Sharm El Sheikh is all about the sea. Whether you swim, dive, snorkel or simply laze on your sun bed and admire the way that the bright blues of the ocean contrast with the ochre colours of the desert, you'll have to admit that the sea is this resort's biggest asset. For crystal clear waters, abundant fish and spectacular reefs, there's nowhere else quite like it. And the resort that has sprung up to cater for all the sea lovers who come here does a very good job indeed, with top class, international hotels next door to cosy guest houses, restaurants from all around the world, and plenty of cheerful nightlife.
| You don't have to be a diver to enjoy Sharm El Sheikh... |
Hotels in Sharm el Sheikh are located either in Na'ama Bay, the city's nightlife and dining hub, or across the rest of the city. Most of the hotels in Sharm el Sheikh are mid range, and, the closer the hotel to Na'ama bay, the more expensive the room rates are likely to be. Hotels overlooking the Strait of Tiran usually enjoy panoramic, stunning views of the waterfront, whilst hotels in the Hadaba district are situated at the top of a cliff, but wherever you are to stay, check that rooms include air conditioning as it gets incredibly hot during the high season.
Divers flock to Sharm from all over the world, for some of the dive sites just a short boat ride away are incomparable. Reefs teeming with neon coloured fish stretch out to sea, forming a lacy network of lagoons and caves, before plunging thousands of feet to the ocean floor. Expert dive shops offer training and equipment for both first time and experienced divers, but if snorkelling is about as deep as you like to go, then you won't miss out, for just off the beach you can meet schools of exotic fish, eels and manta rays.
However you don't have to be a diver to enjoy Sharm El Sheikh. Thanks to the warm waters and constant breezes, conditions for water sports are fantastic, and back on shore you can go horse riding, bowling, bungee jumping or go-carting. Whilst you're in the desert, you might as well try camel riding too. Golfers will discover championship courses, and those in search of the real Sinai can join a desert safari. Just inland, this is a landscape of Bedouin camps, granite mountains and dramatic desert rolling towards the sea.
When the clear, starry night begins, there's plenty of nightlife along the boardwalk by the sea, with live bands, floorshows, casinos and discos. And the good news is that this resort, which at times can feel almost European, is relatively inexpensive, with year round sunshine.
Related Links:
Sharm el Sheikh Flights
Sharm el Sheikh Holidays
