Sharm el-Sheikh Holiday Guide: Hotels, Bays and Optional Tours

Sharm el-Sheikh is a resort city on the Red Sea coast at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, and the hotel and the sea are at the heart of the holiday. Most of your days are spent on the hotel's beach, by its pool and at the edge of the reef; those who wish can join trips commonly organised in the area, such as boat trips, snorkelling and desert safaris. 3 nights, 4 days or 4 nights, 5 days is enough for a short break of sea and sun.

You should not think of Sharm as a city tour. This is a place where you snorkel at the edge of the reef in the morning, read a book on a sun lounger in the afternoon and walk along the seafront in the evening. Below, we describe what the holiday is like, what you can make time for and the practical details.

Getting to know Sharm el-Sheikh

The city is made up of bays and hotel areas that follow one another along the coast. Most hotels have their own beach, and many of these open directly onto coral reefs. Behind them rise the bare, rocky mountains of Sinai; this sharp contrast between sea and desert is Sharm's most distinctive sight.

Naama Bay

This is Sharm's best-known seafront area. With its promenade, restaurants, cafés and shops, it is a lively place for a walk in the evening. If you want to leave your hotel to eat local food or browse for souvenirs, this is usually the first place to go.

The Old Town and the bazaar

Sharm's old bazaar area is known for its shops selling spices, hookahs, papyrus and handmade souvenirs. Bargaining is expected here too.

What is a day at the hotel like?

Since most of a Sharm holiday is spent at the hotel, your choice of hotel directly determines the quality of the holiday. When choosing, you can look at the following:

• The beach: Is there a sandy entry, or do you enter the sea from a jetty over the reef? Families with small children may prefer a sandy, shallow entry; for snorkelling fans, a jetty out to the reef is an advantage.
• Board concept: Options such as all-inclusive, half board or bed and breakfast change both the budget and the flow of the day.
• Location: A hotel close to Naama Bay makes evening outings easier; hotels in more distant bays are quieter.

Optional tours: what can you do?

These are some of the trips commonly organised in the area. Which ones run on which day, and how, varies with the season.

• Ras Mohammed National Park: The marine protected area at the southern tip of Sinai; a well-known spot for snorkelling and diving trips by boat.
• Boat trip around Tiran Island: A day spent with snorkelling stops among coral reefs.
• Desert safari: A desert trip by four-wheel drive or ATV, with an evening programme at a Bedouin camp.
• Mount Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery: Known for hikes that start at night to watch the sunrise; it is a long and tiring trip.

We describe the sea-related trips in detail in our Sharm el-Sheikh snorkelling and diving guide.

For trips outside Sharm el-Sheikh, for example to Cairo or the pyramids, entry and visa requirements may be different. If you are considering such a trip, check the current situation with Egypt's official sources and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye before you travel.

How does the holiday go on the TatiliYakala Sharm el-Sheikh tour?

TatiliYakala's Sharm el-Sheikh tour is planned as 3 nights, 4 days or 4 nights, 5 days. The programme starts with a meeting at the international terminal of Istanbul Airport. On arrival, you are transferred to the hotel, and the guide gives information at the hotel about tours and activities in the area. The remaining days are free time with the hotel's facilities; guests who wish can join optional tours. On the last day, you check out and return to Istanbul with an airport transfer.

The catalogue lists the following as included in the package:

• Return economy class flights between Istanbul Airport and Sharm el-Sheikh (20 kg baggage)
• Airport taxes
• Accommodation in the chosen hotel category and board concept
• Airport–hotel–airport transfers
• Turkish-speaking guide service

The Turkish departure fee (yurt dışı çıkış harç pulu), trips not specified in the programme and personal expenses are not included. The hotel is determined by the category and board concept you choose; flight details are given in the quote since they change with the season.

Who is it for?

• Families: Spending time within the hotel makes holidaying with children easier.
• Young people and groups of friends: You can build an active holiday with snorkelling, diving and desert trips.
• Corporate groups: It can be considered as a short, organised reward or incentive trip.

For choosing the season, see our article on when to go to Sharm el-Sheikh.

Frequently asked questions

How many days are enough in Sharm el-Sheikh?

For a holiday focused on the sea and relaxation, 3 nights, 4 days is enough. If you want to join one or two optional tours and also spend time at the hotel, 4 nights, 5 days is more comfortable.

Do you need to leave the hotel in Sharm el-Sheikh?

It is not necessary; many guests spend their holiday at the hotel. Still, an evening stroll in Naama Bay and at least one boat trip are a good idea to get to know the area.

Are optional tours included in the package?

On TatiliYakala's Sharm el-Sheikh tour, trips not specified in the programme are not included. The guide describes the tours in the area at the hotel on arrival; participation is optional and charged separately.

Is Sharm el-Sheikh suitable for families with children?

Yes. If you choose a hotel with a sandy, shallow beach and a children's pool, it makes a comfortable beach holiday for families.

What currency is used in Sharm el-Sheikh?

Egypt's currency is the Egyptian pound. Some foreign currencies may also be accepted in tourist areas; it is useful to check the current situation and card use before you go.