisy, lively, and full of character. Vendors shout prices, customers bargain, and the whole place smells of salt and brine. It’s not curated for tourists—this is where people shop for dinner.
You can pick out a fish, have it cleaned right there at the market, and—at some restaurants nearby—have it cooked fresh for you. Not every place does this, so it’s a good idea to ask first or go with someone who knows the area.
Sharm El Maya is one of the quieter corners of the city, tucked into a natural bay framed by mountains. It’s part fishing port, part upscale marina. You’ll see wooden boats bobbing alongside sleek yachts, and depending on the time of day, you might catch fishermen untangling nets or heading out to sea.
A few streets back, the Old Market draws locals and visitors alike with stalls full of spices, fabrics, and handmade goods. It’s a good place to wander, grab a fresh juice, or sit down for grilled fish and mint tea.
As the sun goes down, the waterfront becomes more active. Families stroll along the promenade, kids run around, and boats ease back to shore (see our guide to Egypt with kids).
Mount Moses of the Sinai Desert in Egypt © Shutterstock
Just outside the glow of Sharm El-Sheikh, the Sinai Desert opens up into wide, quiet skies that are perfect for stargazing. With hardly any light pollution and very low humidity, this part of the desert makes it easy to see the stars clearly—on a good night, you can even catch a full view of the Milky Way stretching across the sky.
A lot of people go with a guided tour, which often includes a Bedouin-style dinner around the fire. Some guides also point out constellations and share how traders used the stars to cross the desert at night. This is easily one of the best things to do in Egypt.
You don’t need to be into astronomy to enjoy it—it’s just a peaceful way to experience the desert. Families, couples, or solo travelers all seem to come away with the same quiet appreciation for it. It's easily one of the best things to do in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Naama Bay is where most of the nighttime activity happens in Sharm. It’s a walkable area lined with bars, cafés, and restaurants, and it’s busy without being chaotic. You’ll see people hanging out over hookah, watching live music, browsing shops, or heading into clubs that stay open late.
It’s not overwhelming, though. Early in the evening, it’s a nice place to walk around—especially for families. Later on, it shifts into a livelier scene with bars and dancing, but it still feels relatively easy-going and approachable.
You’ll see a mix of tourists and locals hanging out, and it’s a pretty relaxed environment overall. If you're staying nearby, it’s an easy place to dip in and out of depending on how much energy you’ve got after a day in the sun.
Desert camel ride in Nabq Nature Reserve © Shutterstock
About 20 minutes north of Sharm, Nabq Protected Area covers around 230 square miles (600 square kilometers) of coastal desert, mangroves, and coral reef. It’s Egypt’s largest coastal reserve, and its mix of ecosystems means there’s quite a lot to see—gazelles, sea birds, acacia trees, and quiet stretches of reef where people snorkel.
You can go with a guide or just explore part of it on your own. Some people hike or birdwatch; others go snorkeling in the shallower parts of the bay. It’s especially good if you’re looking to step away from resort life for a few hours and get into a slower pace. The best tours of Egypt are likely to make a stop here.
A Bedouin dinner show is a relaxed way to spend an evening outside the city, and it’s a good chance to connect with some of the traditions of the Sinai’s Bedouin communities. These gatherings usually take place in desert camps after sundown, with food, music, and storytelling around a central fire.
Dinner usually includes slow-cooked meat—lamb or chicken buried in the sand to cook—served with fresh flatbread, rice, and tea brewed with desert herbs.
Between courses, there’s music played on instruments like the rababa, traditional drumming, and sometimes dancing or spoken stories. It’s not a polished stage show but more of a shared evening where guests are welcomed into something ongoing.
A step involved in preparing Zarb, a Bedouin delicacy © Shutterstock
Tiran Island trips are usually full-day boat outings that take you out toward the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba. The island itself is uninhabited, but the waters around it are known for their reefs and clear visibility.
The boat usually stops near one or more of the reefs—Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, or Gordon—depending on sea conditions. You’ll snorkel or dive straight from the boat, and there’s a good chance of seeing big schools of fish, turtles, and sometimes even dolphins or larger marine animals if the currents are right. It's easily one of the best things to do in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Even if you’re not interested in getting in the water, the trip is still worth it. Some boats have glass-bottom sections so you can see below the surface, and there’s usually time to relax on deck, eat lunch, and take in the view of the Sinai coastline.
Street market in Egypt. Old Market. Sharm el-Sheikh © Shutterstock
Fares is a well-established Egyptian restaurant in Sharm El-Sheikh that specializes in traditional dishes and seafood. It’s family-run, with a focus on local recipes like molokhia, koshari, and grilled catch from the Red Sea.
They cook many dishes using clay pots over an open flame, which gives the food a deep, home-style flavor. If you’re curious to try something you won’t find at a hotel buffet, their stuffed pigeon or seafood tagine are good choices. The seating area looks out over Naama Bay, and if you time it right, dinner here can include a great sunset view.
It’s a good pick if you’re looking to eat somewhere with more local character.
Ras Um Sid is perched on a high point at the southern end of Sharm El-Sheikh, where the desert cliffs drop into the sea. The white lighthouse marks a long-standing navigation point, though the tower itself isn’t usually open to the public.
The draw here is really the view—you can see across the Strait of Tiran and along the coastline, and on a clear day, you might even make out the outline of the mountains across the water. It’s quiet and uncrowded, especially around sunset, and is a wonderfully peaceful stop if you’re not in a rush.
The cliffs are also interesting geologically, with fossil markings in the rocks that hint at the area's ancient underwater history. You don’t need much time here, but it’s worth coming by if you’re in the area and want a break from the beaches. It's easily one of the best things to do in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Egypt Sharm el Sheikh © Shutterstock
Just below the cliff, Ras Um Sid Beach has an easy-to-reach reef that’s great for both snorkelers and divers. The coral starts close to shore, so you don’t have to go far to see fish and other marine life. This is easily one of the best beaches in Egypt.
The reef has shallow and deeper areas, which makes it good for all experience levels. If you’ve got a mask and fins, you can swim out from the beach and be in the middle of it in minutes. Expect to see plenty of colorful fish and sometimes even turtles or small reef sharks. If you’d rather stay dry, glass-bottom boat tours run here too.
There are basic amenities by the beach—places to sit, rinse off, and grab a drink—so it’s an easy place to spend a few hours in or near the water. The reef is in good condition thanks to its protected status, so it’s one of the better places in Sharm for a casual snorkel without needing a full boat trip.
Shark’s Bay Beach is in the quieter northern part of Sharm El-Sheikh. It’s less crowded than Naama Bay, so it’s a good choice if you’re hoping for something more relaxed.
The beach has clear, shallow water that’s pretty great for swimming or snorkeling, especially if you’re just getting the hang of it. You can walk right in and see coral and fish pretty quickly—sometimes even rays or a sea turtle. Despite the name, actual shark sightings are rare.
There are loungers along the beach, and a few cafés nearby where you can get something to eat or drink. Try going early in the day when it’s quieter, and the light over the mountains is especially nice. For more advice for your trip, see our Egypt travel tips.
The International Peace Path—locally known as Al Salam Road—is a 1.5-mile (2.5-kilometer) walkway that connects Naama Bay to Sharm El Maya. It’s a well-kept promenade lined with flags from around the world, and it’s lit up at night and is a nice evening walk.
It’s usually pretty lively, especially after sunset. You’ll pass by shops, shisha lounges, ice cream stands, and places to sit for a drink or a snack. Musicians and performers are often out in the evenings, so there’s a lot going on. If you’re looking for a relaxed way to spend an hour or two without a fixed plan, this is a nice area to wander through.
Getting out into the Sinai Desert is a good break from the beach scene. Camel trekking is slower-paced—you’ll ride across sand and rocky trails with a guide, usually heading to a Bedouin camp. It’s a quiet, steady ride, and a nice way to see the landscape.
Quad biking is faster and more about the drive. You’ll cover more ground and ride over dunes and rocky paths. Most tours include a stop at a camp where you can sit down with mint tea, fresh bread, and hear from local Bedouins about the area. A lot of trips are timed around sunset, when the colors across the desert really change.
Camel rides are better if you’re looking for something cultural and slow-paced. Quad biking works if you want something more active. Both are fun ways to get around in Egypt and are some of the best things to do in Sharm El Sheik.
Parasailing above Naama Bay is one of those experiences that gives you a whole new perspective—literally. You’re strapped into a harness, lifted by a colorful chute, and pulled gently behind a speedboat as you rise up to around 1,000 feet (300 meters). From up there, you can see the curve of the Red Sea, outlines of the coral reefs below, and the Sinai mountains in the distance.
It’s quiet once you're airborne, and on clear days, the water is so transparent that you might catch glimpses of fish or even rays gliding below.
After a few days in the sun or out exploring, Sharm’s spas are a good way to wind down after days in the sun or underwater. You’ll come across a mix of treatments that use ingredients tied to the region—things like Dead Sea minerals, local herbs, or even sand-based scrubs.
Some places look out over the sea, and a few have outdoor setups where you can hear the waves while you get a massage. Traditional hammams are also common: steam, scrub, and massage all rolled into one.
You don’t have to be staying at a fancy resort either—many spas take bookings from outside guests.
Planning a trip? Our 10 day Egypt itinerary is a great place to start.
written by
Dre Roelandt
updated 03.06.2025
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