Sharm El Sheikh
Egypt
- Ras Muhammad National Park
- Naama Bay
- SS Thistlegorm wreck
- Saint Catherine's Monastery
- Mount Sinai
About Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm El Sheikh is a resort city at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula on the Red Sea. Over the past half-century it has grown through diving and seaside tourism and hosted international summits.
The reefs of Ras Muhammad National Park, Naama Bay, the famous SS Thistlegorm wreck and, inland, Saint Catherine's Monastery and Mount Sinai are the main draws.
Natural phenomena and seasons
- Dust and sand storms (March–May) — Dust and sand storms are more frequent from March–May; visibility can drop quickly and flights may be affected.
How many days do you need?
Four or five days suit a beach and diving stay: plan a boat day to Ras Muhammad and an overnight trip to Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine's Monastery, and spend the rest on the reefs.
Where to stay
- Naama Bay — Walkable promenade, restaurants and nightlife.
- Nabq and Sharks Bay — Large resorts to the north, near the airport.
- Old Market — To the south, with a more local feel and close to the harbour.
From the airport to the city
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) is a few miles north of Naama Bay. Taxis or hotel transfers run into town; agree on the fare in advance.
Getting around
Resort areas are spread out; use taxis, minibuses and hotel shuttles. Ras Muhammad and the Strait of Tiran are visited on boat trips.
Good to know
- Official travel advisories may cover parts of Sinai; check your government's current advice before you go and visit inland areas on licensed tours.
- Don't touch coral, and follow national park rules.
- The currency is the Egyptian pound.
Useful links
- Experience Egypt (Egyptian tourism) egypt.travel
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: November–March. The warmest month is August (average high 101 °F); the wettest is March (0.1 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 71.4 | 0.11 | Ideal |
| February | 74.3 | 0.06 | Ideal |
| March | 79.9 | 0.15 | Ideal |
| April | 86.7 | 0.01 | Good |
| May | 93.2 | 0.01 | Very hot |
| June | 98.8 | 0.00 | Very hot |
| July | 99.7 | 0.00 | Very hot |
| August | 100.8 | 0.00 | Very hot |
| September | 98.1 | 0.00 | Very hot |
| October | 91.4 | 0.05 | Very hot |
| November | 82.4 | 0.09 | Ideal |
| December | 75.0 | 0.04 | Ideal |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
Public holidays 2027
- Christmas DayJanuary 7
- National Police DayJanuary 25
- Revolution Day 2011January 25
- End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) *March 9 (3 days)
- Sinai Liberation DayApril 25
- Labour DayMay 1
- Sham El NessimMay 3
- Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) *May 16 (4 days)
- Islamic New Year *June 6
- 30 June DayJune 30
- Revolution DayJuly 23
- Birthday of Muhammad (Mawlid) *August 14
- Armed Forces DayOctober 6
* Date follows the lunar calendar and may shift by a few days.
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencyEgyptian Pound (£)
- Dialling code+20
- Plugs & voltageType C, F · 220 V · 50 Hz
- EmergencyPolice 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180
- DrivingOn the right
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.