Sharm El Sheikh: An Egyptian Charm

By Lydia Horrex

Sitting on the edge of the Red Sea is Sharm El-Sheikh, a fast-growing tourist destination in Egypt that is bursting with energy, enthusiasm, and entertainment. 

The locals are friendly, hospitable, and love to practice their English on any passing tourists, while the scenery is spectacular with deserts and moutains in one direction and the idyllic bays and beaches of the Red Sea in the other.

Here we uncover Sharm El Sheikh’s best attractions and how you too can be pleasantly surprised about what it has to offer:

Old Town: Bargain souvenirs can be found and haggled for in Sharm El Sheikh’s old market, just a 10 minute taxi ride from Na’ama Bay. Not a typical market as you may think, Old Town mostly comprises colourful bazaars, distinct smelling sheesha cafes, and good value restaurants. 

Always a lively and pleasant atmosphere to be found, Old Town boasts friendly merchants willing to give a good price if you have the confidence to haggle amongst the local Egyptians.

Desert Jeep Safari: If you fancy venturing off into the desert, joining a jeep safari is a great way to see some hard-to-reach sites. With baby canyons, Bedouin settlements, oases, and plenty of camels along the way, be sure not to forget your camera. Yet be warmed, racing over the dunes you can be guaranteed a bumpy ride and a few laughs. With a trained guide on board, you will learn about the Bedouin culture and other fascinating stories surrounding the Sinai desert.

Golfing: Just 7 kilometers from Na’ama Bay is the Movenpick Golf and Resort complex. This five-star complex provides spacious living and beautiful grounds along with friendly, hospitable service. The Bermuda grass course has excellent practice facilities including driving range and par three course as well as six lakes attracting exotic birds. A 7 night stay at the Movenpick starts at around $900 per person. For non-residents, spending a day on the 18-hole champion golf course starts from $160, with club hire ranging from $40-65. For information on booking to stay at the Movenpick Golf and Resort, you can visit www.movenpick-sharmgolf.com.

St Catherine’s Monastery: In the heart of the Sinai desert lays this most famous and historical landmark. I’m sure you’re familiar with the biblical stories of Moses, and it is here that they all come to life. 

Just a two-and-a-half hour drive from Sharm you can find yourself at the foot of Mount Sinai, believed to be the site of God’s revelation of the Ten Commandments. St Catherine’s Monastery is also home to the Well of Moses that his family lived off for many years. Located in the heart of the monastery is the burning bush where it is said God spoke to Moses. 

If you are feeling adventurous, there is the option to climb Mount Sinai as well. The 3750-step journey is usually organised overnight so visitors can experience watching the morning sunrise over the Sinai Mountains - a truly enlightening experience.  

Underwater: Diving in the National Park waters of Ras Mohammed is like being dropped into a tropical fish tank. Home to no less than a thousand different fish species and 150 types of coral, this site and many others entice divers from all over the world to the area. With over 200 diving schools across Sharm and plenty of diving locations, both beginners and experts will enjoy this underwater jungle. Snorkelling is just as popular with rental equipment easily accessible and reasonably priced.

Water Park: If you have children to entertain, or are just young at heart and enjoy thrilling rides, then Cleo Park, Sharm El Sheikh’s largest water park is certainly a day out to consider. 

The rides are set to an Egyptian theme and the parks main attraction is a gigantic pyramid with slides on all sides. You can relax on the lazy river, fight against the wave machine or unwind with a book. The best attraction to Cleo Park is that you rarely have to queue for rides.

Luxury Hotels: Sharm El Sheikh can pride itself on hotels, most of which provide an exceptionally high standard of cleanliness, service and cuisine. The Baron Resort, 12 kilometers outside Na’ama Bay is a popular choice for those looking for luxury five-star accommodation. 

With a generously sized private beach, excellent facilities, and staff who can’t do enough to help, it’s no wonder that this is one of the top hotels in the area.

Nightlife: Na’ama Bay is Sharm-El Sheikh’s most lively area where partying late enough to watch the sunrise is an effortless practice. With people of all nationalities coming together to celebrate, there is a cosmopolitan mix of clubbers and diners that will intrigue any onlooker. 

Before dancing the night away, there are plenty of places to drink and relax. With Hard Rock café, TGI Fridays, and Little Budda lined adjacent on the main strip, you really are spoilt for choice. The night for most will finish in Pacha nightclub where you can find the hottest house music, entertaining dancers and well-named DJ’s. As well as merchandise shops, the club has its very own swimming pool, just in case you need to cool down after all that dancing.

Na’ama by Night: Hitting the clubs and bars isn’t everyone’s idea of a memorable night out, but an evening in Na’ama Bay is not to be missed. Camel bar, a popular hangout for locals, tourists and workers provides a first floor sports bar and open-air roof bar with excellent views of the city. Comfy sofas, good food, ambient music, and friendly service mean there is no better place to soak up the Egyptian atmosphere. 

If you wish, you can ever order yourself a sheesha pipe. Coming in a variety of different tobacco flavours, such as apple, strawberry, apricot and mint, the sheesha water pipe is an integral part of Egyptian life and an experience that no visitor to Egypt should miss.

Gateway to Egypt: Holidaying in Sharm El-Sheikh, you have an amazing opportunity to appreciate some historically wonderful sites. With both Cairo and Luxor just an hour flight away you have the chance to have your perfect 'Kodak' moment in front of the pyramids, staring in awe at the death mask of the boy king Tutankhamen and venture into the tombs of the famous pharaohs at the Valley of the Kings. 

Daytrips to Cairo and Luxor by flight start at about $350 from reputable tour companies and include entrance tickets and lunch. At around $185 Cairo can also be accessed by road, as long as you don’t mind the six-hour drive through the desert. 

Links:
Egypt Tourism (official website)
Egypt.com
Egypt Tour Guide (Lonely Planet)
Egypt (Wikipedia)