Sharm el‑Sheikh sits where the Sinai desert meets the Red Sea, a fishing hamlet turned resort town famed for shipwrecks, coral walls, and a coastline that glows pink at sunset. In the 1980s, divers put Sharm on the map; today it’s a gateway to Ras Mohammed National Park and the reefs of Tiran, with visibility so clear it feels like flying.

Beyond the water, you’ll find Bedouin traditions, spice-scented markets, and a lively promenade culture in Naama Bay and SOHO Square. Seafood lands on plates within hours of leaving the sea—think grilled grouper, octopus, and red mullet—alongside Egyptian staples like ta’ameya (Egyptian falafel), koshary, and feteer.

Practical notes: Sharm’s weather is sunny year‑round; bring a rash guard and reef‑safe sunscreen to protect coral. Taxis are common; agree on fares before setting off (airport to most resorts is ~15–25 minutes). Snorkelers and divers should avoid touching coral, feeding fish, or standing on reefs—marine park rules are strictly enforced.

Sharm el‑Sheikh

Choose your base by vibe: Naama Bay for walkable nightlife, Ras Umm Sid/Hadaba for quiet coves and superb house‑reef snorkeling, or Nabq Bay for wide beaches and big, modern resorts.

• Top sights & activities: Ras Mohammed National Park, White Island sandbar, Tiran Island reefs (Jackson/Thomas Garden), SOHO Square fountain shows, Old Market & Al Sahaba Mosque, desert quad biking and stargazing, cliffside sunsets at Farsha Lounge.
• Dive/snorkel highlights: Shark & Yolanda Reefs (Ras Mohammed), Ras Umm Sid wall, Temple (near Naama), Jackson Reef (Tiran). Visibility often 25–40m.
• Foodie picks: Fares Seafood (Old Market or Hadaba), El Masrien (grills & molokhia), Rangoli (Indian, sea‑view at Mövenpick Naama), Pomodoro & The Tandoori (Camel Dive Club complex), Camel Bar Rooftop (sundowners), El Fanar Beach Club (romantic sunset), Little Buddha (sushi + DJ).
• Fun fact: Ras Mohammed became Egypt’s first national park in 1983, protecting more than 220 coral species and hawksbill turtle nesting grounds.

Where to stay (book here): Browse apartments and villas on VRBO Sharm el‑Sheikh or compare resorts and boutique hotels on Hotels.com Sharm el‑Sheikh. Insider favorites by area: Four Seasons Sharm (house‑reef bliss, Sharks Bay), Reef Oasis Blue Bay (great snorkeling), Mövenpick Resort Naama (walkable to the promenade), Sunrise Arabian Beach (stylish, multi‑restaurant complex), Steigenberger Alcazar (Nabq Bay).

Getting to Sharm: Fly into SSH. From Cairo it’s ~1 hr nonstop; fares are typically ~$60–150 one‑way if booked ahead. From London is ~4h50 nonstop (seasonal); from Milan ~3h40. Compare prices and carriers on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Airport taxis to Naama/Hadaba run ~15–25 minutes; expect ~150–300 EGP depending on distance and time.

Day 1 — Touchdown, House‑Reef Snorkel, and SOHO Square by Night

Morning: Travel to Sharm el‑Sheikh. If you’re flying via Cairo, target a late‑morning or midday connection (~1 hr). For deals and schedules, search Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Pack a swimsuit in your carry‑on for immediate reef time.

Afternoon: Check in and hit the water. If you’re staying near Ras Umm Sid, the drop‑off is close to shore—slip in from a jetty to hover over purple fire corals and clouds of anthias. No house reef? Taxi to El Fanar or Ras Umm Sid Beach and rent snorkel gear on site. Coffee break: Makani Bakery at SOHO Square (great croissants and cold brew) or House of Cakes (pastry boutique at the Four Seasons).

Evening: Seafood feast at Fares (Old Market): order the seafood soup, grilled grouper, and Egyptian rice with nuts. Prefer spices and a view? Rangoli serves deeply flavored dal, tikka, and tandoor breads over Naama Bay. Stroll SOHO Square for the fountain show; grab a nightcap at Camel Bar Rooftop in Naama (classic rock playlist, Red Sea breeze).

Day 2 — Cairo’s Pyramids & Sphinx by Flight (Full‑Day Tour)

Rise early for a bucket‑list day. This guided excursion flies you from Sharm to Cairo in the morning, pairs you with an Egyptologist guide, and brings you face‑to‑face with the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx. You’ll visit either the Grand Egyptian Museum (in opening phases) or the historic Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, see royal treasures, enjoy lunch, and fly back the same evening—no hotel change needed.

Book: Sharm → Cairo Excursion by Flight (Pyramids + GEM or Egyptian Museum)

• Typical timing: Hotel pickup ~4:30–5:30 am; 50‑min flight to Cairo; museum + Giza Plateau + lunch; return flight; back to your hotel ~9–10 pm.
• Why we love it: It’s the most time‑efficient way to stand beneath the Great Pyramid while basing in Sharm for the reefs.
• What to bring: Passport, hat, water, comfortable shoes, small bills for tips. Optional camel photo stop at panoramic point.

Day 3 — Ras Mohammed by Boat, Old Market, and a Desert Sunset

Morning: Board a snorkel boat to Ras Mohammed National Park and the White Island sandbar (usually 9:00–15:30 with 2–3 stops). Expect schooling jacks, barracuda, and towering gorgonians at Shark & Yolanda Reefs; beginners get easy entries with a guide. Park and environmental fees are typically collected on board (~$5–10). Certified divers can book a 2‑tank Ras Mohammed or Tiran trip with reputable centers like Camel Dive Club, Red Sea Dive College, or Sinai Divers.

Afternoon: Recover by the pool, then taxi to the Old Market (Sharm el‑Maya) for souvenirs and a look at the ornate Al Sahaba Mosque (golden hour photographs are stunning). Snack on fresh mango or sugarcane juice and pick up spices—cumin, hibiscus, and dukkah—for home cooking.

Evening: Choose your finale. Option A: Bedouin desert evening with a gentle quad‑bike ride over golden dunes, sweet mint tea in a goat‑hair tent, a simple grilled dinner, and clear‑sky stargazing through a small telescope. Option B: a cliffside lounge session at Farsha Mountain Lounge—lanterns, shisha, and some of the best sunset views in South Sinai. For dinner, go classic Egyptian at El Masrien (kofta, stuffed pigeons when available, and tahini like velvet) or coastal‑casual at El Fanar with seafood pasta and live music nights.

Eat & Drink Cheat Sheet

• Breakfast/coffee: Makani Bakery (SOHO Square; pastries, smoothies), House of Cakes (Four Seasons; the mango tart is a local legend), Arabesque (hotel buffet with Egyptian corner—try foul and ta’ameya).
• Lunch: Pomodoro (thin‑crust pizzas and pasta, Naama), The Tandoori (butter chicken and paneer, Naama), Fares Seafood (grilled catch of the day, both Old Market and Hadaba branches).
• Dinner & night: Rangoli (romantic Indian with sea view), El Masrien (Egyptian classics), Little Buddha (sushi → dancefloor), Camel Bar Rooftop (laid‑back drinks).

Logistics & Tips

• Local transport: Blue‑and‑white taxis are common; agree on fare before driving (Naama ↔ Old Market ~80–150 EGP depending on time). Many resorts offer shuttles to SOHO Square/Naama.
• Cash & tipping: ATMs are plentiful; EGP is easiest. Tip boat crews, drivers, and guides (20–100 EGP for small services; more for full‑day tours).
• Marine etiquette: No touching coral or turtles; avoid flippers on shallow patch reefs. Use a rash guard to skip sunscreen where possible.
• Where to book stays: Compare prices and map locations via Hotels.com or browse villas with private pools on VRBO.

Backup Plans (Windy Days)

• SOHO Square (indoor ice bar, bowling, shopping) and Genena City mall for retail and cafés.
• Spa afternoon at your resort; follow with an easy snorkel at a sheltered jetty (Ras Umm Sid often stays calm near the wall).

Flights & connections: For all your routes to SSH or onward travel, check Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com for schedules and deals; domestic Cairo–Sharm runs around an hour, while most European nonstop seasonal flights take 3–5 hours.

In three days you’ll sample Sharm’s greatest hits: living reefs that look painted by hand, warm desert nights under a dome of stars, and the ageless geometry of the Pyramids. Come for the snorkeling; leave with stories that stretch from the Red Sea to the Nile.