Things to do in Sharm El-Sheikh
By Jonathan Owen
Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager
Published
9th December 2022
Last modified 31st July 2024
Last modified 31st July 2024
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Looking for the ultimate beach vacation? Look no further than Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. This popular tourist destination boasts beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, and year-round warm weather, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind. But that’s not all Sharm El-Sheikh has to offer. From scuba diving and snorkeling in the Red Sea to visiting traditional markets and taking a desert safari, there are plenty of exciting activities and attractions to keep you busy. Plus, with its rich cultural history and luxury spas, Sharm El-Sheikh has something for everyone. So pack your bags and head to this beautiful destination for the vacation of a lifetime.
Take a walk around this wonderful with our travel insurance team’s top things to do whilst visiting this Egyptian City.
The dive sites around Sharm El-Sheikh, located at the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula, are renowned for their excellence due to the region’s far-reaching position. This unique location is where the Red Sea splits into the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez, contributing to the exceptional quality of the dive sites.
Nestled deep in the South Sinai Desert is the iconic Mount Sinai (also known as Mount Moussa or Japel Moussa), believed by many scholars to be the biblical Mount Sinai where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament. Sacred to all Abrahamic faiths, including Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, a visit to Mount Sinai is a must-do for those visiting Sharm El-Sheikh.
And for an unforgettable experience, consider embarking on a sunrise hike up the mountain.
Located at the base of Mount Sinai, St. Catherine’s Monastery is a top historical destination on the Sinai Peninsula and a must-see for Christian pilgrims. Said to be where Moses received the Ten Commandments, this Greek Orthodox hermitage is one of the oldest working monasteries in the world and home to the famous “burning bush” of the Old Testament, a native rubus sanctus bramble.
A highlight of a visit to the monastery is the museum, which showcases a selection of religious icons and ancient manuscripts from the monastery’s renowned library, considered to contain one of the most significant early Christian manuscript collections in the world. The library is not open to visitors.
Shark’s Bay is a newer resort area in Sharm El-Sheikh, located about 11 kilometers north of Naama Bay. Known for its luxurious five-star resorts and hotels, Shark’s Bay boasts well-kept beaches with restaurants and cafes right on the sand, and good snorkeling just off the shore.
The hub of Shark’s Bay activity is the Soho Square Center, a mall complex with top restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops, as well as a regular “dancing fountain” display and various musical performances and entertainment in the evenings. The mall complex is popular with tourists after dark.
Sharm Old Market, also known as Sharm al-Maya, is the town’s bazaar area where you can find a wide range of traditional items such as sparkling Arabic lamps, shisha pipes, and intricately carved woodwork. To fully enjoy the market, it is best to visit at sunset or later when the heat of the day has subsided.