Sharm el Sheikh is a resort located in south west Egypt on the coast of the Red Sea.
TYPES OF HOLIDAYS
Sharm el Sheikh is a very popular resort for anybody looking for a peaceful, laid-back holiday.
Flight times from the UK are around five hours so it is possible to visit the resort for a short seven night stay. However, people mostly choose to come here for longer holidays of two to three weeks.
There are a vast number of resorts here, whether you are travelling alone, as a family, or as a retired couple. And for the budget traveller, there are still excellent lower-priced hotels, hostels and apartments to choose from.
BEST TIME TO GO
Sharm el Sheikh enjoys pleasant weather and virtually no rain all year round, with temperatures even in the winter months averaging between 15°C and 30°C. This makes it a popular winter getaway destination for many people looking to escape the cold and wet of the UK winter. The months of November to March are especially good for those looking for cheap deals on holidays.
At the height of the summer, temperatures can reach a sweltering 40°C, making it very uncomfortable. This is why many people choose to get the best of both worlds and visit either in April or October, when temperatures are pleasantly warm without being excessively hot.
SIGHTS TO SEE
Although Sharm el Sheikh is surrounded by desert, there are several natural sites to be seen.
The best array of marine life can be found under the surface of the sea, with some of the world's best coral reefs and tropical fish to be discovered.
Above ground, you can also visit Mount Sinai, which is a collection of peaks known as the 'holy
mountains'. It was here that Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments in the Bible.
For those further interested in the religious history of the area, you can visit the Chapel of the Burning Bush and St. Catherine's Monastery, which is one of the earliest known Christian centres of worship.
And if you want to experience the popular sites of Ancient Egypt you can visit Cairo and the Great Pyramids, which are a few hours away by car.
ACTIVITIES
While focusing on getting a golden tan on the beaches of Sharm el Sheikh will be the main activity on your holiday, there are still plenty of other things to do in the area.
Sharm el Sheikh is famous worldwide for scuba diving. The warm, clear waters provide ideal conditions for experiencing the array of marine life on display, such as tropical fish and coral reefs. A particular popular dive spot is the 'blue hole' in Dahab, where you can swim through a maze of caves and arches accessed through a hole in the main reef.
There are many excellent PADI certified schools in the area where you can hire equipment, receive lessons and book guided dives. These include the Pyramids Diving Center, Red Sea Diving College in Naama Bay, and Emperor Divers, which has centres in Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada and El Gouna.
Desert safaris are also popular, so you can hire your own car or have your resort arrange a jeep with an English speaking guide for you.
BEACHES
The sandy beaches along the coast of Sharm el Sheikh are the main attraction of any holiday to this area. Sharm al-Maya offers both miles of golden sand and clear, calm waters, with an array of water sports available.
Naama Bay is a popular beach as it has been carefully developed and preserves its natural beauty while still offering a wide range of amenities and Shark's Bay is a great day trip for snorkelling and enjoying a meal at a beachfront restaurant.
NIGHTLIFE
Holiday makers of all ages will find something to suit them during an evening out in Sharm el Sheikh.
Restaurants on the seafront cater to every taste, with Egyptian, French, Italian and many others to be found here. Locally caught seafood is a particular speciality.
Afterwards you can enjoy a drink in one of the many cocktail bars, or dance the night away at several nightclubs such as Pacha and Little Buddha.
And if you fancy a flutter, head to one of the casinos.
ACCOMMODATION
Sharm el Sheikh is known for having a number of higher-end resorts, but there is still something to suit every traveller's budget.
Council Street in Habada features the city's very popular Youth Hostel and is great for younger backpackers wishing to enjoy the area without paying too much.
The Amar Sina strip is where a number of affordable hotels are located, such as the Creative Mexicana Sharm Resort and the Tropicana Tivoli.
There are great hotels in Naama Bay which overlook the beautiful coastline, including the Camel Hotel, which also offers excellent package deals for scuba diving; the Sinai Star, which includes many kids' facilities; and the very popular Tropitel Naama Bay, with its beachfront location and several swimming pools.
The Baron Resort is a particular favourite for people looking to relax and have their every need catered to. This hotel boasts a seafront location with 14 restaurants and bars, a leisure centre, health club and live entertainment in the evenings.
The Iberotel Palace features several restaurants including seafood and Italian, two swimming pools, with a separate one for children, and sports facilities including tennis, volleyball, darts and water aerobics.
Located in the stunning El Basha Bay, the Reef Oasis Blue Bay resort is ideally situated for access to local sightseeing destinations such as Mount Sinai and St. Catherine's Monastery, and includes its own scuba diving centre. Within the resort, numerous bars and restaurants cater to everybody's taste while you can relax in the state of the art spa.