Sharm El Sheikh Destination Guide

Egypt is blessed with several popular holiday destinations and Sharm el-Sheikh, situated on the Red Sea Riviera is a particularly sought after one. Perched at the edge of Sinai, beach-fronted Sharm el-Sheikh is famous for water sports such as scuba diving and snorkelling. Fun activities do not end with water sports here. Sharm el-Sheikh is only 20 km away from the well-known Ras Mohammed Park.

Sharm El Sheikh offers its visitors pleasures that range from simply relaxing in or by the sea, to more adventurous ones such as diving and desert safaris. No matter what you choose it will provide you with an unforgettable experience.

Our Sharm El Sheikh Destination Guide below shows you the highlights of a trip to this beautiful part of Egypt. You will also find a range of interesting and exciting Sharm El Sheikh tours. Our Egypt Country Guide provides you with general travel information for planning your trip, and you should also check out what there is to see and do in Egypt's neighbouring countries, Jordan and Syria.

Things to See & Do in Sharm El Sheikh

Follow the links below or scroll further down the page for details on some of the many interesting tourist attractions in Sharm El Sheikh:

Mount Sinai is considered a holy place by Christians, Jews and Muslims. Just north of Mount Sinai is the Monastery of St. Katherine. Pilgrims from every part of the world have been flocking to this mountain for thousands of years. For a truly spiritual experience, the faithful climb the 4000 odd steps to the mountain’s summit (7497 ft or 2285 m). The less-fit prefer the easier winding path around the mountain. Both routes lead to Elija’s Basin, an open space from where the last 750 steps start. The Chapel of the Holy Trinity, built in 1934, stands at the summit. A chapel was built on the same spot in 363 AD too. The trek to the summit takes a good three hours but the astounding views are reward enough.

Approximately 20 km east of Abu Zenima is Serabit el Khadim, one of Sinai's most famous archaeological sites. The exquisite turquoise found in this otherwise barren land attracted the Pharaohs who carved scarabs out of it. From the 3rd dynasty (2670-2570 BC) onwards, miners were sent to bring back this precious stone. The practice continued beyond the period of the 12th dynasty (1955-1750 BC) when the area was chosen for the construction of a temple dedicated to the Goddess Hathor, also known as the Mistress of Turquoise. Remnants of this temple built on a plateau 850 m above sea level, and stone slabs with inscriptions, lie strewn about. Abandoned turquoise mines can be found just beyond the temple. The mines have several well-preserved stone inscriptions.

In central South Sinai is Mount Moses or the Gebel Musa with the Monastery of St. Katherine at its base. The monastery began as a small church in 330 AD. It was built close to Moses’ Burning Bush under the decree of Empress Helena, the mother of Emperor Justinian. In those days it was called the Church of the Transfiguration. Later Emperor Justinian (527-565AD) secured it with the monastery that can be seen now.

It was only in the 11th century that the monastery was dedicated to St. Katherine of Alexandria who died in 310 AD. Buried in the monastery’s basilica are her remains, which are said to have been found by monks on a mountain peak close to Mount Sinai. The monastery with its cypress trees and gardens now belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church. Its library is famous for its collection of decorated manuscripts that is second in size only to that in the Vatican.

The Coloured Canyon of Sinai is an amazing wonder of nature. The walls of these sandstone canyons are smeared with colours like magenta, red, purple, yellow and gold. At places, these canyon walls are 40m high.

It is the presence of naturally occurring chemicals such as manganese and ferrous oxide that has made the canyon walls so colourful. Evolving over many hundreds of years, the canyons have assumed labyrinth like forms offering great opportunities for photography.

Midway between the Gulf of Suez and the Monastery of St Katherine is Feiran Oasis, known to have been one of the earliest centres of Christianity. Beginning from the 2nd century, many churches were built around this oasis and their ruins can still be seen.

In the middle of the palm-ringed oasis is the Seven Girls Monastery. Built in circa 4th century, the monastery is very interesting. Walk through old churches of the Byzantine period to reach the peak of Gebel Tehuna for some amazing views.

The Nawamis are strange structures of prehistoric origin seen exclusively in eastern and southern Sinai. They are roughly circular in shape with walls that slope inwards. Built of slabs of sandstone, they are 2 to 2.5 m (6.6-8.2 ft) in height and 3 to 6 m (10-12 ft) in diameter. The narrow opening to each structure faces west.

Tools of flint, coloured beads, bracelets made of shell, small jugs, and tools of bone and copper have been found by archaeologists inside these structures. It is believed that they represent offerings to the dead. They are said to belong to the Chalcolithic or the Copper Stone Age that lasted from 4000 to 3150 BC. Evidence points to the Nawamis being burial chambers though it is not clear who lies buried here.

Hugging the Gulf of Aqaba coast before moving inland to cover areas between Dahab and Sharm el-Sheikh is the Nabq Protected Area. Spread across 600 square kilometres, the area comprises diverse landforms such as sand dunes, wadis or valleys, salt marshes and flood plains with alluvial soil. This diversity supports a variety of plants and animals.

The wildlife here includes hyrax, gazelles, Nubian ibex and various types of foxes. Reptiles and lizards are often spotted too. The area is of special attraction to birdwatchers who frequently sight spoonbills, herons, storks, terns, ospreys and gulls.

In Nabq, great diversity can be seen among the flora too. With six endemic plant species, the total number of flowering shrubs is 134. The Nabq coastline is edged with four mangrove forests that are made up of a single species of tree. The forests cover an extensive area and are the last lot seen this far north. The rarely seen arak is a spreading bush that grows along the leeward face of the sand dunes.

The charming St. Katherine Protectorate is perhaps Egypt's most attractive national park. It comprises the mountainous region of central South Sinai, where Egypt’s highest mountain Gebel Katharina (2624m) is located.

The park abounds in wild plants. Many are endemic. While a total of 317 plants have been recorded here, nineteen are indigenous. This mountainous area is home to nearly thirty-five varieties of snake, many of which are not found elsewhere. The Innes cobra and the Sinai banded snake are among them. Mammals spotted here include Nubian ibex, rock hyrax, wild cats, red fox, Dorcas gazelle and hyenas. Birdwatchers have reported sighting the white-crowned black wheatear.

Rare mammals like the red fox, Dorcas gazelle and Nubian Ibex live in the arid environs of Ras Mohammed Park, which comprises gravel plains, sand dunes, granite mountains and fossilized corals. More frequently seen are birds such as ospreys, gulls, terns and herons. Migrating white herons sweep through Ras Mohammed Park in large numbers, going south in September and October, and heading north in April and May. The park has nearly 85 plant species.

An amazing variety of fish and corals live in the waters off Ras Mohammed. Out of the 200 types of corals, 125 are soft ones. Then there are 40 starfish species, a 1000 species of fish, 100 species of molluscs, 25 species of sea urchins and many species of crustaceans. The green Turtle and the Hawksbill Turtle can also be seen here.

Land Activities
Sharm el-Sheikh is a veritable playground for adults. Between excursions to nature parks and other fun activities, you will never know a dull moment.

Camel rides, quads, desert safaris, and 4×4 jeeps are the many ways you can explore this remarkable land of wadis and mountains. The scope for adventure is immense. Accompanied by a guide everyone can enjoy their share of excitement trekking and hiking in this land which is like no other.

Other available activities are go-carting tracks, motorbike tracks and quad runner tracks. Quad runners are 4-wheel motorbikes made for deserts. Energetic visitors can opt for a game of tennis, volleyball, or squash, which is available at almost every Sharm El Sheikh hotel.

Water sports
The water sports and scuba diving facilities available in Sharm el-Sheikh are a major attraction. The endless coral-lined coast at the foot of the stunning golden brown mountains is a great spot for water activities. Then there is the thriving nightlife that Sharm el-Sheikh is justly famous for.

The beaches and lagoons here are ideal for indulging in the new rage of water skiing and wake boarding. This apart, Sharm El Sheikh hotels readily arrange activities such as parasailing, trips in glass-bottomed boats, banana rides, snorkelling and canoeing.