Sharm El Sheikh rose from a sleepy fishing village on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula to a globally loved Red Sea resort. Its coastline is a living aquarium: coral gardens, drop-offs, and shipwreck stories that lure divers and snorkelers year-round. Inland, granite mountains hold older legends, leading pilgrims and hikers to the dawn-lit summit of Mount Sinai.

Expect a mix of azure bays like Naama and Sharks Bay, easy access to Ras Mohammed National Park and Tiran Island, and atmospheric evenings in the Old Market beneath the domes of Al Sahaba Mosque. Families gravitate to sandy, calm beaches; underwater fans chase Jackson and Shark Reefs; night owls find their rhythm in Naama Bay and SOHO Square.

Practical notes: Many nationalities can obtain a free “Sinai Only” stamp on arrival for up to 14 days (sufficient for Sharm, Tiran, and Ras Mohammed by boat; land visits to Ras Mohammed or beyond Sinai usually require a full Egyptian visa—confirm before arrival). Cash is king for taxis and small shops; cards are common in resorts. Respect local dress codes when visiting mosques and St. Catherine’s Monastery, and always use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the corals.

Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm is Egypt’s Red Sea playground—clear water, postcard bays, and coral shelves starting meters from shore. The vibe shifts by neighborhood: Naama Bay is lively and central; Sharks Bay is refined and close to SOHO Square; Hadaba/Ras Um Sid sits atop scenic cliffs near excellent snorkeling; Nabq Bay offers broad resorts and family-friendly shallows.

• Top sights and experiences: Ras Mohammed National Park (Shark & Yolanda Reefs), Tiran Island (Jackson and Gordon Reefs), White Island sandbar, Farsha Café sunsets, Al Sahaba Mosque in the Old Market, quad biking and starry Bedouin dinners.
• Underwater operators (consistently well-reviewed): Camel Dive Club (Naama Bay), Red Sea Diving College (Naama Bay), and Sharks Bay Umbi Diving Village. They run try-dives, PADI courses, and snorkel-friendly boat days.
• Dining highlights: Fares Seafood (Old Market/Hadaba) for the daily catch; Rangoli (Mövenpick) for Indian with a bay view; El Fanar Beach Restaurant (Ras Um Sid) for pizza, seafood, and sunsets; SOHO Square’s Bombay (solid North Indian), L’Entrecôte (steak), and Sushi Lounge.
• Fun facts: The famed “White Island” is a sandbar that appears with calm seas; many visitors spot wild dolphins en route to Tiran; and the Old Market’s mosque is a photogenic blend of Ottoman and Mamluk styles.

Where to stay: Choose Naama Bay if you want walkable nightlife, Sharks Bay for upscale resorts and SOHO Square, Hadaba/Ras Um Sid for tranquil cliff views and easy snorkeling, or Nabq Bay for big, family-oriented hotels. Browse stays on VRBO (Sharm El Sheikh) and Hotels.com (Sharm El Sheikh).

How to get there: Fly into Sharm El Sheikh International (SSH). Cairo–Sharm flights take ~1 hr (often $60–120 one-way), Istanbul–Sharm ~2 hr 15 min ($120–250), and seasonal direct flights from European cities range widely ($200–450 roundtrip). Compare options on Trip.com and Kiwi.com (if you’re flying from Europe and prefer a Europe-focused engine, you can also search via Omio).

Airport to hotel: Taxis and hotel shuttles reach Naama Bay in ~15–20 minutes (typical fares $6–12 equivalent; agree before riding). Nabq Bay is ~20–30 minutes.

Day 1: Arrival, Naama Bay Promenade, and a Seafood Welcome

Afternoon: Land at SSH and transfer to your hotel. Settle in, then take a gentle stroll along the palm-lined Naama Bay promenade—peek into dive shops, beachfront lounges, and souvenir stalls to get your bearings.

Evening: For a first taste of the Red Sea, book dinner at Fares Seafood (Old Market or Hadaba). Pick your fish from the counter—grilled sea bass, fried calamari, and tahini-dressed salads are standouts. Cap the night with mint tea or hibiscus at Camel Bar & Roof in Naama Bay, a friendly institution with rooftop views and laid-back music.

Day 2: Ras Mohammed National Park and Old Market Nights

Morning: Join a boat trip to Ras Mohammed (hotel pickup ~8:00). Expect two to three snorkel/dive stops at sites like Shark & Yolanda Reefs—vertical walls, schooling fish, and soft corals that made the Red Sea famous. Snorkel excursions usually run $35–55; certified divers $75–120 including tanks and weights.

Afternoon: Many boats include a hot buffet lunch and a stop at the White Island sandbar (weather-dependent). Return by ~4:00 pm and rest by the pool.

Evening: Wander the atmospheric Old Market. Photograph Al Sahaba Mosque’s ornate façade at golden hour, then graze on puffy baladi bread, dips, and grilled shrimp back at Fares Seafood. Try fresh sugarcane or mango juice from the local stands before heading home.

Day 3: Tiran Island Reefs and SOHO Square After Dark

Morning: Board a Tiran Island boat toward Jackson or Gordon Reef. Snorkelers drift over gardens of acropora and giant clams; divers may spot Napoleon wrasse and, with luck, a cruising turtle. Trips run ~$40–60 for snorkeling, $80–120 for diving.

Afternoon: Return to shore and beach at Sharks Bay, where the house reef is ideal for a lazy fin around the jetty. Coffee pick-me-up at your resort or a quick iced drink in SOHO Square.

Evening: Dine in SOHO Square: Bombay serves reliable North Indian curries and tandoori; L’Entrecôte covers steak-and-sauce classics; Sushi Lounge handles maki and sashimi. Digest with a stroll past the fountains; night owls can continue to the novelty Ice Bar or head back to Naama Bay’s Little Buddha for sushi-and-DJ vibes.

Day 4: Cliffside Snorkeling, Farsha Café, and a Desert Bedouin Dinner

Morning: Easy breakfast—grab a cappuccino at Costa Coffee (Naama Bay) or enjoy your hotel spread. Then set up at El Fanar Beach (Ras Um Sid), where wooden decks face a steep coral wall perfect for snorkelers. The beach restaurant does solid pizzas, seafood pastas, and fresh salads.

Afternoon: Drift next door to Farsha Café, a bohemian cliffside labyrinth of cushions and lanterns. It’s idyllic for a slow tea, fresh lemonade, and view-filled photos. Reserve a late-afternoon quad-bike desert tour; most start mid-to-late afternoon to catch sunset in the dunes.

Evening: Ride quad bikes along sandy wadis to a Bedouin camp for a simple grilled dinner, sweet tea, and star talk—many tours add a telescope session to trace constellations. Expect ~$25–45 depending on inclusions; return by ~9:00–9:30 pm.

Day 5: Day Trip to Dahab and the Blue Hole

Morning: Depart by car or minibus for Dahab (~90 minutes along the Gulf of Aqaba). Snorkel the famous Blue Hole from the shore—drop-offs are immediate, so stick close to your guide and the coral saddle if you’re not an experienced swimmer. Fees and gear rental typically add $10–20.

Afternoon: Head into Dahab town for a relaxed seaside lunch. Try Shark Restaurant for grilled catch and mezzes, or Athanor near the Lighthouse area for wood-fired pizza and fresh juices. Grab a falafel-and-taameya snack from Yum Yum before browsing handmade Bedouin bracelets on the promenade.

Evening: Return to Sharm (arrive ~6–7 pm). Keep dinner light—consider waterfront bites at Naama Bay or a late pasta at El Fanar Beach Restaurant if you’re staying near Ras Um Sid.

Day 6: Mount Sinai Sunrise and St. Catherine’s, Spa Recovery, Easy Dinner

Morning (very early): Most tours depart Sharm ~11:00 pm–12:00 am for the drive to St. Catherine (2–2.5 hours). Hike 2–3 hours by headlamp to Mount Sinai’s summit for sunrise—bring warm layers. Descend to visit St. Catherine’s Monastery (check opening days/times; entry typically a few USD) and see the chapel and historic icons.

Afternoon: Return to Sharm around midday. Book a recovery session at a resort spa—top choices include the Four Seasons Spa (Sharks Bay) for refined treatments or a Mividaspa branch in Nabq Bay for solid value Turkish baths and massages. Nap, swim, hydrate.

Evening: Keep it mellow: sunset mocktails at your hotel and a tasty curry at Rangoli (Mövenpick; terrace views over Naama Bay). If you have energy, a brief promenade walk rounds out the day.

Day 7: Glass-Bottom Peek, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Enjoy a final swim or take a glass-bottom boat/semi-submarine tour (great for non-swimmers; ~1.5 hours). Coffee and croissants at your hotel or a quick grab from Costa in Naama Bay.

Afternoon: Pick up souvenirs—spices, dates, and hand-embroidered Bedouin goods are meaningful (bargaining is expected). Transfer to SSH for your flight; aim to arrive 2–3 hours before departure.

Evening (if late flight): A quick early dinner in SOHO Square or Naama Bay before check-in. Consider grilled kofta, fattoush, and a fresh lemonade to end on a bright note.

Booking resources: For stays, compare options on VRBO and Hotels.com. For flights, search Trip.com and Kiwi.com (Europe-based travelers can also check Omio).

In one week, you’ll skim coral gardens in Ras Mohammed, float above Tiran’s reefs, sip tea on a cliff at sunset, and stand where desert mountains meet scripture at daybreak. Sharm El Sheikh rewards early starts and unhurried afternoons—leave room for both, and the Red Sea will do the rest.